Another question as we get closer to purchasing our first unit. How big is too for my truck? We are trying to decide between two units a Sandpiper 32QBSS at 36` and 9500 lbs dry and a Silverback CRF35RB4 at 12176 lbs dry. My truck is rated at 15500 towing a fifth wheel, 2005 Ford F 350 SRW 4x4 CC, so weight shouldn't be an issue. Is the single axle going to be an issue with stability towing such a big trailer? We really like the Silverback and the dealer is willing to discount big to dump the 2012. What are your thoughts? We appreciate all of everyone's help so far and cannot wait to become part of the RV community.
Your truck might "pull" the weight you mentioned, however your pin weight of the fiver would most likely be over the allowable weight capacity of the SRW 350. Check your door jam. It will tell you how much weight is allowed on the truck. That would include gas,passengers,fiver hitch,pin weight of the trailer, etc.
It won't take much to get to the max. Many people here run over and will tell you it's fine. I did for a very short time. When I switched to a dually the handling was night and day difference. If your going to push the limit you might want to get a truck to match the new fiver
We love our Silverback. Our dry weight is a little over 12k but loaded we weighed in at a little over 14k. My real weights are posted in the "real weights" topic. I'm over on GCWR but good on everything else. Single axle might be a problem. But I see a lot of people doing it. Don't think I would want to though.
2004 F350 CC 4WD DRW Powerstroke
B&W Companion Hitch
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2013 Cedar Creek Silverback 35QB4
Halmfamily wrote: Another question as we get closer to purchasing our first unit. How big is too for my truck? We are trying to decide between two units a Sandpiper 32QBSS at 36` and 9500 lbs dry and a Silverback CRF35RB4 at 12176 lbs dry. My truck is rated at 15500 towing a fifth wheel, 2005 Ford F 350 SRW 4x4 CC, so weight shouldn't be an issue. Is the single axle going to be an issue with stability towing such a big trailer? We really like the Silverback and the dealer is willing to discount big to dump the 2012. What are your thoughts? We appreciate all of everyone's help so far and cannot wait to become part of the RV community.
As stated above, you need to know your trucks GVWR,(posted inside drivers door jamb)...Do not, I repeat, do not use a 5er's "dry" or empty weight, it's not going to do you any good....no one camps with their 5er "empty" or "dry"...Use the 5er's GVW and go from there..You can also "ballpark" the 5er's pin weight (how much of the 5er's weight your going to be putting in the bed of your truck), by taking approx. 20% of the 5er's GVW....
Again, I'd look at your trucks GVWR, it's GCWR and whatever 5er your wanting to get, look at it's GVW and "ballpark" it's pin weight by using 20% of the 5er's GVW...15,000# 5er, may or may not be too heavy for your F350 SRW truck...you'll have to do the math and take some weights of your truck ready to go camping to see how much room you have left for the 5er's pin weight..
Jim & Kathy
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et2 is correct you need to find out your pin weight. Look at the door or do an internet search for the tow ratings for your truck. I have a 36" 2004 Cedar Creek that I pulled with a 2003 Dodge 2500 CTD from day one. The truck handled the weight and pulled fine. I suspect your truck will be as equal. The dually will be more stable. I have towed heavy and light and everything in between. All of that being said, I just purchased a 2012 3500 Ram CTD max tow package etc. I have not yet towed with it but I know it will be more stable. I bought this truck with a future purchase of a larger 5er in mind. Also remember a lot of RV sales people will tell you untruths about what your truck can really tow. Good luck and check the numbers and enjoy.
I couldn't find that exact model Silverback but I found one that had the same dry weight and the GVWR was 15,500. Dry hitch weight of 1947 lbs.
Shipping weight is not the number you need to look at as that's without battery(s), propane, or anything else. Actual going down the road weight would probably be in the mid 14,000 range with a hitch weight of ~2400 lbs.
The hitch weight is going to be the problem, not the towing capacity. Look on the vehicles tag on the door for the rear axle weight rating. Probably going to be in the 6,000 lb range(mine is 6693). Load up the truck with your normal camping gear and all the bodies, fill the fuel tank and weigh it. Especially the rear axle (local truck stop Cat scale). Mine is 3580 with a full tank and just me in it. No hitch. Add the hitch ~200, DW, and the normal junk and it's up to abt 4000. That gives me an allowable 2693 hitch weight.
Run all your numbers for the truck GV ratings and actual weight and then using the GCVW of the trailer at 15,500 and 15-20% hitch weight and you have 2325-3100 lbs of hitch weight. That's what you need to watch out for, weight on the rear axle. Probably doable but on the line. You just have to run the numbers.
Go to http://www.campinglife.com/tow-ratings-database/ they show the tow rating for your truck of 12,500
Clif & Millie
Ozzie half a dog tall and 2 dogs long
2009 Ford F350 SRW CC Lariat 6.4 Diesel
2011 Crossroads Cruiser CF285RL Patriot Edition
Since many do seem to run overweight, what happens when there is a crash & the insurance company determines that the truck was overweight? Do they still pay or do they turn the claim, damage & medical, down because the truck was knowingly overloaded & therefore unsafe?
Boat: 32' 1996 Albin 32+2, single Cummins 315hp
40+ night per year overnighter
Veebyes wrote: Since many do seem to run overweight, what happens when there is a crash & the insurance company determines that the truck was overweight? Do they still pay or do they turn the claim, damage & medical, down because the truck was knowingly overloaded & therefore unsafe?
retispcsi wrote: et2 is correct you need to find out your pin weight. Look at the door or do an internet search for the tow ratings for your truck. I have a 36" 2004 Cedar Creek that I pulled with a 2003 Dodge 2500 CTD from day one. The truck handled the weight and pulled fine. I suspect your truck will be as equal. The dually will be more stable. I have towed heavy and light and everything in between. All of that being said, I just purchased a 2012 3500 Ram CTD max tow package etc. I have not yet towed with it but I know it will be more stable. I bought this truck with a future purchase of a larger 5er in mind. Also remember a lot of RV sales people will tell you untruths about what your truck can really tow. Good luck and check the numbers and enjoy.
You're going to love it. We have the 2010 dually with the 6.7. I just had a 76 gallon auxiliary fuel tank installed with pump transfer. It is so nice never having to stop for fuel when pulling.The thing I find I like the most is the 4:10 gears.
Veebyes wrote: Since many do seem to run overweight, what happens when there is a crash & the insurance company determines that the truck was overweight? Do they still pay or do they turn the claim, damage & medical, down because the truck was knowingly overloaded & therefore unsafe?
If they can =prove= you were overloaded, then you may be SOL; they're looking for any excuse to not pay. Defending yourself against them could break you, even if you were legal, but close to your limits. Bigger truck or smaller FW is much cheaper. At the same time, if LE does not have any issues with weights, it might be hard for them to go after you.
Lyle
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax Crew Cab 4x4
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