Is This Enough Truck for 5th Wheel??
Hey guys, Newbie here and would like any advice from all the vet's out there. The wife and I just (impulsively) purchased a 5th wheel a week ago and to let you know how impulsive it was...I don'...
Forum Discussion
goducks10 wrote:
You absolutely need a 3500 SRW if you're going diesel. The heavy diesels take away 800-1000lbs from the payload. A 2500 diesel will have 2000-2200lbs for payload. A 2500 gasser will have 3000lbs+/- for payload.
Everything that goes in or on the truck counts against payload. You and the wife and whoever else need to be subtracted from the payload. Also the 5th hitch. Any other tools, camping gear etc, also needs to be subtracted from the payload.
You 5th wheel has a dry pin around 1450lbs. Add a 5th hitch, 2 batteries and propane and you added about 350lbs. So that pin weight is now 1800lbs. Add up all the stuff you'll put in the front storage compartment as well as in the front bedroom and that could easily be another 200+lbs. Now you're at 2000lbs.
Add up you and the wife and all else that goes in the truck and add that to the 2000lbs. Now subtract that from the trucks payload rating.
You'll be over the trucks payload rating when all said and done with a 2500 diesel.
If you get a Ram 3500 diesel you'll have around 4000lbs+/- for payload. Then you can take what you want and be safe.
As a side not, to check the trucks payload you'll want to look on the door jamb. There will be a sticker showing it.
Totally disagree. Not with that trailer. I don't know where you get your numbers, but a 2500 will easily pull that trailer (and legally also) with room to spare. You don't even need to upgrade to a 3500 unless you have future plans for a bigger trailer. With the 3500 you're pretty much paying for a leaf-spring suspension system as opposed to coil springs on the 2500, and a few other goodies. That's why the price is so close between the two. Again- don't let these weight police guys scare you. That trailer is advertised as "half-ton towable", though I wouldn't want to tow it with a half ton. And if you're going to be doing some serious traveling at all, you're gonna want a 4WD, and you definitely don't want a gasser. Cross country, up and down major grades and hills, pulling for any distance to speak of- you want a diesel. Only somebody who has never owned the "proper" setup for their RV would recommend different.
