I've considered two different options to upgrade from our small TH. First is the Nitro 29udql5 - 5th wheel. From my calculations the 2,029lb pin weight and 10,377 dry weight of this rig will be too much for my 08 GMC 2500 crew cab diesel. So, option 2 we are considering is the Amped 32GS, which is a travel trailer TH about 10,000 lbs dry and about a 1,400 lb hitch weight. So I thought I knew something about trailers, but in my case a bumper tow trailer is okay for my truck, but a 5th wheel is too much? Thanks for any insight from the pros.

You would probably get more responses if you put it on the TOW VEHICLE forum instead of just toy haulers.

Look in your owners manual and find out what the max tongue rate your hitch is rated for. I agree that any fiver over 11000 gvwr is too much for your 3/4 ton truck. Please remember, ignore manufacturers posted dry weights (tongue and pin). Use 20% x gvwr for fifth wheel pin weights and 13% x gvwr for TT tounge weights when researching what the weight trailer you can safely tow with your truck.

Sorry if this in the wrong category, I am very new to the forum. I appreciate the response(s). I was always under the impression that a fifth wheel design facilitated more towing capacity. I guess I am learning that is not true.

ThomasFour wrote:Sorry if this in the wrong category, I am very new to the forum. I appreciate the response(s). I was always under the impression that a fifth wheel design facilitated more towing capacity. I guess I am learning that is not true.5th wheels tow better and the hitches themselves are very strong, but your truck isn't heavy duty enough to take advantage of the difference. I don't know the numbers for your truck, but let's take my 2005 Dodge Ram 3500 as an example. It weighs 7300 pounds empty and it has a 9900 lb GVWR. That gives 2700 pounds of available payload, of which I can use all of it without overloading anything else on the truck (tires, rear GAWR, etc.).The same truck in a 2500 would have an 8800 lb GVWR and the weight would be within 50 pounds of my truck. The result is 1100 pounds of payload capacity that a 3/4 ton doesn't have, yet it still weighs just as much. Remember that 2700 pounds? It's 1600 now--not enough for any 5er of substantial pin weight. And even that 2700 pounds is light if you're talking about a 5er that is near the actual towing capacity the truck has GCWR-wise.ThomasFour wrote:I've considered two different options to upgrade from our small TH. First is the Nitro 29udql5 - 5th wheel. From my calculations the 2,029lb pin weight and 10,377 dry weight of this rig will be too much for my 08 GMC 2500 crew cab diesel. So, option 2 we are considering is the Amped 32GS, which is a travel trailer TH about 10,000 lbs dry and about a 1,400 lb hitch weight. So I thought I knew something about trailers, but in my case a bumper tow trailer is okay for my truck, but a 5th wheel is too much? Thanks for any insight from the pros.I don't know if your truck is 4wd or not, and I'm not sure if the GM is lighter than my Dodge, nor if yours is a long bed, but I suspect that if you intend to carry passengers, tools, dogs, or anything else for that matter, a 10k lb. trailer will be too heavy for your 3/4 ton truck.I'm not saying you can't overload your truck if you want to, but you will likely be overloaded.Newer 3/4 tons have a 10k lb GVWR and the 1 ton SRWs closer to 12k lbs to take into account that while trucks got heavier since the '80s, their ratings didn't go up by very much to accomodate. My truck is at least ~800 pounds heavier than an '80s or '90s Chevy 1 ton crew cab, and yet its GVWR is 700 pounds more--and the more******they continue to put on these beasts, the heavier they get. The GVWRs need to go up more or the payload will go down. That necessitated better wheels, brakes, and tires, which if you look closely at the new SRW trucks, they have 18" wheels, both to accommodate the bigger brakes but also to increase capacity.The GVWR of a 3/4 ton makes it pretty worthless for pulling a big 5er without overloading it. That's why, 10 years ago when I bought my truck, I insisted on a 1 ton SRW. And if I ever get a new one, it will be a DRW--and perhaps I will even go up to a 450/4500 or bigger--because there isn't as much cushion as you think!

I had the rig in the picture, same truck as yours, and it pulled great. This combo went coast-to-coast with no issues. My trailer was an Everest 305T and it tape measured out to 37 feet and had a 14,000 GVWR. According to the Trailer Life Towing Guide for 2008 your truck's 5th wheel capacity is in the 14-15,000 lb range.

5th Wheel vs Bumper Tow - Weight | Good Sam Community

JIMNLIN
Explorer III
May 14, 2015
op wrote:
So I thought I knew something about trailers, but in my case a bumper tow trailer is okay for my truck, but a 5th wheel is too much? Thanks for any insight from the pros.

Every 3/4 ton truck can pull some 5th wheel trailers.
For sure the Dmax/A will pull anything a one ton DRW will...but is limited by the smaller 6200 RAWR/tires which includes rear spring pack and maybe 17" tires and wheels.
Many 3/4 ton/diesel trucks rear axle may weigh in the 3000 lb range which leaves around 3200 lb for a payload.

