mtofell1 wrote:
I worried when getting my new 5th wheel a couple months ago. My truck is a 2014 2500 w/6.4 Hemi 3.73 gears. My 5th wheel is a Keystone Hideout and was surprised to end up with about 8" of clearance. I think some RV manufacturers are catching up with the height of these new trucks and building the 5th wheels accordingly. The worst combo would be an older 5th with a newer truck. So, you might check out some other brands of 5th wheel and you will probably be okay.
Now for the weight thing. Your max weight should be 12,500# with a payload of 3000#. I have a 12,000# GVWR 5th that, once loaded, puts me right at my payload max. The 5th overall weighs about 10,500# and leaves me about 1000# of GCWR (combined truck and trailer max is 19,500#).
GCWR:
Truck - 7000#
People, 5th hitch, etc. - 1000#
5th - 10,500#
Total = 18,500#
Payload:
Truck - 7000#
People, 5th hitch, etc. - 1000#
Pin weight from 5th - 2000#
Total = 10,000#
The truck handles it fine as is but I'm likely going to get some rear airbags as it bounces a bit excessively over uneven roads at times. Nothing terrible. I'm also thinking about re-gearing with 4.56s. The same truck with the 4.10s is rated for an additional 3000# of GCWR (payload stays at 3000#). Aside from towing better I've also heard good things about the truck as a daily driver with the different gears. The only downside is I'd be turning about 400RPM higher on the freeway. I can't remember exactly but I think it's like 2200RPM vs. 1800RPM at 70.
Edit: I see the OP is in Florida - I'm out west with lots of hills so. The 3.73s would be fine in flatter areas.
It's the 4x4 that is making it so tall. This year's trucks seem to run tall even with stock tires 60". They are 18". Our work truck is plum wore out so we are upgrading it to a 2500 5.7, 3.73 2 wheel drive which should do fine with the light weight models we are looking at.
