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dpgllg's avatar
dpgllg
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016

Cedar Creek 34RE questions

Went to the Pittsburgh RV show yesterday and saw this 5th wheel. My wife and I really liked it but I'm afraid it is to heavy for my 2013 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Diesel. My truck is an extended cab 4 wheel drive long bed turbo diesel with the Alison transmission.The 5th wheel towing capacity is 15,700 straight from the manual. Payload is 2,725.

The GVWR on the 5th wheel is 15,873. The UVW is 11,955 and the CCC is 3,898. The hitch weight is 1,853.

I guess I'm looking for two things:

1. Confirmation that this to much trailer for my truck.

2. Recommendations for another 5th wheel that comes close to the layout and features of this 5th wheel and keeps the weight down.

Of course the salesman said my truck would be fine towing this. He said to take the UVW and just add 1,000 pounds to be realistic. I learned my lesson when I bought my current 5th wheel. They told me my 1/2 ton would handle the 5th wheel and it did move it but I only towed it once before I upgraded my truck.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Dave
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jan 17, 2016
    Good advice there from Old-Biscuit!

    Yes, load your truck ready to camp and weigh it. Sounds like you have the FW hitch installed. Be sure to weigh just the rear axle as well, to see what you have left, before going over RAWR, and max tire rating.

    The dry pin wt seems wrong for the unloaded FW wt of near 12,000. OBs example of 2,800 loaded pin would be close. You are likely to be over GVWR of your truck. You decide comfort level there. You need to stay under RAWR/tire rating.

    IMO this FW will be a tight fit for that truck, but the scales will tell the story.

    Jerry
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 17, 2016
    Hitch weight........amount of trailer weight carried by truck
    Can be bumper pull or 5vr

    Pin weight......amount of 5th wheel being carried by truck.
    Almost ALL of pin weight is on rear axle of truck

    Pin/Hitch on 5vr same

    Dry pin......is typically listed by mfg. as 'hitch weight'
    It is a non number as nobody tows 'dry' (empty trailer except delivery guys)
    It can be used to get an idea of pin weight percentage

    EX: hitch weight 1,853 is 15.5% of 11,955
    THAT is a VERY light pin weight for a 5vr
    Light pin weight causes 'chucking'

    Typically you want 20% or higher and you look at the GVWR
    20% of 15,873-------3175#

    12,000 plus 2000# of cargo......14,000#/20%-----2800#
    Can your truck camp ready carry that 2800#?
  • dpgllg's avatar
    dpgllg
    Explorer
    Jan 17, 2016
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    OK......it's too much trailer :B


    What does your truck weigh 'camp ready'.....you/passengers,fuel, etc?

    How much real payload do you have (camp ready truck vs GVWR)?

    How much additional weight is available on rear axle?

    Can your truck carry pin wet of roughly 2800#?


    Question on the Pin Weight is that the same as the hitch weight? What is the difference?
  • dpgllg's avatar
    dpgllg
    Explorer
    Jan 17, 2016
    donn0128 wrote:
    That's more than my CC and I pull with a dually.
    BTW. The 36CKTS you might like better. Larger island and the recliners are directly opposite the TV.


    Yes we saw that unit as well but ruled it out because it was over 16,000 pounds and an increase in price of $8500
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jan 17, 2016
    That's more than my CC and I pull with a dually.
    BTW. The 36CKTS you might like better. Larger island and the recliners are directly opposite the TV.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jan 17, 2016
    OK......it's too much trailer :B


    What does your truck weigh 'camp ready'.....you/passengers,fuel, etc?

    How much real payload do you have (camp ready truck vs GVWR)?

    How much additional weight is available on rear axle?

    Can your truck carry pin wet of roughly 2800#?

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