Getting new 5th wheel Lots of questions!

jmtandem wrote:

We looked at a 2017 Grand Design Reflection 27RL yesterday and fell in love with it. Did the paperwork and it should be hitched to my truck in about 10 days

I don't think you are asking all the right questions. You will likely be close to or even slightly over your truck's payload capacity with the gross weight of the fifth wheel at just under 11,000 pounds. Add in the hitch weight and 20 percent of the fifth's weight on the pin and you will be at or over 2200 pounds before you put anybody, dogs, bikes, kayaks, bbq, etc into the truck.

Went on GM website and here are the numbers from GM

Ext cab, long box (4WD)6.6L Diesel:
Payload (lb / kg): 2725 / 1236

Trailer towing maximum with fifth-wheel hitch (lb / kg:
4WD w/ 6.6L (3.73 axle): 15700 / 7122

I really do not think that I will be over my payload and definitely not over towing capacity

Dave

You need to go over to the GD forum and read about your 5th wheel there. Plenty of GD Reflection owners to help you sort it out.
https://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/showthread.php/8531-Poll-How-many-of-you-have-had-your-grease-seals-fail

dpgllg wrote:

jmtandem wrote:

We looked at a 2017 Grand Design Reflection 27RL yesterday and fell in love with it. Did the paperwork and it should be hitched to my truck in about 10 days

I don't think you are asking all the right questions. You will likely be close to or even slightly over your truck's payload capacity with the gross weight of the fifth wheel at just under 11,000 pounds. Add in the hitch weight and 20 percent of the fifth's weight on the pin and you will be at or over 2200 pounds before you put anybody, dogs, bikes, kayaks, bbq, etc into the truck.

Went on GM website and here are the numbers from GM

Ext cab, long box (4WD)6.6L Diesel:
Payload (lb / kg): 2725 / 1236

Trailer towing maximum with fifth-wheel hitch (lb / kg:
4WD w/ 6.6L (3.73 axle): 15700 / 7122

I really do not think that I will be over my payload and definitely not over towing capacity

Dave

Look on the sticker on your driver's door jamb. It will give the payload for your specific truck. I believe you may be a bit over when all is said and done.

Nice aquisition, really like the interior. Look into a sealant instead of wax, better protection and will last longer.

rickeoni wrote:
Nice aquisition, really like the interior. Look into a sealant instead of wax, better protection and will last longer.

Any particular product? I'm thinking that I will purchase the wax/sealer/protectant and have the dealer put it on as part of the purchase. I have to tow it home about 120 highway miles and this way it would be protected before it left the shop

They are backed up and said they have several units in front of me but it should be ready in less than 10 days

goducks10 wrote:
You need to go over to the GD forum and read about your 5th wheel there. Plenty of GD Reflection owners to help you sort it out.
https://www.granddesignowners.com/forum/showthread.php/8531-Poll-How-many-of-you-have-had-your-grease-seals-fail

Just registered and waiting for Mod approval. Thanks for the advice

On the surge protector. Low voltage can cause problems and it will help there. On an RV wired for 50a service if the power pole loses it neutral for what ever reason or an electrician wires an outlet wrong it will put 240v on all the 120v appliances and they don't like it.

If you've been rv'ing for 40 years you probably still have a 30a hookup so it doesn't apply to you. If you have 50a you're lucky.

dpgllg wrote:

rickeoni wrote:
Nice aquisition, really like the interior. Look into a sealant instead of wax, better protection and will last longer.

Any particular product? I'm thinking that I will purchase the wax/sealer/protectant and have the dealer put it on as part of the purchase. I have to tow it home about 120 highway miles and this way it would be protected before it left the shop

They are backed up and said they have several units in front of me but it should be ready in less than 10 days

I do it myself yearly, washed and scrubbed today and claybar and a sealing tomorrow with a product called Hydro2.

First. Ignore the weight police trolls who have nothing better to do apparently. Your truck will handle the unit with ease. Buy yourself a Progressive Industries hard wired EMS unit with remote display. You can easily install it yourself and no it won't void your warranty. You will thank those of us who recommended it later! Excellent prices on these are on Amazon and Etrailer. Meguaers marine wax is awesome and also highly recommended. I (as well as many others) believe the dealer applied protectant to be a way for the dealers to fatten their wallets. Simply wash as needed with a quality automotive type wash and wax and wax with the meguiars one or two times a year is just as good or better. Cover is debatable. I'd probably try to find a covered storage facility myself. And as far as the roof goes, just wash once or twice a year with a soft brush and mild soap. I like 50/50 dawn and water in a spray bottle. The roof membrane requires very little maintenance with some manufacturers recommended doing nothing to them. The Ground Control 3.0 is all electric and doesnt use hydraulic fluid as mentioned in another post. Just keep them clean and free of debris and lube the fronts as needed. The dealer should be able to show you how and where during your PDI. More information will be found in your manuals. And ask many questions during your PDI! The only dumb question is the ones you dont ask. Also, come join us at the Grand Design owners forum. Great group of extremely helpful folks. BTW, we love our GD 303!

Don't be deterred by the so called weight police. But don't stick your head in the sand and ignore the weights altogether either.
Verify your weights yourself. Check the payload rating on your door jamb and check it against the loaded pin weight of your 5'er.
It will always be beneficial to know where you stand within your towing parameters.