Towing

[Ackleyman]

No doubt this has being talked about...but here goes. I have a fifth wheel with dry weight of 13,100 Lbs. I took it to Montana with a Ford F350 dually about 4 years ago and it stayed there on a lot. Now after the covid BS and the rest of it im bringing it home to AB. But i now have a 3500 Duramax with SRW. I have read many mixed reports on the towing capacity. two said the same , 13,400 Lbs max for this truck. That would put me right on the edge as i have a bunch of stuff in the trailers storage compartment. The i found a Duramax Diesel owners Manual supplement and it says 17,200 Lbs max trailer weight ??
One guy says do yourself and the guy coming at you a favor and get a dually.
Next guy says hogwash that truck will pull that trailer like nothing ?
Thought some may have input about towing with SRW on a 3500 [3.73 axle ratio]
i have seen lots of guys pulling big fifths and toy haulers with SRW F350's - 3500's but are they at the wire ..safe...legal ?? I know i have to do more research but thought would throw it out there.

[bezzola]

I wouldn’t think twice about hooking up to it with a duramax im not a chev or gmc fan but i have towed with them at the proper speed limits you will be more then fine.

[Trochu]

I don't have a Chevy, but from a legal perspective, I believe your specific truck will show specific stock weights on the door sticker.

[brewster29]

My 2020 Duramax crew cab SRW is rated at 20,000 lbs conventional towing.

[Coiloil37]

What’s the pin weight on the trailer?

[tool]

Personally I'd hook on and go. Regularly pulled much bigger loads with a SRW 2500.

Dually's are great if it is a dedicated tow vehicle but a pain and kind of a downer the rest of the time if it isn't. So it partly depends howbeeoften you will be towing the trailer.

PS

I've been a 1A driver for 20 something years, but it's just my opinion.

[calgarygringo]

I did some training courses up for the rv industry back in the day on weights etc. and an rver myself so understand the numbers.
Biggest issue is not what you can tow so much as your payload of your truck. Payload you can get off the door sticker most of the time and in many trucks is their weak point even though they tell you can tow the space shuttle especially half tons and some 1 tons are less than people think.

Keep in mind your truck payload basically is the pin weight of your trailer (loaded weight) plus all the stuff in the bed of your truck, hitch, people, dog, kids etc. that are in there. For actual pin weight you will need to drop it at a scale to see what it really is or for 5th wheels the pin is generally 20 to 25% of the total weight of the trailer in order to tow properly. These weights include you batteries, propane and all the other stuff inside.

Add this all up and subtract it from your payload and and it should giver you a pretty close idea where you are at. If you weigh your trailer you will also know if you are within the tow weight as well. There are also things like axle weights etc. but most do not go that far and if you get stopped at a portable scale on the way home this will cover most of what they are looking for.

[Ackleyman]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

What’s the pin weight on the trailer?

I have a copy of trailer specs and it says the following:

1- Base weight 13,109 Lbs
2- Carrying capacity 2501 Lbs
3- Hitch weight 1930 Lbs

I have a Curt 25k 5th wheel hitch.

[spoiledsaskhunter]

brace yourself if you get it all figured out and then do the math......most people who are towing are way over the weight limits for the tow vehicle. like, by the time your get the trailer loaded with water, supplies, etc, etc, and put your wife in the truck with you, seldom would anyone get past a scale if weighed.

[calgarygringo]

Thats a good start but that base weight is weight if the trailer coming off the assembly line. Need to add batteries, propane tanks and all the rest. Saying that they are suggesting gross weight of around 15k lbs. Times the 15k by minimum 20 pin weight and says your payload required just for the trailer is about 3k lbs. Now go to your truck and get the payload off the door or wherever it is on your truck and see what is left. You will need that for you, your family, the weight of the hitch etc. You may even find the actual pin weight is more than 20% as 20 is minimum suggested to tow a fifth properly. I would also question the 1930 pin weight as that would be an unsafe pin weight for a trailer like that. Not enough pin weight creates tail sway. Best thing is run your trailer across a scale and get accurate real world weights. Most trailers quote light and are not real world weights. That is why they had me create some training for this.

Originally Posted by Ackleyman

I have a copy of trailer specs and it says the following:

1- Base weight 13,109 Lbs
2- Carrying capacity 2501 Lbs
3- Hitch weight 1930 Lbs

I have a Curt 25k 5th wheel hitch.

