Just wondering who pulls a big fifth wheel a 2007.5 or 08 2500HD? By big I mean 37' and #13000. I'm just curious how it handled the weight and if you needed air bags. Mine has about #3300 of pin weight. I dont think I can lessen the amount of pin weight by much. When we're RVing I see so many more 2500HD's than anything else. They seem to handle the pin weight very well I just don't know how many of them have air bags. Thanks for your help. Eric

I tow kinda big, I mean 40' toyhauler. oh yeah I also hook up my sea-doo's behind that too. I am 72' long and 26 k fully loaded, I think that qualifies as towing big. no air bags, but I plan to add some when I lift the front up a couple inches. that way it won't have a droopy poopy!

No reason NOT to run airbags. Only way to go.

I tow a 36' Montana that goes 13+ with gear. On the Montana club web site most have either air bags or Timbrens. Seems to be a personal preference between the two. I intend to add air bags as I just bought this truck. One upgrade past the wife at a time....

I towed a 34' Carriage Cameo that was easily 13+ when loaded with a 2500HD. While I had a truck with just about the maximum payload capacity for a 2500HD (ext. cab., SB, 2wd) I was overweight by at least 500 lbs or more. You've got a basic problem with your truck in that you are way overweight if your pin weight really is 3300 lbs. You might even by really close to being overweight on your rear axle. If you haven't got your truck weighed yet, it might be a good idea to load it up with all the junk in the truck you normally take when you go camping and visit your local CAT scale. Your call on whether or not you want to keep pulling it with a 2500HD.

Anyway, not to be the weight police, but I used Timbren's with great success. They play no part in unloaded ride and only come into play when you put the load in the bed. They are great because they don't cost a lot, are easy to install, and do what they are supposed to. It will be curious to see if I need them with the new truck (3500HD dually) but I won't know until I get the hitch installed and the trailer hooked up. If I do, I'll get Timbrens again.

I pull a 37 footer. My pin weight is a lot lighter - 1,950 (mfg specs). I absolutely would not consider pulling w/o air bags.


One side point though. I have the Firestone set up including the in cab regulator and remote mounted on board compressor. It takes that compressor FOREVER to inflate the bags from 20 lbs (my empty setting) to 60 lbs (trailer setting). I ended up installing an air fitting in the rear bumper to use my regular compressor with. I only use the onboard air for minor adjustments.

I pull a 40' coach and the truck squats roughly 1.5" when hooked up. My kingpin weight is roughly 2300 lbs. I will be adding air bags to my truck to bring the head lights back to level. This should stop oncoming traffic from flashing me at night. =)

I woudl run bags

If your pin weight is really 3300, you are way over weight. When you add that weight to everything else in the truck...passengers, weight of the hitch , cargo, etc...you'll be close to 4000. Check the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the left rear door post, it will give you the maximum cargo rating for your truck...if you are a 2wd, that weight will be around 25/2600. That puts you 1500 lbs over weight, and air bags, springs, etc will not help.

Agree that you see lots of 3/4s hauling heavy 5ers...shows the lack of knowledge of the towing public. Most look at the tow ratings and are not even aware of the cargo capacity of their trucks.

Traded my 03GMC 2500HD Dura/Alli for sig truck. Had firestone airbags, SuperGlide hitch, Prodigy, Edge/Juice w/Attitude on level 2 pulling at first a 36' Alfa, then current 5er in sig. TV ran 11,200 or so with GCW of 23,500 to 23,800. 03 had 78K, new injectors at 75K, 18K + towing at those weights. No problems going, stopping, turning going up or down hills. Current 5er has disc brakes and what a difference they make!

Traded up for several reasons: we were at the limits of the hitch, 265 E rated tires/wheels (3415#'s rated, GY SilentArmor/American Eagle 16X8 wheels) and felt that this TV was a better match for our 5er. We will still be over GCWR, but way under all other ratings.

