Towing Capacity

[RonLB]

I suspect this has been asked and answered...
The 5th wheel trailer we are looking to buy has a gross weight of just under 16,000 pounds. We are planning on trips out west going through mountains. Am I naïve to think that a vehicle with a max towing capacity of 17,000 pounds is going to be adequate? We are buying both a trailer and a truck. One of the worst things that could happen would be to realize the truck we purchased does not have the horsepower or just barely has enough horsepower. Are we better off getting as much horsepower as we can afford? Comments please. Thanks in advance.

[ScottG]

While lesser trucks may be spec'd to tow it, my experience tells me a rig of that size is solidly into 1t dually diesel territory.

[agesilaus]

Is that 16 K the max weight? That is the number you need to work with. The RV fully loaded with full tanks. And the question is whether you want to push the trucks limits or run up and down mountains with no problems whatsoever. Depends on your personality.

[JIMNLIN]

RonLB wrote:
I am beginning to appreciate that we should be looking at a 1 ton truck. Why the dually? The trailers we are looking at are Keystone Avalanche's...39', 40' or 41'.

A one ton SRW has 7000-7230 rawr and is good for around 3500-3700 lbs in the ..on the rear axle/2 tires. A stripped down std cab 2wd long bed with the right numbers may work

A one ton DRW has much larger 9750-9900 rawr and good for around 6500 lbs in the bed ....over the rear axle/4 tires.

Above weights are a estimate but ponts you in the direction. Of course a new gen diesel in any 3/4 or one ton truck won't have any problems pulling a 16k lb trailer.

A 16k lb trailer can have 3200-3800 lb pin weight depending on floorplans and how its loaded. Now add a heavy hitch .....people....and other gear...maybe 4000 lbs. Like above numbers are a estimate to show how numbers can work.

[MFL]

In your first post you said gross wt of about 16K. That wt would normally be your scaled wt, loaded ready to camp. If you mean GVWR, which is the max load for that trailer, is just under 16K a 1T SRW may work for you. If GVWR is actually higher than 16K, you may need the added RAWR that a DRW can provide.

Jerry

[Cummins12V98]

RonLB wrote:
I am beginning to appreciate that we should be looking at a 1 ton truck. Why the dually? The trailers we are looking at are Keystone Avalanche's...39', 40' or 41'.

Do you want to not only tow the trailer but HANDLE the trailer???

[Allamakee1]

Got a buddy that tows his 2018 Avalanche 395bh with a 3/4 ton GMC Denali Duramax. Has done it for a year, but that is just to local campgrounds. Not saying that is the best option, but also not everyone lives by the rv.net rules.

[RonLB]

I am beginning to appreciate that we should be looking at a 1 ton truck. Why the dually? The trailers we are looking at are Keystone Avalanche's...39', 40' or 41'.

[ppine]

Ron are you trolling or are you serious?

[rhagfo]

TXiceman wrote:
Towing is a tow part consideration. I suspect with your 17000# max on the truck you are in a single rear wheel truck and a 3.55 or 3.42 axle.

A 16000# 5er will have a loaded pin weight of about 3200#. you have to look at the payload capacity of the truck. Add the pin weight ( not brochure dry weight) plus the 5er hitch, any truck cargo and passengers for a total weight. This has to be less than the trucks payload or cargo capacity.

If you are out west, you will want a 3.73 rear axle or a 4.10 axle for mountain towing. I would look at a diesel 1 ton dually.

Ken

Good
Information above, realize that a diesel 3/4 will have a max tow capacity in the 17,000# range, BUT it will NOT have the capacity to carry the pin weight that goes with that weight.
The MAX weight is for a flatbed GN where the load can be placed over the axles so s to reduce the pin weight to be within the payload of 3/4 ton TV. You can’t do that with an RV 5er, it will always be about 20% to 25% of the 5ers weight.
In addition the MAX is just that the MAXIMUM for the stripper version of that TV. Once options are added to the TV that MAX starts going down!

[Lwiddis]

“Why, your truck can PULL anything on this lot.” Baloney. It’s got to carry it too. Don’t buy anything until you do a bunch more reading.

[MFL]

Good info above! Welcome to the forum, you will likely have further questions, as your search for truck and FW move forward. Giving more specific info, as to make model of FW, and truck model/specifications are helpful for proper response.

Jerry

[TXiceman]

Towing is a tow part consideration. I suspect with your 17000# max on the truck you are in a single rear wheel truck and a 3.55 or 3.42 axle.

A 16000# 5er will have a loaded pin weight of about 3200#. you have to look at the payload capacity of the truck. Add the pin weight ( not brochure dry weight) plus the 5er hitch, any truck cargo and passengers for a total weight. This has to be less than the trucks payload or cargo capacity.

If you are out west, you will want a 3.73 rear axle or a 4.10 axle for mountain towing. I would look at a diesel 1 ton dually.

Ken

[agesilaus]

A 16000# fiver needs a diesel dual rear wheel 1 ton truck. I don't know what truck you are looking at but it doesn't sound like the above. Don't listen to the RV salesman all they care about is your signature on the line.

[Campfire_Time]

Horsepower is only one consideration. Payload is more important than towing capacity. Axle capacity is very important when considering a fifth wheel due to pin weight. Others will certainly chime in and give you more detail.