Looking to upgrade to a fifth wheel.

usmc616 wrote:
Hi all, I currently tow a TT but am looking to get a fifth wheel. My questions are about "pin weight". My current TV is a 2004.5 Ram 2500 with the HO 5.9 Cummins rated to tow 13,050lbs. GCWR is 20,000lbs ( I found this on several tow guides), GVWR is 9,000lbs ( from label on door) and curb weight is 6727 lbs ( from same label on door) but weighed 7540 on scale( full tank of diesel, 140lb driver, cap on bed and tool box in bed) . My truck is a 4x4 with a 6' 3" bed.
With the above info I am trying to find out what will be my limiting factor when looking at fifth wheel campers. If I understand it correctly I should estimate 15-20% of the fifth wheel GVWR to be my pin weight, is that correct??Iif so then I only have 1490lbs available of pin weight? ( GVWR- Curb weight) is that correct? Educate me please

Just some food for thought, before we upgraded our TV from a 2001 Ram 2500 CTD and NV4500 5 speed manual we towed a 12,550# 5er.
The 5er had a pin weight of 2,700# just under 22%. My 2500 had a GVWR of 8,800#, ready to camp with me DW and 35# Beagle, full fuel, hitch and in bed tool box weighed 7,800#. This put me 1,700# over GVWR, but still about 300# under the 6,084# rear axle, and well under tire rating.
The fact I was 1,700# over GVWR kept eating at me, so I upgraded to a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW, now have 1,300# of spare capacity.
The choice is yours.