Finding out how much we can tow
We have a Dutchman Kodiak bunkhouse travel trailer. It's poorly made and crumbling before our eyes, but that's another issue for another post. We are looking to get a different RV and my hubby woul...
Forum Discussion
There are many different ratings you should consider for towing:
1. The gross vehicle weight rating is the most the vehicle can weigh with people and gear in the truck and the fifth wheel or trailer attached to the truck.
2. The axle weight rating is the most weight that each axle can have loaded on it.
3. The gross combined weight rating is the most your entire combination should weigh.
These ratings are supplied by the manufacturer of the truck and can be determined by safety, marketing or durability (warranty) considerations. If your vehicle is modified and outside of warranty, you may find it is more capable by upgrading the weakest components.
I will assume you have children since you have a Mega Cab and bunk house. You could easily take up half your payload before hitching anything up. Your rear axle and wheels will typically handle about 3000 lbs without upgrades. If we take the worst case numbers, you can handle about 2000 lbs of pin weight when fully loaded. This would put you in to a 10,000 lb gross weight rated fifth wheel.
I think you can look at fifth wheels that are gross rated up to 12,500 lbs, but you may have to upgrade your tires or rear suspension to handle the additional rear axle weight. I would budget for these items if wanting anything heavier than 10,000 lbs but hold off spending that money until you get actual weights. You will safely be able haul it empty, so the question will be how much weight you add once you filled with people, supplies and water.
1. The gross vehicle weight rating is the most the vehicle can weigh with people and gear in the truck and the fifth wheel or trailer attached to the truck.
2. The axle weight rating is the most weight that each axle can have loaded on it.
3. The gross combined weight rating is the most your entire combination should weigh.
These ratings are supplied by the manufacturer of the truck and can be determined by safety, marketing or durability (warranty) considerations. If your vehicle is modified and outside of warranty, you may find it is more capable by upgrading the weakest components.
I will assume you have children since you have a Mega Cab and bunk house. You could easily take up half your payload before hitching anything up. Your rear axle and wheels will typically handle about 3000 lbs without upgrades. If we take the worst case numbers, you can handle about 2000 lbs of pin weight when fully loaded. This would put you in to a 10,000 lb gross weight rated fifth wheel.
I think you can look at fifth wheels that are gross rated up to 12,500 lbs, but you may have to upgrade your tires or rear suspension to handle the additional rear axle weight. I would budget for these items if wanting anything heavier than 10,000 lbs but hold off spending that money until you get actual weights. You will safely be able haul it empty, so the question will be how much weight you add once you filled with people, supplies and water.
