Forum Discussion
JIMNLIN
May 28, 2016Explorer III
We have been looking at getting a 5th wheel, a Solitude 300GK. Our 2015 Ram 2500 4x4 SRW diesel is rated a towing 15,500 pounds. Wondering how well our truck would be able to handle this 5th wheel? Wife really likes this one over all the others we have looked at over the last few months.
The Ram/GM or Ford 3/4 ton truck may have a 15k-17k tow rating but that doesn't mean it can tow a heavy 5th wheel trailer at that weight.
Trailers like a triaxle can have lighter hitch weights.
Or trailer like a big GN flatbed or stock trailer can be loaded with lighter hitch weights due to load placement on the trailer over the trailers axles/etc.
As other have said a 3/4 ton truck with rear coils or leaf springs just doesn't have enough load carrying capacity for a 15k trailer.
Running some numbers at you shows the truck may have a 6200 RAWR and may have a empty rear axle weight in the 2800 lb range which leaves around 3400 lb for a total payload.
Figure 250 lbs for a hitch/rails and another 100 lbs for gear and maybe 200 lb of occupant weight on the rear axle = 2800 lbs or so for a trailers pin weight.
I would be looking at a lighter weight trailer........or as some folks have safely done is mod the truck with air bags for the rear suspension and higher rated tires and wheels to carry more pin weight.
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