Towing a 303 RLS with a GMC 2500

[bricknhank]

I’m looking for expert opinions. I currently have a Reflection 150 270BN. My tow vehicle is a 2022 GMC 4x4 Sierra 2500 HD SLT Crew Cab 6’-9” bed Duramax diesel. Specs are:
GVWR-11350 lbs.
RGAWR-6600 lbs.
Max Payload-3213 lbs.
Gooseneck TWR-18500 lbs.
Max Tongue Wt 2775 lbs.

I currently have a Reflection 150 270BN. No problems pulling that.
I’m considering upgrading to a Grand Design 303 RLS. Obviously the towing capacity will be way under and as many say, in most cases the payload will be exceeded way before the max towing capacity will be. I have searched the forum and have found loaded pin weight claims for the 303 in the area of 2000 lbs to 2200 lbs. I suppose that sounds realistic since the factory rates the dry pin weight at 1865 and most of what people load into their trailer goes behind the axle into the living area and kitchen. Although a considerable amount of weight can be stowed in the front storage compartments. There is just the two of us. No kids, no dogs. Admittedly I do have a habit of frequently trying to be overly prepared with enough tools, 12v air compressor, extra Aqua-Tainer’s for dry camping etc.

Would anyone say absolutely do not tow the 303 RLS with the 2500? I have been in a borderline situation right at capacity with a 1500 Ram with a conventional trailer (HD Imagine) and it wasn’t much fun. 3/4 ton trucks are an entire different animal and much more capable however I suspect if pushed pass their limits would not be a fun experience either! Both a 3500 AND a trailer upgrade are not in the cards at this time and I certainly don’t need a 3500 for my Reflection 150. Suggestions and observations please?
Thanx, Hank

 

[triplethreat]

I’m looking for expert opinions. I currently have a Reflection 150 270BN. My tow vehicle is a 2022 GMC 4x4 Sierra 2500 HD SLT Crew Cab 6’-9” bed Duramax diesel. Specs are:
GVWR-11350 lbs.
RGAWR-6600 lbs.
Max Payload-3213 lbs.
Gooseneck TWR-18500 lbs.
Max Tongue Wt 2775 lbs.

I currently have a Reflection 150 270BN. No problems pulling that.
I’m considering upgrading to a Grand Design 303 RLS. Obviously the towing capacity will be way under and as many say, in most cases the payload will be exceeded way before the max towing capacity will be. I have searched the forum and have found loaded pin weight claims for the 303 in the area of 2000 lbs to 2200 lbs. I suppose that sounds realistic since the factory rates the dry pin weight at 1865 and most of what people load into their trailer goes behind the axle into the living area and kitchen. Although a considerable amount of weight can be stowed in the front storage compartments. There is just the two of us. No kids, no dogs. Admittedly I do have a habit of frequently trying to be overly prepared with enough tools, 12v air compressor, extra Aqua-Tainer’s for dry camping etc.

Would anyone say absolutely do not tow the 303 RLS with the 2500? I have been in a borderline situation right at capacity with a 1500 Ram with a conventional trailer (HD Imagine) and it wasn’t much fun. 3/4 ton trucks are an entire different animal and much more capable however I suspect if pushed pass their limits would not be a fun experience either! Both a 3500 AND a trailer upgrade are not in the cards at this time and I certainly don’t need a 3500 for my Reflection 150. Suggestions and observations please?
Thanx, Hank

The 303RLS has a GVWR of 11,995 so let's round it to 12,000 lbs. Lot's of folks use the 20% number for guesstimating an expected pin weight if the trailer is loaded to the GVWR amount. That would obviously be 2400 lbs. But, there are other things to consider here.....not every 5ver will put down 20% of the loaded weight. Some will be 21%, 22%, and may/could go as high as 25%. Having said that, not too many are under 20% and I'm guessing that not too many are at 25%, but the reality is this. In addition to the pin weight, you also have to figure on the weight of the 5ver hitch, and also anything and everything else that goes in/on the truck....passengers, a toolbox with tools, firewood, etc. Only YOU know what else might go in/on the truck, so just keep that in mind. And then, as you stated, you like to maybe pack a little heavy with the "be prepared" stuff. And remember, that 1865 dry pin weight is without propane in the tanks and before the dealer installs a battery or batteries in the trailer. You are showing a Max Tongue weight of 2775 and given the fact that you are likely going to be in the at least 2400 lbs of pin weight alone....IF you load the trailer to the GVWR of it, there is a possibility that you could exceed some of the ratings. But AGAIN....only YOU know how heavy or lite the trailer would be loaded and where the stuff will be loaded (front/rear) and how willing you are to run at or near the trucks ratings for GVWR, Payload, Tongue (PIN weight) etc.