IMO the truck won't have any issues pulling either of those trailers.

If you decide to get a fifth wheel trailer don't add any suspension help till you load it up and then make a short drive. Then is the time to decide if any help is needed.

I pull a 11200 lb 5th wheel trailer with a older '03 2500 Dodge/Cummins. The truck is no where near max in the go and stop part of towing trailers.
lincster
Explorer
May 14, 2015
OP, You are correct that a 3/4 ton doesn't give much for pin weight.
A 5er tows a whole lot better than a tow behind.

If u r worried about tow ratings, look at a smaller 5er or just go with a tow behind.
ThomasFour
Explorer
May 13, 2015
Thanks again everyone. I am still reading the responses and they are insightful. I appreciate learning from other's experience(s).
jareddustin
Explorer
May 13, 2015
Merrykalia wrote:
You would probably get more responses if you put it on the TOW VEHICLE forum instead of just toy haulers.

if going a tag trailer i would want to go with something smaller. i dont have alot of experience but at that length it will not be a great towing experience. my good friend had one about that length and could not go over 55 or the trailer would start swaying alot, also killed the gas mileage. and the gross weight of the tag is greater then what that truck is rated for. i have pretty much the same truck but an 09. my trailer is 31' long hitch to rear, with a gross weight of 10,900 dry its about 6800. i dont have any issues towing it but if i went any bigger i would want a 5th. just full of water you are almost 11,200lbs not including gas, gear and any toys. and that tongue weight is more than half the payload on the truck. in the end its your money and your choice.
N-Trouble
Explorer
May 13, 2015
Hell my current 5er tows better than my little old 20ft WW Toyhauler. Will never go back either. Too much to like about the 5er over a bumper pull.
dedmiston
Moderator
May 13, 2015
nayther wrote:
I'll never go back to a tag trailer.

Hater.

:B
nayther
Explorer
May 13, 2015
N-Trouble wrote:
jlud wrote:
I would rather tow a TT th and be well under weight ratings than go over the ratings for a 5th wheel. My 9,000 lbs dry TT has a 4k capacity and tows just fine with a sway bar set up. I would not be scared from buying one by saying it won't handle well because it flat out isn't true...mine handles just fine for a newbie at towing...no white knuckle moments or inadequate power or worrying about safety of being overweight.

A 5th wheel might pull better, but I can tell you mine goes perfectly fine as a tt and zero complaints.

Have you ever towed a 5er?

Your TT is a different beast than a bumper Toyhauler. Guarantee you your hitch weight is much less than 1400lb. Toyhaulers put a lot of weight on the hitch assuming your going to be loading the back with a couple thousand pounds of toys.

Having pulled both, 1/2 ton pulling 24' TH (overweight) with air bags, then my current trailer with 3 different trucks I will say there is NO COMPARISON. Towing a fifth wheel is a dream compared to a large tag. And if its windy I don't care what kind of hitch you have (I had a good Eaz Lift with sway control) the tag is not fun, the fifth wheel hardly feel the wind.

The wind tends to push both fifth wheel and truck down wind while the tag trailer will overpower the tow vehicle and try to turn it, forcing you to actually turn the front wheels downwind, not upwind; hope that makes sense.

I'll never go back to a tag trailer.
kaydeejay
Explorer
May 12, 2015
Boosted1200 wrote:
I just had 26,000 behind my work truck gm 2500 srw no trailer brakes 80mph no problem and still stops..........
Hafta wonder what WIHP would make of that combo (and speed!)
jlud
Explorer
May 12, 2015
My TT is a Toyhauler...it pulls what I would call very well as I have never had a camper before and its my first one. It has no sway, no shimmie, no up or down, windy days have been fine, passing vehicles no issue, etc.

I have not pulled a 5er, but I have pulled a gooseneck with hogs (shifting load much fun), grain wagons, grain truck, etc on the farm.

I have not measured my hitch weight but I believe it was published around 1300 range dry. To be fair I have not put much for toys in the back so far, so its possible that could make an impact. I hear 5th wheels pull better and dont doubt it, but if the choice is overweight or within weight I would probably take the within option.
N-Trouble
Explorer
May 12, 2015
jlud wrote:
I would rather tow a TT th and be well under weight ratings than go over the ratings for a 5th wheel. My 9,000 lbs dry TT has a 4k capacity and tows just fine with a sway bar set up. I would not be scared from buying one by saying it won't handle well because it flat out isn't true...mine handles just fine for a newbie at towing...no white knuckle moments or inadequate power or worrying about safety of being overweight.

A 5th wheel might pull better, but I can tell you mine goes perfectly fine as a tt and zero complaints.

Have you ever towed a 5er?

Your TT is a different beast than a bumper Toyhauler. Guarantee you your hitch weight is much less than 1400lb. Toyhaulers put a lot of weight on the hitch assuming your going to be loading the back with a couple thousand pounds of toys.