5th Wheel Newbie

Deshler4753 wrote:
We are purchasing a 2014 Alpine and have checked all the weight specifications for my 2013 Chevy HD250 Diesel crew cab. Checked the unloaded weight of the 5th wheel, 12400 unloaded, carrying capacity is 3000 so we are under our total towing limit of 15800. Hitch is 2640 and 3000 is the allowance, the truck is a 4x4. 5th wheel is 39'so it will be a little daunting towing this for awhile. The front cap has the max turn technology so the dealer is suggesting the manual slide becuause he doesn't feel i will hardly ever need it. Just looking for any input, i would have liked to been a little lighter but everone says we will be fine, any tips, suggestions are appreciated. We are going south for the winter snowbirding to Texas which will become an annual event, not sure there though and also want to be able to tow it traveling the good ole USA once awhile during the year.

Loaded, that fiver is going to have a pin weight well north of 3000# (wherever that number came from!) and don't forget the weight of the hitch itself which can be from 100 to 300# depending on what you go with.
I know the newer 3/4 tons are stouter than their predecessors, but I do think you are pushing your limits - HARD!

Reality check time.....
What does the yellow label on your door pillar say in regard to payload capacity?
How much weight (people, stuff, tools etc) are you going to add to the truck?
Subtract that number from your payload rating - the result is what you can handle in terms of LOADED pin weight plus hitch.
You're going to find out you run out of CARRYING capacity long before you reach your Max tow rating.