Bummed out!! Truck can't tow what I need her to.

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SouthTexan

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Will the place you are getting your 5er from let you borrow it or another the same size to see how well you truck does with the trailer? Like I said before, I believe your truck can handle that much weight with suspensions mods, but the only reason I would get a DRW for towing it often is stability. That is my personal preference you may be comfortable with the way your truck pulls it.

Looking at the specs of the Grand design 311bhs, it seems to be a little over 11k lbs dry and you will probably add another 2-2.5k when travelling which still puts you under its GVWR of just under 14k. You can put more of your gear in the back of the trailer when pulling it to lighten up the nose a little.
 
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440hsp

440hsp

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Unfortunately, the 2 dealerships in my area are a no go on borrowing the trailer to weigh it. But i understand for insurance purposes.

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HvyDuty

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If your talking 35-3600 lbs of weight in the truck, pin weight and cargo, that is a lot of weight for a 2500 series truck to go cross country with. However my 2500\6.4 has I've 3100 lbs of payload, same suspension as yours.

Can it do it? Probably. But what you want to do is no different than the half ton guys who want to pull a 30+ foot, 10k plus lb tt with their trucks.

How much do you want to push things? The numbers are there for a reason.

Personally i think your in one ton truck territory with that rig, but thats just me. I like more margin than most. Good luck.

Actually it is quite a bit different operating a 1/2 ton at the limit vs. a 3/4 or 1 ton.

I upgraded from a 1/2 ton towing at the limit. The weight, axles, frame and running gear is so much beefier on HDs (like several levels). 1/2 tons are designed for comfort and car-like ride (they are tough to beat in that category regardless of vehicle type), HDs are design to work and handle heavy loads. The GAWR on 1/2 tons are usually easily exceeded when at the mfg. towing limit vs HDs that have a larger cushion (full floating axle etc.) with totals far exceeding the govt GVWR.
 
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mtofell

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I agree with mowin that a long TT is a hassle. I love the way my 5th tows versus the various TTs I've owned. The weight being over the axle rather than off the bumper is a HUGE difference.

That being said, the bumper pulls do give you more "bang for the buck" with only about half as much weight being put on the truck (less payload concerns). Even with that, I'd rather run with the borderline overloaded 5th than a 40' TT. When things start to go sideways a 5th is way easier to control.

I've always kind of figured 15,000# as a loaded max for a SRW truck. I personally will/would just tailor my 5th wheel to fit under that as I have zero interest in a DRW truck (please don't try to convince me - I'm sure it does tow more stable). If you're at 14K loaded and have good tires, good hitch, etc. I think you're in the ballpark. A lot comes down to your comfort level, skill level, risk tolerance and laws in your area. Keep reading and learning... it's a process :)
 

kry226

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Ok my fellow RV'ers. Any suggestions on best weight distributing hitches? Found some grand design travel trailers that are very similar in layout and length to the 5th wheel we were looking at but less weight which is key here.

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We run a ProPride with the 1400 lb bars on our 31' bumper pull TT and it is worth every penny. Started out with a Reese and while it did a decent job of WD, it failed miserably at minimizing sway. Not cheap, but again, it's worth it.

Watch the videos... https://www.propridehitch.com/propride-3p-trailer-sway-control-hitch/
 
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440hsp

440hsp

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Will the place you are getting your 5er from let you borrow it or another the same size to see how well you truck does with the trailer? Like I said before, I believe your truck can handle that much weight with suspensions mods, but the only reason I would get a DRW for towing it often is stability. That is my personal preference you may be comfortable with the way your truck pulls it.

Looking at the specs of the Grand design 311bhs, it seems to be a little over 11k lbs dry and you will probably add another 2-2.5k when travelling which still puts you under its GVWR of just under 14k. You can put more of your gear in the back of the trailer when pulling it to lighten up the nose a little.
@SouthTexan But altogether after everything is loaded I think it puts me just shy of 25k which is my max. I think the last numbers i did came to this

Truck = 8k with fuel included
Family and dogs = 770 lbs
Pin weight ( dry ) 2180 lbs

Total = 10950 lbs

GAWR Front = 6k
GAWR Rear = 6500
Total = 12500 lbs

Trailer Supposedly maxed out = 13995 lbs.

Total weight = 24945 lbs
Max weight = 25k

Thats really close to my max


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mtofell

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Okay, just finally looked up the 5th wheel you're talking about. The 14K being discussed is the GVWR. It is dry @ a little over 11K. 3,000# is a lot to load into a trailer. The "just go by a trailer's GVWR" advice is poor IMO but likely what you are basing your numbers off of. Just because a given trailer "could" hold an amount of weight it doesn't mean you will load it up with that much.

Along those same lines, just because a trailer is only supposed to carry a certain amount doesn't mean someone will read the label, weigh their trailer and stop at that amount. Point being, figure how much you WILL put in the trailer. I load between 1500-2000# in my 35' 5th wheel. The 500# range is largely just how much water I have on board.

