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maxwell11's avatar
maxwell11
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013

5th wheel trailer question

my friend is looking at buying a 5th wheel trailer.

his tow vehicle is a 2012 chevy, 1500, 4 door cab, short bed truck,
5.3 motor with 3.42 differential, 2x4

one local trailer sales lot told him he would have to have some type special (either electric or manual hitch extender, $1800-3000) added to the trailer hitch to make it work on a short bed truck.

also the bed rails would have to be placed about 6" forward of center of the axle, which would further make for a tight turning fit.

my old 2005 dodge diesel 2500, has bed rails installed for a 5th wheel hitch and they are centered over the rear axle??????


anyone out there have a truck like his and pull a 5th wheel trailer?

if so, please explain your bed rail hitch install location and how much #'s trailer do you pull.

his wife wants a bumper hitch trailer, but he said,

"she did not have to drive the truck and he felt like the 5th wheel trailer would tow better and be more stable".

thanks, for your input, I will pass the info along to him.

note: he currently pulls a small tear drop shaped trailer, so most any larger trailer will be an improvement for him. He bought it some years ago before he bought this last truck,
Tow Vehicles
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2013
    There are plenty of options on the market for 5.5' bed pickups towing 5th wheel RVs. But payload is likely the problem. 250 pounds for a hitch, 400 pounds for people and light cargo, leaves 850 pounds of loaded 5er pin weight for an unlikely 1500 pounds of payload in a crew cab half ton. That's only the Scamp 19.

    Start with his as equipped payload on the Tire and Loading sticker on his driver's door.
  • johnm1's avatar
    johnm1
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2013
    Chevy, on their website, shows the 2013 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L/3.42 gears can 5th wheel tow between 8100 - 9600 pounds depending upon configuration (crew cab, short box, long box, etc.).

    Go here to see the specs for a 2013 Chevy (or GMC for that matter). Got to page 10 to see the specs.

    http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/Chevrolet/northamerica/usa/nscwebsite/en/Home/Vehicles/Trucks%20and%20Vans/2013%20Silverado%201500/Model%20Overview/02_pdfs/Trailering%20Guide%20MY13%20eBrochure.pdf

    Edit - Hopefully make it smaller so the whiners will be happy.
  • kaydeejay's avatar
    kaydeejay
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    45Ricochet wrote:
    His wife is correct, have him get a bumper pull.
    Chevy does not even provide tow rating for 5th wheels for their 1/2 ton trucks.
    Bumper pull is the way to go for all the reasons given.
  • sail2liv's avatar
    sail2liv
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    I would not pull a fifth wheel with anything smaller than 3/4 T, that being said have seen light 5 er s towed with Tundra and other....but not something I would do....pin weight may make truck rear axle way too heavy....I like a long wheel base so have a 2500 HD crew cab w eight foot bed....short truck with heavy pin wt may make front wheels light....plus can you stop it.....just because it is in the numbers does not mean it will stop or stay in control....good luck....
  • Pauljdav's avatar
    Pauljdav
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    Unless it is a small fifth wheel the pin weight will put the payload capacity over that truck.
  • skipnchar's avatar
    skipnchar
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    No reason that the truck can't tow a 5th wheel PROVIDED one is found that suits their needs for room and CCC but not many choices that have much of either of those things for that truck. Major limiting factor is the payload of the truck (as it relates to the PIN weight of the trailer). That is probably MORE of a problem than the short bed but both can be overcome by purchasing a trailer that fits the specifications of the truck. Casita makes a 5th wheel version but it's pretty tiny but maybe that's what they want. Over all there would be TONS more options available in a travel trailer and absolutely NO reason it wouldn't tow any of them well. A travel trailer equal to the size of the 5th wheel he will be able to tow would CERTAINLY handle as well as a 5th wheel because that's a tiny trailer.

    As for mounting of the hitch, it APPEARS that someone is attempting to mount a hitch that doesn't overload the rear axles so he's probably NOT looking at a size he can handle.

    Good luck / Skip
  • johnm1's avatar
    johnm1
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    I had a 2003 Chevy with the 5.3L, 3.73's and a short box. It towed what we had (at the time) and it did ... sort of OK ... in the somewhat flat state of NY. I think the engine is fine with a smaller 5er but the gearing is not going to be good. Also, we were sold on the need of a slider as well but the only time I've used it was to see how it works. Other than those few times, I've never bothered with it. Though it might depend upon the 5er itself.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jul 11, 2013
    First he needs to be aware that there are a limited number of models of 5th wheels that would fall within the ratings of that truck, both from a payload rating and a tow rating. Short and light.
    And that engine/diff are not going to do very good towing, especially if he gets into any kind of grade and/or high winds.
    The short bed will probably need a slider hitch. Manual sliders are not overly expensive. Auto sliders are. Mounting should be according to the hitch installation instructions, not someone's off the wall comment.

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