I need some layman answers about the hauling capacity of my 2001 Dodge 3/4 ton 2500. I'm not concerned about power since I've put on the large Banks kit, DTT aftermarket transmission with smartlock and a jake-brake that's been doing great with my current 27' fifth wheel. I'm considering getting a 36' fifth wheel with a GVWR around 11,000 lbs. Since I'm not a dually, I'll install air bags and E-rated tires.

My questions:
1) Will my truck SAFELY haul 11000 lbs?
2)What might I expect as far as handling capability? I'm currently hauling 8300 lbs. with ease.

Thanks for all input possible.

PS--Forgot to mention that my Dodge is automatic transmission and is NOT a 4x4

 

You should put up more information about your truck to help out. If your fifth wheel pin weight is 25% on the new trailer of 11,000 lbs you're looking at about 2,750 lbs. You should be using a one ton dually for this load. If you could get all the numbers to work out for GVWR, GCWR and your GAWR it would be almost a miracle. You should already have load rating E tires on your truck anyway.

 

That's about what I really thought. But....

What else would you need to know about my truck?

Is the pin weight the same as the dry hitch weight?

And, where/how do I find/figure out the pin weight?

 

I wouldn't pull that load w/out a dually.... but that's just me... there are a few people on here that haul heavy, and I think they have 2500's...


Tony

 

a 36 footer with a GVWR of 11,000#?? I don't think so. My Alfa 32 footer weighs in at 12,440 with just vacation loading and almost NO water. It has a pin weight of 2160#. The 5th wheel you are looking at may be too much for a 350 dually. Good luck.
Frank

 

Define "too much for a dually". My 3500 has 5000# on it's back full time.

 

I haul a 5er (32' triple slide Forest River) with a dry weight of 11,200, with about 1000 lbs of supplies, so I'm around 12,200 to 12,500 and I do it with the same truck you have with ease. I hauled it from Ca to In with no problems. Now I'm not saying it was the best thing to do, but I did it and I'd do it again. Yes a 3500 would be better and more stable. If you not going to haul it all the time, I would think you'll be okay. Just my .02
Big dawg

 

D&M,
You need to weigh your truck with full fuel,passengers and all the stuff you would take with you. Subtract that weight from your GVWR of your truck and that will tell you what you can put in the bed of your truck (pin weight).Trailer weight loaded to go plus truck = GCWR. You might have to look at your GAWR but I don't think you will go over that.
11000# trailer is that loaded or unloaded? I would think a 36' trailer would be around 13000/14000# GVWR.


John

 

I would be surprised if that 36' was that light. My 32' everest w/aluminum frame, roof trusses, fiberglass shell weighs 12,000 loaded w/ 1/3 fresh water.

 

I haul a tent trailer with my 3500 and have never been bothered by the weight police!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hauling safely is not just a matter of weight. Prep your truck and haul away. Speed is the killer. Be environmental slowdown and save gas.

 

Thanks, jk1364! That's the info I need for now.

The trailer was actually about 10,200#. This was off the spec sheet. I was just compensating for a load in it. Yes, it's surprising about this trailer. I intend to see about the sticker weight itself and maybe even get it to a scale.

I'm definitely thinking about upgrading my truck to pull it. Cha-ching!!!

You guys have been a great help. Thanx!

 

Who makes that trailer? I guess it could be that light...

My 31' Dutchmen's dry weight is only 7846#'s. That's fiberglass sides and two slides...

I had a 17900 GCWR for my trip down south according to the CAT scale...

 

To now the weight of your trailer do not go by the pamphlet or product book for that model, they are for reference only without added accessories. Look in one of the kitchen cabinets, either on the door or in the cabinet itself there will be the actual weight of the camper and the carrying capacity when loaded.

11,000 lbs for a 36 foot 5th wheel really sound too low.

 

Quote:"Define "too much for a dually". My 3500 has 5000# on it's back full time.
My definiton of too much weight is when the truck and trailer pin weight is OVER the posted GVWR of the truck. If the GVWR with dual is 11,400# and the trucks weighs in at 7800#, the pin should weigh 3600# or less. I don't know what the pin weight of the 36 footer is, but he has to weigh each and figure out what his actuals are.
Frank

 

My 3500 empty weighs 6900#. Is there a "rule of thumb" for pin wieght on 5'ers? I thought it was around 20%, but I really don't know, never having had a 5'er. 11000-7000 = 4000. 4000 x 5 = 20,000 # trailer. 4000 x 4 = 16,000# trailer. Seems it would be pretty hard to overload a dually with GVW being the criteria.

With my 5,000# camper (virtually all on the rear axle) I'm 1k over GVW, but within "per axle" specs and tire specs. It wasn't even heavy into the overloads before the Timbrens. Now it just touches them.