Have never recommended towing over OEM's ratings. Having said the disclaimer, make sure you really know how much you weigh. My concerns when towing is to not exceed the individual ratings such as tires, wheel, axle, hitch, etc. Then drive accordingly. Good luck.

Air bags and upgraded (F) tires!

Air bags and upgraded (F) tires!

Do all that and you'll still be just as much over weight.

First let me say that I am an American and value freedom and hate the weight police! But I must say that you might be heading into the over the fudge factor weight territory for a 2500hd. I tow a 33' fifth wheel with 2300# pin weight and its a good matchup for our 2500HD and our previous truck (previous tow vehicle 2001 Ford F350SRW 7.3PSD). I could not imagine another 1000# kingpin weight plus any kind of gear, and passengers. With that said I would make sure my pin weight was really that heavy is that weight empty or loaded for camping. My wife and I back in the summer looked at a Holiday Rambler Alumascape bunkhouse model with a bathroom in the back that was larger than our current fiver and when we looked at it I don't recall being nervous about being way out of reason towing it. The truck will pull all you want to put behind it. And it will hook up to more weight than GM says especially if you add timbrens/air bags and upgrade to heavier range tires but there is only so far you can stretch it before dually time.

I tow a Raptor 3814 ToyHauler with my 2500HD. I have airbags and by putting only about 60 psi in them, it levels the truck out like it had nothing on it. Because this is a toyhauler, I can manipulate the pin weight considerably by whatever I put in the garage. Loaded with our Polaris RZR and a quad, my PW is 2600 (+/-). With a 14' garage, I can easily lighten that even more by moving more stuff back there, but it handles VERY well at his PW, so I'll likely try to keep it around that number.

I pull anything from 25ft light 5th wheels to a triple axle loaded toy hauler. You can also throw in a 50 or so foot 2 car enclosed car trailer also loaded. My only limit is when hauling commercial I stay under 26k gcwr to avoid the need for a cdl. Have to say both trucks pulled the loads fine, but the Mega needs some bags it drops a bit more under a load.

No reason NOT to run airbags. Only way to go.


Yep, I agree 1000%

I went from a 30' Wildcat 5er to a 35' Cedar Creek...Pin weight went up 500 lbs and the first trip I noticed a lot of people "high beaming" me at night...Noticed a little sag and I guess they all thought I was "high beaming" them...Put air bags on and havn't been flashed since...

I went from a 30' Wildcat 5er to a 35' Cedar Creek...Pin weight went up 500 lbs and the first trip I noticed a lot of people "high beaming" me at night...Noticed a little sag and I guess they all thought I was "high beaming" them...Put air bags on and havn't been flashed since...

If you have a truck that will carry the weight...don't need any air bags!:D

I tow a 53 foot featherlite and 2 cars plus golf cart....

I just traded my 2004 Chevy 2500HD Dura/Ali in on a 2008 GMC dually because I felt I was at the limit of my truck pulling my 2003 37' Montana. The 2500HD pulled the RV just fine and the truck was level with the RV hitched up to it, I'll just have a lot more piece of mind towing it now none the less.

Do all that and you'll still be just as much over weight.

Sue me!:D

Sue me!:D

You have to worry the guy you are in an accident with, and you are over weight and at fault.

08 Fuzion362 ,Yes air bag's. Pull's and handle's fine. The factory survey that you respond to say's approx 75% are being pulled by 2500's. Who want's to drive a duelly the 95% of time your not towing.

I tow a Raptor 3612 DS with a 2800 lbs pin weight, plus or minus 100 lbs; and I would not tow it with any thing less than a 1 ton DRW. But that is just me...

