Fifth wheel Towing Help

jffkrn wrote:
While planning on an upgrade soon, weight ratings have me baffled. I have plugged in the numbers on some weight calculators and they come up short of what I can tow including the trailer I am towing now!!!

But, it gets better, the weight ratings show I am fine towing what I am now and the scales show me way in the good also. So here is my dilemma.

Tow vehicle is a gasoline 2010 GMC Sierra 4X4 extended cab regular or short bed manufacture GVWR of 9900, 3:73 ear ratio. I am towing a travel trailer at 6400 lbs now without any issues.

So the plan to upgrade to a fifth wheel with a GVWR of 13900 and hitch weith at 1955. Manufacture shows a GCVWR of tow vehicle at 16000. Going through the checks and balances of different calculators and using all the info I have I come up short of towing the new fifth wheel.

Now the question is how come everyone is pulling a large fifth wheel with the weight ratings that don't work or not within spec? I am not one to ignore the specs, but just about ready too unless I by a 2 ton truck!

I am sure my truck will handle the weight etc, tow ratings jump with different gear ratio and / or diesel so the truck is the same, just mechanical difference so fuel mileage will suffer is the main issue only?

Am I crazy or what? Honest input will be helpful. I will get with some folks at PD commercial enforcement to help as well. Your input is welcome and I thank you in advance.

Some people insist in putting 10 questions into one paragraph, and it is difficult for me to read - I am half blind. So I split things up.

Yes you would be crazy to use a 3/4 ton truck to tow a 10,000 pound fifth wheel with a 2,000 pound hitch weight. The 6,5000 pound travel trailer with a 650 - 1,000 pound hitch weight is fine, because it is so light. Yet double the hitch weight, and then fill the forward water tank with 75 gallons of water (close to 650 pounds), and you will have the rear axle begging for mercy!

The gas engine actually helps your situation, because it is about 400 pounds less curb weight than a diesel version of the same truck, so you have 400 pounds of additional cargo rating to work with.

Yes a 1 ton SRW truck is required to tow most fifth wheels that have GVWR over 15,000 pounds. The loaded pin weight can be well into the 3000 pound area, and the hitch itself comes in a 150 pound crate.

Good luck with your trailer purchase, and if you keep looking at fifth wheels, truck purchase as well.

Fred.