What does a 25.5 ft 5th wheel travel trailer usually weigh? The GVWR says 10400, but I don't believe it.

 

it all depends on how much you put in it .10400 is what max should be .only way to tell is load it up and scale it

 

It probably lists dry weight on a sticker in the kitchen cupboard somewhere, but the listed weights on these are notoriously light, and don't include the weight of optional equipment (like AC).

Also, around 20% of the 5th wheel's weight will be on the hitch, so single rear wheel trucks will often overload the rear axle with a 5th wheel before they exceed the truck's listed towing capacity.

Anyway, welcome to the forum.

 

[QUOTE=Jeff in TD;2780194]Also, around 20% of the 5th wheel's weight will be on the hitch, so single rear wheel trucks will often overload the rear axle with a 5th wheel before they exceed the truck's listed towing capacity.

Some people think that way, but I believe in the actual numbers when the both units are scaled to find their actual weights.
Such as my weigh for a 35' 5er with 3 slides.
These are my actual numbers from a certified "Cat" scale dated 4-18-2010.
Front axle 4940 LBS rated for 5200 Lbs, Rear Axle 5160 LBS rated for 6020 Lbs, Trailer Axle 8140 LBS, Gross weight 18,240 LBS rated for 20,000 LBS.
Per Dodge's towing guide the truck can tow a maxium loaded trailer of 12,450 LBS for a 2008, 2500HD Mega Cab, 4X4, Auto with a 3:73 gear ratio.
I was fullly loaded execpt for water and waste water, I do not carry them until we get to to campground.

 

Mine generally scales in around 4700 front, 6,600 to maybe 7,200 rear, and trailer axles around 12,500...

 

[QUOTE=Jim W;2780214]Jim just curious. What is your gvwr of your mega cab, i assume its the sane as mine 9000#. Something you are not concerned about. The reason for me asking is that i too was looking at getting a 5er.

 

No, I do not look at the GVW of just the truck at 9000 LBS. I would use this if I was hauling something in the bed only and no trailer attached.
I am more concerned at the rear axle weight and what the rear tire loading would be. Since this is what will fail if you are over loaded.
Since my 5er and loaded truck have a rear axle loading of 5160 LBS. Then this loading is split evenly between the two rear tires which are E rated LT 265/70R17 size. Then I am not over the load rating on these E rated tires.
I am also following Dodge's guide line of towing a trailer not over 12,450 LBS.
There are a lot of 5er's on the market that are under the 12,450 GVW that you can buy and use with a 3/4 ton truck.
You just can not pull the heavier 5er's like the ones used for full timing.
Just My $0.02
Jim

 

As for going by the sticker put on the trailer from the factory. Make sure they don't switch the numbers around. Mine says it weights about 3000 lbs and can carry 7000 lbs. The trailer weights 7000 lbs(I have scaled it). I talked with the factory and the only way it can be changed is to take it back to them and they reweigh it.