Am I crazy to tow this? Need advice on wt.'s

[45Auto]

Newb to the 5er world but not to towing. We are eyeing a 17 Montana 3160 RL, Dry wt. 11980, carry wt. 4065, GVW of 16K, hitch Wt. 2520 OAL length is 35.6 To Much? tow rig is an 04 Dodge HO Quad Cab, 48RE trans, 3:73 gears Mag Hi-Tec double deep trans pan and diff covers at both ends, Rokk crank sensor new BFG's 285's. Dodge or its sales staff can't tell my a trailer weight and I found 13050 lbs. on Trailer Life. I am going to try not to go over the 13050 if possible. Am I crazy or need to look at something lighter and or shorter? I know most rigs are over weight. Need advice from the towing gurus here. You advice and knowledge is greatly appreciated. I am in the process of getting my rig ready for a 5er, B&W turn over ball gooseneck with Companion slider, Air Lift Bags out back and changing out my controller to a Prodigy P2. Thank you all in advance!

[Old-Biscuit]

TOO Much trailer!!

I have a 2007 3500 Quad Cab.
Tow a 14K (Scaled 13,873#) 5th wheel

Over on trucks GVWR but right at rear tire max load rating and RAWR

Your 2004 2500 is good for a 12K GVWR 5th wheel......NOT a 12K DRY weight one.

2004 2500
GVWR---9000# (anything above 12K---over)
Payload---2225# (12K---over)
RAWR----6000# (12k----close)
GCWR---20000# (12K---close/over)

Course this is IF one pays attention to truck ratings.
MANY folks don't---either they don't know or they ignore/justify

Such is life..........choices/decisions

[uncledon]

Towing overweight is just a bad idea. Many reasons not too including finding yourself on the wrong side of a lawsuit. Just don't do it. My 2 cents.

[Gigattime]

Towing with an undersized truck just means an uncomfortable drive every time you go out. Where's the fun in that journey?

[45Auto]

OK! supposedly I can pull 13050 max load, then I heard something at the RV show that pre 2011 trucks have been re-rated because these trucks were rated at the bumper... Post 2011 now have new ratings for both "bumper" and now fifth wheel.. The difference is about 15% more of your old weights. Has anyone heard of this or is it just another Fairy Tale??

[45Auto]

OK! Was at the RV show, heard that per 2011 trucks are rated at "bumper' weights and post 2011 have now have a bumper and 5th wheel rating. Has anyone heard this? Just another Fairy Tale?? I "heard" you could add 15% more to my load for 5er ratings... My truck is rated at 13050 per Trailer Life, as I see no other published rates.

[Rhagfo]

That is a big 5er, and you only have 200# more on you GVWR than I do on my 2001.
I only pull/catty a about 11,200#+ 5er and well over GVWR and have about 500# to go on rear GAWR.
I just don't see it as a good experience. My TV came with a camper package so has 3500 springs, I have a comfortable tow, but I know I am only good for about 400# more on the pin before it will not be.

[DJNCJ]

My trailer is similar in size and weight to the Montana you are looking at. I first was towing it with a Ram 2500 that had a factory towing capacity listed at around 17.1k. I thought I'd be fine and frankly it felt fine towing too. I was under weight on the tires but overweight on the GVWR and RAWR. I was not comfortable with the thought of answering to an insurance company or a judge in the event I was at fault in an accident.

To be fair and respectful to others sharing the roadway with me and to be "legal" I was faced with the decision of downsizing the trailer or upsizing the truck. Refer to my sig.

HTH

[mrgrayaz]

Instead of speculating - why not use Dodge's tow guide and get the actual numbers?

Check this out:
Dodge Towing Guide - By Vehicle Results

I think I optioned it right with your truck -if not start over and get your truck in there.

With 3.73 Axle Ratio Axle Ratio [i] You Can Tow 14000 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) [i] = 9900 lbs
Payload [i] = 3058 lbs
Curb Weight [i] = 6842 lbs
Curb Weight Front/Rear = 4076 lbs/4076 lbs
GAWR Front/Rear [i] = 5200 lbs/6150 lbs
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) [i] = 21000 lbs


what I'm seeing though is the rather low RAWRs - you could basically tow the 5er you want empty and maybe still be in payload limits....but 6100lbs for the rear axle isn't much wiggle room there. Note the payload capacity listed is for an empty truck, add your family and the 5th hitch in there and all of a sudden it can carry much less.

[Don_T]

That trailer could have about 3,000 pounds pin weight. GO weigh your truck at the nearest certified scale. Then subtract the scaled weight from the GVWR of 9900 pounds. You will most likely find you only have room for about 2,000 pin weight. If that is the case you will be over your GVWR by about 1,000 pounds.

[45Auto]

You have no idea how I appreciate this education! My head is swimming and really still don't comprehend what's happening here. It is a 2004 HO with the federal emissions, which is about nothing. No cat no EGR or anything else. Trailer places can't tell me I will tell me what I can towand I get they want to make a sale. But I do want to be safe! I want to make that clear. Even the highway patrol tells me the GVRW of these trucks are all over the board and the manufactures rate whatever they want whenever they want however they feel. Trying to figure out what to tell my wife to start looking for and what maximum GVWR To be looking at. Has anyone on this form heard of 2011 and newer GVR W ratings for these trucks or is this PS?

[45Auto]

I hate my phone. LOL

[45Auto]

Is this BS?
Sorry

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

TOO Much trailer!!

I have a 2007 3500 Quad Cab.
Tow a 14K (Scaled 13,873#) 5th wheel

Over on trucks GVWR but right at rear tire max load rating and RAWR

Your 2004 2500 is good for a 12K GVWR 5th wheel......NOT a 12K DRY weight one.

2004 2500
GVWR---9000# (anything above 12K---over)
Payload---2225# (12K---over)
RAWR----6000# (12k----close)
GCWR---20000# (12K---close/over)

Course this is IF one pays attention to truck ratings.
MANY folks don't---either they don't know or they ignore/justify

Such is life..........choices/decisions

Originally Posted by 45Auto

You have no idea how I appreciate this education! My head is swimming and really still don't comprehend what's happening here. It is a 2004 HO with the federal emissions, which is about nothing. No cat no EGR or anything else. Trailer places can't tell me I will tell me what I can towand I get they want to make a sale. But I do want to be safe! I want to make that clear. Even the highway patrol tells me the GVRW of these trucks are all over the board and the manufactures rate whatever they want whenever they want however they feel. Trying to figure out what to tell my wife to start looking for and what maximum GVWR To be looking at. Has anyone on this form heard of 2011 and newer GVR W ratings for these trucks or is this PS?

I reposted my first reply.........
Your 2004 2500 is only capable of 'carrying' (pin wet) a 5th wheel trailer UNDER GVWR of 12K and staying within trucks RAWR/Rear tire load rating/GCVWR (over trucks GVWR)
2004 2500 GVWR is 9000#
2011 2500 GVWR is 9000#
2013 2500 GVWR is 10000# (and newer model years)........14K GVWR 5th wheel (same as my 2007 3500)