Am about to purchase a 3/4 ton diesel truck. We are going to upgrade our 5th wheel at the same time. Trying to figure out what the Max length I can safely tow. ALL kinds of stuff on line about DRW vs SRW towing weight. Not worried about that. Three or four companies now make light 10-11k 5th wheels, that are very long, with hitch weights of 1700lbs. The weight part is easily towable weight wise with a 2015 2500HD Duramax diesel. I'm not worried about weight on the single rear tires as the payload of the truck is 3000k+, the hitch weight is well within the safety range for SRW vs DRW. The rigs we like are 41-42 feet though. What I want to know is if anyone else has towed one of these new long/light 5th wheels with a SRW? Does the wind throw you around the highway? Looking for experience, not conjecture. Lot of money riding on our decision. Thanks to everyone in advance.

It doesn't "throw" me around but I can tell if there is a crosswind. Tailwind and headwind no problem. I'm pulling 40'......Good luck with your decision.

Of course the wind is going to push you around. 40' long 12' high is 480 square feet of side area. Headwind will cut your fuel milage. Tail wind will increase your milage. The worst is a head wind at about 45 angle from the front.

I'm not going to say you need a dually because you probably don't.If I were buying a new truck I certainly wouldn't get a 2500 when 3500 SRW trucks are available for almost exactly the same price. There's really no reason not to get the higher rated tires, wheels, springs, and possibly rear axle.

Max Tow rating is only half the story and is very misleading when it comes to pulling a fiver.Total truck PAYLOAD is the number you need to pay most attention to.Just because the truck can PULL 15000# or more does not mean it can handle a large fifth-wheel.Not sure there are any 40'+ fivers that a LOADED 2500 series truck will be able to CARRY when the fiver is loaded up. The dry pin weight is meaningless, you need to figure out what it will be when loaded.Truck in my sig has 2700# payload and uses 2500# of that (and is within 200# of GVWR) when pulling my 27' 9600# fiver.Get the 3500! But be prepared that a SRW truck will still have limitations. Most 40' fivers really are in DRW territory.

Just because you are barely within specs of the truck does not mean that all is fine & dandy.The first time you hit an exit ramp turn too fast you are going to wish you had alot more truck. When you get caught out on the open on a windy day you are going to wish that you had alot more truck. When you are going up & especially going down those very long western mountain grades you are going to wish that you had alot more truck.With a 2500 you will be borderline but you will have lots of company out there. It might be OK if you are doing short weekend hauls to the local CG but if you plan on doing some real long haul traveling there is nothing like have more than enough truck for peace of mind & security when things are not perfect.

SRW Truck Max length 5th Wheel | Good Sam Community

76 Replies

lynndiwagon
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
Keith, throw some 19.5's on the baby and you'll really feel like it is a truck. lol
Has anyone followed behind one of those dually PU's and imagined it did not have those wide fender flares.....looks just like a 2500 or 3500 otherwise. I have read that most components are the same, just increased tire capacity and rear springs. Something to think about. As far as stopping, how could a dually be better than a SRW? It's the trailer brakes that need to be working.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2015
Just because you are barely within specs of the truck does not mean that all is fine & dandy.

The first time you hit an exit ramp turn too fast you are going to wish you had alot more truck. When you get caught out on the open on a windy day you are going to wish that you had alot more truck. When you are going up & especially going down those very long western mountain grades you are going to wish that you had alot more truck.

With a 2500 you will be borderline but you will have lots of company out there. It might be OK if you are doing short weekend hauls to the local CG but if you plan on doing some real long haul traveling there is nothing like have more than enough truck for peace of mind & security when things are not perfect.
kaydeejay
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
Max Tow rating is only half the story and is very misleading when it comes to pulling a fiver.
Total truck PAYLOAD is the number you need to pay most attention to.

Just because the truck can PULL 15000# or more does not mean it can handle a large fifth-wheel.

Not sure there are any 40'+ fivers that a LOADED 2500 series truck will be able to CARRY when the fiver is loaded up. The dry pin weight is meaningless, you need to figure out what it will be when loaded.

Truck in my sig has 2700# payload and uses 2500# of that (and is within 200# of GVWR) when pulling my 27' 9600# fiver.

Get the 3500! But be prepared that a SRW truck will still have limitations. Most 40' fivers really are in DRW territory.
KD4UPL
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2015
I'm not going to say you need a dually because you probably don't.
If I were buying a new truck I certainly wouldn't get a 2500 when 3500 SRW trucks are available for almost exactly the same price. There's really no reason not to get the higher rated tires, wheels, springs, and possibly rear axle.
Tyler0215
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
Of course the wind is going to push you around. 40' long 12' high is 480 square feet of side area. Headwind will cut your fuel milage. Tail wind will increase your milage. The worst is a head wind at about 45 angle from the front.
lynndiwagon
Explorer
Feb 06, 2015
It doesn't "throw" me around but I can tell if there is a crosswind. Tailwind and headwind no problem. I'm pulling 40'......
Good luck with your decision.

Forum Discussion

SRW Truck Max length 5th Wheel

76 Replies

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Fifth wheel length question

Truck camper match

New Truck Camper Forum Comments

Truck Camper Tie Downs

Truck camper towing a boat