Will my truck safely tow a fifth wheel trailer

"Or anonymous pundits from an Internet forum..." Like donno

I have a 2008 2500 CC D/A. It tows a combined weight of 24,500. It goes up and down passes just fine, no issues. The pickup has just south of 150K on it and has been one of the most dependable pickups I have run. 15K worth of cargo would not concern me on a fifth wheel set up, but it sounds like the book answer is you would be heavy. It would likely come down to what you feel comfortable with. As suggested, I would go through it. Debris is famous for getting in between the coolers. I would go through the brakes, these run 16" wheels so the brakes are smaller, make sure they are good. If you don't keep up with it, I would change out all the fluids. Being a couple K over the book spec, with that pickup, would not be enough to stop me from getting the trailer.

Grit dog wrote:
"Or anonymous pundits from an Internet forum..." Like donno

Same thing I was thinking when I read it.

welcome to the forum Dave..

weight issues with a 3/4 ton truck always brings out opinions all over the place about how much load it can safely carrying.
GM gives your truck a 6200 rawr which is the lessor of the tires/wheels or rear suspension ratings. Basically the 2500 is the same as the 3500 SRW truck with its heavier rear spring packs....possible higher rated 18" or 20" tires and wheels.

5th wheel trailers place all the weight on the trucks rear axle so its to be addressed first and last. Many 2500 GM trucks rear axle may weigh in the 3000 lb range leaving it with around 3200 lbs for a in the bed payload.
Its best to weigh your trucks front and rear axles separately with all the gear/people/hitch...that way you for sure how much payload you can add in the bed.


The 3120 RL Montana website shows a roughly 12000 lb dry weight with around 4000 CCC = a 16000 lb GVWR trailer. By the time you load the trailer lightly it may be close to 13.5-14k lbs. Now add it all up and the trucks rear axle is at max or possible over on its rear suspension and 17" OEM tires and wheels.
I would look at trailer with a 13k-14k GVWR for a 3/4 ton HD truck.

The paper work that came with my truck stated 7000lbs UVW and 9000lb GVWR. I haven't weighed but I know I am over the ratings.
I would definitely go with a lighter trailer or bigger truck.

"Dry" weight most certainly does NOT include water.

By the time you've loaded that ~12,000lb 5th wheel, it will be around 14,500lbs, which is over your truck's mythical tow rating.

People in the same situation hitch up and hit the road without a single reservation or care, and get from point A to point B blissfully ignorant of their "dangerous" situation.

You need to decide before you plunk down a whole bunch of money, and risk taking a huge financial hit should you realize that the truck is too small, or the trailer is too large, that you will be okay with this situation. If you can afford to trade trucks and trailers willy-nilly until you find a combination that suits you, fine, but most aren't and are stuck with their first purchase. Unless you are an experienced tower, which you are not by virtue of asking this question, you probably should find a combination that is more compatible on paper.

Your truck will tow a 5th wheel trailer, including this one. It would tow a smaller trailer much more comfortably, though, and you want to RELAX when you go camping, not stress and white-knuckle your way to the nearest campsite.