Safe weight for 2016 Silverado 2500

[Unitech123]

We are looking to upgrade from a 23 foot TT to a smallish 5th wheel. We bought a new 3/4 ton truck as part of the migration and are looking at used units. What is the best way to determine if the truck can pull the 5th wheel? I don't want to push any limits; we use our existing unit quite a bit for road trips where we travel across the country and spend 5-7 days at a location before moving to the next one (we try and combine work with vacation so we will take a project that lasts a week, drive to the next city, and do it all again.) We don't want anything longer than 32 feet. I am trying to get a better understanding of what the numbers listed for weights of various capacities mean. Thank you.

[blt2ski]

Legally speaking from an Leo or cveo pulling you.over, the door sticker means squat. My 2500 is legal to 8000 lbs. If pled over and weighted at door stickers 8600 giver, I'd be 600 lbs over weight! I could buy next higher amount, 10,000 gvw. I'd be legal if pulled over and weight at 10,000 lbs. Look at your states registration laws to verify what is or is not legal.
Frankly, a few lbs over.door sticker may.Not be that big of a deal handling etc. Depending upon how the.load is distributed. I've loaded trucks and trailers under ratings, but say tail heavy....worst handling things around. Meanwhile load to 1-2000 or more lbs over, but load is distributed, handled great.
Not saying you should go.over the.numbers.......but it may.or may.Not be that bad.

Marty

[Unitech123]

Thank you everyone; especially the most recent post. And no, it doesn't have a sticker. Period. New truck. Not sure where we went south. Have had 4 different people look at it for me just to make sure I'm not crazy. Just breaking the law I guess 🙂

[hbillsmith]

Here's a simple accurate way to get it right and to account for all options whether dealer installed or factory. Load up the truck with everyone that will be traveling in the truck when you tow that fifth wheel. Head over to truck stop that has a CAT scale (ie Flying J, Pilot, Loves). Fill up the gas tank and pull around to the CAT scale to get weighed ($12). The weight ticket will show the combined vehicle weight (my 2500 Diesel is 7520#).

Your Payload is equal to 10,000# MINUS your ticket weight (My Payload is 2,480#).

From your Payload, you will subtract the weight of your fifth wheel hitch. If you don't know what its going to weigh, pick one on eTrailer.com and check the shipping weight.

That net payload will be your guide as you look at fifth wheels and check their dry pin weights. I say guide because as you already know, the stuff you carry in your trailer will change that dry pinweight some.

You said you were looking at used trailers, ask the seller if he has a recent weight ticket (you might be surprised).

Lastly, for a ball park compare, I drive a 2015 GMC 2500HD Diesel. After hitch and some stuff I added (nerf steps, airbags) my ticket available payload is 2010#.

My 2016 Wildcat 295rsx is 30 feet long and the dry pin weight is advertised at 1560#. Last time I checked at the CAT for both Truck and Trailer, my ticketed pinweight was 1960#, just barely below that 2010# I measured without the trailer in tow.

When we were shopping to move to a 5th wheel we did pretty much just what you are doing. We found that Ultra-light Fifth wheels were mostly where we met spec. Rear Living units seemed to have the lightest advertised pin weights.

I posted sticker pictures and stuff within my Registery entry at the Forest River forum. Some of this may be relevant for you. Here's the link: hbillsmith Wildcat Registry

Good luck and hope you find what you want.

[sch911]

ktmrfs wrote:

sch911 wrote:
The capacity stickers are inside the front door jamb. Yes they are there it's the law.

GVWR - Actual weight of the truck loaded = Payload.
In this case loaded means the pin weight of the 5er is included.

GCWR - Actual weight of the truck loaded = Tow Capacity


Note: The stickers ratings can be off if your trucks options vary from the base model.

You can safely tow right up to these levels. Your truck has been certified at those levels for safe towing by GM engineers. There is no need for any extra safety margin.

a correction. the sticker in the door is for that specific vehicle. It accounts for ALL the options installed at the factory. It won't account for dealer installed options.

It omits many things like hitch weight, tongue weight, fuel, gear, etc. That's why it reads "Loaded"

[ktmrfs]

sch911 wrote:
The capacity stickers are inside the front door jamb. Yes they are there it's the law.

GVWR - Actual weight of the truck loaded = Payload.
In this case loaded means the pin weight of the 5er is included.

GCWR - Actual weight of the truck loaded = Tow Capacity


Note: The stickers ratings can be off if your trucks options vary from the base model.

You can safely tow right up to these levels. Your truck has been certified at those levels for safe towing by GM engineers. There is no need for any extra safety margin.

a correction. the sticker in the door is for that specific vehicle. It accounts for ALL the options installed at the factory. It won't account for dealer installed options.

[twinstick]

.

[Unitech123]

I found the tire chart but had to get the other stuff from the user's guide. My door sticker says World Class Trucks built with price by the men & women of UAW 598....Glove box has sticker with truck camper load info, and inside door jamb has tire and load. So... I have 2817 cargo, 14000 max trailer weight, and 21,100 GCWR. Looking for a smaller 5th wheel. Any suggestions what forum would like smallest fifth wheel that comes with a king size bed?

[Unitech123]

Sorry - its gas. And I am going out again to look for the sticker. There's something in the glovebox but I need bigger eyes.

[SouthpawHD]

If the OP has a CrewCab, 6.0L gasser, 4x4, his payload is around that 2600-2800 mark, similar to what Ralph posted above.

[rottidawg]

OP check your glove box.
My 2012 Chevy has placard in there in addition to the door jam ones.

[Grit_dog]

You still didn't answer the most important question, gas or deezul? Judging by your google at 13k towing, I'll assume gasser.
Towing all conditions, including coming down the mountain, I wouldn't want more than a 10-12klbs 5ver on that truck. Maybe up to 14k in the flat lands, with a gasser.
I'll leave the weight cop 2500vs 3500 discussion alone. Just know that apples to apples, your truck is the same as a 3500 srw minus an extra rear spring and door sticker, which apparently isn't an issue!

[troubledwaters]

Unitech123 wrote:
Thank you all for your assistance. Although there are no stickers on the truck (my 2010 has them, my 2016 does not) I am comfortable with the 13000 and with the thought the 3/4 isn't quite up to the Montana. When I am ready to quit work and don't need my trucks to serve two masters I'm sure we'll upgrade to a one ton but until then we'll find a better 5th wheel fit. Thanks again.

If your 2016 has no stickers you should sue the manufacturer and the dealer cause you just hit the jackpot (unless you bought it used and that guy removed them).

[Unitech123]

Thank you all for your assistance. Although there are no stickers on the truck (my 2010 has them, my 2016 does not) I am comfortable with the 13000 and with the thought the 3/4 isn't quite up to the Montana. When I am ready to quit work and don't need my trucks to serve two masters I'm sure we'll upgrade to a one ton but until then we'll find a better 5th wheel fit. Thanks again.

[Ralph_Cramden]

Unitech123 wrote:
The truck is new. There are no stickers on either door. I have the sheet from the window and it has nothing useful. I googled the truck and got a GVWR of 9500, max trailer of 13000, and weight distr max tongue weight of 1300. There are just 2 of us (and sometimes a dog...) and we very rarely if ever carry water in our tanks. I am specifically looking at a used Montana 3150 because it has a king-sized bed and their web site shows a shipping weight of 11134 and a carrying capacity of 2831. So does that assume a max weight of 13965?

One looks like this.


This is from a 2015 GMC 2500, 6.0 gas, Double cab, 8' bed.

Above or Below this should be another that lists GVWR, the axle weight ratings front and rear, and the month and year of manufacturer.