Need an expert opinion

[Reliving_Life]

I am purchasing my first RV and trying to see if I can purchase a FW. I have a 2005 Silverado 1500HD, which apparently has a max towing capacity or 7,500 lbs. I have not been able to find a FW light enough however I was recently told that I would exceed that weight with a FW since the hitch is in the bed. I called a Chevy dealer who said this is the case with the newer trucks but none of their records go back more than 4 years so he can't tell me anything about my truck.

So, I am referring this to all the experienced people on here. I don't want to overload my truck but would certainly prefer a FW to a TT. Ideas? Suggestions?

Thank you,

[Duke-44]

I bought a new 2006 6 L. 1500HD just to pull my FW. It did fine as long as I was on flat roads. But on unfamiliar roads I was always wondering if there was a hill up ahead. Any long or steep hill I was hitting 25-30 mph by the time I hit the top. I traded for a 2007 Duramax and have never regretted it.

Do your self a favor and get a diesel. You will never worry what is up around the next corner,

[easycamper]

Dave H M wrote:

Reliving Life wrote:
Thanks all for your ideas. Looks like I need to do some more homework as I certainly don't want to get too much trailer for truck. Agree stopping is more of an issue that pulling. Thanks again. I knew this was better than asking any salesperson (truck or trailer).

I always wonder about the stopping issue. I have never seen test data to support the theory. Personally I rely on my trailer brakes to get things stopped. Yes I know the trailer brakes can fail, I can also be struck by lightning. I think some good advice has been given on the OP's truck aside from the 1500 dissing that automatically goes on.

The correct answer to whether the truck or trailer brakes stop the trailer, is like many things "both" and "it depends". Helpful, huh? 🙂

I spent a lot of time studying this because I'm an engineer (not automotive) and sometimes I just can't help myself.

Each axle on the truck and trailer can only exert a stopping force proportional to the amount of weight that it is supporting during the stop. The truck will stop it's own weight and the tongue or pin weight of the trailer, and the trailer will stop the weight on its axles.

A complicating factor is that during heavy braking, the weight shifts. With a fifth wheel, a lot of weight is going to be shifted to the front axle of the truck.

During more moderate braking (descending a hill, for example) weight transfer is less of a factor.

[easycamper]

Reliving Life wrote:
Thanks all for your ideas. Looks like I need to do some more homework as I certainly don't want to get too much trailer for truck. Agree stopping is more of an issue that pulling. Thanks again. I knew this was better than asking any salesperson (truck or trailer).

Make sure you put "1500HD" in your signature - it will help people realize you don't just have a typical half-ton.

[Dave_H_M]

Reliving Life wrote:
Thanks all for your ideas. Looks like I need to do some more homework as I certainly don't want to get too much trailer for truck. Agree stopping is more of an issue that pulling. Thanks again. I knew this was better than asking any salesperson (truck or trailer).

I always wonder about the stopping issue. I have never seen test data to support the theory. Personally I rely on my trailer brakes to get things stopped. Yes I know the trailer brakes can fail, I can also be struck by lightning. I think some good advice has been given on the OP's truck aside from the 1500 dissing that automatically goes on.

[Cummins12V98]

tvman44 wrote:
It is not just the towing weight, but also the rear axle weight as a 5th wheel puts much more weight on your rear axle than a TT. 🙂 Get your truck weighed with a full fuel tank and as many people and equipment as you will have in it when towing than compare your actual rear axle weight compared to the rear axle weight rating and there will probably not be enough to add a 5th wheel. And don't listen to a salesman, they just want to make a sale.

Totally agree!

[Reliving_Life]

Thanks all for your ideas. Looks like I need to do some more homework as I certainly don't want to get too much trailer for truck. Agree stopping is more of an issue that pulling. Thanks again. I knew this was better than asking any salesperson (truck or trailer).

[TheAmRheins]

There are 5th wheel trailers that can be pulled and stopped with Ford ranger pickups. Do your homework with the numbers and you will find the right trailer for you truck.

