Getting the truck ready

[Aazahn]

We are about to purchase our first fifth wheel. It has been decided that we go with the 323bhs. It is going to be around the limit of the truck I think but it is what it is. What should I do to ready the truck. I have a bed rug now and a topper. Those have to go, but what about a spray bed liner? What kind? Also I was thinking air bags to help a little. Any thoughts?

 

[thompsons 369rl]

We are about to purchase our first fifth wheel. It has been decided that we go with the 323bhs. It is going to be around the limit of the truck I think but it is what it is. What should I do to ready the truck. I have a bed rug now and a topper. Those have to go, but what about a spray bed liner? What kind? Also I was thinking air bags to help a little. Any thoughts?

Knowing the year/make/model of the truck would help............

 

[huntr70]

Definitely do the spray in liner, and get it done a few weeks before you want the hitch installed. It will need to cure before mounting rails through it.

Air bags will help bring the back end back up to level, if it squats when you set the 5th wheel on it.

 

[Aazahn]

2011 gmc 2500 denali hd. Duramax. Sorry I forgot that. Is one spray liner better than another?

 

[Cate&Rob]

I chose Line-X bed liner (based on advice of others) and have been really pleased with it.
Whatever kind you choose, you MUST have the through bed bolts re-torqued after a week or two.
You will likely find that you need a half turn on the bolts to reach torque again, because the bed liner material squeezes out of the joint.

Just remember that airbags can adjust angle of the truck, but can't increase the carrying capacity of the rear axle and tires.

 

[Aazahn]

That's what I thought about the bags. I am not sure if I even need them. Thanks for liner info. I am a little nervous about the change from tt to 5er. What can I expect for a difference?

 

[thompsons 369rl]

Sound like you definitely have enough truck for the 323. Not sure if air bags will be needed but I'm sure there are folks out there that have the same truck and can tell you.

 

[Cate&Rob]

Before you "sign on the bottom line" have your dealer set the 323 on your truck, even if this is on wooden blocks over the rear axle, and size up how it looks. As long as the box rails are no lower than level, you can probably make this work.
But, you do need to make sure you are on the right side of rear axle capacity.

 

[Aazahn]

Good call. I think that is a great idea. It's the gvwr that worries me more than gawr of the rear. Seems all these guys are hauling monster campers with what seems to be my truck.

 

[Bamaman]

My 323BHS weights about 500 lbs. more than GD says in its website, and the Kingpin weight is about 2100 lbs. But when I hook up my trailer, my squat is only 1-2" without pumping up the AirRides--not bad for a 3/4 ton diesel crew cab.

I would say you're at the max pin weight for your truck, but you'll be okay. Most diesel trucks have plenty of tow power, but it's the weight in the pickup box where come up short.

Many of the bunkhouse models on the retail market end up 41' and 14,000 lbs. dry. That's 1 ton dual rear wheel territory. The 323BHS is manageable in size and weight.

 

[Aazahn]

Thanks Bamaman. I have lost a lot of sleep over this decision. The worst part is its January and cold here in Wisconsin. So when we buy, then we wait for camping season.

 

[GD350M]

That's what I thought about the bags. I am not sure if I even need them. Thanks for liner info. I am a little nervous about the change from tt to 5er. What can I expect for a difference?

I was in the same boat as you. I went from a 34' TT with a dry weight of 7100# to my 40' 5th Wheel with a dry weight of 13,900#. That's almost double. When I took deliver, I was so nervous pulling that unit that I took my dear sweet time. But once I got moving I found that it pulled way better then the TT. There was no sway, it felt solid and rode so much better. Well I then got home and had to unhitch it from the truck...Let me tell you, it took me 4 hours before I unhooked it from the truck as I was so damn scared of what would happen if I didn't do something right. But once I got over that fear, and did it, it was so much easier then again unhooking the TT. So, I hooked the truck back up, moved it a bit, then unhooked it again. (I have the 6-point Hydraulic leveler) and did that a few more times, each time thinking of how it will be when I get to a campsite and then leave.

Now I am more comfortable with it and I know that I will never go back to a travel trailer again.

I have a 2013 Ford F-250. I personally installed the following on my truck, Firestone Ride-Rite Airbags with the Airlift Wireless compressor, Helwig Sway bar, B&W Turnover Ball and the Companion 5th Wheel Hitch, Line-X spray in bedliner, Roll-N-Loc Bed Cover, Titan 50 Gallon Mid Ship Tank, Viair Onboard Air System. I have a toy hauler and when we go camping, I have 14 tires that could potentially need air, so that's why I put on the onboard air system. The Fuel tank was replaced because ford finds it funny I guess to give these big diesel trucks meant for towing only a 26 gallon tank, which while pulling only get me maybe 200 miles, where as the 50 will get me 400-500 miles between fill ups.

 

[Canyonlight]

Aazahn--we have a 2012 Silverado LTZ (with a Linex Spray In bed liner) fully optioned even the LTZ Plus package which is the equivalent to the GMC Denali. It has the 10K GVWR which I am sure you also have and the unloaded truck weighs around 7K title weight. Our state said title weight came from a 3rd party vendor which provides this information to some/all states. Fifth wheel towing capacity is just shy of 16K as GCWR just shy of 26K.

Our truck at 7K title weight seems heavy to me and I plan to weigh it in the spring but with the Duramax/Allison and all the options, things do add up. That leaves roughly 3K for pin weight, hitch, gear, passengers (other than driver as I understand it.) Rear axle capacity is not an issue at 6200 and front at 5200 but the 10K GVWR seems to be. Check your door tags, glove box, window sticker, or call a GM dealer and they can get the specific numbers for you based on your trucks VIN. Seems you s/b fine as Thompson's shared.

Towing guides are on the GDRV website from Trailer Life. Links are provided below.....the 2011 truck TL link is attached for you.

Dan

http://www.granddesignrv.com/service-tow_guides.php
http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DigitalTLTowGuide2011.pdf

 

[Cate&Rob]

Per Aazahn's earlier post . . . his truck already weighs in at significantly more than 7K.

"When I drove on the scale the truck was 8100. That is with me in it, (200) and the topper on (180) . The front axle weighed 4680. Rear was 3420. Capacities on door say rr 6200. Fr 5200. If both of those are loaded up doesn't that go over the gvwr?"

The weight of the removed box cover (180) is probably pretty close to the weight of the spray liner and hitch, so payload is going to be about 2000 lbs to stay under the 10K GVWR.

Rear axle at 6200 - 3420 = 2780 lbs to GAWR . . . but likely over GVWR (as many have noted).

 

[Aazahn]

What are the risks of being over gvwr?

 

[thompsons 369rl]

What are the risks of being over gvwr?

The main risk is that there will be a serious mechanical failure due to going over the design limits of the vehicle which could cause injury to you and/or others. The other risk is, if there were an accident, the insurance would deny coverage because of the overweight condition.