I am looking to buy a new truck because we intend to upgrade to a fifth wheel within the next few years. I have read a ton of articles and posts saying that a dually is better and the truck to have. Problem is that I dont really want a dually, we pull maybe 10 times a year for weekends and family vacations, etc. The SRW is a much better daily option for usI am looking at a chevy or gmc 3500 crew cab diesel with the standard bed. I would really love to hear from people with the similar truck pulling fifth wheels....any issues? I would make sure whatever fifth wheel I bought matched the specs of the truck. The one we are thinking of grosses at 15K and a pin weight of 2500#Thanks in advance!

A 15K fiver is realisticslly going to have a pin weight north of 3000 pounds.Next question, is that 15K fiver your considering the dry or gross weight? Does make a difference. A 15K dry fiver is going to wind up in the 18-19K range loaded ready to travel. That would put you well into dually territory. Heck, even a 15K gross fiver could overload your truck. Remember, everything you add to the base truck subtracts from its load carrying capacity. And load carrying capacity is what your after.

Your pin weight will be about 20 percent of your gross trailer weight - This is why most people go to a DRW. Expect that 15k GTWR trailer to have a 3000 LB pin weight and choose your vehicle wisely. I think Ram currently has the highest GVWR in the SRW, so you may not want to limit yourself to one brand when truck shopping.

Advantage/disadvantage duallydually or no 2011More dually w/5er 2011Dually vs single 2014 in fivers

As per my sig line you'll see that we have a SRW F350 and have pulled our 34 ft fiver all over the US and Canada. Including up 12 percent grades. Never had a problem. Just keep the size of the fifth wheel within reason, 35 ft or below as a rule of thumb and you should be fine.

We pull our 16k fiver with our SRW. The trailer pulls beautifully. You don't want a duely for a 15k fiver.

SRW for pulling Fifth Wheel | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2018
A 15K fiver is realisticslly going to have a pin weight north of 3000 pounds.
Next question, is that 15K fiver your considering the dry or gross weight? Does make a difference. A 15K dry fiver is going to wind up in the 18-19K range loaded ready to travel. That would put you well into dually territory. Heck, even a 15K gross fiver could overload your truck. Remember, everything you add to the base truck subtracts from its load carrying capacity. And load carrying capacity is what your after.
Bedlam
Moderator
Sep 17, 2018
Your pin weight will be about 20 percent of your gross trailer weight - This is why most people go to a DRW. Expect that 15k GTWR trailer to have a 3000 LB pin weight and choose your vehicle wisely. I think Ram currently has the highest GVWR in the SRW, so you may not want to limit yourself to one brand when truck shopping.
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2018
Advantage/disadvantage dually
dually or no 2011
More dually w/5er 2011
Dually vs single 2014 in fivers
agesilaus
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2018
As per my sig line you'll see that we have a SRW F350 and have pulled our 34 ft fiver all over the US and Canada. Including up 12 percent grades. Never had a problem. Just keep the size of the fifth wheel within reason, 35 ft or below as a rule of thumb and you should be fine.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Sep 17, 2018
We pull our 16k fiver with our SRW. The trailer pulls beautifully. You don't want a duely for a 15k fiver.
ksss
Explorer
Sep 17, 2018
I have pulled the Fuzion in my sig with both a 06 GMC DRW 3500 and a 2015 and 2018 Chevy 3500 SRW. They are long bed trucks not the 6.5 bed but I don't think that has a big impact. The DRW is more solid if you will, but the SRW trucks pull that trailer very well, even in heavy cross winds. I haven't pulled the trailer with the 06 since 2015. I have had DRW trucks and SRW one tons for years and I also prefer the liveability of the SRW. DRW has a place and I need them, but if you can carry what you need to carry with a SRW I would go that route. If you are at 3k pin weight you should be just fine with a SRW 3500.
IdaD
Explorer
Sep 17, 2018
You should be fine with a diesel SRW at that weight.
Busdriver
Explorer II
Sep 17, 2018
I have towed Fith wheel campers for several years with a single rear wheel my last camper ready to travel was about 12,000 lbs 30 ft, my camper now is about the same only 34 ft, have never towed with a dulley . But never had a problem with my trucks a F350 ford ,now a 3500 Chevy, the reason I like the single rear wheel easer to park plus it will fit in my garage
BB_TX
Nomad
Sep 17, 2018
I have been towing our 34' 5er 11 years with our 2012 F350 SRW and it tows great. No problem on winding roads on mountain passes. Even in high cross winds it barely moves around. And I am within my weight ratings.

There are those who will be quick to tell you that you must have a DRW, no matter the size of the 5er, or you will be a danger to yourself and others on the road. Truth is is all comes down to weights. If the loaded pin weight of the 5er is well within the payload rating of the truck allowing for people and "stuff" you will have in your truck, you will be fine.
MFL
Nomad II
Sep 17, 2018
"Next question, is that 15K fiver your considering the dry or gross weight?"

So many times the quickest person to answer, did not even read the entire post. The OP will likely not load the FW to max of 15K, but even if he did, he will be within axle/tire ratings, with most any new 350/3500.

Jerry