Calling weight police - help

speediq99 wrote:
Can someone shed some light on my trucks ability to handle the Solitude 378.


Rear gawr 7230lbs


Hitch 2686
Gvwr 16800


I am just a bit confused as to how the rear gawr plays into the equation with the 5th wheel hitch weight. It looks like you will exceed the vehicle cargo much faster than the axle can handle. Any help clarifying this would be appreciated?

Thank you

MC

Well, that's generally the info you're getting.
But your rear gawr, or the considerations that make up that max recommended axle weight are your main consideration, since the rest of the truck is more than capable of handling a trailer that size.

That weight is by all accounts derived from your rated wheel/rim capacity, or tire capacity.
It's not widely published, but "most" OE HD truck wheels are rated around 3500-3600lbs. You'll notice your tire rating is probably similar.
The rest of the truck, the axle, good for 10-11klbs, frame/chassis/drivetrain, good for whatever a dually is good for.

There are 3 things you're giving up compared to a dually.
Stability of wider rear track width. IMO not a must here.
Wheel/tire weight capacity.
Added spring rate/payload of dually rear springs.

If you're good with working around that, then it will work for you.

More stable running across the desert and catching a 40mph crosswind gust? Dually = Better
Going through the drivethrough and most other daily tasks if you live in an urban area. SRW = Better

This conversation will go for pages, not unlike the 100s of other similar or same conversations that I'm sure you've read prior to asking the same question...

Bottom line, you're on the cusp of what a srw suspension and wheels will handle and be in "spec" without some additional help. Rest of the truck, pull n go.
Decision is yours.