opinions (i know this is dangerous :))

jaycocamprs wrote:

heffnerfam wrote:
The durango gold that we looked at has a hitch weight of 2250, which is less then the 2500 my Ram is rated at. Am I missing something? GVWR is 9200 lbs approx. So long as I don't exceed the GVWR I should be ok...right.

Trying to learn

Dry hitch weight will go up, a lot when loaded. I mean none of us camp in empty trailers. Most of the storage in these trailers is up front. That means that at least half the weight of the stuff you put in the front storage bay goes on the pin. Near all of what goes in the front closet is pin weight. Our little Mountaineer runs a scaled loaded pin weight over 2680lb, 25% of total weight. That would max you out. Our 05 DRW doesn't have a lot left after the DW & I, the dog, fire wood, hitch and the junk I carry around in the toolbox. If we ever loaded this trailer to it's 14400lb GVWR we would go over the 11400lb truck GVWR. Even using the RAWR (rear axle weight rating) your going to be real close, if not over.

Plus 200 pounds for hitch, any tools, passengers, pets, etc in truck.....

I wanted to stay well away from max towing. Here is info for an open range light 347 res. Max weight would be fine,but hitch weight is high.

Hitch Weight=2225
Dry Weight=10955
GVWR=14225
Fresh Water=85
Grey Water=57
Black Water=41

heffnerfam wrote:
The durango gold that we looked at has a hitch weight of 2250, which is less then the 2500 my Ram is rated at. Am I missing something? GVWR is 9200 lbs approx. So long as I don't exceed the GVWR I should be ok...right.

Trying to learn

Dry hitch weight will go up, a lot when loaded. I mean none of us camp in empty trailers. Most of the storage in these trailers is up front. That means that at least half the weight of the stuff you put in the front storage bay goes on the pin. Near all of what goes in the front closet is pin weight. Our little Mountaineer runs a scaled loaded pin weight over 2680lb, 25% of total weight. That would max you out. Our 05 DRW doesn't have a lot left after the DW & I, the dog, fire wood, hitch and the junk I carry around in the toolbox. If we ever loaded this trailer to it's 14400lb GVWR we would go over the 11400lb truck GVWR. Even using the RAWR (rear axle weight rating) your going to be real close, if not over.

Like jayco says the 2500 6.7 Cummins/68Re or the Aisin and the big 11.5" AAM rear axle will pull the 17400 lb trailer.

The 2500 trucks issues is the 6200 RAWR numbers. The 6200 lb takes in the tires/wheels and rear suspension which will be limited to around a 3000 lb payload.
This truck isn't a good idea for a heavy 35'-40' 15k-17k lb trailer.

The 3500 SRW with the 7000 RAWR is good for up to 4000-4400 lb payloads which equate to around 15k trailers.

The 3500 DRW has those big 9750 RAWR/4 tires and is good for payloads up to 6k-7k payloads. All depending on the correct vehicle selections.

Ram may say the 2500 can pull a 17400 lb trailer but that doesn't mean it can be a RV trailer. The 17400 lb is for any type of trailer which includes non RV trailers of all types.

The durango gold that we looked at has a hitch weight of 2250, which is less then the 2500 my Ram is rated at. Am I missing something? GVWR is 9200 lbs approx. So long as I don't exceed the GVWR I should be ok...right.

Trying to learn

We have a 2WD Crew Cab F250 with a payload rating of only around 2300 pounds. We had very few 5th wheel to chose from, that is if we wanted to stay within the trucks payload rating. I decided we need a dry in weight of 1300 pounds or less, and pack light, if we wanted to stay within trucks payload rating.

Ended up with a 28 foot 5th wheel. When we decided to go bigger, if we wanted to stay within trucks specs, our only options were TTs. We currently have a 37 foot TT.

Having said that, we are at an RV psrk in Tucson for the winter. It just amazes me what people tow with 250/2500 trucks. Some of the biggest 5th wheels in the park are towed with 250/2500 trucks.

Our first RV was a 40' fiver and the new one is 41'6". Have yet to not find a campground in Alabama or Georgia where we could not fit. Some sites are tight but no major issues, had more issues with low hanging tree branches, pole saw handles that.

You will get used you to the length towing. Make wide turns and watch your mirrors. With the proper truck and hitch towing a fiver will be a pleasant experience. No tail wagging, no white knuckle truck passings and easy hook up.

Good luck and happy camping.

I doubt you will want to, or can tow anything near 40 ft without having a one ton dually.

The 6.7 will pull what ever you hook to it. The real question is how much pin weight can your 2500 truck carry? Only a trip to the scale will tell you that. The weight of the truck minus the GVWR from the doorpost will give you that answer.

Towing is not the issue. Your big problem is going to be available payload. And to find that you need to load the truck up like your going camping and hit the scales. Subtract your scaled weight from the GVWR number on the drivers door post. More than likely Your available payload is going to be around 1700 1800 pounds.