Towing and capacities HELP

[WhittleBurner]

This might help those new to towing understand just a little better off what they are doing.

https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/show...ing-Capability

[Wileykid]

thank you. That is so very helpful. I think ill look for a 1 ton. do you really think a dually is necessary? a 1 ton diesel has a payload of 4480 # that should work shouldnt it. Id prefer not to have a dually.

Ford mis-labeled 1 ton diesel trucks, which showed the number that you are talking about. There is a recall out to correctly label them, and that is now around 4,100 lbs for the least optioned ones.

I have been researching trucks this year, and from what actual numbers I have looked at, for the mid to lower optioned trucks, in the 1 ton SRW SB, without getting one with no options, you would be looking at around 3,700 lbs. My RAM 3500 SRW SB, has a 3,750 payload. If you go to the long bed, a mid to lower optioned SRW will be 4,200 lbs or less. You have to be cautious, as these trucks come with different weight options, which can lower numbers.

I am pulling a 320G toy hauler at 14,600 lbs, all my numbers (CAT scale) are under the max (pin/gvwr/mcgvwr/rawr) for my truck, and I have no problem running the trailer at 15K, or a little above, but if I ever start going over 15,500 - 16,000 lbs, I will replace my truck with a dually. My trailer has the factory upgraded axles, and with that, has a 18K gvwr.

[Tjhasbach]

Thank you so much for the leads. It’s becoming more clear and unfortunately I think I’d be right near the max for my Yukon Denali if I try to pull the floor plan that we liked. I still find it hard to understand how you accurately measure the hitch weight. I see hitch weights listed for all TTS but are they just % calculations based on the trailers GVWR or are they a number you should not exceed? Does utilizing a WD set up give you a little more hitch weight grace and therefore pull capability or am I still limited by my tow vehicle’s GCWR? Thanks again

[ardvark16]

You picked a giant toy hauler but don’t want a dually??? This seems like a fake thread. You would be best to do some research before you decide on what you don’t want. You purchased a toy hauler and they have serious payload which in turn requires the tv to have a lot of payload. You are easily and I mean easily going to push the 4000 pound range once the trailer is loaded up. And you still have to account for the hitch and the cargo in your truck including passengers. Plus you want stability. It’s a dually you seek.

[ardvark16]

Thank you so much for the leads. It’s becoming more clear and unfortunately I think I’d be right near the max for my Yukon Denali if I try to pull the floor plan that we liked. I still find it hard to understand how you accurately measure the hitch weight. I see hitch weights listed for all TTS but are they just % calculations based on the trailers GVWR or are they a number you should not exceed? Does utilizing a WD set up give you a little more hitch weight grace and therefore pull capability or am I still limited by my tow vehicle’s GCWR? Thanks again

I think this is 2 threads here. You accurately measure hitch weight by driving to a scale and weighing it all. It’s all a guess when you buy. But you need to be within some parameters. The wd actually takes away from the payload of your vehicle because they tend to weigh a lot. They do not change any numbers as they simply distribute the weight to the front axle so that the tow vehicle handles better. Hitch weights that you see listed are empty. Nothing on the trailer. GD tends to be accurate but those numbers don’t mean much for selection purposes. Take 12-14% of the gvwr and add 200 pounds and you’ll get a hitch weight estimate. Also keep in mind that hitch weight changes when you take it out based on how it’s loaded. General rule. 6000 max for 1/2 tons. Your truck is a little less than a pickup truck. 3/4 tons can go much higher. They are good into the 11000 gvwr range. Some even higher. I am not a fan of towing with anything less than a 3/4 ton with most of these trailers. They get heavy very fast. 6000lbs is damn heavy for a giant monolith speeding behind you.

[Tjhasbach]

Thanks again.

[Mikewhite]

i have a 2003 2500 Chevy Duramax. sticker on door is gone. online says towing capacity is 12000
my manual book says max trailer weight is 15,400, GCWR = 22,000 lb
my new GD momentum tow hauler UVW is 13600. ( i guess this is actual weight? i dont know)
this is so confusing to me. I hate to admit my ignorance but i dont get it and i dont know if my 2500 can tow this 5th wheel

Your Owners Manual should have a table that discusses towing - make sure that you are looking at the 5th wheel section. However, from experience with a 2003 2500 HD gas ( 6.0 L), it WILL NOT tow your new trailer. You will need to go to a dually ( 3500 Chevy/GMC/ Ram or F350 ) in order to pull that trailer, especially once you load it and the truck with fun stuff, food and people.

[ZoomsBro]

Another thought that people don’t seem to focus on is even if max payload might cover the tow, why would anyone want to run that close to being maxed out? 70% of max is a good place to safely tow without breaking your truck or being in danger when an emergency situation happens in front of you. Any of these larger fivers should be towed with a DRW truck. Many would rather take the chance and brag that they can do it but reality is you can never have too much truck to safely tow your fifth wheel.

[2Dogs-RV]

Have you tried your local dealership? They can tell you all about you vehicle from the VIN.

[Wileykid]

Another thought that people don’t seem to focus on is even if max payload might cover the tow, why would anyone want to run that close to being maxed out? 70% of max is a good place to safely tow without breaking your truck or being in danger when an emergency situation happens in front of you. Any of these larger fivers should be towed with a DRW truck. Many would rather take the chance and brag that they can do it but reality is you can never have too much truck to safely tow your fifth wheel.

I'm sorry, I just don't buy what you are saying, please provide some proof that trucks that are at there max weight will break. That there is no safety factor in them, that every component on them are not designed to work at max (lawyers, and NHTSA would eat them up if that was true).

I agree, there is never too much truck, but it doesn't make smaller ones unsafe if they are within the manufacturers numbers.