[walker1]

Some good info already passed along and I will chime in.
Your SRW will carry and tow that fifth no problem and safe. I do ask as you said you have to load it up with a lot of contents, any idea of the weight you are adding?
20 % of 13000 pounds is 2600 pin plus all the others people spoke about.
I bet you are good in payload to 4000 but each configuration is different.
Check yellow sticker inside door jam b pillar on driver side of truck.

Most don't weigh their combo so good on you already for asking. The latest SRW can handle the weight that a dually could 10-15 years ago. Will the 4 wheels be better, probably, but not needed in your situation.

I have a 2017 SRW f350 6.7 and tow a Voltage toyhauler. My pin is between 2800-3200 based on what I have in garage for the trip, water, etc. When I weigh at scales I can have trailer at 14500 all the way to 16000. I am towing heavy and would not go bigger although the ratings say I can.
I am under every rating and remembember these are just that.... ratings.
More importantly, I am aware of my combo and how it performs in big wind, head winds , mountains, all conditions. It has been to Cape Breton as well as Anahiem. Lots of road memories and experience . No white knuckles, no airbags, just awareness and comfort in what I do and I do not SPEED!!!!
Best of luck and PM if you need more info.

[Ackleyman]

I had a better look at the yellow sticker on door pillar , thought it was just stating tire pressures. It says , combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1576 kg [3476 lbs]

Thank you very much to all for advice.

[badger]

The actual weight of the trailer before adding cargo will be on the manufacturer's sticker inside one of the closets. From there you have to verify the load on the truck and that the loads are not over capacity. The capacity checks needed are: GVWR, trailer weight rating, pin load, axle load, tire load. The only way to do this is to go to a weigh scale and measure each axle hitched and unhitched. I had a 2015 Chev dually and the limiting factor was always the rear axle rating and GVWR. With SRW you could be approaching the tire load rating.

[walker1]

That is good news. The higher trim trucks are heavier and cuts into payload . Mine being a Platinum has posted payload of 3306. That is enough weight for me but as stated I would not go heavier. And mine being toyhauler my pin can be more than the regular 20% as these trailers are pin heavy. As others mentioned, everything counts towards payload. It reality, the rear axle weight rating minus your loaded weight is what you have to play with. ( how much you have before going over) All the newer 350 or 3500 series trucks have rear axles good to 7000-7300 pounds. Again, they are probably derated from 10000 pounds but gives you math for your margins.
What year is your duramax ?

[Ackleyman]

Originally Posted by walker1

That is good news. The higher trim trucks are heavier and cuts into payload . Mine being a Platinum has posted payload of 3306. That is enough weight for me but as stated I would not go heavier. And mine being toyhauler my pin can be more than the regular 20% as these trailers are pin heavy. As others mentioned, everything counts towards payload. It reality, the rear axle weight rating minus your loaded weight is what you have to play with. ( how much you have before going over) All the newer 350 or 3500 series trucks have rear axles good to 7000-7300 pounds. Again, they are probably derated from 10000 pounds but gives you math for your margins.
What year is your duramax ?

It is a 2018 3500 High Country

[Coiloil37]

From a quick google and by taking an educated guess on the truck configuration. It appears your within rated capacity on the trailer weight and payload which should mean your fine legally and that’s all we are really discussing because the truck will pull it just fine. Check the tires and see what they’re rated for and make sure your at the correct tire pressure. Keep in mind the way you’ve packed weight into that trailer will alter the pin weight. Occupants and cargo in the truck will further reduce payload.

[marky_mark]

I wouldn’t worry
You don’t have to go through the scales anyways

[walker1]

Originally Posted by Ackleyman

It is a 2018 3500 High Country

Great truck. Hook on and tow! Happy trails.
Something I always tell people when it comes to fifthwheel towing. It is not tow rating it is what can truck safely carry. The diesel option is good and bad as they pull like a freight train and have the great exhaust brake but the powertrain weighs so much it cuts out a lot of what it legally can yank around.

The ford tow ratings a few years back had a 6.2 gasser in certain configurations in a f250 able to tow more than a f350 with the diesel. Not going to happen in the real world scenario.

