Forum Discussion

boingram's avatar
boingram
Explorer
Dec 02, 2014

hitch weight

Hi all...I am looking at fivers in the 10k dry/12.5 gross range.

Which will tow better...hitch weight in 15-1700 or 2-2200 pound range.

2015 gmc denali 3500.

Thx...bo
  • Won't make much of a difference if correctly loaded, hitched at right height, etc. Your tv should do fine with either.
  • 15-20% of the total weight on the pin is all that matters. And towing as close to level as you can.
  • jims1 wrote:
    15-20% of the total weight on the pin is all that matters. And towing as close to level as you can.


    I'd actually extend that to 15-25%. I think a 15% fifth wheel is a pretty good rarity.
  • Always buy a hitch to match the capability of the TV. That way you can always upgrade or tow any trailer that your TV can handle.
  • boingram wrote:
    Hi all...I am looking at fivers in the 10k dry/12.5 gross range.

    Which will tow better...hitch weight in 15-1700 or 2-2200 pound range.

    2015 gmc denali 3500.

    Thx...bo


    With a 1-ton GMC you shouldn't have any issues with any fiver in the 10,000 to 12,500 weight range, except your pin should be in the 20% - 25% range. But really much more could come into play. Maybe your hitch weight starts out at 2100 pounds but after loading everything up and going across the scale it is really 2900 pounds.

    Really too many varibles to say which one could actually tow better. Probably not much difference.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    boingram wrote:
    Hi all...I am looking at fivers in the 10k dry/12.5 gross range.

    Which will tow better...hitch weight in 15-1700 or 2-2200 pound range.

    2015 gmc denali 3500.

    Thx...bo


    NO ISSUE!!!!

    I tow a 5er with a 9,800# dry and 12,360 GVWR at 11,00# just fine with my 2001 Ram 2500, over the 8,800# GVWR, but well within the 6,084 rear GAWR.
  • boingram wrote:
    Hi all...I am looking at fivers in the 10k dry/12.5 gross range.

    Which will tow better...hitch weight in 15-1700 or 2-2200 pound range.

    2015 gmc denali 3500.

    Thx...bo
    Either will be fine with your truck. My 5er is the same size and I pull with an 11 year old 2500 with all weights within spec's.
  • I don't have a denali - but my 2011 tows like a dream. Had a 2005 3500 and traded when GM made the upgrades in 2011. My hitch weight is in the 2200 to 2400 lbs range.

    I switch to Bilstein shocks at 21,000 miles and added air bags before my first tow. With my rig the rear settles about 1 3/4 inches - just touches the "over load" springs - air up the bags to about 45# and most of the sag is gone. Rides much better with the Bilstein's when towing.

    My CAT scale weight:

    Steer Axle - 4900 lbs
    Drive Axle - 6060 lbs
    Trailer Axle - 9220 lbs
    Gross Weight - 20,180 lbs

    2 passengers in the truck, full tank of diesel (36 gallons) and 1 small dog. Trailer is packed for 2 weeks of camping and about 1/3 tank of water.

    Trailer GVWR 12,380 lbs. Add on’ s to the original weight (10,015 lbs) both propane tanks full, dual 12V batteries and 3 slide awnings.