Lightweight 5th Wheels

All the "experts" should go back and re-read this entire thread.

Not all 2500-HD packages are the same. When you have a small gasser and the short rear end, the GCWR falls off in a hurry.

Too many are used to thinking all tow vehicle are Duramax/Allison.

Grand Design also has 2 lighter weight options in the Reflection line.

The 27RL and 29RS both have GVWR of 9995 lbs. Both are still triple slide floor plans also.

After reviewing the 2014 GMC Trailering Guide, based on his truck configuration he could be right about the 5th wheel towing capacity. The trailering guide shows the info below

2500 Denali HD, Std. Box, 4WD, 6.0L Vortec, 3.73 rear gear
2500 Series, Crew Ca,b Std. Box, 4WD, 6.0L Vortec, 3.73 rear gear

Both listed at 9400 lbs. for 5th wheel or goose neck towing capacity.

This is why when I bought my 2013 I bought the 2500 HD, Reg. cab, long bed, Duramax, 4WD, 17,500 lbs. 5th wheel towing capacity.

We love our Reflection 303! We traded up from a smaller Laredo fiver.

Thank you Youngone!! I greatly appreciate your advise. We looked at them last weekend and really liked it. We also never travel with water in the freshwater tank and yes it is just us 2 as well.

Thank you everyone for your great advise, everytime I have had a question, you all have been here to answer it!!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving.

llhunter07 wrote:
Hi, we are interested in getting rid of our travel trailer and getting a 5th wheel, but need to get a light weight one. We have a 2014 GMC 2500HD but the total towable weight is 9400 lbs. Can you experts give me some ideas? We have been looking at the Grand Design Reflection but I know that they are pretty new into the market. We have a Keystone Laredo Travel Trailer now.

Thank you,

Lori

We have a 2015 Grand Design Reflection 303. One awesome 5th wheel. Great new company. Customer service has been great when needed. I would buy another GD again! They have a couple of super light weight 5th wheels also in the Reflection line.

I tow with a 2013 GMC 2500 4x4 Extended Cab Z71 package with the 6.0 v8 with 4:10 gears. I have plenty of towing capacity. My payload capacity with a full tank of gas is 2760 lbs.

My 303 has a dry weight of 9398 lbs. The hitch weight is 1722 lbs. We camp with full hook ups only and never travel with water in the fresh water tank. It's just my wife and I and we only bring with us what is needed for our 7-14 day trips. There's always a supermarket around our campgrounds. We found it's easy to set up and then take a ride to the grocery store. Luckily the both of us together weigh 300 lbs. We always joke that we have to keep our weight down to help our payload #'s!

jalichty wrote:
I suspect that the 9,400 is for a travel trailer. The fifth-wheel weight is a bit more. We have a 2500HD with a 3.73 rear end and it has no trouble towing a Jayco Eagle Super Lite HT 26.5 RLS with a total weight capability of 9.950. If fact, the truck only settles one inch when the fifth-wheel is hitched up.I do, however, have the D/A combo with a crew-cab which might make a difference.

Nope. The 9400 is for both. If the OP has a crew cab 4x4, it's 9400lbs. Goes up to 13,000 if you have 4:10 gears.

2014 GM Trailering Guide

I suspect that the 9,400 is for a travel trailer. The fifth-wheel weight is a bit more. We have a 2500HD with a 3.73 rear end and it has no trouble towing a Jayco Eagle Super Lite HT 26.5 RLS with a total weight capability of 9.950. If fact, the truck only settles one inch when the fifth-wheel is hitched up.I do, however, have the D/A combo with a crew-cab which might make a difference.

You can also go directly to a dealer and ask them to pull up the specs directly from GM. I did that and learned all about the capabilities of my 2014 2500 diesel. It made a difference on the trailer I purchased last weekend. You may have to be persistent with the dealer. I was not and all went well. Goo luck. Hope this helps.

Yes, it is a 6.0 with a 3:73, We looked at the GM Towing guide at the RV Dealer we were at, and that is the information they gave us "9400Lb". We were a little confused since we traded a 1500 for the 2500 and were told that it would tow about 13K. Our travel trailer weighs around 7K lbs unloaded. Now we wish we would have gotten either the 4:10 or jumped up to the 3500. Thank you everyone for your replies. Do you have any advise on models or manufactures? We are not seasoned RV'ers :) Our travel trailer was a 1st for us and we really enjoy it. But now that my husband is getting ready to retire, we would love to spend more time RVing.