First post and diving in head first...We are in the very early discussions with DW’s parents on a 5er. A key point is whether we use my current truck as the TV or need to upgrade (equals more money). I’ve had my 2500 for almost 12 years and it’s been rock solid. It’s the extd cab short bed 4x4 with D/A and only 120k miles. I’ve done a considerable amount of towing with a 24’ car trailer and it handles that load just fine. I know one of my limiting factors is the GVWR of 9200lbs and as a result are considering 5er’s on the lighter side. One model we like based on the floor plan of two separate bedrooms spaces is the Cougar 32bhs - https://www.keystonerv.com/fifth-wheels/cougar-half-ton/floorplans/32bhs-fifth-wheel/ This is something we would plan to leave at a specific campsite/location for a while vs towing it around every weekend. I know there is no substitute for hooking it up and hitting the scales...but for those with more experience then me (everyone here)...is something like the above model / weight going to be doable and an enjoyable tow or should I be looking to nut-up and price in upgrading to a DRW truck?

Apparently 2006 was a good model year for the Silverado. 220,000 miles on my 3500 dually, most of them pulling a heavy 5er, & we are still going strong. It gets what it likes, fresh oil every 3000 miles & almost an open checkbook when it comes to preventative maintenance.

Can your truck handle 2000+ pounds of pin weight plus who and what you carry in the truck?

I would not be too concerned with GVWR. With a FW, almost all weight is on the rear axle/rear tires. I'm thinking you have a RAWR of at least 6000, so how much wt is on the rear axle right now? Lets guess 2800 plus hitch 200 still leaves 3000 for pin wt, which would handle loaded pin wt of say 2400 using the FW you are considering.You can take your truck only, loaded with people, fuel, some gear, add 200 for hitch, and see exactly what the rear axle weighs.Jerry

Lwiddis wrote:Can your truck handle 2000+ pounds of pin weight plus who and what you carry in the truck?Yes...it should typically be just me and dog plus misc in the truck. Maybe one other passenger.

MFL wrote:I would not be too concerned with GVWR. With a FW, almost all weight is on the rear axle/rear tires. I'm thinking you have a RAWR of at least 6000, so how much wt is on the rear axle right now? Lets guess 2800 plus hitch 200 still leaves 3000 for pin wt, which would handle loaded pin wt of say 2400 using the FW you are considering.You can take your truck only, loaded with people, fuel, some gear, add 200 for hitch, and see exactly what the rear axle weighs.JerryMy RAWR is 6800ish. Great next step to do as you suggest...go do a weigh and see. I’ll shoot for on evening this week.

Reality check - 2006 Chevy 2500 | Good Sam Community

Veebyes
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2020
Apparently 2006 was a good model year for the Silverado. 220,000 miles on my 3500 dually, most of them pulling a heavy 5er, & we are still going strong. It gets what it likes, fresh oil every 3000 miles & almost an open checkbook when it comes to preventative maintenance.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Jul 19, 2020
Can your truck handle 2000+ pounds of pin weight plus who and what you carry in the truck?
MFL
Nomad II
Jul 19, 2020
I would not be too concerned with GVWR. With a FW, almost all weight is on the rear axle/rear tires. I'm thinking you have a RAWR of at least 6000, so how much wt is on the rear axle right now? Lets guess 2800 plus hitch 200 still leaves 3000 for pin wt, which would handle loaded pin wt of say 2400 using the FW you are considering.

You can take your truck only, loaded with people, fuel, some gear, add 200 for hitch, and see exactly what the rear axle weighs.

Jerry
S4cruiser
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
Lwiddis wrote:
Can your truck handle 2000+ pounds of pin weight plus who and what you carry in the truck?

Yes...it should typically be just me and dog plus misc in the truck. Maybe one other passenger.
S4cruiser
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
MFL wrote:
I would not be too concerned with GVWR. With a FW, almost all weight is on the rear axle/rear tires. I'm thinking you have a RAWR of at least 6000, so how much wt is on the rear axle right now? Lets guess 2800 plus hitch 200 still leaves 3000 for pin wt, which would handle loaded pin wt of say 2400 using the FW you are considering.

You can take your truck only, loaded with people, fuel, some gear, add 200 for hitch, and see exactly what the rear axle weighs.

Jerry

My RAWR is 6800ish. Great next step to do as you suggest...go do a weigh and see. I’ll shoot for on evening this week.
S4cruiser
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
Veebyes wrote:
Apparently 2006 was a good model year for the Silverado. 220,000 miles on my 3500 dually, most of them pulling a heavy 5er, & we are still going strong. It gets what it likes, fresh oil every 3000 miles & almost an open checkbook when it comes to preventative maintenance.

Knock on wood, mines been great. Recently did a major overall of the suspension, brakes and trans service. Fingers crossed she keeps treating me well!
bucky
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2020
S4cruiser wrote:
MFL wrote:
I would not be too concerned with GVWR. With a FW, almost all weight is on the rear axle/rear tires. I'm thinking you have a RAWR of at least 6000, so how much wt is on the rear axle right now? Lets guess 2800 plus hitch 200 still leaves 3000 for pin wt, which would handle loaded pin wt of say 2400 using the FW you are considering.

You can take your truck only, loaded with people, fuel, some gear, add 200 for hitch, and see exactly what the rear axle weighs.

Jerry

My RAWR is 6800ish. Great next step to do as you suggest...go do a weigh and see. I’ll shoot for on evening this week.

Please post a pic of your load ratings from the door jam. The 6800 lb RAWR seems awful high for a 2500. I'm seeing 6084 listed.
skinnyme
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
I tow a 9000 lb FW with a 2012 chevy 2500. 142000 mi No problem.
If you are just going to 1 location, go for it.
If traveling around I think you would need more truck.
FlatBroke
Explorer II
Jul 20, 2020
Veebyes wrote:
Apparently 2006 was a good model year for the Silverado. 220,000 miles on my 3500 dually, most of them pulling a heavy 5er, & we are still going strong. It gets what it likes, fresh oil every 3000 miles & almost an open checkbook when it comes to preventative maintenance.

Can I have your used oil? ;)
wiredgeorge
Explorer
Jul 20, 2020
Inside your door jamb is a yellow sticker that will say "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed .... lbs." What does your sticker say. The fiver you are looking at will be about 11K lbs loaded for camping and normal real world tongue weight will be 20-25 percent of the trailer gross weight so you are looking at 2200 pin weight minimum. Compare that to your yellow sticker payload. The diesel/automatic and bigger cab and 4x4 on your truck tells me your payload may be right at 2000 lbs or perhaps less. Last, the term "half ton towable" Keystone throws around is marketing and not real world and should never be taken as true in almost any case. There are few, if any, half ton trucks capable of towing a 5th wheel safely. Head over to https://www.keystoneforums.com/forums/index.php and talk to the folks there.