An 11K dry trailer will likely roll down the road close to 13K unless you are a traveling anvil salesman.
 
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440hsp

440hsp

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So is there a possibility i can safely tow this 5th wheel in my limits, as long as I'm not throwing everything besides the kitchen sink in the trailer?

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440hsp

440hsp

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@mtofell Nevermind. Not looking for you to tell me yes or no. I think we could safely pack the trailer up and keep it under 24k. Maybe even 23,500. We just gotta watch what we put in there.

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440hsp

440hsp

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@mtofell you are right. The trailers max gvwr is exactly what I've been basing my numbers off of. Didn't think about that 3k in cargo weight. Thats a lot.

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AFMoulton

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@mtofell you are right. The trailers max gvwr is exactly what I've been basing my numbers off of. Didn't think about that 3k in cargo weight. Thats a lot.

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I think the best way to do it, is put all the stuff you think you will "need" in it. Go weigh it, then see where you are at.

We have a 1500 QC 4x4 and we have a KeyStone Hideout 26BHSWE after everything is loaded in it, 66 gallons of fresh water, batteries and full propane tanks, we only added 1368 lbs. so I definitely think you can be in your weight numbers you are looking at.

Pic for Ref.
37a1a5e84981f0b0c0558cba9d9f2b7b.jpg


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440hsp

440hsp

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@ AFmoulton Thanks for the encouragement buddy[emoji106]

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440hsp

440hsp

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Nice setup Btw

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AFMoulton

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I just wish I had your truck! But I love mine and it will be my sons! Keep us posted! Add pics too! I love seeing our trucks pulling campers


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440hsp

440hsp

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Yes sir. There will definitely be some pics as I'm adding all the gear to the truck. I got the b&w 5th wheel install kit I'm throwing under the bed. The bed mounted 7 pin wiring harness going in. The Thuren 2.75 front leveling kit. The bilstein 5100 shocks going in the rear along with the Airlift Loadlifter 5000 Ultimate airbag kit I'm throwing under there too for good measure.

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AFMoulton

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OH MAN!!!! I can't wait!!! Modding my truck is my drug, after Irish Whiskey of course! Good luck and I look forward to seeing your progress!


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mowin

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I think you'll be ok if you load properly.
Worst case scenario, you run this setup for a yr or two, then when ready to get into a new truck, you can jump to a 3500 srw if you think you need it.
 
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440hsp

440hsp

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That is my top priority. To load this puppy correctly.

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RoadDog66

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B&W Hitches are the way to go. Airbags are very helpful too. The CTD can pull just about anything. Just be mindful that the manufacturer listed pin weight for 5th wheels are very, very optimistic. For a 5'er the size you want, I would add at least 300-400 lbs to that number before its even loaded.

In comparison we have the Grand Design 30BH model (9250# dry from factory) and the listed dry weight at the time was 9050#. The brochure pin weight was listed at 1625# but it's easily 200# more than that. Loading it up pushed it over 2000#. You'll be close to your max GCVWR, RAWR, FAWR, and definitely over your payload. I think you'll be okay for occasional trips at 11K dry if you intelligently load it out. I'd have to suggest at least a 3500 for full-timing across country. I know it's not what you want to hear, but take it for what you will since its just my opinion.

I traded in my 6.4 2500 for my 3500 CTD as much for piece of mind as for improved fuel mileage, ease of towing & overall drivability.

Now just to throw it out there. My buddy blew the rear axle out of a 2500 CTD towing a 13K dry 40ft 5th wheel for less than a year. That's not to say it wouldn't have fried itself not towing , but he was in route to the campground when it happened & nearly crapped in his shorts too. He went to a DRW CTD and loves it.
 

mowin

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B&W Hitches are the way to go. Airbags are very helpful too. The CTD can pull just about anything. Just be mindful that the manufacturer listed pin weight for 5th wheels are very, very optimistic. For a 5'er the size you want, I would add at least 300-400 lbs to that number before its even loaded.

In comparison we have the Grand Design 30BH model (9250# dry from factory) and the listed dry weight at the time was 9050#. The brochure pin weight was listed at 1625# but it's easily 200# more than that. Loading it up pushed it over 2000#. You'll be close to your max GCVWR, RAWR, FAWR, and definitely over your payload. I think you'll be okay for occasional trips at 11K dry if you intelligently load it out. I'd have to suggest at least a 3500 for full-timing across country. I know it's not what you want to hear, but take it for what you will since its just my opinion.

I traded in my 6.4 2500 for my 3500 CTD as much for piece of mind as for improved fuel mileage, ease of towing & overall drivability.

Now just to throw it out there. My buddy blew the rear axle out of a 2500 CTD towing a 13K dry 40ft 5th wheel for less than a year. That's not to say it wouldn't have fried itself not towing , but he was in route to the campground when it happened & nearly crapped in his shorts too. He went to a DRW CTD and loves it.

Great post.

Only the OP will know if he made the right choice or not.
Personally, if a new truck isn't in the cards, I'd be looking for something smaller.
 
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