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Old 09-22-2017, 07:17 AM   #1
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Payload towing capacity truck vs trailer

We are searching for our 1st 5th wheeler. I've order a new GMC 2500HD diesel. I'm trying to fit the trailer to the truck. I know that some would say this is backwards, but I just don't want the one ton or DW as daily driver. So I'm willing to sacrifice and limit my options.
Beyond the hitch weight and the people in truck what else get add to the payload weight/capacity. Everything in the trailer forward of the trailer wheels? Everything in the truck?
We have been to several RV dealers and they seem to have very little concern about exceeding payload or towing capacity when recommending trailer for us.
Am I over reacting? I just don't want to void my warranty on the new ruck and create an unsafe rig on the road.
My truck has a payload capacity of 2500# and a 5th wheel towing capacity of 13500#. Do you have a recommendation for 35-37' rear living unit that will fit our truck?
Thank you in advance, Kim
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Old 09-22-2017, 07:36 AM   #2
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Check my tag line for a Fifth Wheel that matches your description.

Empty weight of the unit was something like 9500 lbs.

With the TV and RV fully loaded we tip the scales at about 18.2K and neither TV axle is near its limit. TV is a 4x4 so the towing capacity is less than a comparable 2x4. We use the Andersen hitch.

What we wanted was two recliners in the back, all the water line on one wet wall, a shower that I could stand in without having to use the bubble.

What we like about our unit is bathroom door is a pocket door so it does not swing out into the hall or into the bath when open. We also can pull into a rest area for the night and not have to slide any of the slide out out, although we cannot use the kitchen we can use the bath.

The quality is fine, it not a high end unit but not bottom of barrel either. I tows well and the tires that came on it were way oversized for the load.

With duel fuel frig and water heater we can easily get by with 30 amp service if needed, we just run one A/C.

I am making some mods to it this week. We never camp with others so we are removing one of the recliners. Then I am turning the dining table 90 degrees and building a sliding top for it that will be about 68 inches wide. This will fill up the dining area from the fireplace to the back wall. Wife can spread her computer stuff out for her family research that she likes to do. We will replace the four dining chairs with two high end folding that take up less room.

If you have any questions, just PM me...

Good luck...
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Old 09-22-2017, 07:37 AM   #3
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Worth reading

5th's that "might" meet your needs:

https://www.heartlandrvs.com/brands/...nce/sd-3710-mb

https://www.rvtrader.com/dealers/RV-...70BR-122706455

Use the RVTrader or RVT advanced search features to find the 5th with the specifications you need.

IMHO, I would really get the trailer first, truck second. Good luck.
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Old 09-22-2017, 05:14 PM   #4
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Check out the Jayco Eagle HT line of fifth wheels.
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Old 09-23-2017, 02:58 PM   #5
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Just so you know, I have a 2016 GMC 3500HD which has a significantly higher payload rating. The beauty of the 3500 over the 2500 is it has overload springs that give you the higher payload rating but they aren't used unless you have a heavy load in back. As a result, the ride when empty is the same as the 2500. The only other difference between the 2500 and 3500 is the 3500 does not have the TPMS system which most people who tow RV's consider an advantage.

I know a lot of people say they don't want a 1 ton truck because it rides too rough when empty but with the GMC/Chevy this just isn't true. Not sure about Ford or Dodge. Plus, the last time I checked, the 1 ton was actually a couple hundred dollars cheaper than the 3/4 ton.

Finally, the 3500 will give you room to grow if you decide to get a larger RV some day (which many people do).

Just an fyi...
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Old 09-23-2017, 03:13 PM   #6
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Ok every thing except the driver put in the truck subtracts from cargo cap as stated on the door Piller. This includeds among other things the hitch. Now most people use 20% of loaded or GVW of trailer for aproxmit pin weight.
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Old 09-23-2017, 03:45 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kksalmon View Post
Beyond the hitch weight and the people in truck what else get add to the payload weight/capacity Everything in the truck?

We have been to several RV dealers and they seem to have very little concern about exceeding payload or towing capacity when recommending trailer for us.

My truck has a payload capacity of 2500# and a 5th wheel towing capacity of 13500#.

Thank you in advance, Kim
Everything , in the truck INCLUDING some factory options , and hitch has to be SUBTRACTED from the available payload . AND not all the payload will be available at the rear axle . With 5th wheel pin weights running 20 % of the loaded trailer weight , you should be looking for a trailer that weighs no more that 10,000 loaded ; and even then you'd probably be at the trucks limit.

