We have a 2005 Chevrolet 2500 Duramax crew cab and are looking to upgrade our trailer. We are considering getting a 5th wheel but are not sure if our truck can handle the ones we are looking at.Specifically, we like the Cougar 327RES. Keystone's website says that shipping weight is 10,185, carrying capacity is 1,950, and hitch is 1,735.I think these are pretty typical numbers for most of the 5th wheels we are looking at but I'm not sure our truck can tow it. Pull behind trailers of the same length are lighter but a 36' 5th wheel would tow better than a 36' trailer.When we travel, it is just the two of us and our dogs so there wouldn't be a whole lot of weight in the truck.

I had a 2007 gmc cc lb diesel and bought a 345 ret sandpiper.Truck towed it fine and it was lifted when we bought it.But when the wife wanted to add the whole house into it..I ended up buying a duallycan handle it .But depends on how much you put into it..Would be borderline.I went the safe route

With a shipping weight of 10,200# and CC of 2000# you are looking at a FW with a GVWR of probably 12,000#. Means your actual hitch weight is going to be in the range of 2,400# (forget that dry hitch number the manufacturer quotes, means next to nothing in the real world, salesman trick)You're are probably going to over your GVWR and probably your payload rating if you load it up to the GVWR of FW but I would bet your just under on truck axle ratings.Bottom line is you will be close on weight numbers but you have plenty of engine and transmission. It's probably doable but your definitely at the top end of your truck's capability.

You are pretty much stuck with a travel trailer and all of the lightest fifth wheels with a 3/4 ton truck. Add a heavy diesel engine and crewcab (both 400 pound options) and you have about 800 - 1000 pounds LESS cargo rating than a regular cab gas 2 WD truck that GMC says will carry a certain weight and tow a 15,000 pound trailer (with only one 154 pound driver inside the truck). So the dually is a great idea, then you can tow just about anything. Fred.

My fifth wheel is similar to the 327RES (see signature). I used to tow this with a 3/4 ton and knew I was exceeding payload (500 lbs over per the scale). It pulled it fine but I was concerned as the ride was uncomfortable. The rear Springs were definitely maxed out and could feel every bump in the road. I moved up to a 1 ton SRW and could not be happier. Much better ride and Towing experience. My pin scaled is 2400 loaded.

Thank you for the input. A new truck is definitely not going to happen so it looks like we will just have to stick with a pull behind trailer. The floor plans we like are in the 34-36 foot range and we are nervous about towing that long of a trailer. Any advice?

Will truck handle this? | Good Sam Community

davosfam
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
Thank you for the input. A new truck is definitely not going to happen so it looks like we will just have to stick with a pull behind trailer. The floor plans we like are in the 34-36 foot range and we are nervous about towing that long of a trailer. Any advice?
therink
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
My fifth wheel is similar to the 327RES (see signature). I used to tow this with a 3/4 ton and knew I was exceeding payload (500 lbs over per the scale). It pulled it fine but I was concerned as the ride was uncomfortable. The rear Springs were definitely maxed out and could feel every bump in the road. I moved up to a 1 ton SRW and could not be happier. Much better ride and Towing experience. My pin scaled is 2400 loaded.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Mar 28, 2014
You are pretty much stuck with a travel trailer and all of the lightest fifth wheels with a 3/4 ton truck. Add a heavy diesel engine and crewcab (both 400 pound options) and you have about 800 - 1000 pounds LESS cargo rating than a regular cab gas 2 WD truck that GMC says will carry a certain weight and tow a 15,000 pound trailer (with only one 154 pound driver inside the truck).

So the dually is a great idea, then you can tow just about anything.

Fred.
hmknightnc
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014
With a shipping weight of 10,200# and CC of 2000# you are looking at a FW with a GVWR of probably 12,000#. Means your actual hitch weight is going to be in the range of 2,400# (forget that dry hitch number the manufacturer quotes, means next to nothing in the real world, salesman trick)

You're are probably going to over your GVWR and probably your payload rating if you load it up to the GVWR of FW but I would bet your just under on truck axle ratings.

Bottom line is you will be close on weight numbers but you have plenty of engine and transmission. It's probably doable but your definitely at the top end of your truck's capability.
carpetguy2
Explorer
Mar 27, 2014
I had a 2007 gmc cc lb diesel and bought a 345 ret sandpiper.
Truck towed it fine and it was lifted when we bought it.
But when the wife wanted to add the whole house into it..I ended up buying a dually
can handle it .But depends on how much you put into it..Would be borderline.
I went the safe route

Forum Discussion

Will truck handle this?

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

2024 Truck Camper Adventure Rally

Will I regret this truck?

Deisel handling

Any Hope for This New GS Truck Camper Group?

Replacement door handle