JIMNLIN
out here
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Agree with APT.
GM shows the '09 1500 4x4 ext cab 3.42 gears with that small 4.8 engine is limited to 5500 lbs. GM also shows a 1390 lb payload capacity.
A scamp 5th wheel trailer or a 4000-4500 lb dry weight TT would be a good choice.
Another possibility is the Allen campers 19' rear bath or the 23' FRKL models.
IMO to get the trailer they want they need the proper truck. The 1500 4.8 will be a pain when traveling in the hills or windy areas.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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If he is that stubborn, just keep quiet and let him blow up the read end, flatten the tires, break a wheel, or bend the frame. That may be the only way he will learn that he does not have enough truck for anything bigger that a tent trailer. Then maybe he will calmly sit down and listen to reason. Especially if he is sitting on th side of the road with his broken truck. Anything else is likely only going to frustrate you and allionate him. Some things you just cannot fix
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romore
Canada
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That truck with a trailer won't pass a fat kid on a bicycle on any hill, it is woefully underpowered and too light for what they plan to do. We tried pulling a 3500lb fiver behind our Ranger, the weight was within factory specs, but two trips were enough. If fil insists it's his money, his decision, but he will learn otherwise quickly.
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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I have never believed, from what I have experienced and from what I have heard from others, that a 1/2 ton truck should be towing a fifth wheel (in most cases the pin weight, and to a lesser extent the length) would do you in...
I would suggest a TT of 22' or less with the 1/2 ton truck they have...
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS fifth wheel
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Tombstone Jim
Tombstone Az
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I won't comment on the weight. But I used to own a 1500 4.8.
It would not pull dink. Towing anything even two horse horse trailers it would never shift into overdrive and any kind of half steep grade put you at near 4000 rpm just to make 55mph if it would do that.
2011 Big Country 3450
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squarles67
Orange, Texas
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I towed a 30' Dutchmen rated at 7700lbs with an identical truck to Talladega once. It'll pull it but not very well and not very fast. About 65 mph tops on the flat lands and maybe 55 in 2nd gear in the hills. A stiff head wind will slow you down even more. OD is useless and it'll spend a lot of time in 2nd gear.
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Billieg2
Gone from this forum
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If you were a good son in law you would buy them a Peterbuilt and a 40' double Suite 5th and a smart car to put on the back of the Peterbuilt.... They could pay for the fuel...
Why not just sell the truck and get them a nice 10 yr old gas MH?
In my life I've spent my money on women, booze, Harleys, guitars and traveling, the rest I just wasted...
2007 Ford F-350 diesel/dually & Sunnybrook Titan KSRV 39-1 Toy hauler 5th wheel hauling my custom Harley
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tomdinwv
WV
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I had a Ram 1500 with the 4.7. Pretty close to the 1500 Chevy OP mentioned. Book on the Ram showed a 6500 lb tow rating if I recall correctly. The dry weight on my camper was more than the truck wanted to pull, fully loaded, it was a miserable experience towing. I think that's what your inlaws will find out on the first trip. If they want a heavy TT or 5'er they need a proper tow vehicle. Plain and simple. Your inlaws have one thing going for them that I didn't. They have you to guide them properly. I learned my lesson quite quickly and upgraded my truck to a 3/4 ton. If I knew then what I know now, I would have had the bigger truck before I purchased my TT.
Stay on the inlaws about a proper tow vehicle no matter how stubborn they may be. In the end, you will save them many headaches and much misery and possibly their lives. Good luck!
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kzspree320
Louisiana
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This seems like an easy question. If you want to fulltime, sell the 1500 with 4.8 and 3.42. A half ton with better motor and gearing would be OK for a TT (or very small 5er), but they need to get a minimum of 250/2500 series if any fifth wheel over about 25 feet is being considered. Good luck - I hope they listen and are not stuck on the side of the road.
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APT
SE Michigan
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As a friend or relative, all you can do is advise. Give them as much data to support your opinion. Print out the manufacturer specs showing their limitations. Tell them they can buy a 7000+ pound RV of any type. However, their current truck is worth X amount. When damaged (like a transmission, or frame, or brakes, or who knows), it will be worth significantly less. And as a safety risk, the value is zero if they are injured or dead because they significantly overloaded their vehicle.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
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