Travelling with a 41 foot 5er

[taylorjw0831]

Take the XLR Thunderbolt 385 for example. It's not overly large 42' but it has a GVWR of 21,000lbs. For sure there are larger examples.

I'll use my truck as an example. GMC 3500 Duramax DRW
GVWR is 13,025lbs
GCWR is 31,000
5th Wheel tow rating is 22,600lbs

To tow this combo in Nevada (if you are a Nevada resident) the sum of the truck and trailer's GVWRs need to be 31,000lbs or less. With this combination the sum is 34,025lbs so would be considered out of spec even though the tow rating is more than the trailers GVWR of 21,000lbs.

Frustrating for sure.


2016 GMC Denali 3500 Duramax DRW
2017 XLR Thunderbolt 340AMP

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by taylorjw0831

Note that at least in Nevada if you get pulled over the officer may check the GVWR's for the truck and trailer and compare the sum to the trucks GCWR.

As the trucks GCWR is normally smaller than the trucks tow rating + the GVWR you may have a problem. They can require you to disconnect and call for another truck that has the proper GCWR.


2016 GMC Denali 3500 Duramax DRW
2017 XLR Thunderbolt 340AMP

Highway Patrols can do the same here. It is written right in the highway rules here about exceeding vehicle GVWR's.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by SaskCampers

Highway Patrols can do the same here. It is written right in the highway rules here about exceeding vehicle GVWR's.

From reading more on this I'm betting most Highway Patrols can do that. I've also never heard of any RVer getting pulled over for this either. So I'm thinking it's one of the laws that only comes into play when you are obviously over loaded and a danger to everyone. I'm thinking of all the caravans we see going to Mexico with used cars and farm equipment. It amazes me how they can put a whole farm worth of equipment on one lightweight flatbed and pull it with a car

[325BH]

Originally Posted by taylorjw0831

Take the XLR Thunderbolt 385 for example. It's not overly large 42' but it has a GVWR of 21,000lbs. For sure there are larger examples.

I'll use my truck as an example. GMC 3500 Duramax DRW
GVWR is 13,025lbs
GCWR is 31,000
5th Wheel tow rating is 22,600lbs

To tow this combo in Nevada (if you are a Nevada resident) the sum of the truck and trailer's GVWRs need to be 31,000lbs or less. With this combination the sum is 34,025lbs so would be considered out of spec even though the tow rating is more than the trailers GVWR of 21,000lbs.

Frustrating for sure.


2016 GMC Denali 3500 Duramax DRW
2017 XLR Thunderbolt 340AMP

Definitely frustrating. The state(s) either don't know the difference between weight Rating(s) and actual weight... or they just choose to be a-holes.

They should require an actual scale weight instead.


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[dalford]

Originally Posted by taylorjw0831

Take the XLR Thunderbolt 385 for example. It's not overly large 42' but it has a GVWR of 21,000lbs. For sure there are larger examples.

I'll use my truck as an example. GMC 3500 Duramax DRW
GVWR is 13,025lbs
GCWR is 31,000
5th Wheel tow rating is 22,600lbs

To tow this combo in Nevada (if you are a Nevada resident) the sum of the truck and trailer's GVWRs need to be 31,000lbs or less. With this combination the sum is 34,025lbs so would be considered out of spec even though the tow rating is more than the trailers GVWR of 21,000lbs.

Frustrating for sure.


2016 GMC Denali 3500 Duramax DRW
2017 XLR Thunderbolt 340AMP

You assumed that the RV used in your example was at max weight (21,000#) and that the pin weight plus your cargo caused you to be at max GVWR for your truck. I don't know what your payload is for your truck (yellow sticker) but I'm going to guess north of 5000 lbs. the 5th would typically add 4000 pin weight so you have 1000 pounds for you and your stuff.

Also the 385 is a toy hauler and according to spec has a pin weight of 2500 lbs. that is no way going to get you near your GVWR on your dully.... the key here is the distribution of weight to your truck via the pin weight. I would bet your truck would have not issue with that trailer..

