I know this question has been asked a million times but I can't find it. I have an 05 2500 4x4 ctd and I was wondering what the biggest or heaviest 5th wheel I can pull safely. I work on the road alot and stay in one place sometimes up to 6 months so I was wanting to get somthing that would be comfortable for me and my wife. I know it has to do with pin weight and trailer weight and gvwr. Any input would be a help. Thanks.

 

Here is my 2 cents and it is worth every penny you paid.

I bought the 3500 SRW and I pull a 28 ft 5er. The sticker in the cabinet maxes the 5er at something like 9,700 lbs. Mine has a 13 ft slide so there is a lot of room. With the 2500 you will be over your GVWR but as long as your rear axle weight is less than the weight rating of your rear tires you should be safe. My GCVWR is a touch over 19,000 lbs, this includes a 5500watt generator hanging off the rear bumper of the 5er. All of my axle weights are below the max for tires or axles.

I would suggest something in the 25-28 ft range but you don't necessarily need a huge slide. This should put you into the 9,000 to 10,000 lb range. This is not all that heavy but you need to watch out for pin weight to keep your axle and tire weights safe.

An 8 or 10 ft single slide will give you quite a bit of additional room but it does add a good 500 to 750 lbs of weight to the weight of the 5er.

Others will give their opinions and theirs are as good as mine.

 

TKC2000 (Todd) pulls a 30' Forest River Wildcat with his 2500 Quadcab short bed no problems. 28'-30' will be just fine. any shorter than 28' will be too small.

 

i have a 28 foot pilgrim. i would not recommend this manufacturer. we have had problems after problems. anyway i have an '05 short bed 4x4 stock engine and trans. look in my signature. the trailer weighs 9820 pounds dressed for camping. hitch weight is 1600 pounds. this truck pulls this trailer just fine. one colorado trip, one trip to yellowstone and back and several trips between. we live in california. enjoy. oh by the way, we had airlift air bags installed in both trucks and with this weight they are not needed.

 

This is what I'm towing, I wouldn't go any bigger than a 28.


http://www.glendalerv.com/2008/Titanium/25E30.html

 

I pull a 32ft Gulfstream with trailer weight of 11,200. I've got 32,000 miles of pulling this trailer with no problems. Apparently everyone thinks that 3500 Dual's are the only thing that can pull around here. I wonder if they know that the 2500 and the 3500 have the same suspension and drive line?

 

Not quite. The 3500 SRW has the overload springs, I have seen some 2500's with them. But otherwise yeah its the same truck. Put some air bags on and you have the same capabilty.

I tow a 30' Goose with 2 jeeps on it (around 12-13K loaded) with my 3500 srw and does very well.

 

While the REAR suspension on 2500s and 3500s is SLIGHTLY different (overload springs, etc on the 3500 that we lack) 10K is NOTHING for a 2500. I have hauled upwards of 17.5K with my truck...it was heavy, and I could feel it back there...but I would feel 100% confident towing 14K around all day long with my truck. I am pretty sure that our pin weight rating is 1500lbs...get some airbags on there and you can add more to that number. As you stated...EVERYTHING else about the trucks is identical...treat them as such. Sure, they have better weight distribution with dual wheels...but we're talking 14-16k here...not 20+K.

 

My trailer weighs 16,000lbs

 

Your comfort will also depend on the quality of trailer. Mostly what they put into the suspension. Some manufacturers include the MorRyde suspension system. That smooths out the trailer ride (I'm not affiliated, I just like the product).

The other part of the ride depends on the hitch. Two companies (including mine) make an air-ride 5th wheel hitch. Others make a pin box air ride. MorRyde also has a pin box adaptor to absorb some shock.

Be careful on any trailer manufacturer that makes a "light" trailer. Often they take the weight out of the frame. Not a good plan unless someone can figure out a way to make a 4" C-channel as strong as a 6" box channel.

Here's what I tell my customers: Anyone can make a pretty couch and curtains. Crawl under that trailer and take a good look.

You guys are a mechanical bunch, so I'm sure you're already on top of that. Happy trailer hunting. If you're near Tampa, pop into the RV show there next month. It's about the best in the country.

 

You don't mention if you have a long wheelbase or short wheel base.

What I would tell you initially is go weigh your truck full of whatever tools and fuel and your hitch you carry. Your rear axle weight will be your limiting factor.

For example if your tires are rated to 3195# each, and your rear axle weighs 3000# with your fuel, tools and hitch, that leaves you 3390# of hitch weight, allowing for a 13560# trailer (4 times 3390) I believe this with proper tire inflation and brakes will be completely safe and 13560# is not any joke of a trailer.

You might find that trailer manufacturers suggest more like a 20% instead of 25% pin weight. Figuring for 25% will be safer, I think. Big trucks with 2 rear axles put 50% of the entire trailer's weight on the drive axles, I think.

I would go with a 2 axle trailer with Load Range G tires over a tri axle.

 

Correct!! The 3500 does have helper springs and the 2500 does not. I also have a 03 3500 dual for work but I pefer my 2500 for medium duty towing. The ride is much smother and the 05 600 series pulls much better IMO. On another note if your riding on the overload springs you have a BIG load on the back. I've only seen the 3500 touch the overloads 1 time with 24,000 lbs trailer weight.

 

Pat: Tell me how you multiplied 4 x 3390? It works but I don't know why.

I think the rear axle is limited to 6010 lbs minus ~ 3000 rear weight leaves at max 3000 lbs for the rear. A 2500 will have a 9000 lb GVWR to contend with so he'll have about a 1500 lb pin weight which I agree can be upgraded about 1000 lbs to 2500 max.

Yes so max I come out, if he upgrades the rear suspension, he could tow a 13500 lb trailer fully loaded with SRW. So he's have to be about 11,000 empty.

My truck is the same and I'll stay with a trailer no more than 10 - 11000 lbs empty.

The truck will tow about anything you stick on it but safely with a margin for error is the issue.

Comin off Pikes Peak may be an issue.

 

3390 * 4 will give you the weight of a trailer if you aim for a 25% pin weight, which I think is what is recommended by the FMCSA for "single rear axle" tractors. I think you see 20% a lot with 5ers but I think more weight on the drive and steer tires is safer. You might have to purposely load gear towards the nose to get this.

Yeah you will be over the GAWR and the GVWR and GCWR according to DC's definitions, but in realty the AAM 10.5 is rated to 10,000 lbs, the rear brakes are rated to 10,000 lbs so the limiting factor is the tires. I don't think this is "legal" per se but I wouldn't really anticipate any problems unless you get yourself into an accident then who knows...

 

I just got my copy of "RV Executive." Titinium has a couple of new fivers. I like this company. They designed the front so you can tow with a short bed and no slider. They're also light weight. If you really want to go in style, I see they have a 36' with a King Size bed. On the small end, they have a 25' mid-kitchen. Very nice trailers (no, I'm not affiliated). The website is www.glendalerv.com.