JRAY1944 Report post Posted March 24, 2019 I have a 2005 Silverado 2500hd with the 6.6L diesel that has a GVWR of 9,800 lbs and a GCWR of 22,000 lbs. The actual weight of the truck with one passenger and a full tank of fuel is 6,740 lbs. The owner manual says the maximum trailer weight should be 12,000 lbs. My 5th wheel has a dry weight of 11,600 lbs and a hitch weight of 2,200 lbs and a GVWR of 14,625 lbs. Is this too much trailer for my truck? I am planning a lengthy trip this summer to the western part of the US and don't want to endanger anyone with a poorly configured rig. Thanks in advance for everyone's help. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted March 24, 2019 IMO, your suspicion is correct, your truck is inadequate to safely handle that 5er. To obtain a proper and safe match, use this online 5th wheel weight calculator, it even offers the option of choosing a safety factor that most full-timers use to insure their tow vehicle will last longer. You will note this calculator requires actual weights for most blocks, not estimates. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted March 24, 2019 Boarder line. If you can afford it, I would go with a true one ton dully. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted March 24, 2019 Jayray, your truck is inadequate. As soon as you load belongings into the trailer you will be overweight and don’t forget to add people, fuel and belongings in the truck also will really make the combination overweight. I error on the overkill side. Your journey will be much more comfortable and enjoyable when you are not white knuckled driving down the road with a dually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
born2travel Report post Posted March 24, 2019 As the saying goes "pulling it is the easy part, getting it stopped is another story." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richard5933 Report post Posted March 25, 2019 Also figure in the fact that your truck is 15 years old. Pushing an older truck this close to its max tow limit is a great way to find all the flaws and faults in the truck. Amazing what can silently fail in an older vehicle that you don't discover until pushed to limits. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted March 25, 2019 Well, I would rather have a 2005, diesel 2500 over a 2019 any day! However, this post is about, does the OP need a bigger truck ? Yes, I feel he does! Used or new. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wayne77590 Report post Posted March 25, 2019 As stated: Stopping power is what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pawoodtx Report post Posted March 26, 2019 Even if your truck would handle it, you will never be happy with it. You will be happy with a 1ton diesel dually. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted March 26, 2019 Wayne. Hummm...I didn't quite get it. Don't 5'ers have their own brakes, like other trailers? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
five Report post Posted March 26, 2019 A diesel will "tow" any fifth wheel, the problem with a 250/2500 series truck is the ability to handle the weight. Look at the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver's door pillar. It will tell you the max cargo you can carry in that particular truck...that includes everything. The posted hitch weight of 2,200 sounds like a number that came from the factory. A realistic hitch weight is 20% of the trailer's GVWR. That alone will put you well over the truck's GVWR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
charlieiam Report post Posted December 25, 2019 22,000 minus 6,740 equals 15,260 minus 14,625 equals 625. You have 625 lbs. margin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted December 25, 2019 13 hours ago, CharlieIAm said: 22,000 minus 6,740 equals 15,260 minus 14,625 equals 625. You have 625 lbs. margin. This thread died because JRAY1944 has never returned to comment on replies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted December 25, 2019 Ray, it is no longer the OP's post, but rather general good info for future reader! This will crop up again and again! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
five Report post Posted December 25, 2019 20 hours ago, CharlieIAm said: 22,000 minus 6,740 equals 15,260 minus 14,625 equals 625. You have 625 lbs. margin. You are ignoring the pin weight. The formula for determining tow capacity is the GCWR minus the actual weight of the the truck (GVWR at least, probably more)....22000 - 9800 = 12200. This is way too much 5th wheel for a 250/2500 series truck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted December 26, 2019 Totally agree! Fuzzy math, don't help anyone!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
txiceman Report post Posted December 26, 2019 Boils down to you need more truck or less trailer. Ken Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rayin Report post Posted December 27, 2019 10 hours ago, manholt said: Totally agree! Fuzzy math, don't help anyone!!! Yep, this online calculator is the best option for accurately and safely matching a tow vehicle and trailer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted December 27, 2019 Ray, great guide! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jleamont Report post Posted December 27, 2019 12 hours ago, RayIN said: Yep, this online calculator is the best option for accurately and safely matching a tow vehicle and trailer. That's a great chart! I have a friend that appears to be too much trailer for his truck and and going to run numbers on the bumper pull version. Not likely he will listen but.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
five Report post Posted December 28, 2019 As I said earlier, the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the driver's door pillar, lists the exact weight, to the nearest one pound, this truck can carry. That sticker is on all vehicles, not just trucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
