I pull a 5th wheel toy hauler around Minnesota and want to buy a TC for cross country travel for just my wife and I. I have had a number of small (8') TC's in the past, but want something a bit larger. What is the "reasonable" size/weight limit for a '15 Duramax 3500 SRW Crew Cab LB? I understand DRW is the preferred way to do this, but how much camper could I expect to haul well,without wishing I had bought smaller...?I'm guessing this subject has probably been discussed at length in the past.

It has, and as you willl see, the opinions vary greatly. I would run up around 4500lbs without thinking twice about it in a new 3500 long box. With whatever mods might be warranted to get you there.

I would imagine your weight limit would be determined by your tire load capacity. I know it is for my 2006 Duramax. 2 * tire capacity - empty weight on rear wheels = absolute max upper weight limit. The axle capacity in a Duramax is way over 10000 lbs.And if you start pushing the tire limit, you may need spring upgrades of some style to be happy with the ride.

I have seen a Lance 975 on a truck like you have,but I wouldn't go any bigger. You would probably need air bags.

Your rear tires dictate the weight you can safely carry.On the side of the tires there ought to be something like: "xxxx max lbs at yyy psi".Get your rear end weighed empty (many are fairly close to 3000lbs) and then subtract the empty weight from the tires rating * 2 = absolute maximum payload.Personally, I'll make sure that there is ~500lbs or more capacity then payload.

Weigh your rear axle and subtract from your tire weight rating, this will give you a starting point. If you want to stay below the sticker ratings there you go. On my 2013 2500HD my rear weighs 3600lbs and my factory tires were rated about 6400lbs so I had 2800lbs to work with. I haul a 4000lb commercial cap so I upgraded to heavier wheels and 19.5 tires as well as upgraded springs and airbags.

SRW TC size/weight limit | Good Sam Community

S_Davis
Explorer
Mar 17, 2019
Weigh your rear axle and subtract from your tire weight rating, this will give you a starting point. If you want to stay below the sticker ratings there you go. On my 2013 2500HD my rear weighs 3600lbs and my factory tires were rated about 6400lbs so I had 2800lbs to work with. I haul a 4000lb commercial cap so I upgraded to heavier wheels and 19.5 tires as well as upgraded springs and airbags.
mbloof
Explorer
Mar 17, 2019
Your rear tires dictate the weight you can safely carry.

On the side of the tires there ought to be something like: "xxxx max lbs at yyy psi".

Get your rear end weighed empty (many are fairly close to 3000lbs) and then subtract the empty weight from the tires rating * 2 = absolute maximum payload.

Personally, I'll make sure that there is ~500lbs or more capacity then payload.
Old_Days
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2019
I have seen a Lance 975 on a truck like you have,but I wouldn't go any bigger. You would probably need air bags.
cewillis
Explorer
Mar 17, 2019
I would imagine your weight limit would be determined by your tire load capacity. I know it is for my 2006 Duramax. 2 * tire capacity - empty weight on rear wheels = absolute max upper weight limit. The axle capacity in a Duramax is way over 10000 lbs.
And if you start pushing the tire limit, you may need spring upgrades of some style to be happy with the ride.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Mar 17, 2019
It has, and as you willl see, the opinions vary greatly.
I would run up around 4500lbs without thinking twice about it in a new 3500 long box.
With whatever mods might be warranted to get you there.

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