Maximum 5th wheel weight for SRW

I will relate a talk I had a few years ago with a fellow who had a Travel Supreme triple axel 5th that they were full timing in. He pulled in next to me and we were talking about his set up. The truck was an MDT and his trailer had a GVW of 18k+ that he had towed with a 3500 dully. The engine performed real well but the rest of the truck was lacking in tires and braking and general comfortable feel. He was much happier after the up grade in truck. Just for your consideration.

I agree with the guys that recommend the DRW if moderately loaded and the 450/MDT if heavily loaded. I would not use a SRW even lightly loaded, since we all (OK most) accumulate stuff to fill the capacity given.

Worst case scenario, I would get 19.5" LR F or LR G tires. Just my 2 cents.

Rickson Wheel Manufacturing

Click the link for some useful information.

DarrellQ2001 wrote:
I'm going to buy a new 5th wheel this spring and I know I must upgrade my truck also. I like the Excel 37IKE but it has a GVW of 18,700 and I hate DRW trucks. Is there any make of SRW that would safely handle this trailer?

Well here is something to think about. These are the specs on the 2013 Excel 37IKE

Specification Description
Length 37'2"
Height 12'7"
Hitch Weight 2,750 lbs
Dry Weight 14,100 lbs
Gross Weight 18,750 lbs
Cargo Weight 4,650 lbs
Axle Weight 15,000 lbs
Fresh Water Capacity 88 gals
Grey Water Capacity 67 gals
Black Water Capacity 44 gals
Furnace BTU 40,000
Sleeps 4
Tire Size 16
Slides 3
Bed Size King Available

So the Dry weight is 14,100 the GVWR is 18,750 making the payload 4,650# that is a LOT of STUFF. If loaded with 2,000# of Stuff weight would be 16,100# or so. If the pin remained at the 20% of dry then pin weight would be 3,220. That would be within the rating of the Ram 3500 SRW.
I don't think I would want to tow that much on SRW, but looks like it could be done within limits.

hmknightnc wrote:
As others have said you are limited by tire capacity with a SRW 1 Ton truck. It highly depends on the truck and gear you have in the truck but as a general rule with a 1 Ton SRW you should stay below 14k# GVWR of a FW, for a 3/4 Ton you are looking at no more than 12k# GVWR FW. The trailer you are looking at is squarely in Dually country

There's the MFGs published specs and numbers and then there's the real world........

The above quote is in the Real World.

I get a chuckle when folks post MFGs. published numbers without posting ALL the little caveats/footnotes that are noted in the tiny print.

By the time the truck is optioned out and one actually goes across a set of scales loaded up camp ready they can't believe the numbers.....where did all that payload capacity go? what happened to that magical tow rating? my tires can't handle that kind of weight?
the truck weighs more than the sticker? Bah.bah.bah......

I wish MFGs would not publish any numbers and just state.........you need to weigh your truck in order to know what it can carry and/or haul!

john&bet wrote:
You may even be pushing MDT area.

or at least 450/550 territory.

As others have said you are limited by tire capacity with a SRW 1 Ton truck. It highly depends on the truck and gear you have in the truck but as a general rule with a 1 Ton SRW you should stay below 14k# GVWR of a FW, for a 3/4 Ton you are looking at no more than 12k# GVWR FW. The trailer you are looking at is squarely in Dually country

Nutinelse2do wrote:
HDT

Ram 3500 DRW, no not HDT, but has towing capacity well above the 18,000#

My 2013 RAM 3500 SRW stock tires max load is 3640 lbs. LT 275 70R 18

Sticker payload is 3900 lbs.

HDT