 

[Chucksc]

I'd just note that virtually all the main storage - food, fluid, heavy cargo in the pass through. is going to be forward of the axles not aft. It does have hitch adapter so you could put a carrier on there and that weight would be aft of the axles. I am towing mine with a F250 diesel and I have to say if handles really nice and that truck has no challenge in pulling. I am curious to know what my weight is though but not sure how to go about that. I am pretty certain I am not exceeding anything but I wouldn't mind knowing for certain taht I am not.

 

[triplethreat]

I'd just note that virtually all the main storage - food, fluid, heavy cargo in the pass through. is going to be forward of the axles not aft. It does have hitch adapter so you could put a carrier on there and that weight would be aft of the axles. I am towing mine with a F250 diesel and I have to say if handles really nice and that truck has no challenge in pulling. I am curious to know what my weight is though but not sure how to go about that. I am pretty certain I am not exceeding anything but I wouldn't mind knowing for certain taht I am not.

Getting weights is a fairly simple process and most of us use the Certified CAT scales found at many of the truck stops.....you can check out CAT Scales website to find the one nearest you.

The process involves pulling onto the scale with the trailer axles on the rear most pad, and the truck's rear axle on the middle pad, and the truck's front axle on the front pad and get that weight. Once they tell you OK, pull off the scales and go to a parking area and disconnect from the trailer, then drive the truck, by itself, back onto the scales.....same setup.....truck's front axle on the front pad, truck's rear axle on the middle pad and get the weight. You will tell them that this is a "re-weigh" and they don't charge you full price for the second weigh. Then pay for and get your tickets and now you have all the numbers needed to figure out exactly what you've got

Make sure when you go to get weighed that the TRUCK and CAMPER are loaded up like they would be as if you were headed out for a camping trip. It doesn't really do any good to do weights if the trailer is half empty and the truck isn't full of fuel and loaded with everything that you normally take when you head out for a camping trip.

 

[SGT ROC]

I tow my 31MB with a 2500 gas. The 303RLS is comparable in numbers with the 31MB being 4" longer. Tows fine, but in the mountains where I live it struggles a little on the longer, steeper grades.

 

[Dakota]

We pull a 303 with our F250 diesel. I’m sure we are overweight on payload carrying capacity. We will be getting a 350 this year. Although the truck pulls well and doesn’t sag, I’m planning to travel over the mountains when I retire and safety is my big concern.

 

[triplethreat]

We pull a 303 with our F250 diesel. I’m sure we are overweight on payload carrying capacity. We will be getting a 350 this year. Although the truck pulls well and doesn’t sag, I’m planning to travel over the mountains when I retire and safety is my big concern.

One thing to remember about the F250 trucks with a diesel......as of the model year 2020, Ford and the others have optioned the GVWR on them up from the standard 10,000 lb GVWR to 10,800 or 11,300 lbs. That uprating resulted in the payload numbers going up also for the trucks that have a higher than 10K GVWR.

 

[OshawaDave]

I'm pulling a 303RLS with a GMC 2500 gasser. It pulls fine. It certainly doesn't match a diesel for towing the hills, but, overall, I'm very happy with the set up.
You exceed my payload by over 500 lbs. I can't imagine that you would have any issues. That truck is well paired to a 303RLS trailer.

 

[lineman1234]

From looking up a 303 rls, seems to have a rear hitch point. The rear hitch point will have a rating for towing and load/tong lbs. Put the limit of the rating on the back of the rig.

I have an aluminum flip up rack on the back, with 2 water tight storage containers bolted to the rack, i added brake, turn, and parking lights to the containers to plug into the rear light 4 way flat, for more rear lighting for people that cant see the back of a camper. For extra piece of mind, wile towing only, i put ratchet straps over each container, for securement.

Fill with what one wants.
A good point/part, is if in a campground that has rules that nothing stored under camper, one can stack on back rack neatly, when stationary.

A simple bathroom scale will tell each items lbs to keep at or below the ratting for said rear tow bar.

Another option, is max out the towing limit, and not worry about the bed lbs of the pickup being over, by, pulling a trailer, double tow, put stuff, in trailer.

There are always outside the box ways to make things work, and keep within limits.

 

[bricknhank]

From looking up a 303 rls, seems to have a rear hitch point. The rear hitch point will have a rating for towing and load/tong lbs. Put the limit of the rating on the back of the rig.

I have an aluminum flip up rack on the back, with 2 water tight storage containers bolted to the rack, i added brake, turn, and parking lights to the containers to plug into the rear light 4 way flat, for more rear lighting for people that cant see the back of a camper. For extra piece of mind, wile towing only, i put ratchet straps over each container, for securement.

Fill with what one wants.
A good point/part, is if in a campground that has rules that nothing stored under camper, one can stack on back rack neatly, when stationary.

A simple bathroom scale will tell each items lbs to keep at or below the ratting for said rear tow bar.

Another option, is max out the towing limit, and not worry about the bed lbs of the pickup being over, by, pulling a trailer, double tow, put stuff, in trailer.