[philobeddoe]

A 40ft plus 5'er isn't anymore difficult to tow than a 30 footer in my opinion. That being said, what you tow with can make it or break it. You mentioned doing some considerable traveling, likely pulling a 40ft'r, go with a dually. From new, the money difference between a single wheel to dual wheel is negligible. The extra rubber on the ground does make a positive difference. As far as the camper, I say go as big as you can stand. The only thing to consider is that some of the older or smaller campgrounds have trouble accommodating the bigger trailers. Otherwise go forth and do!

[TexasGypsies]

Not to worry...We have a 2011 F350 diesel SRW and haul our 41' 5er all over the country. We dont have trouble getting spots....Better half calls while we are traveling and tells them what length we are and requests pull-through spots. Most can accomodate. Only place it was close was in Arizona where the park is 30 years old, has 1500 spots for snowbirds and not built for the bigger rigs. We got it in with no problem...filled up the spot from front to back! i can actually back this one up easier than all of our bumper pulls.
Put it drive and have fun!

[taylorjw0831]

I agree that the truck most likely wouldn't have an issue.

I'm just stating how the Nevada DMV looks at the issue. It's very cut and dried (Truck_GVWR + Trailer_GVWR must be less than the Tuck_GCWR)


2016 GMC Denali 3500 Duramax DRW
2017 XLR Thunderbolt 340AMP

[D_B Travelers]

Originally Posted by cub22908

Thanks for the responses. I am not sure what I read about large 5ers being difficult but good to hear a large one is practical to travel with. I know a dually would make a big improvement but I just can't get myself talked into that yet as the truck will also be my daily driver and I still would like it to fit in my garage when home. Thanks again!

We are going to do the same thing next year, so we bought a GMC diesel 3500HD CC Dually so our choices when shopping for the FW would be a lot better. I did some measuring of the width and height to make sure it fit. The wife's mid-sized SUV just has to move over for everything to be okay. There is just 8" extra on each side, and they are almost the same width as your mirrors will be on the single rear wheel version. It is my daily driver, when I do go somewhere, and gets decent mileage for stop and go Dallas Fort Worth traffic: about 15+ in town, and 19-22 on the highway w/o towing.

[phillyg]

Went from 30 to 38, and now 40'. No real issues except making sure I can maneuver at tight fuel stations, actually fit in a particular CG and have enough swing space.

[CaptnJohn]

I'd have a few 5er models in mind and their pin weight. Then make your truck decision based on that. I gave up on a dually as I got older as my truck is my daily driver. I just cannot take the walk to / from the back 40 when looking for a parking spot at the grocery or mall any longer. Parking spaces are not made wide enough and neither is my garage.

[cub22908]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

I'd have a few 5er models in mind and their pin weight. Then make your truck decision based on that. I gave up on a dually as I got older as my truck is my daily driver. I just cannot take the walk to / from the back 40 when looking for a parking spot at the grocery or mall any longer. Parking spaces are not made wide enough and neither is my garage.

Thanks again for all the replies, a lot of good info here. It looks like the payload should be around 4,000 lbs per Chevy website. As long as I have at least 3,500 lb I should be good for a 14,000 MGVW 5er with pin of 2,800.

[wbdavey]

Cub - here's my $0.02. Previous to my current small TT I had a 40' Titanium 5th wheel toy hauler that I towed with an '05 F350 SRW that was well within it's weight police ratings. I bought a '12 Ram 3500 CTD dually and towed the same trailer. The stability of the dually was amazing! Cross winds, passing semi's, uneven road surfaces were no issue at all. Towing was much more relaxed and stress free. Then I bought a KZ Stoneridge toy hauler that was 43' long and much heavier (16,250 pounds on the scales) and again the dually handled it with ease. Your choice - park it in the garage (SRW) or enjoy the towing experience (DRW).

[325BH]

Originally Posted by wbdavey

Cub - here's my $0.02. Previous to my current small TT I had a 40' Titanium 5th wheel toy hauler that I towed with an '05 F350 SRW that was well within it's weight police ratings. I bought a '12 Ram 3500 CTD dually and towed the same trailer. The stability of the dually was amazing! Cross winds, passing semi's, uneven road surfaces were no issue at all. Towing was much more relaxed and stress free. Then I bought a KZ Stoneridge toy hauler that was 43' long and much heavier (16,250 pounds on the scales) and again the dually handled it with ease. Your choice - park it in the garage (SRW) or enjoy the towing experience (DRW).

People often forget, along with more cargo capacity, you also get much more stability with those two extra tires on a dually. Lots more sidewall!


