2016 GMC Sierra 3500 SRW vs. Ambition 38FB - Am I safe?

[tama2112]

Hi All,
I am pulling the trigger on an Ambition 38FB this week. Here are the specs:

- 9,000 lb. axles
- GVWR is 21,460**
- Dry weight: 16,000
- Pin weight is 3,710

**I'm told the GVWR is so high because the axles can carry more weight than standard 8,000 lb axles. That I won't likely have more than 18,000 pounds total for weekend camping.


The tow vehicle is a 2016 GMC Sierra 3500 SRW. Specs on that:

- CREW CAB, STANDARD BOX, 4WD
- Axle Ratio: 3.73
- Max Towing Capacity: 17,200 lbs
- Door Sticker: The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 3,594 lbs.
- Tires: Max Load Single: 3,525 lbs (Load Range E)

Spoke to a truck shop this morning. The state that I will have "absolutely no problems if I install air bags".

Can I get your thoughts please? Please note: I am not full-timing. This is for weekend trips with the family.

Matthew

[camp-n-family]

According to your numbers, the pin weight of the empty trailer already exceeds your trucks payload. It will only get worse as you load the trailer up and then you still need to add passenger weights and the hitch in the bed. Once you add those weights you will be close or over the tire and axle ratings too. Dually or smaller fiver would be safer.

[transamz9]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Anyone telling you a SRW truck will be fine with that load should be taken out back and have the HE!! beaten out of them.

Your pin weight can EASILY be 5,365# at 25 precent. Also just because the GVWR is 21,460# (a weird number) does not mean squat. My GVWR is 21K and my rig scales 23K. Even being a weekend warrior your pin will exceed 4K.

Pick from the BIG 3 and get a 350/3500 Dually or buy a RV that maxes out at 14K.

Okay because you are so far away and I don't have to worry about you taking me out back I will say this. The SRW truck will handle it fine with some help from bags or other load helpers. The tires need to be upgraded to more capacity.

I look at it from a perspective that he already has the truck. He wants this fifth wheel. One of two things is going to happen. He's going to hook to it and say "no way" or the truck will do what he needs until he can get a heavier one. 5-6k for some upgrades to his truck is a lot cheaper than a new truck.

He also has to remember that he has to drive the rig appropriately to the conditions at which he has and to his ability.

"Spoke to a truck shop this morning. The state that I will have "absolutely no problems if I install air bags". "

If they told him to add 19.5's I would not have mentioned the wood shed.

A good quality air bag system and 19.5 tires and wheels I am guessing will be around 5-7K. IMHO that is wasted money that can be put towards a properly equipped new or newer truck.

Yes these new trucks are heavy. If I was to put my '16s wheels and tires on my '05 2500 I could go up to 4500# on the pin and not overload my suspension or tires. With me, dw, and two dogs with 5th wheel hitch in the truck my rear axle weighs 2800#.

[wireman]

2oldman wrote:

tama2112 wrote:
the truck shop told me this morning that doing air bags "adds like 3,000 to the max tow capacity". So I was thinking that I could now handle 20,000 lbs.

It may add to the ability of the rear end to not sag, but it doesn't increase the max towing weight.

No, I think you're getting bad advice, and I'm hoping others will verify what I'm saying. After all, I learned that on here myself.

X10. Tow capacity or RAWR WILL NOT increase by adding air bags. All it will do is keep the truck closer to level when towing.

Sounds like a RV salesman, you will not have a problem towing this trailer with your truck.

I wouldn't ride that train your on, either smaller camper or larger TV.

[2oldman]

PDX.Zs wrote:
Neal, is that you?????

Check his profile.

[PDX_Zs]

tama2112 wrote:

Neal, is that you?????

🙂

Like the screen name.

[Old-Biscuit]

I am pulling the trigger on an Ambition 38FB this week.

Pin weight is 3,710 DRY pin weight based on the 16,000 dry weight
Door Sticker: The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 3,594 lbs.
Tires: Max Load Single: 3,525 lbs
Total tire capacity rear axle----7050#

Dry pin weight is Already exceeding your 'payload capacity' and you haven't even put a toothbrush in trailer.....let alone passengers, stuff, hitch in truck!
Rear tires good for 7050#......dry pin of 5vr is 3710# and truck rear axle curb weight is likely close to 3000#. Dry pin and curb rear axle=6710#, Tire capacity just about max'd and still haven't put any passengers, stuff, hitch in truck OR added anything to trailer


I won't likely have more than 18,000 pounds total for weekend camping.
Max Towing Capacity: 17,200 lbs