Airbags, booster springs, being level, pulling fine, etc...are all irrelevant. Any diesel pickup can do that. The only thing that matters is what the truck weighs. You can find the cargo capacity on any recent model truck by looking at the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the left rear door or door post. Most GM 3/4 4x4 CC will only have around 2300# capacity...no where near enough for a big 5er.

got to love the weight police Censored:smashfrea:nutkick::cussing: oh and i guess i won't be the one to blam the DPS officer that said i was ok after i told him what i was going to be hauling would be to blam

Dad pulls our 40Ft Toyhauler, 15,000# when loaded with 4 bikes in the back. He runs firestone airbags in the rear, much more stable when pulling

Oh Boy Guess I'll Get Crucified Now And I Even Have A Cdl . 2500hd Short Bed Cc With 45 Gallon Transferflow, Toolbox ,5th Wheel Hitch Wow .i Was 7820with All That And Wife And Baby I Pull 38 Foot Cedar Creek 35l4qb With A Factory Pin Of 1850lbs I Put Timbrens On It My Sag Is Less Than 1 Inch I Have No Issue's. I Upgraded Tires To 265/75/16 Which Gives Me A Tire Rating Of 3500lbs The Oem Tires Were 3042lbs The Rims Are Stamped At 4200 Or 4400 Lbs And The Rear Is No Problem At All For This Load The Tires And Springs Are The Weak Link So Go Ahead And Tell Me I'm Going To Have An Accident

Oh Boy Guess I'll Get Crucified Now And I Even Have A Cdl . 2500hd Short Bed Cc With 45 Gallon Transferflow, Toolbox ,5th Wheel Hitch Wow .i Was 7820with All That And Wife And Baby I Pull 38 Foot Cedar Creek 35l4qb With A Factory Pin Of 1850lbs I Put Timbrens On It My Sag Is Less Than 1 Inch I Have No Issue's. I Upgraded Tires To 265/75/16 Which Gives Me A Tire Rating Of 3500lbs The Oem Tires Were 3042lbs The Rims Are Stamped At 4200 Or 4400 Lbs And The Rear Is No Problem At All For This Load The Tires And Springs Are The Weak Link So Go Ahead And Tell Me I'm Going To Have An Accident


It doesn't mean you're going to have an accident, but if you do have an accident, you could be in trouble. Case in point: a guy who lives in my neighborhood occasionally drives 'under the influence'. He never had a problem until some kid ran a yield sign and T-boned him. The accident wasn't the neighbor's fault, but guess who went to jail?

ya but he went to jail because he was under the influence if it were me and i was overloaded and that happen it wouldn't of been my fault if the kid hit me for running a yield sign

Yes Sir X2

So if I put a 1 ton srw axle and springs, plus upgraded tires on my truck I'll be o.k.??
When I bought my truck the factory specs rated it to be able to tow a bigger fifthwheel than the 1 ton, go figure...

It's not all the upgrades to the truck just unplug the trailer or it unplugs and try to stop it at say 65mph. the size of the trucks brakes make the differance put pads from a C2500 next pads from a C3500 or from a C4500. Old saying the dog wags the tail not the tail wagging the dog.

Just wondering who pulls a big fifth wheel a 2007.5 or 08 2500HD? By big I mean 37' and #13000. I'm just curious how it handled the weight and if you needed air bags. Mine has about #3300 of pin weight. I dont think I can lessen the amount of pin weight by much. When we're RVing I see so many more 2500HD's than anything else. They seem to handle the pin weight very well I just don't know how many of them have air bags. Thanks for your help. Eric

I had the same truck only '04. I had 265 E Michelins good for 6800#. Truck rear axle, with tool box/tank and fifth hitch, weighed ~3500#. 3300# would be at the limit for the tires. Considering the heat generated running 65 on a 105* day, it would be too close for me.

Kampsite, noticed the tire in your garage. Did that happen while towing?

I had the same truck only '04. I had 265 E Michelins good for 6800#. Truck rear axle, with tool box/tank and fifth hitch, weighed ~3500#. 3300# would be at the limit for the tires. Considering the heat generated running 65 on a 105* day, it would be too close for me.

Kampsite, noticed the tire in your garage. Did that happen while towing?
Yes, that tire blew towing the "Wildcat" fifthwheel...

i tow a 38ft rampage 5er thats runnin around 15K loaded down. it squatted the truck pretty good so i added airbags. it rides soooooooooo much better now. unloaded the truck is lil bouncier but not too bad.

