Brand new to the forum and about to be new 5er. Already learning a few things from reading posts and the one about actual GVWR, etc has me wondering.Will need to move up from our current 1/2 ton. Would really prefer to stay in 3/4 ton line, however a couple of units we are looking at are quite close in weight to the listed truck capacities. Like within a few hundred lbs. So, question:5er GVWR is 15,500 lbs - truck tow ceiling is 16,400 lbs5er hitch is 2,697 lbs - truck payload max 2,951 lbsIs this getting into possible problem area? Should we focus on lighter 5ers?2nd somewhat related question - What input on having hitch installed by factory (if we go to new truck) vs after market installer?Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can pass on.Tom

GoBlue wrote:Brand new to the forum and about to be new 5er. Already learning a few things from reading posts and the one about actual GVWR, etc has me wondering.Will need to move up from our current 1/2 ton. Would really prefer to stay in 3/4 ton line, however a couple of units we are looking at are quite close in weight to the listed truck capacities. Like within a few hundred lbs. So, question:5er GVWR is 15,500 lbs - truck tow ceiling is 16,400 lbs5er hitch is 2,697 lbs - truck payload max 2,951 lbsIs this getting into possible problem area? Should we focus on lighter 5ers?2nd somewhat related question - What input on having hitch installed by factory (if we go to new truck) vs after market installer?Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can pass on.TomTom, spend a few hundred bucks extra and get a SRW 1t truck. I've learned that that's what =I= should have done and would =still= do, if I could afford it. Remember, with a FW, it's not what you can tow, it's what you can =carry=, i.e. PAYLOAD! Better to have too much truck than be marginal with a 3/4t. Even if you "settle" for a lighter FW, having a 1t truck sure gives you options.FWIW, my old Komfort had a GVW of 11,360 and my new KZ has a GVW of 10,500. I'd =still= prefer to have a SRW 1t.Lyle

Welcome to the Forum.....There really aren't many reasons for going with a 3/4 ton instead of a 1 ton.Price difference is not significant, ride difference not really noticeable.Big benefit is the reserve payload you will gain...and then remember, there is always your next trailer - and if you stick with RVing, there will be a, "next trailer."

Hi Tom, from BC Canada.Like Lyle said, go for a 1T truck. Usually, people try a fifth wheel and then sell it for something they like better, or a heavier more solid rig. Sometimes they go longer. After market installers are very experienced. I particularly liked my B&W Patriot, and when I had it installed, the guy in the shop said "I wish everyone had one of these." They are very nice hitches.Try to stay below 80% of your limit. As much as the truck might be rated to tow and carry more, staying well below the limit makes for a much more comfortable and better handling setup. There is a big learning curve if you have not towed a rig of this size before.

That nearly 16,000 pound fiver could have a pin weight approaching 3000 pounds. The 2500 series truck has a load rating of 2951 pounds. Where are you going to put the driver and any passangers? How about the weight of the hitch? If you live inmor travel in BC how are you going to explain ignorance to the police when your forced to the scales?

In the US, 3/4 ton versus 1 ton is usually six of one versus half dozen of the other, but I've read in other threads that GVWR may be more meaningful in Canada so I'd do a little research on that point before buying anything. You are definitely thinking of a trailer that's well beyond a half ton range in either country.

Weight ratings | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 23, 2018
That nearly 16,000 pound fiver could have a pin weight approaching 3000 pounds. The 2500 series truck has a load rating of 2951 pounds. Where are you going to put the driver and any passangers? How about the weight of the hitch? If you live inmor travel in BC how are you going to explain ignorance to the police when your forced to the scales?
Artum_Snowbird
Explorer
Oct 23, 2018
Hi Tom, from BC Canada.

Like Lyle said, go for a 1T truck. Usually, people try a fifth wheel and then sell it for something they like better, or a heavier more solid rig. Sometimes they go longer.

After market installers are very experienced. I particularly liked my B&W Patriot, and when I had it installed, the guy in the shop said "I wish everyone had one of these." They are very nice hitches.

Try to stay below 80% of your limit. As much as the truck might be rated to tow and carry more, staying well below the limit makes for a much more comfortable and better handling setup. There is a big learning curve if you have not towed a rig of this size before.
downtheroad
Explorer
Oct 23, 2018
Welcome to the Forum.....
There really aren't many reasons for going with a 3/4 ton instead of a 1 ton.
Price difference is not significant, ride difference not really noticeable.

Big benefit is the reserve payload you will gain...and then remember, there is always your next trailer - and if you stick with RVing, there will be a, "next trailer."
laknox
Nomad
Oct 23, 2018
GoBlue wrote:
Brand new to the forum and about to be new 5er. Already learning a few things from reading posts and the one about actual GVWR, etc has me wondering.
Will need to move up from our current 1/2 ton. Would really prefer to stay in 3/4 ton line, however a couple of units we are looking at are quite close in weight to the listed truck capacities. Like within a few hundred lbs. So, question:
5er GVWR is 15,500 lbs - truck tow ceiling is 16,400 lbs
5er hitch is 2,697 lbs - truck payload max 2,951 lbs
Is this getting into possible problem area? Should we focus on lighter 5ers?
2nd somewhat related question - What input on having hitch installed by factory (if we go to new truck) vs after market installer?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can pass on.
Tom

Tom, spend a few hundred bucks extra and get a SRW 1t truck. I've learned that that's what =I= should have done and would =still= do, if I could afford it. Remember, with a FW, it's not what you can tow, it's what you can =carry=, i.e. PAYLOAD! Better to have too much truck than be marginal with a 3/4t. Even if you "settle" for a lighter FW, having a 1t truck sure gives you options.

FWIW, my old Komfort had a GVW of 11,360 and my new KZ has a GVW of 10,500. I'd =still= prefer to have a SRW 1t.

Lyle

Forum Discussion

Weight ratings

About Fifth Wheel Group

Related Content

Weight rating, 5er vs conventional

Vehicle Towing Assistance - Weight Ratings

Weight Ratings and CC Silverback

Weight ratings on light duty trucks

Microlite 25FKS slide weight rating