LOL LOL LOL Ok these guys are gonna have you buying a Peterbuilt before it's all done. You are looking at a 2012 Chevy Duramax I assume, which is beefed up in power from the old Chevys. Are you sure your tow weights are only 15k, that sounds a little low for that truck. Now, your trailer at 9-10k dry is about average for most decent 5ers. They have lighter ones which I would not even look at because of quality of build and then there are the heavier ones that mostly range from 11-12k dry. Most 3/4 trucks are fine with the average 5er, but when you get above 12-13k loaded you may want the 1 ton dually better. But if you look around the camp ground you will see mostly 3/4 trucks towing your average 5er. Not everybody can use a MDT or a dually as their daily driver truck. If you got the money go for it. My old Alpenlite was 10.2k dry and weighed in at 12k full and we towed it all over the country with my old 3/4 Dodge and it was very comfortable. We went to a dually since we thought we would be going to a TH. So your 3/4 Chevy will be just fine towing at the weight you are looking at. If you are worried about the pin weight just add air bags or a set of Super Springs, thats why they make them. You don't even wanna know what these ranchers are towing with these trucks down here lol lol ..enough to give the weight police a cardiac lol. But look around, if you're near I-95 go sit and watch the number of outa state 5ers headed home from Fl. right now with 3/4 trucks. Thousands and Thousands of 3/4 ton trucks towing the weight you are looking at can't all be wrong. I think anybody moving up to a 5er has the same anxieties, I know I did. But when I towed that rig out of the lot and onto I-35 I had a big ole smile on my face. Oh and we packed up and left the next morning for Pa and loved it the whole way. I know there's gonna be a bunch on here that just can't wait to tear into my post. But I prefer to side with numbers. Your truck and trailer is gonna be just fine.
After checking Chevys site I see they do rate the truck at 15.8k. Still seems low but either way, you will be under Chevys rating. As far as payload you will be close or a little over, just like most trucks. I was 500 lbs over the gvwr but the truck didn't care. Added a set of Super Springs for just in case.
* This post was
edited 03/04/12 10:54am by steelpony5555 *
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steelpony5555 wrote: LOL LOL LOL Ok these guys are gonna have you buying a Peterbuilt before it's all done. You are looking at a 2012 Chevy Duramax I assume, which is beefed up in power from the old Chevys. Are you sure your tow weights are only 15k, that sounds a little low for that truck. Now, your trailer at 9-10k dry is about average for most decent 5ers. They have lighter ones which I would not even look at because of quality of build and then there are the heavier ones that mostly range from 11-12k dry. Most 3/4 trucks are fine with the average 5er, but when you get above 12-13k loaded you may want the 1 ton dually better. But if you look around the camp ground you will see mostly 3/4 trucks towing your average 5er. Not everybody can use a MDT or a dually as their daily driver truck. If you got the money go for it. My old Alpenlite was 10.2k dry and weighed in at 12k full and we towed it all over the country with my old 3/4 Dodge and it was very comfortable. We went to a dually since we thought we would be going to a TH. So your 3/4 Chevy will be just fine towing at the weight you are looking at. If you are worried about the pin weight just add air bags or a set of Super Springs, thats why they make them. You don't even wanna know what these ranchers are towing with these trucks down here lol lol ..enough to give the weight police a cardiac lol. But look around, if you're near I-95 go sit and watch the number of outa state 5ers headed home from Fl. right now with 3/4 trucks. Thousands and Thousands of 3/4 ton trucks towing the weight you are looking at can't all be wrong. I think anybody moving up to a 5er has the same anxieties, I know I did. But when I towed that rig out of the lot and onto I-35 I had a big ole smile on my face. Oh and we packed up and left the next morning for Pa and loved it the whole way. I know there's gonna be a bunch on here that just can't wait to tear into my post. But I prefer to side with numbers. Your truck and trailer is gonna be just fine.
I am very sorry but just because the man jumps of the bridge it doesn't mean you need to or should do it! To try to circumvent common sense and yes legalities by adding airbags is ludicrous.
Air bags do nothing to add to the legal safe & designed increased weight hauling capacity.
Yes they do align the headlites better instead of squirrel hunting and do level the apperance if the rig & by doing so distribute the axle load more appropriately.
On this forum we try to when asked to kind of help folks go in a safe rational direction when they ask. We do try not to tell them that they are very safe by doing it the good old boy way.
I have all to may times been caught behind farm equipment not daring to pass them because of them swaying all over the road. That is not the safe way we try to share with the folks over here at all.
