Forum Discussion

dmichaelf's avatar
dmichaelf
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014

What's the comfortable weight limit

I have a 2013 Ram 2500 with 6.7 Cummins Diesel. The GVWR is 10,000 lbs. Payload is 2580 lbs. The GCWR is 25,000 lbs/ Max trailer weight is rated at 17,410 lbs. I am currently pulling a 35' fifth wheel with a UVW of 9070 lbs. and GVWR of 11,700 lbs. My truck pulls this rig like a dream. I am considering a bigger 5th wheel with UVW of 13,000 lbs. and GVWR of 15,500. The book says I should be fine but I'd like some input from someone who has more towing experience. Don't want to buy a bigger trailer and not be comfortable towing it with my Ram. We've only owned the fifth wheel for about a year. We mainly do extended weekends and an occasional 1 week trip. We will likely only camp in full hookup campgrounds so will unlikely approach the GVWR of our trailer. I look forward to hearing from you experienced RVers.
  • hmknightnc's avatar
    hmknightnc
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    dmichaelf wrote:
    The Dry hitch weight is 2020 lbs. What do you add other than passengers and cargo in the truck to get the total payload. My GAWR is 6200 rear and 5500 front.


    You can estimate pin weight by taking 20% of the actual trailer weight. I think the stated dry pin weight is problably several hundred pounds too lite. Betcha the on the lot empty trailer pin weight is between 2400 & 2600 pounds. My 3000# pin weight in above comment was simply roughy 20% of the GVWR. With 6200# truck GAWR on rear you will definitely be pushing if not significantly exceeding that rating. Some will disagree with the newer trucks higher capacities but 15k# GVWR FW is dually country.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 21, 2014
    dmichaelf wrote:
    Thanks for the advise. I will weigh the truck with a full tank of fuel. Sounds like I'll either stay with the lighter FW or trade for a 1 ton.


    And don't forget all the other passengers and any/all stuff that would be carried in truck.

    Our 5th wheel has a GVWR of 14, 375#
    When we hook up the 'wet' pin weight is 2900#

    Payload of any truck quickly decreases when you subtract true camp ready weight of truck from trucks GVWR....and figure rear axle weight vs RAWR.
  • dmichaelf's avatar
    dmichaelf
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    Thanks for the advise. I will weigh the truck with a full tank of fuel. Sounds like I'll either stay with the lighter FW or trade for a 1 ton.
  • Leeblev's avatar
    Leeblev
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    Remember that dry hitch weight can be misleading. You do have to take into consideration what that 5er weighs loaded with people, things, water, propane, etc. Also, hmknighnc said is correct. you will be overweight before getting into the cab. Don't for get that you want fuel in the truck as well as passengers, etc. If you plan on the minimum, you will short yourself. Overdoing the axle weights does mean that you could exceed your tire weight rating. That would be dangerous. You do need to weigh that thing on every axle and then combined to ensure you are ok.
    I wouldn't take a chance on 17,000 lbs with a 2500.
  • dmichaelf's avatar
    dmichaelf
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    The Dry hitch weight is 2020 lbs. What do you add other than passengers and cargo in the truck to get the total payload. My GAWR is 6200 rear and 5500 front.
  • hmknightnc's avatar
    hmknightnc
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    Your free to do what you want as that truck will likely pull it ok. However, the book says your not fine (that's right not fine if you limit yourself to stated payload). Your new trailer will have a pin weight around 3,000# against a payload of approx 2500#. Your overloaded before you even get in the truck. With that much pin weight you might exceed axle ratings, you'd have to weigh the truck to be sure

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