Forum Discussion

dacougarcamper's avatar
dacougarcamper
Explorer
Oct 06, 2013

fifthwheel weight compared to travel trailer weight.

If any one out there can give me some insight on this subject I would surly appreciate it. First of all I have had a few travel trailers in the past. The last one being a 2005 cougar travel trailer 301BHS, 30ft with a dry weight of 6580 lbs.(from NADA) but it seemed a lot heavier then that. I pulled it with a 3/4ton Chevy suburban, with 6.0ltr gas engine,4:10 gears in the rear-end, and it seemed that the trucked just struggled to pull it no matter what, and became such a chore to pull it that we never wanted to use it anymore. Most of the kids are know gone and we are looking to down size the RV. My new truck is a 2005 Chevy 1500HD with a 6.0ltr gas engine. We are looking at 2002 Springdale Fifth wheel 249BHL. This is 26 ft. and has a dry weight of 5800 lbs. Is this too heavy for my truck (max tow weight is about 8000lbs.) or am I just going to run into the same problem as the last trailer.

Thanks
Bill

7 Replies

  • TomHaycraft's avatar
    TomHaycraft
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2013
    dacougarcamper wrote:
    My new truck is a 2005 Chevy 1500HD with a 6.0ltr gas engine. We are looking at 2002 Springdale Fifth wheel 249BHL. This is 26 ft. and has a dry weight of 5800 lbs. Is this too heavy for my truck (max tow weight is about 8000lbs.) or am I just going to run into the same problem as the last trailer. Thanks Bill

    Bill, I don't know the specs on the 249BHL, but am guessing my 247FWRLLS is close. My 09 1500 has a tow capacity of 9,600 lbs. Last I weighed the combination, trailer was 7,700 lbs, 80% of my tow capacity. Pin weight was 1,240 lbs, 97% of my rear GAWR.

    How does it tow? I do okay. Take my time accelerating. I've been all over Texas (with exception of down into Palo Duro Canyon, that is on my 2014 list of parks to visit) and into the Ozarks. I struggle on 7% grades. At 10% (short, steep climb between Media and Vanderpool on my way to Lost Maples State Park ... I'm down to 20 mph. I know my limits now!

    I have no plans to go to Colorado with this TV, but I still have a lot of the country I've not seen. Next TV, will be a 3/4 or 1 ton, but this is what I had when the opportunity to buy the trailer presented itself.

    Good luck, hope the above account helps.
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2013
    towing a load is a learning experience. Your TV is capable to your load, perhaps not to your wishes. Give it a little time, get used to driving like a trucker, anticipating traffic ahead, hills both ways.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 06, 2013
    See what the GVWR is on 5'vr
    Use 20% of GVWR to guesstimate 'pin weight'
    ie: 8000# GVWR-----20%=1600#

    Go weight truck ready to camp with everybody, any stuff and figure 250# for 5'vr hitch. Take truck GVWR subtract actual truck weight....how much you got left?
    Enough for 'pin weight'?

    You can get a lot more trailer than 5th wheel due to the lack of payload with a 1500
  • dacougarcamper's avatar
    dacougarcamper
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2013
    thanks for all the feedback. still trying to decide to buy the fiver or go with another TT.
  • poncho62's avatar
    poncho62
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2013
    My 97 GMC Sierra 1500 (5.7, 3.73 gears)tows my 4700# 99 Springdale with ease......

    I used to tow a 19ft Prowler TT, with equalizing hitch.....The 5th wheel feels so much more stable
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 06, 2013
    The 6.0 should have the power to pull it, but the loaded weight will most likely be near 7500. You should check on the door for the payload rating of your truck. The loaded pin weight will be 1500#s plus the hitch, fuel, and passengers.

    Jerry
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Oct 06, 2013
    Take the truck and 5ver to a truck scale and get it weighed. Truck by itself, 5ver by it self and both together. Then you'll know.

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