As in my case way back when it was $1200 difference between the 250 & the 350 that is the way we went and during the time since & four different rigs we have never needed to be concerned about not having the proper truck for our use. JMHO jb
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steelpony5555 wrote: LOL LOL LOL Ok these guys are gonna have you buying a Peterbuilt before it's all done. You are looking at a 2012 Chevy Duramax I assume, which is beefed up in power from the old Chevys. Are you sure your tow weights are only 15k, that sounds a little low for that truck. Now, your trailer at 9-10k dry is about average for most decent 5ers. They have lighter ones which I would not even look at because of quality of build and then there are the heavier ones that mostly range from 11-12k dry. Most 3/4 trucks are fine with the average 5er, but when you get above 12-13k loaded you may want the 1 ton dually better. But if you look around the camp ground you will see mostly 3/4 trucks towing your average 5er. Not everybody can use a MDT or a dually as their daily driver truck. If you got the money go for it. My old Alpenlite was 10.2k dry and weighed in at 12k full and we towed it all over the country with my old 3/4 Dodge and it was very comfortable. We went to a dually since we thought we would be going to a TH. So your 3/4 Chevy will be just fine towing at the weight you are looking at. If you are worried about the pin weight just add air bags or a set of Super Springs, thats why they make them. You don't even wanna know what these ranchers are towing with these trucks down here lol lol ..enough to give the weight police a cardiac lol. But look around, if you're near I-95 go sit and watch the number of outa state 5ers headed home from Fl. right now with 3/4 trucks. Thousands and Thousands of 3/4 ton trucks towing the weight you are looking at can't all be wrong. I think anybody moving up to a 5er has the same anxieties, I know I did. But when I towed that rig out of the lot and onto I-35 I had a big ole smile on my face. Oh and we packed up and left the next morning for Pa and loved it the whole way. I know there's gonna be a bunch on here that just can't wait to tear into my post. But I prefer to side with numbers. Your truck and trailer is gonna be just fine.
Wow, a lot of "laughing out loud".....I saw no one recommend a Peterbuilt, in fact, most didn't even recommend a dually, but a 1 ton SRW truck.....One of the 5er's he's looking at has a "dry weight" of 11,000#...all I asked was what was the 5er's actual GVWR, THAT would be a better weight to know when picking out a TV..
I also stated that the newer 3/4 ton trucks have more HP and TQ and higher GVWR's and GCWR's, but again, it would be nice to know the actual GVW of the 5er's he's interested in.
oh, and just because "thousands and thousands" haul heavy 5er's with 3/4 ton trucks, doesn't really mean it's ok, right or safe...but that's just my opinion...I don't necessarily do what every one else is doing...too easy to be a follower...
...again, airbags do nothing to help with GVWR of a truck...they level the load, that is all..
if you "side with numbers"...I think I'd like to know what they actually are instead of speculating that "everyone else is doing it, so it must be alright"...
oh, what kind of answers did you expect? He actually addressed this post to the "weight police" that he "needed" their opinion....so as someone who is quite often accused of being one , I offered my 2 cents...We need to know what the 5er's GVW is ...maybe the 3/4 ton CAN handle it as I stated, but if not, sounds like a 1 ton SRW truck would...not a dually, not a Peterbuilt, not a locomotive, or a a cruise ship...well, you get the drift...3/4 very well may work...just need to "side with the numbers'....just have to know them "ALL" first....
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My 9000lb GVWR Dodge Ram 2500 MegaCab was 200lbs over when it was just me and a nearly empty fuel tank. When I added all the stuff to go camping, DW and the dogs. And a full tank it all added up to being well over the GVWR. Wasn't over axles weights. But I didn't like the ride and I didn't like being over loaded. Do yourself a favor and get the 1 ton. I'm glade I did.
I am very sorry but just because the man jumps of the bridge it doesn't mean you need to or should do it! To try to circumvent common sense and yes legalities by adding airbags is ludicrous.
Air bags do nothing to add to the legal safe & designed increased weight hauling capacity.
Yes they do align the headlites better instead of squirrel hunting and do level the apperance if the rig & by doing so distribute the axle load more appropriately.
On this forum we try to when asked to kind of help folks go in a safe rational direction when they ask. We do try not to tell them that they are very safe by doing it the good old boy way.
I have all to may times been caught behind farm equipment not daring to pass them because of them swaying all over the road. That is not the safe way we try to share with the folks over here at all.
