Community Forums

Rom125 · 09-27-2022, 06:23 PM

My wife and I are getting ready to retire, looking to purchase a fifth wheel with bunks for the grand kids and would like some information. I currently have a Chevy 3500 Duramax CC short bed 4x4; GVWR 11500, GAWR 6000, GAWR 7050. Had it weighed at a CAT scale; gross weight (full tank) 7840, front axle 4580, rear axle 3260. No hitch installed yet.

The trailer has a hitch weight 1550, dry weight 8800, GVWR 10000. Additional weight in the truck for people, dog co pilot and misc approx 500 pounds.

Looking over the numbers I see no issues as we plan to travel around the country without stressing the equipment.

I would appreciate any input if I am overlooking anything and would also like a recommendation on a hitch.

Old-Biscuit · 09-27-2022, 07:55 PM

Hitch weight (1550) is dry pin based on Dry weight (8800)
GVWR 10,000 will have WET Pin closer to 2200#

Truck has a RAWR 7050
Truck scaled rear weight 3260
That leaves 3790 capacity on rear axle
2200 wet pin plus hitch 200 leaves 1390 capacity on rear axle

You are WELL within ALL ratings so no stressing of truck

As for Hitch
You stated truck is 'short bed' so I would consider a sliding hitch so as to not worry about hitting back of cap with front of 5th wheel when making sharp turns....forward or in reverse

What year is your Chevy 3500 DRW???
Does it have 'puck system' in bed for installing a hitch or is bed free/clear?

Dave Pelletier · 09-28-2022, 09:34 AM

sounds like a SRW to me.

OB is right; use the GVWR, not the dry weights as they are irrelevant. If your truck weighs 7840 lbs and with a GVWR of 11,500, you have a real payload of 3660 lbs. Likewise, your GAWR-R is 7050 minus 3260 unlaiden axle weight gives you 3790 lbs of axle capacity so it's the payload that will be the choke point but with a load of 2200 lbs pin weight plus a 200lb hitch plus 500lbs, you should be on the good side by around 760 lbs.

....that's what I see anyhow; always check your loaded trailer weights when you get to that point Maybe a forum member or facebook group for the 5er you are looking at can provide some loaded weights of that particular unit for confirmation.

Ditto on the sliding hitch recommendation.

Cheers,
Dave

MtCamper · 09-28-2022, 01:48 PM

I've used a B&W companion in standard (short) bed trucks for over 25 years. A slider is not needed depending on your pin box and the front profile of the camper. You can't go past 90˚ but 90˚ is very rare in my experience. Slightly less than 90˚ if you have a 8.5' wide trailer. I would go to a slider if you have an older square front trailer or a non-extended pin box. As for weight, you have lots of margin to work with. Just my 2 cents worth.

xc-mark · 10-07-2022, 03:58 PM

I had a Denco Auto slide that was rated at 18,000lbs. It works well but you will have a slight clunk on stops and starts (very slight) and you will not need to visit the body shop for new cab corner and rear window. Its just a few dollars more but its no thoughs in the future " I should have" .

Truck wise , you very safe ! I hauled my 18,000lb redwood with my 2016 single wheel 3500 , That was a bad idea! way over weight on the rear tires and springs. It was like someone in the back was steering the truck, fast forward 2020 duel wheel truck it drives strait.