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.

Best way to lower your weight is to buy a smaller 5er, otherwise you should be fine.

That is just way too much trailer for your truck. Towing rating has very little to do with fifth wheel towing. What is the scaled weight of your truck loaded ready to go camping? Subtract that from the GVWR of the truck. That is how much room you have left over for hitch and pin weight. Generally speaking pin weight will be 20% of the trailers ready to travel weight. Since you dont have that yet, use 20% of the trailers GVWR.

donn0128 wrote:That is just way too much trailer for your truck. Towing rating has very little to do with fifth wheel towing. What is the scaled weight of your truck loaded ready to go camping? Subtract that from the GVWR of the truck. That is how much room you have left over for hitch and pin weight. Generally speaking pin weight will be 20% of the trailers ready to travel weight. Since you dont have that yet, use 20% of the trailers GVWR.Agree.The formula for towing capacity is the GCWR of the truck minus the weight of the truck when ready to tow (includes everything...hitch, pin weight, passengers, gear, etc.

Blaster Man wrote:donn0128 wrote:That is just way too much trailer for your truck. Towing rating has very little to do with fifth wheel towing. What is the scaled weight of your truck loaded ready to go camping? Subtract that from the GVWR of the truck. That is how much room you have left over for hitch and pin weight. Generally speaking pin weight will be 20% of the trailers ready to travel weight. Since you dont have that yet, use 20% of the trailers GVWR.Agree.The formula for towing capacity is the GCWR of the truck minus the weight of the truck when ready to tow (includes everything...hitch, pin weight, passengers, gear, etc.

Thats a big trailer, but a congrats is in order first, I have seen just what your going to do many times out there on the road, now you can expect the weight police on this sight to pounce all over your post, so what I am saying is your truck will pull it fine, but dont expect to be the first one to the top of the pass, you also may find some "chucking" between the trailer and the truck, as in your trailer will be pushing your truck, sort of a back and forth motion that you will fill in the cab of the truck, have fun and enjoy yourself and dont let this site weight police get you down

5th Wheel Newbie | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

FormerBoater
Explorer
Apr 14, 2014
I would check the SCA's, transmission fluid, engine oil level, weigh my rig and adjust the tire air pressure accordingly. Slides in, jacks up etc.

When I approach you on flat ground, I would pull as far as possible to the left in order to avoid your tail swing.

Coming down the grade I would likely engage the pac-brake and stay abaft of your location as I do not think that you will be in control of the situation.

I like my curbside mirrors, would not like to kiss yours going down the road.

What part of "Class A Forum" is a mystery here?
brirene
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014
wirenutz wrote:
Thats a big trailer, but a congrats is in order first, I have seen just what your going to do many times out there on the road, now you can expect the weight police on this sight to pounce all over your post, so what I am saying is your truck will pull it fine, but dont expect to be the first one to the top of the pass, you also may find some "chucking" between the trailer and the truck, as in your trailer will be pushing your truck, sort of a back and forth motion that you will fill in the cab of the truck, have fun and enjoy yourself and dont let this site weight police get you down

LOL...says the guy towing a similar unit with a Freightliner! Sorry, but I've got to agree its a bit too much for a 3/4 ton. It will probably do it, but not sure it won't be white knuckle driving, which is not fun. Just mho, of course.
wirenutz
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014
Thats a big trailer, but a congrats is in order first, I have seen just what your going to do many times out there on the road, now you can expect the weight police on this sight to pounce all over your post, so what I am saying is your truck will pull it fine, but dont expect to be the first one to the top of the pass, you also may find some "chucking" between the trailer and the truck, as in your trailer will be pushing your truck, sort of a back and forth motion that you will fill in the cab of the truck, have fun and enjoy yourself and dont let this site weight police get you down
Deshler4753
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014
Blaster Man wrote:
donn0128 wrote:
That is just way too much trailer for your truck. Towing rating has very little to do with fifth wheel towing. What is the scaled weight of your truck loaded ready to go camping? Subtract that from the GVWR of the truck. That is how much room you have left over for hitch and pin weight. Generally speaking pin weight will be 20% of the trailers ready to travel weight. Since you dont have that yet, use 20% of the trailers GVWR.

Agree.

The formula for towing capacity is the GCWR of the truck minus the weight of the truck when ready to tow (includes everything...hitch, pin weight, passengers, gear, etc.
Blaster_Man
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014
donn0128 wrote:
That is just way too much trailer for your truck. Towing rating has very little to do with fifth wheel towing. What is the scaled weight of your truck loaded ready to go camping? Subtract that from the GVWR of the truck. That is how much room you have left over for hitch and pin weight. Generally speaking pin weight will be 20% of the trailers ready to travel weight. Since you dont have that yet, use 20% of the trailers GVWR.

Agree.

The formula for towing capacity is the GCWR of the truck minus the weight of the truck when ready to tow (includes everything...hitch, pin weight, passengers, gear, etc.
donn0128
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2014
That is just way too much trailer for your truck. Towing rating has very little to do with fifth wheel towing. What is the scaled weight of your truck loaded ready to go camping? Subtract that from the GVWR of the truck. That is how much room you have left over for hitch and pin weight. Generally speaking pin weight will be 20% of the trailers ready to travel weight. Since you dont have that yet, use 20% of the trailers GVWR.
Helimech
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014
Best way to lower your weight is to buy a smaller 5er, otherwise you should be fine.

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