[easycamper]

It's been said before, but I'll say it again.

The 1500HD (and the HD is important) is not a half-ton truck. Go back and read JIMNLIN's post again.

Sure, it has a semi-floating rear axle, but its got a cargo capacity like a 3/4 ton or above.

This forum, like most others, tends to be a bit light on the "expert" and heavy on the "opinion."

[MPI_Mallard]

You'll be sharing the road and the others will be sharing the risks, I for one cringe every time I see someone hauling too much trailer with too little truck, an accident waiting to happen. You'll never know if you have too much truck but you will defiantly know if it's too small and very likely at the worst time.

[garysol]

3 dog nights wrote:

It's a 1/2 ton P/U...say's it all. Not a question of if it can pull, questions start when it comes time to stop...quick.

No, a 1500HD is NOT a half ton truck.

[3_dog_nights]

You're looking for an expert opinion....you came to the right place! You will find 37 of them within the first 12 post!

It's a 1/2 ton P/U...say's it all. Not a question of if it can pull, questions start when it comes time to stop...quick.

[Dayle1]

I agree with JIMNLIN, your 1500HD is the same frame and running gear as the 2500s of the same timeframe. As I recall, certain cab styles were badged 1500HD and other cab styles were badged as 2500. If the rear GAWR is 6084 lbs, then that is the same rating as currently used on swr 2500HD models. If you weigh the truck and compare to the posted GVWR, you can determine what your available payload is before exceeding GVWR. And if you weigh the rear axle separately, you can compare that to the rear GAWR to really see the absolute max. king pin weight. But one warning, you can't use the trailer manufacturer's DRY pin weight when looking at fifth wheels, you will have to estimate what the loaded pin weight will be for any potential trailer.

You stated that towing capacity is 7500 lbs. which is a different issue than payload or carrying capacity discussed above. Anyway, 7500 lbs seems like a pretty low number. I owned a 2000 model year true 1500 series truck with the 5.3L motor and it had a towing capacity of around 8200 lbs. But my point is that if your towing capacity is really that low, it is almost certainly due to the axle ratio and you probably have a 3.42 ratio. If the truck is 2wd, then for about $500 you can get the axle gears changed to a 3.73 or 4.10 ratio. While this won't change your "official" tow rating, it will make the truck tow just as good as any other 1500HD that came factory equipped with those ratios.

[garysol]

JIMNLIN wrote:
The OP says he has a '05 chevy 1500 HD which is the old 2500 truck.
The 1500 HD comes with a 8600 GVWR and 6084 lb RAWR with 16" load E tires. It has the 6.0 engine with the 4L80 tranny. Tow ratings go up into the 10200 lbs and a 16000 GCWR. Payloads up to 3129 lbs.
This info I have is a paste and copy from a GM website from that era which is no longer available.

Life... you can verify your truck is a 1500 HD by looking at the drivers side door post. It wiil show a 8600 GVWR for the 1500 HD or 6800-7000 GVWR for a std 1500 or the crew cab 1500.

If you have the 1500 HD then you have a much sought after 1500 truck.

Jim is correct. What you have there is a pre HD 2500 series truck. I had one and it was an awesome machine. We pulled a 33ft TT with ours and it did a great job. Below is a picture of my old 1500HD.

[JIMNLIN]

The OP says he has a '05 chevy 1500 HD which is the old 2500 truck.
The 1500 HD comes with a 8600 GVWR and 6084 lb RAWR with 16" load E tires. It has the 6.0 engine with the 4L80 tranny. Tow ratings go up into the 10200 lbs and a 16000 GCWR. Payloads up to 3129 lbs.
This info I have is a paste and copy from a GM website from that era which is no longer available.

Life... you can verify your truck is a 1500 HD by looking at the drivers side door post. It wiil show a 8600 GVWR for the 1500 HD or 6800-7000 GVWR for a std 1500 or the crew cab 1500.

If you have the 1500 HD then you have a much sought after 1500 truck.