We have an '05 Duramax 3500 HD 4x4. We are looking into buying a Newmar Cypress fifth wheel. The weight of the fw is around 14000 and the Chevy book says it's max towing weight is only 12500. Is this not enough truck or is there something we're not figuring right????

Yes, it can pull a 5er. I pull a 37 footer with a similar weight to the one your looking at.

correct figures.

2005 3500 with Duramax 6.6L TD
12,000 / 5,443 with ball hitch and 3.73 axle
16,700 / 7575 with 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch and 3.73 axle

you should be just fine.

I don't think your 12,500 number is for a fiver. 12,500# is for a TT I believe. Your fiver weight should be closer to 16K. I'm pulling 36ft fiver toyhauler weighing in around 15,000 # without any trouble. Enjoy the D/A pulling, it's awesome.

You will be find pulling that, should have no issues at all and still room to add more weight.

correct figures.

2005 3500 with Duramax 6.6L TD
12,000 / 5,443 with ball hitch and 3.73 axle
16,700 / 7575 with 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch and 3.73 axle

you should be just fine.


At the risk of sounding like a dum***s, what is the second number? 7575?

The second number is the weight in Kilograms.

That Yes, it can pull a 5er. I pull a 37 footer with a similar weight to the one your looking at.

Is this a SRW or DRW? Inside the DS door B-pillar there should be a sticker labeled "Tire Loading" or something like that. That is your cargo carrying capacity of the truck. Most 5ers have about 20% pin wt, so add up the pin wt, passengers, and hitch. Then you'll know.

That is an awful small 5er in Avatar:D Looks more like a Crappie Boat:) with a oversized lawnmower engine:) Yes, it can pull a 5er. I pull a 37 footer with a similar weight to the one your looking at.

That is an awful small 5er in Avatar:D Looks more like a Crappie Boat:) with a oversized lawnmower engine:)

The 5er is parked in the other bay. :rolleyes:

Crappie boat? I guess you could fish for crappie out of a 21' bass boat with a 225 Evinrude. :eek:

IIRC, there was an article in trailer life magazine on the cypress. From what I recall, they designed it to be towed by 3/4 & 1 ton trucks. As far as being able to tow it, you should be fine. The GVWR for your truck is I think right around 11k, So the pin weight shouldn't be an issue. By the way, nice boat and nice choice on the 5er. Jerry.

You won't have any problem.

The thing most people overlook when buying a 5er is pin weight... You should have about 3500 lbs to play with on your truck..

My current trailer has a pin weight over 3000 lbs. The last trailer I owned had a pin weight of 1800 lbs and the trailers were the same size. So lenght really has very little to do with it...

Have fun with your new trailer :)