Fifth wheels? [Archive] - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

: Fifth wheels?


Thankful
03-09-2005, 10:40 PM
Ok. I bought my Duramax to eventually tow a fifth wheel. I'd like to know if anybody else is towing a fifth wheel, the UVW, and the GVWR. I'm looking at the Keystone Everest model 293P.

chvydmx
03-09-2005, 11:42 PM
My 5er is a 36' funmover and has an 1800 lb kingpin load, and weighs just about 12,500 lb when loaded with all our stuff and two dirtbikes. I scaled my truck fueled with the trailer loaded and the family in the truck and I was a shade over 19,000 lbs. The actual load on the truck was 9450 lbs. I think I was 150 lbs over weight, I am comfortable with that as I figure GM is going to under rate the capacity a bit in order to protect themselves.

Terrain Twister
03-10-2005, 12:18 AM
See below!

Big Pull Mike
03-10-2005, 12:24 AM
I have a 04.5 LLY. I pull a 31.5 ft Nomad with 1 popout. I have installed a 4" exhaust and AFE II stage air filter. The trailer grosses at 11,000 and I think I am pretty close to that. I live in Calif, we have the pull tester of any vehicle on a grade near San Luis Obispo called Questa Grade. I think that one portion is over 8%. I pulled it 57 mph.

My friend has a LB7 and pulls a 32 ft Triumph with 3 popouts up that grade at 52 mhp. I think his trailer weights 12,500 or 13,000. He has 4" exhaust and Afe II stage filter.

The Duramax is definitly a puller.:)

JTee
03-10-2005, 03:15 AM
I just purchased that exact model. With the dog, wife, and a full tank of diesel the empty weight of the truck close to 7400 lbs. The hitch weight of the 293P is approximately 2400 lbs so I'm slighty over the GVW of the truck. Loaded the trailer weighs in at 12,200 lbs. I have no problem pulling any grade and the truck squats down to just slightly below level. I haven't decided if I'm going to put air bags or timbrens on the rear. I will proably put some kind of load levelers on when I decide which way to go.

Thankful
03-10-2005, 09:34 AM
JTee,

Since you have the same fifth wheel I'm interested in, I did some research on the Timbrens. I could only find good responses from different forums. See the following: http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/i...id/15139847.cfm (http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15139847.cfm)

Also:

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...sg/15158707.cfm (http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15155047/gotomsg/15158707.cfm)

Before your post, I had not even heard of timbrens. I will probably use them myself. Many thanks.

Ben
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jasonesmith12
03-10-2005, 12:12 PM
I have Timbrens with mine. I am really pleased.

JTee
03-10-2005, 01:16 PM
Thks guys! I just ordered timbrens from www.trucksprings.com (http://www.trucksprings.com/) for $144. They sound real easy to install. The only negative comment I saw was when lightly loaded, the ride was a little Dodge like. Unloaded or with a good load in the back everyone says they are the way to go.

JJs DuMax
03-10-2005, 04:16 PM
benburke, by any chance is your truck a dually? :rolleyes: I'm towing about the same as TT at 25k lbs. Duramax handles it very well. Best to get a programmer for some additional hp/tq, it really does make a difference. Gauges are an absolute necessity as well. JJ :)

Thankful
03-10-2005, 04:45 PM
No, my truck is just a CC 4x4 2500HD. And for now, I'll stay away from any modifications that may void the warranty. And I've heard that if you boost the performance of an engine, you may decrease it's longevity.

turbospl311
03-10-2005, 04:50 PM
I have a Tahoe Transport 33TB (13.5k loaded with the racecar and go-karts). Hauls great. Did about 10k miles last year. Took a trip to San Bernandino from Boise last weekend and then dropped the trailer off in Lake Havasu and going back down to get it over spring break. I love the bigger fuel tank. Drove from Lake havasu back to Boise (750 miles) and still have 3\8 of a tank left.

CODiesel
03-10-2005, 04:56 PM
Tow camp trailer, 1800lb hitch weight, 11,000lb GVWR, have only towed empty from the dealer, but felt really good. Squatted the suspension on my truck about 1 1/2". Definetly know it is there but accelerates, brakes and handles well.
Good Luck......

bob camire
03-10-2005, 06:45 PM
pulling 9500 pounds of jayco 5r...goes like a raped ape! its hard keepin' out of trouble....

Duramax_Steve
03-10-2005, 07:57 PM
Towing a 34' 5th wheel. I weighed fully loaded for a vacation and was under for axle weights over foe GVW and at 21660#just under for gross combined. It towed with no problems

Glamis44
03-10-2005, 10:20 PM
I have a CC/LB 4X4 3500 SRW, I pull a 17k trailer loaded. Its a Next Level 38CKS toy hauler (38 foot dual slide). I put Firestone air bags on the rear. They are by far the best investment you can make. They are there when you need them (just pump up) and deflate for a caddy ride. No add a leafs for me. I use the B&W hitch with the compainion....Love it...It pulls good, I have the AFE stage 2 kit with the Banks Monster Exhaust. I just ordered the EGR plate and Mid pipe to get rid of the cat. We will see after that. Next is the Six Gun...