As in my case way back when it was $1200 difference between the 250 & the 350 that is the way we went and during the time since & four different rigs we have never needed to be concerned about not having the proper truck for our use. JMHO jb
X2
With the new availabilities of 1 ton, even higher tonnage trucks, wrapped in an attractive package with all the features that used to be reserved for 1/2 ton trucks back in the 80s, I can't understand why anybody would consider a 3/4 truck anymore, especially for a 5er of that weight class. Yes - the campgrounds are full of 3/4 trucks pulling 5ers bigger than they probably should, but they are also full of bumper hitches pulling travel trailers with bass boats behind them, and these doing things you don't want to see :
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"Comparison is the thief of joy! - Theodore Roosevelt"
First of all the GVWR of a 5er is a fictious number. That only tells you HOW MUCH you can load into that trailer, not what it ACTUALLY weighs. My old trailer was 10.2k dry but the GVWR was 14k. I never ever came close to that 14k and doubt I ever would. In fact according to the scales I was 2k lbs away from that number at only 12k lbs. It all had to do with how your gonna use the trailer. If you just go camping on the weekends I doubt you will ever come close to the GVWR but if you full time then you may. The number of kids can also affect your end result. That is why I figure on dry weights and add on 2000 lbs for stuff and I get closer to a real number. The other thing is always figure on the actual weight being more then you thought. Wives have a lot to do with that, they like to have stuff you will never use along and if its empty they like to fill it lol. And I did not say 3/4 trucks are hauling HEAVY 5ers. If you go shopping for a new trailer, most 5ers are in that 9k-11k weight range. There are a few that weigh less then 9k and there are a few that go over 11k. We are talking regular 5ers here not toy haulers or some of the full timer rigs that get up to 14k+ lbs dry. In most cases, and I said most NOT ALL, if it has 2 axles a 3/4 truck will be fine. I did find one Excel 5th wheel that had only 2 axles, but was 14.5 dry???? Yeah I ran away from that one. If you can not walk thru a campground and count the number of 3/4 trucks hauling your AVERAGE 5er and see that they grossly out number 1 ton trucks then I am sorry. And air bags do more then just level your truck. If you have any questions on them jump over to the Truck Camper forum. Now those guys are hauling heavy payloads. But if that don't satisfy you then opt for the Super Springs, they do increase your pay load. Not sure in Chevy but in Dodge it will boost your rating up to a 1 ton since that's the only thing that differs between the two is 2 leaf springs. I do agree though, that if you are looking for a new truck to check out the 1 tons since they are not that much more on the window sticker. But just remember they will be more on insurance and in some areas vehicle registration. They will also ride a little rougher empty. But at least you have the option to move up in trailer size later, which most usually do. And no, he will not be unsafe..he will have the same brakes and power train and frame and axles and tires as the 1 ton SRW. The only thing that will be different is leaf springs and his payload capacity sticker on the door. In fact according to Chevy's ratings a 1 ton srw is rated at 17k which is only 1200 lbs more then the 3/4 ton truck. As far as payload the 2500 has 3816 lbs and the 3500 srw has 4765 in the crew cab. So unless he has 5 kids or a really fat MIL I doubt he will put more then 1000 lbs of fuel, snacks, dogs or tools in the pickup. So that will leave him with up to 2800 lbs for a pin weight and still be under the trucks ratings. Most AVERAGE 5ers go at 23-2500 lb pin weights. Even at his max or in my case 500 lbs over it will still be below the axles and tire ratings. Oh, and my statement of the ranchers towing is to show that myself and others believe that the big 3 always rate these trucks a lot lower then what they are really capable of. Just my opinion of course, but I see the stock trailers and hay these guys tow around here. But either way I strongly believe the OP is gonna be fine in the range he is looking in. Yep, I am speculating, just like you guys are, but the numbers are on my side. The majority of trailers he is looking at are still gonna be under his ratings, I just can't see scaring someone who is nervous as it is anymore when he is probably gonna be fine. Now when he decides on the actual rig then he can crunch some more numbers and go on line to see what people are towing that specfic trailer with. I can go on the Montana forum and see that I am one of the few towing a 3000RK with a dually and there are lots of 2500's towing Montanas.
You have been give a lot of good advice. But what you really need to do is ignore dry weight figures and use the GVW of the desired fiver's. My current five has a dry weight of 10,995, But is closer to 15K loaded. Dry weights are notoriously inaccurate misleading and deceiving. Use GVW and your decision will be much clearer.
If I were considering a 5'er and buying new. A SRW 1 ton should be my starting point.
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3/4 and 1 ton trucks for the most part share the same powertrain. The ability to drag a trailer up a hill is about the same. The difference is in the weight you can put on the truck.
A 3/4 ton trucks payload seems to be more in line with a bumper pull trailer, assuming you are going to put stuff in the bed (firewood or the like). A 1 ton SRW has higher axle weights, and higher gvwr.
The empty pinweight of the trailer plus the hitch weight (200-250 lbs installed) will eat up most of the capacity of a 3/4 ton truck, before you load passengers and fuel in the truck. If your trailer has a genset in the front, almost all that weight is going to be pinweight. The trailers water tank location is also very important, if it is above the axles, it is only trailer weight, not pin weight. If the axle is in front of the trailer axles, the farther forward it is the more pin weight it will be, if it is behind the trailer axles, then the farther back it will reduce pinweight.
Most storage compartments on 5ers (basement) are in the nose, ~90-95% of that weight is pin weight.
The empty weight is almost useless as some mfrs have mandatory "option" packages that are on the trailer before it leaves the factory, but are not included in empty weight - as they are "options".
Don't forget the 1000-1500 lbs of weight from water, propane, power cord, hoses, food and clothes, a big chunk of that will be pin weight.
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...I saw no one recommend a Peterbuilt, in fact, most didn't even recommend a dually, but a 1 ton SRW truck.....One of the 5er's he's looking at has a "dry weight" of 11,000#...all I asked was what was the 5er's actual GVWR, THAT would be a better weight to know when picking out a TV..
