A lot comes down to the GVWR vs. max axle weight argument. Your GVWR is 10,000# but the sum total of your axles is well above that. You'll find heated arguments from folks on both sides of the debate. The payload sticker on your truck is derived from the 10,000# GVWR. You can carry the pin weight of a 5th wheel that puts you above your payload but under the max your axle and tires are rated to safely carry. It's up to you to decide which parameter you feel safe adhering to.
This is basically what I am thinking. I had a previous thread about towing with my 1500 and ended up getting a 2500 CTD because of the weights of the trailer I was thinking about. Well, now I have a bigger truck and I guess my quest for a trailer has changed to a small 5er.
Now, I'm looking at 5ers and am realizing the one I want, while only 35' long, has a pin weight of 2650. My truck has 2k lbs payload capacity. With motorcycles and gear I'm thinking 3k pin weight, then add in 500 lbs of people in the truck and I'm 1500 over payload!
But, all my other numbers are completely within spec and I know the truck can handle it, it's very close to the same spec as a 3500SRW. The axle should be right around the GAWR for rear axle at 6500 lbs.(7k on 3500), front should be close but under the 6k lbs GAWR. The GVWR of the truck will definitely exceed 10k lbs., which is limited by the class. The trailer GVWR is 16,500 lbs., and I will definitely be under that weight. The GCWR will definitely be under the 25,300 lbs rating. I should be under the max towing rating of 15,540 lbs by 1k lbs as I am predicting...... Empty trailer is 11,800 lbs and 2700 lbs pin weight.
So, I am thinking it will be OK long as I have the correct load range tires even though my GVWR and payload for the truck will be over by a good 1k lbs, prob more like 1500 lbs.
I'm also going to add air bags.
Also, I know I can register my truck for a higher weight rating, would that keep me legal as long as I am within my registration confines even though it's a class limited 10k lbs?
Keystone Raptor 300MP 2009-2013 is the trailer I like.
Thoughts?