Even a 11,000 GVWR Trailer might have a pair of 5,000 or 5,500 pound trailer axles, and rely on the 1,000 - 1,200 pounds of hitch weight.
I wonder why the salesman did not know this already. If he had even looked at one of the brochures (they usually are sitting around waiting for customers to show up, so should have plenty of spare time to read one a day, in a week they should understand each of their products), it will list the axle weight ratings, and pin weights empty. Anyone with basic math can tell after reading a bit that the GVWR is a combination of what is on the axles and pin.
So the trailer in question, might have 2,500 on the pin, and the remaining on the axles, or about 5,500 per axle. This can vary from one axle to the other and side to side. Say the slide out is drivers side. You might have 2,900 on the drivers side tires, while only 2,400 on the passenger side. This will still not axced the tire weight rating (hopefully), but it could. This is why filling the fresh water tank, and taking it to a scale where you can get side to side weight and each axle is important.
Also bewary of the fact that a GM dealership will sell you a Duramax and say 'it will tow anything'. While it might tow any 10,000 pound trailer fine, it will not tow a fifth wheel if it can only handle 2,000 pounds of cargo.
You would need a 3500 series truck, with sufficient cargo rating to handle a 13,500 GVWR fifth wheel. Not every 3500 truck will do it. A gas model, that is not a heavy crewcab, and not with the 4X4 400 pound option might work well with the 2,700 pound hitch pin weight, 150 pound hitch, some firewood in the bed, perhaps a generator, and still have cargo capacity left over for passengers and other stuff in the truck.
Many owners of 2500 pickups ask 'how can I tow a fifth wheel, the GM dealer said it will tow anything, but it only has a 1972 pound cargo rating, and my family of 5 weight is 800 pounds, leaving just 1,172 pounds for the trailer hitch!
The common reply is do not buy a 2500 for fifth wheel or camper use.
Good luck,
Fred.
Money can't buy happiness but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a
Porsche or Country Coach!
If there's a WILL, I want to be in it!
I havn't been everywhere, but it's on my list.
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