Tow vehicle for 5th wheel camper

rhagfo wrote:
To the OP, use it as a nice excuse to go out and get a real nice new or newer 350/3500 SRW.

With 4 posts in 12 years, I doubt he'll be back.

donn0128 wrote:
Basic answer is NO.

Well Donn and I don't often see eye to eye on weight issues, BUT this time I have to agree 100%.
I have seen rigs like that in the park, a$$ dragging, and headlights shining in the sky.
To the OP, use it as a nice excuse to go out and get a real nice new or newer 350/3500 SRW.

BB_TX wrote:
Not likely with the 2001. Newer 1/2 ton trucks have a lot more payload rating. But at 30' probably too much for them also. But you have to know the trailer weight and pin weight to know how much truck you need.

I quoted above the best answer. I towed an 8300lb FW with a more capable 1/2t for a few years but I don't think yours could.

In general, 1/2 ton trucks are not suitable for towing fifth wheel RVs. There are a few exceptions, but a 1500 4x4 is not one of them. You'll need to look at the weight sticker on the fifth wheel and calculate 23% of the trailer's GVWR to get an estimated loaded pin weight. For a 12,000 lb. fifth wheel, that would be about 2,760 lbs. loaded on the pin - probably about twice the payload capacity of the 1500 with full fuel and occupants. A trip to the nearest CAT scales, the door sticker on your truck, and a calculator will tell you what your truck is actually capable of.

Rob

Highly unlikely. A FW of that length will likely overwhelm your truck.
You need to get weights for the truck and trailer to be sure.

Lwiddis wrote:
Length doesn't make the call, weight does. What does it weight loaded and ready for camping.

X2

Without the gross weight of the fully loaded trailer and the capacities of the truck, both gross allowable weight and payload weight, there's no way to tell, save by guess and by golly.

donn0128 wrote:
Basic answer is NO.

That's probably right. A 1500 series truck runs out of cargo capacity quickly and a 5er, even the 'half ton towable' versions, easily exceed the GVWR and GCWR of your truck.

Bionic Man wrote:
A 16 year old 1500 series truck of any brand is going to be over its axle ratings, wheel, ratings, and tire ratings towing a 5th wheel.

I don't think he's going to be buying a new truck to go camping 50 miles away. This is farm country where overloading is common, although nobody's saying it's safe.

2oldman wrote:
Around flat Moses Lake you'll be ok. Going far, or hilly, or for long periods of time, no.

IMO, the question has very little to do with wether the road is hilly or flat. A 16 year old 1500 series truck of any brand is going to be over its axle ratings, wheel, ratings, and tire ratings towing a 5th wheel.

I am willing to go over manufacture GVWR. I wouldn't go over axle, tires and wheels. Need a different truck or a different RV.

Not likely with the 2001. Newer 1/2 ton trucks have a lot more payload rating. But at 30' probably too much for them also. But you have to know the trailer weight and pin weight to know how much truck you need.