There are always outside the box ways to make things work, and keep within limits.

I utilize the rear hitch point on my 270BN. I took an old cargo rack and welded on an old bike rack that I hadn’t used in a while. It works well. Although on my trailer, weight in the back hurts me rather than help. No matter how hard I try I cannot get the pin weight above 12% and I have a bunch of weight in the front compartments. It’s so pin light that I get a fair amount of bouncing. GD specs say 1166 lbs empty pin weight and UVW of 7876 lbs, GVWR of 10K lbs so it’s easy math to do. Love the layout but not the weight distribution. Fresh water is behind the axle so filling that before a trip doesn’t help the pin weight either. But, since I’m thinking about going bigger that’s an old story. I posted a pic of the hitch rack but I’m not sure if it came through.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Pv51SdCMSIO6ns4MULXlMJ-lgFEekxF/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[bricknhank]

New Wheels

Well, I didn’t talk the wife into a larger fifth wheel yet but I did talk her into a new Tow Vehicle. I traded the 2500 in on a 2024 3500 Denali Duramax. Max Payload-3646 lbs. Max Gooseneck 3240 lbs. 21,600 lbs Max trailer. That gives me a lot more wiggle room for a 303 RLS than I had with the 2500.
I love the truck so far.

 

[COGrandDes]

I tow our 2022 303RLS with my 2022 GMC 3500 AT4 and love it. With 3865 lbs of CC......it's great and provides me the capacity for hauling the other items that I want to take with me as well. You'll love it. The Duramax tows like a freight train and quietly no matter what's behind it.

 

[bricknhank]

I tow our 2022 303RLS with my 2022 GMC 3500 AT4 and love it. With 3865 lbs of CC......it's great and provides me the capacity for hauling the other items that I want to take with me as well. You'll love it. The Duramax tows like a freight train and quietly no matter what's behind it.

The Duramax with the Allison branded 10 speed transmission is a sweet setup. I had it in the 2500

 

[SSROSS]

We have been pulling our 303RLS for over 4 years and 50k miles across the US. Never once have I felt the truck was under sized, I have pulled it over the scales many times in our travels and so far have always still had anywhere between 500 to 700lbs of extra payload capacity. I carry a 3500 watt generator, extra 60lb propane bottle and a gang box with a grill, and other camping supplies most of the time. The diesel engine with the exhaust brake makes pulling this trailer over the various passes very easy. I have been towing trailers for over 30 years with two different diesel equipped Dodge/ Ram rigs and have had no problems.

 

[Jerry Davis]

We have a 2024 303 and a 2024 Silverado 2500 crew cab with 8 ft bed with max tow package. With the max tow package it is the same as a 3500 truck

No problems pulling or stopping. Also, in some states, you save money on having a 2500 with max tow package for registration. It has the same towing ability, but not classified as a one ton truck. Which some places cost more

 

[triplethreat]

As has been state on this forum, multiple times, towing a fifth wheel camping type trailer, it all comes down to the truck's payload capacity. The sticker on the driver side door post will have it, but the for sure method is to take the truck to a CAT scale and weigh it with a full tank of gas, hitch in the bed of the truck, and have the truck loaded just as you would when you are ready to leave for a camping trip.....passengers (or know how many and their weight), firewood, toolbox and tools if applicable, anything and everything that would normally go IN/ON the truck. Weigh it like that, then subtract that weight from the truck's GVWR and you will know how much cargo capacity you have available for the pin weight of the camper.

 

[Bungy]

Your "max tow package" does NOT make your truck "the same as a 3500 truck", your payload (which is the important number) will be much lower.

 

[Wileykid]

Your "max tow package" does NOT make your truck "the same as a 3500 truck", your payload (which is the important number) will be much lower.

Starting in 2020, the 3500 has the 12" rear axle vs 11.5" in the 2500 on the diesel. Use to be the same in prior years for the diesels. Also there are some programing differences for the tranny between the two now.

 

[Jerry Davis]

Starting in 2020, the 3500 has the 12" rear axle vs 11.5" in the 2500 on the diesel. Use to be the same in prior years for the diesels. Also there are some programing differences for the tranny between the two now.

Max tow package has the 12-inch rear axle,3500 frame, shocks and springs and motor and transmission.... Now I'm talking about a single rear wheel tire, not a dually,...do some research, I know what I'm talking about.

 

[Second Chance]

I tow my 31MB with a 2500 gas. The 303RLS is comparable in numbers with the 31MB being 4" longer. Tows fine, but in the mountains where I live it struggles a little on the longer, steeper grades.

The main difference between your situation and the OPs is the drivetrain. A diesel drivetrain will lower the payload of a truck by 400 - 700 lbs. That's why I have often advised to skip the 3/4-ton trucks if someone is looking to go diesel. Go straight for the 1-tons and be done with it.

Rob