what kind of fifth wheel can I tow with a SRW?

So what is wrong with a DRW? OK, it does not fit a standard size parking bay. The long box doesn't either. So you park a little further from the store door & get some much needed exercise hiking the extra 10 seconds.

No matter the trailer you will love the extra stability & security of DRWs. No tail wagging the dog. Hardly any motion when a big rig blows past you.

GVWR (and payload, which is calculated from it) is often just a legal number for registration, licensing, insurance, etc. purposes. The GVWR of my truck (see signature) is 14,000 lbs which makes it a Class 3 truck. If it were 14,001 or higher, it would be a Class 4 truck. The combined GAWRs, on the other hand, are 6,000 + 9,750 = 15,750 lbs.

The rear axle GAWR is a hard limit that I wouldn't exceed, especially if it's based on tire ratings. The trailer length is irrelevant - my "38 foot" (actually 40') trailer has a 19,000 lb GVWR. The same model Elite Suites has a 21,000 lb GVWR. There are similar length 5th wheels on the market that may only have a 15,000 or 16,000 lb GVWR. Loaded pin weight of the trailer and the truck's rear axle GAWR will be what determines your maximum trailer weight with a SRW truck.

Rusty

payload is around 4300 so think I'm good there. I read that longer and heavier fivers deserve a dually for stability; up to what length and/or weight would you consider a SRW ok?

work2much wrote:
As the math has been explained to me add 20% of the GVWR of the trailer to all the weight that will be in the truck i.e.: people,luggage, dogs, full tank of fuel. That combined number should be under the cargo carrying rating of the truck.

As an example a trailer with a 15, 000lb GVWR. 20% = 3000ponds. + adults and 2 children 500 pounds. 20 gallons of fuel 250 pounds. Total 3750 pounds. Many SRW one tons are equipped to carry this much.

Frankly, the GVW of the truck isn't the worry as much as RAWR and, especially, max tire capacity. I have no problem towing a bit over my truck's GVW, but I'm below both my rear axle and tires.

Lyle

As the math has been explained to me add 20% of the GVWR of the trailer to all the weight that will be in the truck i.e.: people,luggage, dogs, full tank of fuel. That combined number should be under the cargo carrying rating of the truck.

As an example a trailer with a 15, 000lb GVWR. 20% = 3000ponds. + adults and 2 children 500 pounds. 20 gallons of fuel 250 pounds. Total 3750 pounds. Many SRW one tons are equipped to carry this much.

As others have said, the length and weight of 5ers are not necessarily proportional. Some 5ers are built very heavy and some of equal length are built much lighter. And some 5ers of equal length, and even of the same manufacturer, can vary several hundred pounds of pin weight depending on the particular floor plan.

Check your truck payload and tow rating. Newer trucks have greater weight ratings than those of just a few years ago. I tow a 34'-8" 5er (according to manufacturer specs) with my F350 CC LB SRW. Tows very well and am within my weight ratings.

Most of the others are correct, find out how much pin weight your truck can handle and how much total weight your truck can handle and get a trailer under those weights. I've seen some 3500 SRW's towing some heavy trailers and still be within specs.

Don't associate length with weight. You need to look at the 5th wheels UVW and pin weight. Add whatever you think you'll pack and thats what you can tow. A 36' DVR Mobile Suites weighs almost 16,000 dry. A 36' Grand Design Reflection weighs 10,500 lb dry. There are many variables in between those two.
Look at your door weight sticker and tow rating. JMO but assuming you have a 4x4 I'd look for a loaded 5er of around 14,000lbs. That would give you a 2800+ lb pin weight. Add in all the other stuff you'll put in the bed and you be getting close to the max payload. Main thing is to check the payload sticker on your door jamb. Thats the weight you can put in the truck , like passengers, camp stuff, 5th hitch and the 5er's pin weight.

All depends on the floor plan of the trailer. I would think the some of the new front kitchen floor plans would be over weight. We have a 34" Montana with a pin weight of 2,400lbs, & tow with a 2016, SRW,long bed, one ton Ford. Just put on a truck stop scale, loaded for travel, with a full tank of fuel, & it showed 7,020lbs on the rear axle. All depends on the floor plan & pin weight.
John

rvshrinker wrote:
thank you both. that is very helpful. dont think I'd go as long as 35' without a dually would I?

Why not? I'm towing a 34 ft unit what difference would 1 foot make? It's the weight that counts the most as I mentioned above.