Picking out a 5th

Technically speaking, the two generators will be running parallel, not series.

Looking at a 2015.5 3500 Denali DRW as well

APPROVED! Finally that was stressful lol. Delivery on Thursday!!!!

Truck can definitely handle more weight but not more length in my opinion. I already have my B&W gooseneck on in the bed from hauling my gooseneck for a while now and my air bags will be installed this week. Not so much for load bearing support but for leveling and stability. I felt that this coach will be a solid unit and with all the sleeping room we won't have to worry about it.
Sleeps 10 so essentially 8 would be comfortable.

Thats a good match for your truck. When installing the B&W hitch, you might need to do some measuring, and place the hitch back a little, since the mounting arms allow for multiple positions.

Hey everyone so we pulled the trigger today, after watching the reviews come in from you all I can't thank you enough btw. Here is what we ended up with

2016 Jayco 29.5 BHDS with
Back Up camera, solar ready, 2 generators (or our pick of a large generator), Companion Hitch out the door before our down for 10,000 off the "sale price"
34'7'' total length
8300 unloaded weight
1515 dry hitch weight

gross is near 10,000
cargo is ner 1700


Feeling really good about this coach. thanks all!

FlatBroke wrote:
My take on RE models. The prior RV had the rear TV so I have an opinion. When we ordered one we thought that was the ideal place for viewing. Until we went to our summer spot and our biggest view at the wildlife was taken up by the TV and cabinet. Went to our winter spot backed to the river, missed our great view of the river action. You can put the TV down but what if your partner wants to watch it. Still the huge cabinet is taking up a third of the window. That trailer is gone, no more REs.
Now we turn our recliners around and get a great out door view. Your partner wants to watch TV no problem. My view point, pun intended. :)
Edit: Jayco Eagle 27.5RLTS floor plan is close to our latest trailer now.

FWIW, that is the exact model we're considering, but in the HT line.

Lyle

My take on RE models. The prior RV had the rear TV so I have an opinion. When we ordered one we thought that was the ideal place for viewing. Until we went to our summer spot and our biggest view at the wildlife was taken up by the TV and cabinet. Went to our winter spot backed to the river, missed our great view of the river action. You can put the TV down but what if your partner wants to watch it. Still the huge cabinet is taking up a third of the window. That trailer is gone, no more REs.
Now we turn our recliners around and get a great out door view. Your partner wants to watch TV no problem. My view point, pun intended. :)
Edit: Jayco Eagle 27.5RLTS floor plan is close to our latest trailer now.

DrtEMaxChvy wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

DrtEMaxChvy wrote:

n7bsn wrote:
What's your max GVW for the 2500? Does it have enough cargo rating so that the pin weight of the trailer does not exceed the capability of the truck?

Sitting at 6986 curb weight
Payload is just over 3000
and my trucks GVWR is 10,000
My GCWR is 24500

I am very impressed with my 2500 for hauling my gooseneck and the horses around. Its a stout truck to say the least

Hope that answers the question. Thanks for the reply folks.

Well the Alpine is 15,000 GVWR, might be a squeeze with the Stated Payload of the 2500. The other two have a GVWR of 10,000# and would not be an issue.
That said the Alpine has more storage and a nice layout, you would likely end up over listed GVWR of the TV, and need to depend on RGAWR for guidance on loading.

Thank you for that. I appreciate it. I am really looking at all the options and thats why it has become so difficult. Would you recommend a unit other than the ones I stated above? I am open to anything.
I am in need of something that has a great build and open floor plan. Bunks are an option but I do not want to go over 34'. Also Quality matters. I know the statistical average of those who get their first fifth wheel/tailer is that 88% of them will trade out of it for something that they wanted to begin with within the first year or two. I don't have the luxury of buying and selling campers at this point in my life. If it means that I spend more on my first 5th wheel then so be it. But i want to make sure my dollar is going to a great company.

I have the '02 D'max in my sig. Right now, I'm looking at Jayco Eagle HT and KZ Durango 1500 models. You're likely to have more payload than me, so you could look at models larger than I'm looking at. Both have reasonable reps in the business and both have 2 year warranties. As always, payload is the killer with 2500/250 series trucks and there are plenty, if not most, that are overloaded. Not sure what the OEM tires are these days, but mine was 245/65-16. I went to 265's and picked up 900 lbs tire capacity, which puts me a hair over the RAWR; the 245's were about 6-700 =under=. A lot of guys don't worry too much about payload, so long as they're close to the placard, but under the tires and RAWR. Airbags or Timbrens can be added to level things out, but not legally add capacity. There are extra leaf kits that =can= add capacity, though it's not strictly legal, unless you have your truck re-certified, or so I've been told.

Lyle

donn0128 wrote:
Realistically most of us are going to suggest more truck. I just do not believe that GM has made the newer trucks that much lighter! My 2004 scaled at 7500 pounds ready to go. Pulling is rarely the issue. The issues start when that monster fiver pushes you all over the road when you hit some winds, or start down a twisty mountain road. If your saddled with that truck for the forseeable future, pick a fiver with no more than 10,000GVWR.

Well I don't think the suspension on newer 2500's has gotten that soft! In reality I think the OP could be looking in the 12,000 to 13,000 GVWR and still be within the TV GVWR depending on what else they carry with them.

I tow a 5er with a 12,360 GVWR with my 2001, Yes over the GVWR, but still well within axle and tire ratings and no issues pulling stopping or handling.