Thinking about a 5er (can I do it?)

If thats 10,000 GVWR possibly doable. If its dry, forget it!

donn0128 wrote:
If thats 10,000 GVWR possibly doable. If its dry, forget it!

I appreciate your input. I am not arguing, just trying to learn here. Chevy owner's manual says up to 14,400 lb fifth wheel. What am i missing?

The numbers say you can fifth wheel up over 14,000 pounds, so you can really do it if you so choose.

Certainly for me, the one eye-popping realization with my F350 diesel towing only 9000 pounds was going down steep downhill. No way could I rely on my brakes to slow me, so my only option was engine brakes. What a wonderful invention it would be if you had steering wheel fifth wheel brake control, as taking one hand off the wheel to put on some trailer brakes was just not possible.

I would consider it doable, but I think I would invest in fifth wheel disc brakes for sure.

It is always best to look at GVWR of the FW. You can usually figure 20% of that amount, for loaded pin weight. Going this route will give a little wiggle room, due to not normally loading the trailer to full GVWR.

If you are providing dry weights, then your loaded weights are going to be on the edge of too much for the truck.

Jerry

14K fiver translates into 3000 pounds of pin weight! Do you honestly believe once you have the truck loaded with fuel, hitch, family and family stuff you still have 3000 pounds of capacity before you exceed the trucks GVWR rating? To know, load everything you normally have on board for a trip and hit the scales. Subtract scaled weight plus 250 pounds for a hitch from the trucks GVWR. That will be your real honest load carrying capacity, read that as pin weight. Pin weight roughly equals 20% of the trailers total weight. Since you really have no idea at this time a trailers weight, use a trailers GVWR for all your calculations. Better safe than sorry!

After looking at Sundance models, the only one that fits your description has a max GVW of almost 14000 pounds.

Seriously, that is crazy scary with your truck. I take it back, too close to the edge with such a light tow vehicle. Weight and mass and braking capacity in only truck braking needs to be considered. The force behind you pressing you faster downhill is way more than you think.

I appreciate the responses.

Well, it looks like plan B may work.

FR Heritage Glen. Dry weight about 9k. GVWR 11,700. Hitch 1625.

Better?

ky-auctioneer wrote:
I appreciate the responses.

Well, it looks like plan B may work.

FR Heritage Glen. Dry weight about 9k. GVWR 11,700. Hitch 1625.

Better?

IMO, that would be a great fit! You may end up with 2,000#s pin, plus hitch, but that 2015 GM should handle it.

You will much appreciate the FW towing experience, compared to the TT you have been towing.

Jerry

You also wont have greasy bars laying around or hit yer shins when you dont stow the ball mount. :) You'll like the FW

MFL wrote:

ky-auctioneer wrote:
I appreciate the responses.

Well, it looks like plan B may work.

FR Heritage Glen. Dry weight about 9k. GVWR 11,700. Hitch 1625.

Better?

IMO, that would be a great fit! You may end up with 2,000#s pin, plus hitch, but that 2015 GM should handle it.

You will much appreciate the FW towing experience, compared to the TT you have been towing.

Jerry

X2 Yes better.