Forum Discussion

RonLB's avatar
RonLB
Explorer
Feb 14, 2019

Towing Capacity

I suspect this has been asked and answered...
The 5th wheel trailer we are looking to buy has a gross weight of just under 16,000 pounds. We are planning on trips out west going through mountains. Am I naïve to think that a vehicle with a max towing capacity of 17,000 pounds is going to be adequate? We are buying both a trailer and a truck. One of the worst things that could happen would be to realize the truck we purchased does not have the horsepower or just barely has enough horsepower. Are we better off getting as much horsepower as we can afford? Comments please. Thanks in advance.
  • RonLB's avatar
    RonLB
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2019
    I am beginning to appreciate that we should be looking at a 1 ton truck. Why the dually? The trailers we are looking at are Keystone Avalanche's...39', 40' or 41'.
  • rhagfo's avatar
    rhagfo
    Explorer III
    Feb 14, 2019
    TXiceman wrote:
    Towing is a tow part consideration. I suspect with your 17000# max on the truck you are in a single rear wheel truck and a 3.55 or 3.42 axle.

    A 16000# 5er will have a loaded pin weight of about 3200#. you have to look at the payload capacity of the truck. Add the pin weight ( not brochure dry weight) plus the 5er hitch, any truck cargo and passengers for a total weight. This has to be less than the trucks payload or cargo capacity.

    If you are out west, you will want a 3.73 rear axle or a 4.10 axle for mountain towing. I would look at a diesel 1 ton dually.

    Ken


    Good
    Information above, realize that a diesel 3/4 will have a max tow capacity in the 17,000# range, BUT it will NOT have the capacity to carry the pin weight that goes with that weight.
    The MAX weight is for a flatbed GN where the load can be placed over the axles so s to reduce the pin weight to be within the payload of 3/4 ton TV. You can’t do that with an RV 5er, it will always be about 20% to 25% of the 5ers weight.
    In addition the MAX is just that the MAXIMUM for the stripper version of that TV. Once options are added to the TV that MAX starts going down!
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Feb 14, 2019
    “Why, your truck can PULL anything on this lot.” Baloney. It’s got to carry it too. Don’t buy anything until you do a bunch more reading.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Feb 14, 2019
    Good info above! Welcome to the forum, you will likely have further questions, as your search for truck and FW move forward. Giving more specific info, as to make model of FW, and truck model/specifications are helpful for proper response.

    Jerry
  • TXiceman's avatar
    TXiceman
    Explorer II
    Feb 14, 2019
    Towing is a tow part consideration. I suspect with your 17000# max on the truck you are in a single rear wheel truck and a 3.55 or 3.42 axle.

    A 16000# 5er will have a loaded pin weight of about 3200#. you have to look at the payload capacity of the truck. Add the pin weight ( not brochure dry weight) plus the 5er hitch, any truck cargo and passengers for a total weight. This has to be less than the trucks payload or cargo capacity.

    If you are out west, you will want a 3.73 rear axle or a 4.10 axle for mountain towing. I would look at a diesel 1 ton dually.

    Ken
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Feb 14, 2019
    A 16000# fiver needs a diesel dual rear wheel 1 ton truck. I don't know what truck you are looking at but it doesn't sound like the above. Don't listen to the RV salesman all they care about is your signature on the line.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Feb 14, 2019
    Horsepower is only one consideration. Payload is more important than towing capacity. Axle capacity is very important when considering a fifth wheel due to pin weight. Others will certainly chime in and give you more detail.

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