Hi my husband and I are just getting started to shop for our truck to pull our trailer that we are hoping to get. We love the Reflection 337RLS By Grand Design. Im hoping that someone out there that has that model 5th wheel can help us out. We looked at the 2014 Chevy 2500HD Silverado Diesel. The dealership says I will pull the trailer we want. But then I have heard we need to get a 3500HD. Im so confused. I have been reading weight stuff all day. Talk about confusing. So Please if anyone has a 337RLS please help. Thank you so much.

to being with, you need to know the weight of the 5th wheel and then the towing capacity of the 2500 chevy. then you need to add in the other factors such as passengers, and other things you load into the truck, gas, chairs, kids, dogs, etc. this all adds up to the total weight, you need to get a truck that will pull all that and more. by more I mean all the little things that will wind up in the TT over time. if that out weighs the chevy's towing ability, then get the 1 ton truck. I'm sure the diesel chevy of any size will pull it, it is just the safety issues and stopping factors. a lot of things to think about. you can never have too much truck but you sure can have not enough truck.

Why not just start out with a 3500 and get the extra load capacity? There is little if any, difference in price, they both ride about the same. I don't see what the advantages to having a 2500 are.B.O.

Again, its not how much it can pull, but how much can it CARRY. Take your smartphone/calculator along with the GVW of the trailer and see if the pin weight is less that 20% if the trailer GVW.Jim

Per GR website. 337RLS "Average Hitch Weight 2090lbs"Per GM website. 2014 2500HD Duramax "Payload capacity 3079lbs"The Payload capacity is not calculated after all passengers, gear and fuel are loaded. You must add up all those weights and subtract it from the "payload capacity".1 gal of Diesel weighs 7.49lbs x 36 gal tank = 269.64 lbsFifth Wheel hitch weight (approx) = 150 lbsDH + DW (approx) = 350 lbsThat only leaves you with 220 lbs of payload left to play with!Throw in the Kids, the Dog, Chairs, Tool Box, and other stuff!Too close for my blood!!!The 3500HD payload capacity jumps to 3585 lbs. Much better IMO

Jim-Linda wrote:Again, its not how much it can pull, but how much can it CARRY. Take your smartphone/calculator along with the GVW of the trailer and see if the pin weight is less that 20% if the trailer GVW.JimX2 this. The towing capabilities of a truck are essentially based on either what the truck can tow (pull) and what the truck can carry (weight). The salesman can very well be right when he says a 2500 can tow (pull) the trailer cause the truck's capability to do this is largely based on the drive train (eng, trans, etc.). BUT, usually the most limiting part of a trucks capability is what weight it can carry. For this you have to look at limits such as GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating), and front and rear axle weight ratings. As mentioned above, to determine a trucks ability to carry the load of a trailer hooked up you have to see if there's enough 'payload' which is the difference between the trucks GVWR and the actual weight of the truck, preferably weighed as it would be when going camping so it would include weights of all persons, pets, fuel, trailer hitch in bed, incidentals carried in the truck such as tools, firewood, whatever.I know reading about all the different weights can really be confusing but it should be, IMO, a part of you must do to ensure you're towing safely for yourself and others.

Grand Design 337rls reflection | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Jan 09, 2014
Why not just start out with a 3500 and get the extra load capacity? There is little if any, difference in price, they both ride about the same. I don't see what the advantages to having a 2500 are.

B.O.
old_guy
Explorer
Jan 09, 2014
to being with, you need to know the weight of the 5th wheel and then the towing capacity of the 2500 chevy. then you need to add in the other factors such as passengers, and other things you load into the truck, gas, chairs, kids, dogs, etc. this all adds up to the total weight, you need to get a truck that will pull all that and more. by more I mean all the little things that will wind up in the TT over time. if that out weighs the chevy's towing ability, then get the 1 ton truck. I'm sure the diesel chevy of any size will pull it, it is just the safety issues and stopping factors. a lot of things to think about. you can never have too much truck but you sure can have not enough truck.

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Grand Design 337rls reflection

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