Well All This Air Bag Talk Now I Need To Know What's The Best Air Bag Seems To Me I'll Start Shopping For Air Bags Thanks

firestone airbags are the way to go. I have them on my truck and my dads truck. I tow a 18,000 5th full throttle weekend warrior and it tows it like butter. I inflate to about 80psi and its perfect.

which model number i've been looking around for a couple hours and what's a good price thanks

Now I know why I bought my 4500:D to pull my 38 footer Cedar Creek

If your pin weight is really 3300, you are way over weight. When you add that weight to everything else in the truck...passengers, weight of the hitch , cargo, etc...you'll be close to 4000. Check the Tire and Loading Information sticker on the left rear door post, it will give you the maximum cargo rating for your truck...if you are a 2wd, that weight will be around 25/2600. That puts you 1500 lbs over weight, and air bags, springs, etc will not help.

Agree that you see lots of 3/4s hauling heavy 5ers...shows the lack of knowledge of the towing public. Most look at the tow ratings and are not even aware of the cargo capacity of their trucks.
go to DVM and get ur truck inspected like i did (gvwr is more than a dually)

go to DVM and get ur truck inspected like i did (gvwr is more than a dually)

Actually, the GVWR is what the manufacturer says it is and puts on the tag.

Silver Back Fifth Wheels



Model 33LBHTS

Exterior Length 35 ft. 1 in. (10.69 m)
Exterior Height w/ Air Conditioner 12 ft. 11 in. (3.94 m)
Exterior Width 96" (2.44 m)
Interior Height 80 in. (2.03 m)
Hitch Weight 1,830 lbs. (830 kg)
Axle Dry Weight 8,662 lbs. (3929 kg)
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 10,492 lbs. (4759 kg)
GVWR 13,830 lbs. (6273 kg)
Cargo Capacity 3,338 lbs. (1514 kg)
Dual Axles (2) 6000# Straight
Wheel Size 16 x 6
Tire Size LT235/85R16/E
Awning Size 21 ft. (6.40 m)
Furnace Size 30,000 BTU
Demand Fresh Water Capacity 60 gal. (227 L)
Gray/Black/Gray Tanks 40 / 40 / 40 gal.
151 / 151 / 106 Liters
Sleeping Capacity 8

Floor plans and specifications are based on the latest product information.
Forest River, Inc. reserves the right to make changes in drawings and
specifications at any time without notice and assumes no responsibility for any errors in the site.
The model number does not necessarily reflect the overall length of a particular unit.

www.forestriverinc.com


Is this too much for my truck???
I don't put in anything but clothing and enough water to flush the toilet until we get to destination...And then we buy groceries...
I guess I am a moron for listening to what the R.V. dealers and Vehicle dealers tell me...

OK really looking at getting a toy hauler - I like the Cyclone but like most haulers with a back garage it is heavy. By specs a little heavy for my 2005 - 2500HD 4X4 CC Short bed - 6" Fabtech lift.

I see a lot of them on the road with this kind of setup but like some of you a little worried about my truck.

I will not have much in mine - maybe 2 4 wheelers is all.

Have been looking for a lighter model but none of them have a back garage with the capability of hauling 2 wheelers in them.

It looks like I will need some air bags.

What about my tires? - currently running 34" Toyos AT.

What else if anything do i need to look at?

Mostly will be taken on short trips - dirt roads - mountains. Use will be archery shoots, hunting and fishing trips.

With a 38' 5er - can I tow my 20' ranger boat behind it and be OK?

OK really looking at getting a toy hauler - I like the Cyclone but like most haulers with a back garage it is heavy. By specs a little heavy for my 2005 - 2500HD 4X4 CC Short bed - 6" Fabtech lift.

I see a lot of them on the road with this kind of setup but like some of you a little worried about my truck.

I will not have much in mine - maybe 2 4 wheelers is all.