RV salesmen are there to sell you something , they don't get paid unless they do , probably only one in one thousand would mention overweight.
First question to ask an RV salesman . " What kind of RV do you own ? " if the answer is; " I don't own an RV .", move away from the salesman .
They were probably selling running shoes at Big 5 last week.
Realistically a 13,500# trailer would have a pin weight of 2,700 # ( 20%) plus the weight of hitch . You'd be overloaded.

JMHO : I'll add I have no idea of what the payload specs are for a Chevy 3500 SRW , but I'm thinking you should change what you have on order if your looking at 35'+, 5ers.
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Old 09-23-2017, 03:51 PM   #8
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I'll add I have no idea of what the payload specs are for a Chevy 3500 SRW , but I'm thinking you should change what you have on order if your looking at 35'+, 5ers.
The payload for my 2016 GMC 3500 Denali 4x4 SRW diesel is 3,716lbs.

And remember folks- You must look at the sticker inside the driver's door to get your trucks actual payload rating. Do NOT use a factory web site to get this information as they use the most stripped down truck they have and will show a significantly higher payload rating than YOUR truck will actually have.
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Old 09-23-2017, 04:01 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by bertschb View Post
The payload for my 2016 GMC 3500 Denali 4x4 SRW diesel is 3,716lbs.

And remember folks- You must look at the sticker inside the driver's door to get your trucks actual payload rating. Do NOT use a factory web site to get this information as they use the most stripped down truck they have and will show a significantly higher payload rating than YOUR truck will actually have.

VERY! VERY! VERY ! important info , I mentioned "options" in my post and should have gone further. Thanks.
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Old 09-23-2017, 09:27 PM   #10
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Why would you limit yourself to the 2500lb payload of a 3/4 ton when ordering new to tow a 5th wheel!?!?

A GMC 3500HD SRW diesel will cost negligibly more money new, and will be setup to have over 1000lbs more payload capacity, for which you can get a far larger 5th wheel. The ride will be slightly worse.
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Old 09-23-2017, 09:55 PM   #11
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Why would you limit yourself to the 2500lb payload of a 3/4 ton when ordering new to tow a 5th wheel!?!?

A GMC 3500HD SRW diesel will cost negligibly more money new, and will be setup to have over 1000lbs more payload capacity, for which you can get a far larger 5th wheel. The ride will be slightly worse.
Actually, for the 2016 model year, the 3500 cost slightly less than the 2500. A couple hundred bucks IIRC. Not sure about 2017 models. And the ride in a 3500 would be the same as a 2500 when unloaded since the over load springs aren't being used and probably better than a 2500 when loaded.

Otherwise, I agree with your statement. Why buy a 2500 when ordering a new truck for towing a 5th wheel??? To me the only decision is SRW or DRW.
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Old 09-24-2017, 04:07 PM   #12
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When I looked in the door jams of several GMC 2500 Diesel the payload was lot closer to 2000 pounds than was 2500 pounds. Here is what tow planner says about 2500 pound payload and 200 pound driver, 150 pound passengers and 150 pound hitch.

"You're adding approximately 500 lbs. to the truck. You have 2,000 lbs. of payload capacity. Fifth wheels typically have 20% - 25% pin weight which gives you a maximum loaded camper weight of 8,000 - 10,000 lbs.

That is loaded ready to camp weight not dry weight. Here is a link to the towing planner. Towing Calculator based on Truck's Payload/CCC - Towing Planner

This is what towing planner said about my 2016 GMC Diesel with 3722 payload.

"You're adding approximately 500 lbs. to the truck. You have 3,222 lbs. of payload capacity. Fifth wheels typically have 20% - 25% pin weight which gives you a maximum loaded camper weight of 12,888 - 16,110 lbs."

That gives you a lot more selection in floor plans.
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Old 09-24-2017, 04:27 PM   #13
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Thank You all!

We haven't even started RVing and we already love you guys! Seriously your advise is right on. I sent an email to my sales person to see if they can change it to a 3500 series. The comment that really pushed me over the edge and I can't avoid is that the ride will be the same as the 2500HD because the helper spring doesn't get used until there's a load.
Thank you again!!
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Old 09-24-2017, 04:59 PM   #14
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Keep in mind also that you do not need to keep the max tire pressure when you are mostly running empty. I use my Dually as a daily driver. If I am not towing heavy my tires are run at a much lower pressure. The truck is far less harsh riding...
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