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02-15-2015, 10:05 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 13
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How much extra capacity for a fifth wheel hitch do I purchase?
We are buying a fifth wheel with a 15500 lb. GVWR. So do I go with a 16000 or 18000 lb. 5ver hitch?
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02-15-2015, 10:13 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 715
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18,000 lb. minimum.
__________________
2016 Thor Tuscany 34ST XTE, Freightliner XCR, ISB 360hp/800tq. Allison 3000, Koni FSD shocks, Roadmaster 1.75" front sway bar, Safe-T-Plus, DYI air bag flow control valves.
2015 Jeep Willy's Wheeler Wrangler Unlimited Toad, Ready-Brute-Elite tow system.
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02-15-2015, 10:25 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,346
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I see this is your first post! Welcome.
In the future give as much information as possible if you want the best possible answer.
What truck do you have will be a good start? engine, brand, 350/3500, SRW DRW, year etc.
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02-15-2015, 10:46 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 30
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Our first hitch was a 16k. We recently needed to purchase a 24k for our new fifth. In our particular case, it would have made greater financial sense to have gone bigger in the beginning. Sadly, I wish this was the only less than brilliant purchase I have made. Collect the whole set.
__________________
Cam VE4CDR/VE7NKA Heather VE4RRN/VA7RRN
2015 Mobile Suites 38RSB3, MORryde IS
2014 Ram 3500 DRW, Curt 24K
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02-15-2015, 11:16 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 13
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I have a chevy 2014 Silverado 3500 Duramax. I've done my homework with respect to my weight calculations and I will be under all limits. The only thing I didn't really find online was a guideline for hitch sizing with respect to GVWR.
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02-15-2015, 11:43 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 378
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How big will your next trailer be?
__________________
2005 volvo 670 12 speed auto shift
singled, hensley trailer saver smart car "on deck"
Newmar 34 rsks Torrey Pine
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02-15-2015, 01:48 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,982
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I agree with buying the 18K model. I had a 15K Reese classic in my dually when we bought our new 5er with 15,500# GVW rating. After a few weeks I could feel the flex in the hitch when cornering and in cross-winds. I bought a used 20K# Reese that replaced the 15K. The difference was immediately noticeable, much more solid feeling to the rig while traveling.
About buying used; I bought the 20K Reese from a man who retired from delivering 5ers for a living. I used it for 8 years and the only maintenance money spent was to replace a broken spring on the rocker mechanism. Regular lubrication was performed per Reese manual.
I still have that Reese 20K in the garage , still waiting to remove the rails from the truck-bed and have the local RV supply and repair store sell in on commission for me.
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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02-15-2015, 01:58 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: FL
Posts: 1,355
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Since it's so close to 16k, if it were me, I'd go to the 18k hitch.
__________________
--2005 F350 Superduty Crewcab, 6.0, 4wd, short bed, 3.73 gears
--2016 Montana 3711FL, 40'
--SOLD 2014 Wildcat 327CK, 38'
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02-15-2015, 02:56 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,346
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Quote:
Originally Posted by computernerd
I have a chevy 2014 Silverado 3500 Duramax. I've done my homework with respect to my weight calculations and I will be under all limits. The only thing I didn't really find online was a guideline for hitch sizing with respect to GVWR.
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Ok so it's a 3500. SRW or DRW?
Shortbed longbed?
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02-15-2015, 03:34 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 13
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SRW 6.5 ft bed. I'm getting the pull rite super glide hitch. I just was unsure if I should go up to the next size.
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02-15-2015, 03:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,597
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We had a Super 5ther hitch 20k. towing 20k. Sheared bots holding hitch together. Now have 32k.
__________________
2003 Teton Grand Freedom. 2006 Freightliner Century 120 with Detroit 14L and Ultrashift.2016 Smartcar carry on deck. Full time going from job to job. Building and maintaining plants across the USA. Sold 2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3
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02-15-2015, 05:00 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 13
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Thanks for the great feedback. I will go with the bigger hitch
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02-16-2015, 01:00 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 281
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Buy a hitch that is closest to the weight rating for your truck.i am in this delima now and its sucks learning this with money.
I say get a 20 or 24K hitch,not much difference in price between a 20 to a 24.
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02-16-2015, 03:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: North America somewhere
Posts: 30,982
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Quote:
Originally Posted by computernerd
SRW .
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That makes a big difference. You are limited by the maximum load capacity of two rear tires; 3,780# seems to be the maximum load for 16" load range E tires. That equals a maximum Rear Axle Weight Rating of 7,560#, as the rear axle maximum is determined by the weakest component. Around 3,500# will be the lowest pin weight you'll see-if the trailer is loaded evenly throughout to maximum capacity. That means your empty rear axle weight should be less than 4,060#. Use this online weight calculator to know accurately: Fifth Wheel Weight Calculator
__________________
2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD , ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG 11B5MX,Infantry retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA. " My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy
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