Have been looking for a lighter model but none of them have a back garage with the capability of hauling 2 wheelers in them.

It looks like I will need some air bags.

What about my tires? - currently running 34" Toyos AT.

What else if anything do i need to look at?

Mostly will be taken on short trips - dirt roads - mountains. Use will be archery shoots, hunting and fishing trips.

With a 38' 5er - can I tow my 20' ranger boat behind it and be OK?

You're kidding us right? You already said you have too much trailer for your truck and now you want to put a 20' boat behind it??? You don't need air bags or tires, you need more truck or less trailer.

Leave the motor ,anchor and fish poles and cooler out and pray alot, if any probles arise bend over and kiss good-bye. Most trucks can tow just about anything its the stopping that can hurt.

here is my nextlevel loaded it scaled 16800 and change

Silver Back Fifth Wheels



Model 33LBHTS

Exterior Length 35 ft. 1 in. (10.69 m)
Exterior Height w/ Air Conditioner 12 ft. 11 in. (3.94 m)
Exterior Width 96" (2.44 m)
Interior Height 80 in. (2.03 m)
Hitch Weight 1,830 lbs. (830 kg)
Axle Dry Weight 8,662 lbs. (3929 kg)
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 10,492 lbs. (4759 kg)
GVWR 13,830 lbs. (6273 kg)
Cargo Capacity 3,338 lbs. (1514 kg)
Dual Axles (2) 6000# Straight
Wheel Size 16 x 6
Tire Size LT235/85R16/E
Awning Size 21 ft. (6.40 m)
Furnace Size 30,000 BTU
Demand Fresh Water Capacity 60 gal. (227 L)
Gray/Black/Gray Tanks 40 / 40 / 40 gal.
151 / 151 / 106 Liters
Sleeping Capacity 8

Floor plans and specifications are based on the latest product information.
Forest River, Inc. reserves the right to make changes in drawings and
specifications at any time without notice and assumes no responsibility for any errors in the site.
The model number does not necessarily reflect the overall length of a particular unit.

www.forestriverinc.com (http://www.forestriverinc.com)


Is this too much for my truck???
I don't put in anything but clothing and enough water to flush the toilet until we get to destination...And then we buy groceries...
I guess I am a moron for listening to what the R.V. dealers and Vehicle dealers tell me...

This trailer at under 14,000# should be no problem for your truck. Well within its towing and stopping ability and not overloading the tires. I looked at the web site but didn't find that model. Which model name is it under?

On Edit, Just found it under the Cedar Creek. Looks like a nice floor plan for a family.

Actually, the GVWR is what the manufacturer says it is and puts on the tag.
not anymore!

i know weekend warrior makes a 30 tag trailer wityh a 10' garage and its only 1100 hitcvh weight.

go to DVM and get ur truck inspected like i did (gvwr is more than a dually)

Can you elaborate on this?

The misses and I are going to the RV show this week I may be trading in my 07 Jayco 31BHS for a Jayco 31.5BHS 5th wheel

Hey We Did The Same Thing Bought A Tt And Traded It In A Couple Of Months For A 5th Wheel . Oh Yea Where Is The Rv Show In Pa At

I traded my 2500HD for a 3500 DRW, for my own sanity. I knew that the 5er I am going to be buying will gross at almost 15K lbs, not abnormal for guys to be towing with their 2500HDs. The pin weight would be almost 3000lbs at 20% of GVWR. This is what got me, no matter what tires I put on my truck or airbags, overloads, etc, I was not comfortable with that much weight on the back end of a 2500HD shortbed truck. Not to mention that the 5er is almost 40' long. Giving all of that consideration, I knew that my vacations would be white-knuckling it up and down mountains praying that nothing goes wrong with my overloaded truck. Couldn't handle the thought of that and broke down and traded in for a dually, probably will be the best decision I ever made. If you are going to tow heavy, think about your safety and more importantly, those other motorists around you.

