Concerning dry weight: difference between BP vs 5er

[SeanH43]

Currently living in a truck camper while working highway construction. Looking for something bigger that I can tow with my pickup. Wife would like to be able to come stay once in awhile, along with 2 small dogs and possibly 1-2 teenagers. Truck camper gets a bit claustrophobic by myself with all my stuff, so can't imagine squeezing 4 of us and 2 small dogs in it for 2 or 3 weeks.

Problem is all I have is a 2000 Silverado 1500 with V6 and 5-speed manual. Finding a bumper pull light enough is near impossible and figuring out the actual honest to god tow capacity for my truck has been a chore. I found a fifth wheel that would be great for what I'm looking for. Dry weight is 5939. Best I can figure my tow capacity is 5000. My question is when considering dry weight does it make a difference if you're pulling a bumper pull or a fifth. I've had opinions on both sides from coworkers. Some say no tow capacity is what it is. Others say yes because the weight distribution is different.

I appreciate any answers you guys have!

[myredracer]

We used to tow a 20' TT weighing 5K lbs with a 2000 F150 with a V6. Truck had a max. tow rating of 5500 lbs. OMG, it was horrible.

Acceleration was sloooow... It really struggled up hills. Worst hill was the I-5 going up Grants Pass in Or. Couldn't do more than 30-35 mph and had to crawl up on the right shoulder along with semi trucks. The 4.2L V6 is rated at a anemic 205 HP and was running high rpms much of the time trying to make enough power. Buffeting head-on winds were not fun as the engine could not make enough power to keep the speed steady. We sold the truck to a co-worker of DW. Not long after we sold it, they had to replace the tranny - presumably due to towing. (Truck only had around 100K miles on it and only got light use in the 10 years we had it.)

Internet says the 2000 V6 Silverado is rated 200 HP. Not good... I believe tow ratings for manual transmissions are lower than automatics. I can't imagine how much of a challenge and tiring it would be where it is hilly and you have to shift gears a lot. Hard on the clutch too.

I have to say a TT is a bad idea, unless something like an r-pod or similar. A FW at 5900 lbs would have a pin weight of about 1200 lbs. With passengers and dogs in the cab, you are probably overloaded but if if okay, would still be an awful towing experience.

[JIMNLIN]

op wrote:
My question is when considering dry weight does it make a difference if you're pulling a bumper pull or a fifth. I've had opinions on both sides from coworkers. Some say no tow capacity is what it is. Others say yes because the weight distribution is different.

I appreciate any answers you guys have!

Welcome to the forum.
You will get answers from all over the spectrum as some folks don't think a 1/2 ton truck can tow anything and from those that tow with 1/2 ton trucks.
However 1/2 ton trucks can have 8600 GVWR with 6000 lb RAWR down to your size.

You can have more bang for the bucks with small a TT . Check out this 21' 5000 GVWR TT from http://www.allencampermfg.com/upload/201%20FBS%208.30.pdf.

They also have small 5th wheel trailers in the 5k range to look at. Allen has been around for years and their small.

IMO you won't like the V6 towing performance if your planning on road trips. Much depends on how you will use the rig.

[nohurry]

If you're hauling a TC with that truck, you could find a TT that it'll pull. However my recommendation since you're in highway construction; get a TT and have one of the bigger company trucks to haul it between job sites for you, if that's possible.

[Chuck_thehammer]

my 2004 Ram 1500 with V6 and manual transmission could only tow 3,300 pounds DRY TOTAL.... I was able to get a Amerilite 21 foot bumper pull... and it was to small for 2 adults. and was very HARD on the truck... and LOTS of shifting from 4th to 2nd...on almost any hill.

think of going 50 miles per hour up small hills in 2nd gear at 4,500 rpm.
and that truck had 30,000 miles on it.

[valhalla360]

If you are living in it, I would expect you to be near the max weight (maybe over)rather than the minimum weight (dry).

This isn't a case of being over by 500lbs. You are way over weight.

As stated, 1/2ton and 5th wheel generally doesn't go together.

I would look at a bumper pull in the 20-25' range. That's likely going to maximize living space given the trucks limited capabilities. Or better yet, move up to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck and then lots of options open up.

[TexasRangerRzR]

ChooChooMan74 wrote:
My question, how are you transporting the truck camper?

I was wondering that too ... never seen a truck camper in a half-ton truck, usually see duallys under them.

[ChooChooMan74]

My question, how are you transporting the truck camper?

I would look into a small Hybrid, like the Roo or Shamrock 183. I towed one with my 4cyl diesel.

[APT]

You are not going to like the performance of your truck when towing any high walled RV.

As mentioned half tons and 5th wheels generally don't mix well. At 6k dry, probably more like 8k loaded if you are living in it, you have 1500+ pound of pin weight plus a 250 pound receiver in the bed, plus yourself in the cab. Not many half tons can support 2000 + pounds of payload.

[SoCalDesertRid1]

Half-tons and fifth wheels don't mix well. Half-tons don't have the rear axle carrying capacity to haul the hitch weight of most 5th wheels, which have much higher hitch weights than comparably sized travel trailers.

Your best bet is a bumper pull trailer.

[donn0128]

Guarahteed you do not have sufficient truck to pull much more than a tent trailer.
that 5900 dry trailer can bloom to more than 7500 pounds in a hurry. Your best hope right now is thst you dont cause more damamge than you already have.