[scesfiremedic]

Based on my experience towing a 38’ toy hauler fifth wheel with a 2006 GMC DRW Duramax and a 28’ fifth wheel with 2007 GMC SRW Duramax, weight ratings are important yes but realistically the fifth wheel trailers should have disc brakes to maximize stopping potential. It is mind boggling that manufacturers don’t put electric over hydraulic disc brakes on the larger fifth wheel RV trailers especially. It’s damn scary trying to stop a 17,500 lb trailer with a DRW3500 at highway speeds in an emergency! Just because the truck can tow it doesn’t mean it’s safe! Just my 2 cents

[walker1]

Originally Posted by scesfiremedic

Based on my experience towing a 38’ toy hauler fifth wheel with a 2006 GMC DRW Duramax and a 28’ fifth wheel with 2007 GMC SRW Duramax, weight ratings are important yes but realistically the fifth wheel trailers should have disc brakes to maximize stopping potential. It is mind boggling that manufacturers don’t put electric over hydraulic disc brakes on the larger fifth wheel RV trailers especially. It’s damn scary trying to stop a 17,500 lb trailer with a DRW3500 at highway speeds in an emergency! Just because the truck can tow it doesn’t mean it’s safe! Just my 2 cents

Fair enough. Can never have too much brakes!!!! The manufactures cheap out on that stuff. Even on the heavy toyhaulers. Look at the $#$%^ tires they put on them.
I upgraded those right away. Junk. I am always adjusti g my brakes on any trailer I have ever towed................. well not the tent trailer!!!!!

[Ackleyman]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

From a quick google and by taking an educated guess on the truck configuration. It appears your within rated capacity on the trailer weight and payload which should mean your fine legally and that’s all we are really discussing because the truck will pull it just fine. Check the tires and see what they’re rated for and make sure your at the correct tire pressure. Keep in mind the way you’ve packed weight into that trailer will alter the pin weight. Occupants and cargo in the truck will further reduce payload.

The tires are Michelin LT 275 / 70 / R18 . Load rating E
Rear cold pressure is 80 PSI front 60 PSI
I run the backs about 65 PSI when not loaded for a better ride.

[scesfiremedic]

Here’s a disc brake system I looked at for my trailer if your interested https://performancetrailerbraking.com/disc-brakes

[ghfalls]

Has anyone actually ever been checked? I’m under the impression that if you did get checked at the scales, they would go by the rated capacity of your tires? So if you put the same size tire in a load range g, you’d have more legal capacity than on the stock load range e tires. But I’ve never been checked, that’s just how I understand it.

[scesfiremedic]

You’re not considered a commercial vehicle so you wouldn’t be checked. Now if you were in a serious collision, perhaps they might start looking at whether or not your truck/trailer weights were within the manufacturers specs. Now a days insurance companies are looking at any reason to not pay your claim. Don’t give them a reason!

[calgarygringo]

Actually you can be. B.C. as Example occassionally sets up a portable scale and inspection for RV's. If over they have you pull it over to the side and leave it until a proper truck gets it plus a fine.vI have gone thru a few myself and seen a few parked too. If you get in an accident and you are found over it is an out for your insurance company too. I created a training video for an insurance company for their brokers on this exact topic a few years ago.

Originally Posted by scesfiremedic

You’re not considered a commercial vehicle so you wouldn’t be checked. Now if you were in a serious collision, perhaps they might start looking at whether or not your truck/trailer weights were within the manufacturers specs. Now a days insurance companies are looking at any reason to not pay your claim. Don’t give them a reason!

[scesfiremedic]

I stand corrected, yes I’ve heard it happens in BC, but never heard of it in AB. But again, I guess if police saw something peculiar about your rig, they have all the power to pull you over.

[YYC338]

Originally Posted by scesfiremedic

I stand corrected, yes I’ve heard it happens in BC, but never heard of it in AB. But again, I guess if police saw something peculiar about your rig, they have all the power to pull you over.

There's also the possibility of grief from your insurance company if you're ever in an accident and your axle and gross combined ratings are evaluated (and exceeded) as part of the investigation into cause.

[walker1]

I never have known anyone stopped before either and I think it is rare. However, BC does even mobile scales. If the A$% is dragging and appears overloaded that is where any LEO or DOT can stop a person.

I feel from the ground up ratings are the way to go:
tires, axle, etc. Keep under these and know your weights by hitting a scale and you are good.

I bet over half running down the road are overweight and they do not even know it. Maybe more..... I did own a max tow f150 with a tow rating of 11,100 and 8500 put me over my axle so research and weighing is important. The GVWR is the one that makes the least sense but good to be aware and know what you have.