Hey We Did The Same Thing Bought A Tt And Traded It In A Couple Of Months For A 5th Wheel . Oh Yea Where Is The Rv Show In Pa At
Pittsburgh Pa. Huge RV show at the convention center.

Pittsburgh Pa. Huge RV show at the convention center.OKAY TOO FAR FOR ME I'M NEAR PHILLY

not anymore!


Sure is, talk to a knowledgeable attorney and ask him who's in trouble when you exceed the manufacturer's GVWR/GCWR and are in an at fault accident.

Old Soldier Do You Live In Pa? There's A Truck Like Yours Around Here

Can you elaborate on this?
lots of people on here say that you cant do this or cant do that.
with the help of Malibu (on here) i went to the dmv, had D.O.T inspect my truck for little over an hour, checking the rims weights, and tires capacities and what not. he then signed off that i had a 11,600 lb GVWR, and dmv printed off me a new registration and a new license plate.
it can be done, its just all the "knowledgeable" people say that you cant with all of lawsuits and crap. if you do it the right way and spend some $$$ and have the right equipment, IT CAN BE DONE

Sure is, talk to a knowledgeable attorney and ask him who's in trouble when you exceed the manufacturer's GVWR/GCWR and are in an at fault accident.
i havent exceeded my new GCWR yet!!

What Mods Did You Do To Achieve This 11000 Lb Capacity I've Just Upgraded Tires To 265 Commericial Bfgs With A 3500lb Cap On Each Tire

What Mods Did You Do To Achieve This 11000 Lb Capacity I've Just Upgraded Tires To 265 Commericial Bfgs With A 3500lb Cap On Each Tire
the dot man didnt tell me how he figured out the GVWR but he said one of the included ways was the load on each tire minus the rim (3750-3200)

How about 14,700 on BFG 235s without spaces and no tire kissing?:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/LtMac313/ViewofBV206frombehind.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/LtMac313/BV206inthebay.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/LtMac313/BackupBV206.jpg

14,700 dragged through the mountains of Colorado. I will have a nice pic next week of us @ the top of the Rockies...I would never voluntarily drive a different 1 ton...ever.

thats nothin haha

yeah, I heerd of da blizzards in arIzona! ;)

haha. we got sand blizzards!!

LOL!

haha. we got sand blizzards!!

Honda rder is correct,

You can get a dot insp done and pay more money and get your gvw upped. This is done on big rigs all the time, as have I on my tractors. So, if he has that done by dot and paid the extra weight fees, it is completly legal, and deemed safe by the dot. so, there is no reason to fear laywers or the uninformed people who keep giving that lowsey advise.

Honda rder is correct,

You can get a dot insp done and pay more money and get your gvw upped. This is done on big rigs all the time, as have I on my tractors. So, if he has that done by dot and paid the extra weight fees, it is completly legal, and deemed safe by the dot. so, there is no reason to fear laywers or the uninformed people who keep giving that lowsey advise.
ive been waiting some time for someone to second me. :p:

Hi,

I tow a large fifth wheel with a 2007.5 GMC 3500 LMM. It tows OK....but nowhere near as well as my 2002 LB7 3500 did with the mods that were done.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m167/RickSor/IMG_0576_1.jpg

I will be adding a air hitch for this summer. Maybe trying EFILive.


Rick

rickso:
nice rims :lol:
let us know how the air hitch does. im thinking about adding one as well. 5th airborne right?

:cool:

:cool:

i remember when you got that.

hondarider552,

That or trailair..........not sure yet.

Rick

lots of people on here say that you cant do this or cant do that.
with the help of Malibu (on here) i went to the dmv, had D.O.T inspect my truck for little over an hour, checking the rims weights, and tires capacities and what not. he then signed off that i had a 11,600 lb GVWR, and dmv printed off me a new registration and a new license plate.
it can be done, its just all the "knowledgeable" people say that you cant with all of lawsuits and crap. if you do it the right way and spend some $$$ and have the right equipment, IT CAN BE DONE

that is sweet, if true!

that is sweet, if true!
it is in az