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[dicky1243]

Originally Posted by cub22908

So I've decided to get a 1 ton diesel SRW, will order it in September when 2017 order forms come out. Next is picking out a 5er. We are planning on snow birding with it but also would like to do some travelling around the country. I have read snippets here and there that even as well as 5th wheels tow that a large one is difficult to deal with. Is this true? I currently pull a 30 foot trailer and in the past had a 36 foot motorhome towing a car. Don't feel either of those were ever a problem but I have never owned a 5th wheel. I know a smaller would be easier travelling but for sitting in Florida during the winter and having the kids visit bigger would be better. I will probably have to restrict myself to commercial "big rig" campgrounds but just how practical is touring the country in a 40 or 41 foot 5er? Thanks.

I have a 43 ft. Sierra very nice, easier than pull behind

[Biker]

Get a dually.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by cub22908

Thanks again for all the replies, a lot of good info here. It looks like the payload should be around 4,000 lbs per Chevy website. As long as I have at least 3,500 lb I should be good for a 14,000 MGVW 5er with pin of 2,800.

Payload of 4000 is most likely a gasser,,,, I'd not want to pull that (or much else) with a gasser. Single wheel will probably be 3400 - 3600.

[Fushux]

My dually is amazing to tow with. I only have a 26ft fifth wheel but have towed plenty of other trailers with my transportation business. Before, I towed a 35ft 3 axle weekend warrior toy hauler with a 2004 Duramax 2500HD SRW and I was white knuckling a lot. Passing was difficult and wind pushed me all over. But, I get your point about the garage. I made sure I measured before I went out and bought a dually. I have a 3 car tandem garage. I also like to keep my vehicles in the garage.

PS: I don't drive the dually daily. I have a Chevy Sonic as my commuter car so parking isn't an issue.

Andrew

[head gamez]

Originally Posted by taylorjw0831

One other note on this issue:

You can not even take the driving test for a non-commercial class A license (GVWR over 26k and towing 10k+) if your test setup is not compliant. You can make use of a rented or borrowed trailer though. The tow vehicle can as well be borrowed but can not be rented (note for a CDL test you can use a rented truck though).

So if you have a new 44' long 5th wheel and a DRW truck you will need to take the test without your new trailer as even a DRW truck would have a GCWR that is less than the GVWR of the truck and trailer combined.


2016 GMC Denali 3500 Duramax DRW
2017 XLR Thunderbolt 340AMP

Good post.

About 5-6 years back, the NCDOT decided they were going to start cracking down on motorhomes pulling enclosed trailers for Motorsports purposes. Several of my friends were stopped for being over length and / or over weight for their class of license. It was a common "understanding" that if pulling with a motorhome then the standard class c license was acceptable. Once the "crackdown" started, folks started going crazy worrying about it. At the time, I had a 32' motorhome and pulled a 24' trailer. I was over the weight raining that my license allowed me to tow. I asked may officers and supervisors about my situation and they all informed me that I needed a "class A" license and wether or not it needed to be a CDL would be up to the officer that performed a stop (we race for money). Being the fine upstanding citizen that I am, I showed up at the local DMV office one day to take my class A test. I was told that I couldn't take the test with my combo (motorhome and trailer) and that I would need an OTR truck / trailer to take it. When I questioned why I was required to have the license for that combo but couldn't take the test, I was told that it "is just the way is is". I went and / or called 3 other local offices and was told the same thing. After that, I just adopted the mentality of "dammit lets ride" and quit worrying about it.

Luckily, the NC Motorsports association got involved which resulted in legislation that waived some of those requirements when the occupant and vehicle were traveling to participate in Motorsports activities.

Now... I still race, but not as often. I have moved beyond motorhomes and now enjoy a 43' fiver for vacations that I pull with my 2500HD Duramax Silverado. Works fine for me, and I don't think twice about it.


2016 Sandpiper 376BHOK
2500HD Chevrolet

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[fishingokie]

I have a 2015 Silverado Duramax 3500HD SRW and pull a 43' toy hauler (loaded) and have not had a problem-knock on wood. I have a auto slide in the truck and love it. I've pulled through mountains and across deserts, from East Coast to the West Coast. Just check ahead to make sure the park is big rig friendly-