Exceeding max tow rating and you haven't taken in account for passengers, stuff and hitch yet.
Every pound of weight added to truck reduces max towing (GCVWR minus truck weight=max tow weight)

Just not a good towing combo.....too much trailer weight
18,000# using 22.2% (% used for dry weights) is 4000# wet pin weight

Truck Rear Tires overloaded (swap to new rims/tires 19.5")
Truck RAWR overloaded (truck mfg. rating lower then Axle Mfgs rating)
Trucks GVWR overloaded (not a big issue)
Trucks GCVWR overloaded (should not be exceeded)


Air bags do NOT increase any ratings...tow, payload or GVWR. Just add ability to level rear end sagging
19.5" tires/rims do NOT increase any ratings.....tow, payload or GVWR. Will add ability to carry more weight on rear tires so their load capacity is not exceeded. Does Not change/increase trucks ratings


Your 17,200# MAX Tow rating is for a Base trim level, 150# driver and 20# cargo.......EVERYTHING in truck decreases that capability pound for pound (options, accessories, passengers, backpacks, bags, stuff in door pockets, stuff under seats, stuff on seats, pets, stuff in bed etc)

[2oldman]

tama2112 wrote:
the truck shop told me this morning that doing air bags "adds like 3,000 to the max tow capacity". So I was thinking that I could now handle 20,000 lbs.

It may add to the ability of the rear end to not sag, but it doesn't increase the max towing weight.

No, I think you're getting bad advice, and I'm hoping others will verify what I'm saying. After all, I learned that on here myself.

[tama2112]

2oldman wrote:

tama2112 wrote:
..I won't likely have more than 18,000 pounds total for weekend camping.

- Max Towing Capacity: 17,200 lbs

You're exceeding your max tow capacity. Does this seem like a good idea?

It doesn't.. however the truck shop told me this morning that doing air bags "adds like 3,000 to the max tow capacity". So I was thinking that I could now handle 20,000 lbs.

[kzspree320]

CLICK HERE FOR SOME INFORMATION

This is not the only place, but at least will start the research. Wheels are about $300 each, plus tires $400 or so each. Bottom line about $700-800 per tire.The 245s have a capacity of about 5,000 lbs per tire.

If you insist on SWR, then please at least go this route. Good luck.

[Cummins12V98]

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Anyone telling you a SRW truck will be fine with that load should be taken out back and have the HE!! beaten out of them.

Your pin weight can EASILY be 5,365# at 25 precent. Also just because the GVWR is 21,460# (a weird number) does not mean squat. My GVWR is 21K and my rig scales 23K. Even being a weekend warrior your pin will exceed 4K.

Pick from the BIG 3 and get a 350/3500 Dually or buy a RV that maxes out at 14K.

Okay because you are so far away and I don't have to worry about you taking me out back I will say this. The SRW truck will handle it fine with some help from bags or other load helpers. The tires need to be upgraded to more capacity.

I look at it from a perspective that he already has the truck. He wants this fifth wheel. One of two things is going to happen. He's going to hook to it and say "no way" or the truck will do what he needs until he can get a heavier one. 5-6k for some upgrades to his truck is a lot cheaper than a new truck.

He also has to remember that he has to drive the rig appropriately to the conditions at which he has and to his ability.

"Spoke to a truck shop this morning. The state that I will have "absolutely no problems if I install air bags". "

If they told him to add 19.5's I would not have mentioned the wood shed.

A good quality air bag system and 19.5 tires and wheels I am guessing will be around 5-7K. IMHO that is wasted money that can be put towards a properly equipped new or newer truck.

[2oldman]

tama2112 wrote:
..I won't likely have more than 18,000 pounds total for weekend camping.

- Max Towing Capacity: 17,200 lbs

You're exceeding your max tow capacity. Does this seem like a good idea?

[tama2112]

Can you guys tell me more about these 19.5" wheels? Where to buy, and what brand?

[Grit_dog]

I stand corrected if we're talking about pin weights north of 5klbs. I'm known to pull some shady stuff and would do this too, but would not plan for it.
New fancy truck and new fancy 5ver = the ability to plan for the right setup.

Dually would be the cats @ss, 19.5s on the srw would make me feel safe.

[kzspree320]

You will be way over tire ratings with a pin weight I estimate at 4,500#+. I would recommend a dual rear wheel. If you insist on a SRW, consider upgrading to commercial 19.5" wheels and tires as well as air bags. Personally, I think I would either go lighter or go dual rear wheels.