Aussie trying to understand your trucks
Going to be buying a FW with a GVWR of less than 10,000 pounds and hopefully under 30 foot. Need to know what can tow & more importantly stop it. 2 adults & 3 kids weighing under 500 pounds. So need a...
Forum Discussion
On the road I do a count of the 5th wheel travel trailers that go by and more than 80% are pulled by single rear wheel trucks. The dual rear wheel trucks are usually pulling a heavy commercial or horse trailer.
A 2500 or 3/4 ton truck is more than adequate for pulling a 5th wheel trailer up to 17,000 lbs. in weight. With the diesel trucks from GM the 2500 and 3500 share the same engine, drivetrain, rear axle and wheel bearings, frame, etc. and the only difference is an extra set of leaf springs on the 3500 truck.
Pickup trucks sold in the USA all come with a payload rating that is based on a calculation as to the weakest part as the truck leaves the factory and that is usually the rims and tires that were provided. Most have a load capacity of 3200 lbs. or less per tire and that makes for the 6400 lb. GVWR load rating you will find. Tires and rims are both easily replaced to increase the load rating. The axles and wheel bearings on these trucks are rated for 10,900 lbs.
With gas you will be able to fuel up anywhere. With diesel you can find fuel at one gas station in five but at every truck stop (along the major interstate highways). With either type of fuel I would recommend as large a fuel tank as will fit (Titan or Aero Tanks).
All the trucks will have 6-speed transmissions so no disadvantages to going with lower rear end gears, 4.10 for a gas engine truck or 3.73 for a diesel.
A 2500 or 3/4 ton truck is more than adequate for pulling a 5th wheel trailer up to 17,000 lbs. in weight. With the diesel trucks from GM the 2500 and 3500 share the same engine, drivetrain, rear axle and wheel bearings, frame, etc. and the only difference is an extra set of leaf springs on the 3500 truck.
Pickup trucks sold in the USA all come with a payload rating that is based on a calculation as to the weakest part as the truck leaves the factory and that is usually the rims and tires that were provided. Most have a load capacity of 3200 lbs. or less per tire and that makes for the 6400 lb. GVWR load rating you will find. Tires and rims are both easily replaced to increase the load rating. The axles and wheel bearings on these trucks are rated for 10,900 lbs.
With gas you will be able to fuel up anywhere. With diesel you can find fuel at one gas station in five but at every truck stop (along the major interstate highways). With either type of fuel I would recommend as large a fuel tank as will fit (Titan or Aero Tanks).
All the trucks will have 6-speed transmissions so no disadvantages to going with lower rear end gears, 4.10 for a gas engine truck or 3.73 for a diesel.
