Looking at 5th wheels

Check out Grand Design.

I pull a crusader 295 rst and it is a great match for my 09 dmax cc sb. 32ft 3 slides. Many mountain passes as fast as I want. Air bags to adjust ride and comfort.

Check out the Rockwood Signature Series Ultra Lite 8289WS w/Diamond Package. They are very reasonable and come with a lot amenities you see more in bigger trailers. Your truck will handle this trailer easily.

newrver327 wrote:
This is a update on my question, Looking at 5vrs. My truck is a 2009 duramax CCSB. The door sticker for gcvw 9200#,it has 3.73 gears, and it weighs approx. 6850# with a half tank of diesel and driver. By the time I add more fuel,another passenger and the hitch it leaves me with 1700# for the pin weight and all the extras I would also be adding.

Someone here is going to get on to me but I would not sell yourself short on that truck. I recently bought a 2000 3/4 ton gas motor 2500 (non-hd) and was pretty bummed about the numbers on the door too. Your truck is a very capable tow vehicle as it is not a 3/4 ton, it is really a 1 ton truck with a full floating rear axle. I wouldn't hesitate to pull what you are looking at considering what all I've seen other people in the camp grounds towing. The numbers on the door are a rating based on the weakest link, not a definitive limit of what the truck can handle.

It is really really easy to get caught up in the numbers which will probably limit you to a 25' travel trailer ;) It got me real down until I talked with some folks who do a lot of towing and they said just hitch and go. Keep an eye on the gauges and take it slow. But in all seriousness, hit up some campgrounds and see what everyone else is pulling. From what I have seen the 2500HD is the most popular TV for 5th wheels and I have seen them towing some ginormous trailers.

One more thing. I'm not sure what hitch you have, but check out the anderson ultimate 5th wheel hitch RAIL design. They have an aluminum version that weighs just 38 lbs. I have handled many B&W companion hitches and they are easily over 200 lbs. Just switching to the anderson would give you a coulple hundred extra pounds pin capacity. Also from what I have read the 2500hd have soft springs for a smooth ride which could be the weak link on your truck. Switching to some air bags, timbrens, or extra leafs will stiffen it up. If you have a dmax 2500, you have a 14 bolt full floater axle which has a 11.5" ring gear. That axle supposedly is used in 20,000 lb ratings for other vehicles. The 10.5 is supposed to be rated for 10k. I doubt that axle or frame could care less what pin weight you actually put on it. A weak suspension probably does though. I am not an expert or even 1/2 know what I'm talking about so take my OPINION with a grain.

My 2013 LML has a GVW of 24000. 2800 is GVWRR is my concern. Im right at the max with the toy hauler loaded may be over now I installed 50 gallon fuel tank. Im pulling a 11500 lb fifver but on the scale its 10500 lbs loaded.

This is a update on my question, Looking at 5vrs. My truck is a 2009 duramax CCSB. The door sticker for gcvw 9200#,it has 3.73 gears, and it weighs approx. 6850# with a half tank of diesel and driver. By the time I add more fuel,another passenger and the hitch it leaves me with 1700# for the pin weight and all the extras I would also be adding.

newrver327 wrote:
I have a 3/4 ton duramax and was looking at different 5ers and discovered that I can tow only the small ones. I really wanted one 32 to 35ft. Any suggestions on some light weight ones, otherwise I will just get a bumper pull model?

Currently, I'm looking at the Jayco Eagle HT line as well as the KZ Durango 1500 line. Both have reasonably good reps and both have 2-year warranties. I have the '02 D'max in my sig and it is a bit anemic in the payload, compared to today's models, but it's paid off and is < 100k miles, so no reason to change now. :-)

Lyle

Depends on which 2500 Duramax you have?

You didn't provide any info on it.

Makes it a guessing game.

Year/Cab/Trim Level/Drive train/gearing ......data from door sticker.
Information that can help find 5vr that is within trucks ratings

Check out the Open Range Light series. WE just got ours a few weeks ago and LOVE it. Lots of higher end amenities. The pin box takes some getting used to but once you see the functionality of it you will come to love it. We got the 311FLR that has the front living room. Just awesome!


Chris