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Old 05-12-2015, 01:20 PM   #1
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New to fifth wheels

Hi I have a 2500hd Chevy with 8.1 liter gas motor,Alison trans 4x4 8ft box. Considering hemisphere 286 RL .will I need a sliding hitch ? Any box to camper issues( clearance) also anyone have comments on this model. Thanks
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Old 05-12-2015, 01:23 PM   #2
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Long beds do not need a slider hitch.
What is this intended fivers GVWR? 2500 series trucks dont normally have enough sufficient weight capacity to handle more than about 10,000 GVWR fiver without becoming overloaded.
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Old 05-12-2015, 01:39 PM   #3
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I have a similar model and I pull it with a short box, no slider and no issues. I have an Anderson ultimate hitch. That may or may not set it back farther than a 5th wheel plate.

Pretty sure with that trailer I could use a standard plate and still be fine. Forest River did a nice job sculpting the front cap to let you turn sharp.
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Old 05-12-2015, 01:41 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donniedu View Post
Long beds do not need a slider hitch.
What is this intended fivers GVWR? 2500 series trucks dont normally have enough sufficient weight capacity to handle more than about 10,000 GVWR fiver without becoming overloaded.
That funny, Ram says that the 2014 and 2015 diesel with an automatic transmission equipped 2500 can tow up to a 17,000 LB trailer. They must be wrong!!!

I do not really like blanket statements they are usually incorrect.
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Old 05-12-2015, 01:43 PM   #5
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As donniedu said, no you don't need a slider hitch.

The Hemisphere is a nice looking fifth wheel. The only thing I don't like about the 286RL is the small holding tanks.
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Old 05-12-2015, 01:48 PM   #6
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That funny, Ram says that the 2014 and 2015 diesel with an automatic transmission equipped 2500 can tow up to a 17,000 LB trailer. They must be wrong!!!

I do not really like blanket statements they are usually incorrect.
It may be able to "pull" the weight just fine but the TV may not be able to handle the payload weight of the pin.
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Old 05-12-2015, 01:49 PM   #7
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That funny, Ram says that the 2014 and 2015 diesel with an automatic transmission equipped 2500 can tow up to a 17,000 LB trailer. They must be wrong!!!

I do not really like blanket statements they are usually incorrect.

The key word there is "TRAILER" It says nothing about a fifth wheel!
A typical TT will place approx 12% of its total weight on the hitch, where a typical fifth wheel places approx 20-25% of its total weight directly over the rear axle. So, using your example, a 17K fiver would place 3400 pounds directly on the rear axle. Meaning at minimum it would need tires capable of handling 3625 pounds each. 3600 pounds empty plus 3400 pounds plus 250 pounds of hitch equals 7250 pounds directly on the rear tires.
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Old 05-12-2015, 01:49 PM   #8
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Quote:
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That funny, Ram says that the 2014 and 2015 diesel with an automatic transmission equipped 2500 can tow up to a 17,000 LB trailer. They must be wrong!!!

I do not really like blanket statements they are usually incorrect.
well, I would bet you that is a pretty good statement but the weight stated is a little low 13k would be my limit as my 2500HD is maxed out with a 12.5K trailer and I am all ready overweight by 400lbs. Yes the newer trucks have a higher rating but his truck is a 01-05 year
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Old 05-12-2015, 02:00 PM   #9
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Oh good grief not another weight police thread. The model the OP is taking about has a UVW of just 8440 and pin weight of 1640. His 2500 Chevy with the 8.1 liter engine will handle that fifth wheel just fine. How about adding some constructive comments about the model he is thinking about buying.
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Old 05-12-2015, 02:11 PM   #10
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Manufacturers always understate the weight they can really carry. Probably legal department telling them that. I have a smaller truck and a bigger Hemisphere. While I wouldn't take it on a several-hundred mile trip; it works fine for local camping, I just take it easy and don't use overdrive. The hemisphere is really nice, I actually went from a Class A diesel pusher to this if that tells you anything. The Class A was nice but the hemisphere has a really nice layout as you probably already know. It's very kid friendly if you have kids. Lots of play area and the steps go real low so they can climb in and out.

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Old 05-12-2015, 02:25 PM   #11
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Oh good grief not another weight police thread. The model the OP is taking about has a UVW of just 8440 and pin weight of 1640. His 2500 Chevy with the 8.1 liter engine will handle that fifth wheel just fine. How about adding some constructive comments about the model he is thinking about buying.
Agreed. And some are quoting diesel 2500 specs when op says he has a gasser.
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Old 05-12-2015, 02:37 PM   #12
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GVWR minus scaled ready to camp weight will tell the OP his real world net cargo carrying capaclity. Of course that will not include the weight of the hitch unless he has it installed when he goes to the scales.
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Old 05-12-2015, 03:36 PM   #13
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My tv's gvwr is 9200 lbs
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Old 05-12-2015, 03:44 PM   #14
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Too bad Chevy quit offering the 8.1; they really need a gas engine between the 6.0 and the DuraMax
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Old 05-12-2015, 03:49 PM   #15
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I should add the truck is well equipped for towing. Has oil cooler trans cooler , hd rad , tow/haul mode switch
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Old 05-12-2015, 03:58 PM   #16
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My tv's gvwr is 9200 lbs
what is the weight loaded ready to travel?
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Old 05-12-2015, 04:05 PM   #17
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Don't know , don't have a hitch yet, haven't weighed the truck
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Old 05-12-2015, 04:14 PM   #18
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That should be the absolute first thing you need to do. Load up like your going camping, full tank of gas, fire wood family, basically everything you would normally have on board for a trip. Once you have a real world weight, add 250 pounds for a hitch and subtract the combined weight from your 9200 GVWR. That is your net cargo carrying capacity in the real world. Using 20% of any fifth wheels GVWR that you look at is a good starting point. As long as that number is less than your net cargo carying capacity your good to go. Over and you will not be happy.
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Old 05-13-2015, 03:32 PM   #19
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My Tow Rig

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Well, here's my specs:
* 2007 Chevy 2500 HD, 6.6 Duramax Diesel, Allison Transmission, Roadmaster Active Suspension on the rear and Bullydog Tuner
* Sabre 32 RCTS 5th Wheel

Had my rig weight at a local truck Cat scale:
Truck Alone: 7,120 lbs (3,980 front axle / 3,140 rear axle)
Truck & Trailer: 18,240 (3,960 front axle / 5,540 rear axle / 8,740 trailer axle)

According to the Owner's Manual:
Maximum Trailer Weight: 15,700
GCWR: 22,000
"Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin tongue weight should be 15% to 25% of trailer weight up to 3,000 lbs maximum"
"Trailer rating limited to 12,000 lbs with weight distributing hitch."


Checked the specs on the OP 8.1 gasser...depending on the rear axle, he should be able to get the same or a bit less than the specs for my vehicle above.

Love the Duramax! Mine pulls great and I get about 10ish mpg going 65-70. (Better than I used to get with my 1500 van with a 5.7 pulling my 1972 6,000 lb Airstream)
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Old 05-13-2015, 04:04 PM   #20
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My 8.1 has a 3.73 rear w posi
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