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HD_Ultra_Classi's avatar
HD_Ultra_Classi
Explorer
Mar 13, 2018

Will My Tow Vehicle Tow My Fifth Wheel Safely

I am looking at towing a 5er (toy hauler) whose unloaded vehicle weight(UVW) data tag reads 10,258 LBS. According to my TV manual and data plate information, my max tow weight is 13,700. My TV's GVWR is 10,000 PDS. My GCWR (combined) is 25,300. The tow vehicle (on scale) with trailer hooked up, but not on scale, can have a weight of no more than 14,500. Vertical Tow Weight Rating (VTWR) is 3,425. The 3,425 is 25% of the max tow weight of 13,700 . I would not be loading out the trailer with anymore than 13,700 PDS. I haven't bought the toy hauler as of yet. I would like to get the forums advice to make sure that I've done my homework right before i actually make the purchase. The toy is a HD Ultra Classic motorcycle which weighs 900+. About 500-1000 pounds of cargo weight will also go in the trailer. There are two propane bottles and 2 batteries (in parallel.) It has a 100 gallon fresh water tank (800 LBS) for boon-docking. It has a 36 gal fuel tank for a generator, which the trailer is prepped for, but don't have. I won't be dragging the water weight around except for when i'm boon-docking on public land or without water sources. The details of my truck, hitch and future trailer are in my signature block below. If I buy the trailer based on the feedback which I get from this site I will be using the B&W hitch (found on their web site) chart/worksheet for determining my tow vehicle and trailer's actual weight using a public scale. B&W'sHitches web site has a great chart for all types of tow vehicles (2010 and up) and for all types of trailers. Thanks for helping out.
My feeling is that I will be pushing the limits of my tow vehicle. I'm looking for advice from experienced RVers to help make my decision to buy.
__________________
2017 Silverado 2500HD DC Long Bed 4X4 LTZ
6.6L Duramax Turbo Diesel, Allison Transmission, 3.73 Axel
OEM (Curt) Gooseneck/5th Wheel Hitch Towing Package
Installed B&W RVK3700 Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch
Future Towing: 2018 forest River-Vengeance Super Sport 5er, Rogue Platinum Package Toy Hauler 38'L, Dry weight 10,258 LBS.
Tow Vehicles

14 Replies

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  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator III
    Mar 13, 2018
    Good grief guys. You'll have the OP thinking he needs a semi!
    A brand new Duramax will tow, haul and stop a 13-14k fiver just fine and with authority.
    This exact topic comes up regularly. Look past the yellow sticker and look at how the truck is built compared to the next step up, a 3500.......it's the same except for softer rear springs.
    Unless you got a dually, a 3500 would be virtually 0 upgrade.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2018
    “I would not be loading out the trailer with anymore than 13,700 PDS.“

    Want to bet? “Honey just one more cast iron fry pan.” “Daddy, my friend’s 35 pound bike?” “Gee, just these rocks for our garden?” “How about the old BBQ...and propane tank?” “Need more wood for the campfire?”
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Mar 13, 2018
    With a 4K CCC, you are right to feel you are pushing the truck to the limit. You are likely going to add at least 3K to the dry wt, with full water and fuel on board, plus bike, and normal other stuff. You will be close to truck RAWR. This includes your springs, brakes, and tires. You will likely need air bags to level the truck. Only you can decide, everyone has their own comfort zone. Until you are loaded, and at the scales, it is just guessing. Kind of hard to buy it, load it, weigh it, and take it back, if it's too much.

    Jerry
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2018
    Figure 20% of the trailers loaded ready to travel weight as pin weight. More is the storage bas is not loaded.
    To that you need to add the hitch weight. Add to that your trucks scaled loaded ready to travel weight. Are you over or under the trucks GVWR and RAWR?
    IMHO you simply do not have enough truck to tow your auggested load.
    Your 2500 likely will only have around 2000 pounds of available payload.

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