I am looking at 5th wheel that has a GVWR of 14,000, a dry weight of 11,186 and a hitch weight of 2300 lbs. I have no experience with 5th wheels but have been towing a travel trailer that is not this heavy. I have a 2004 Duramax LLB crewcab 4WD that is stock.

Can you 5er towers out there give me some advice? Thanks

What kind of advice do you want?

Your truck can handle it, but I'd suggest at least a chip if you will be pulling that much, and more importantly, pushing that much air.

I am looking at 5th wheel that has a GVWR of 14,000, a dry weight of 11,186 and a hitch weight of 2300 lbs. I have no experience with 5th wheels but have been towing a travel trailer that is not this heavy. I have a 2004 Duramax LLB crewcab 4WD that is stock.

Can you 5er towers out there give me some advice? Thanks

You'll be just fine as that's within the weight limits of your truck....

I tow heavy often in my PU and these are some of the key things to abide by in no particular order:

1. Check trailer's lug bolts and tire pressures

2. Ensure coupling and safety chains are secured after every stop for food/fuel

3. Don't drive for more than 4 hours without a break

4. Keep your speed lower than before...even if the limit says 70 w.trailer like in Arizona I'd keep to 65 with that much weight on a SRW truck

5. Make sure brakes are all connected properly and that you have a brake controller. If you need aftermarket they are not expensive at all so make sure to do that

6. Leave extra distance between you and other traffic as anything over 10k takes a lot of stopping and can become unstable if you need to stomp on the middle pedal

7. Make sure your revs stay above 1600rpm minimum, preferably 1800-2000 as it'll help keep temps down in the summer

8. Have fun and relax :)

-Rob

Thanks transferred, I pretty much follow those rules. Even though I am currently towing less weight I still try to work within those guidelines.

Premis, thanks. I have not found a need for a chip and more than likely would not add one at this point. I know that many swear by them but several things have kept me from doing that.
1. Right after I bought the truck I asked about a chip. A GM rep told me "if you think you need more power to tow something buy a bigger truck. You only ask for problems with a chip.
2. I read, on here, about more trouble with chips than good comments.
3. GM has tightened down on warranty issues and chips only raise questions.

Now I know this will start a firefight but before someone flames me remember it is MY truck. :)

I am looking at 5th wheel that has a GVWR of 14,000, a dry weight of 11,186 and a hitch weight of 2300 lbs. I have no experience with 5th wheels but have been towing a travel trailer that is not this heavy. I have a 2004 Duramax LLB crewcab 4WD that is stock.

Can you 5er towers out there give me some advice? Thanks

You don't say if you have a 2500 or 3500 series truck. If you have a 3/4 ton, you'll exceed your truck's GVWR and the GCWR and the 'loaded' pin weight will be closer to 2,800/3,000#.

I pull a 5th wheel with the same weights with a D/A dually.

All of the above comments are good info.
Are the weights you quote actual on the scale, or what the salesman told you?
My concern is that you ease into the idea and driving of the 5th wheel and the weight. It will act differently than the tag a long. It is not a jump in and go. Take time to learn to drive according to the condition of the road, your truck, the trailer, the weather, and read the feedback you get through the seat of your pants.

Happy trails:D.

My truck is a 2500. The info is off of the stats for the 5th wheel as they are printed in their brochure. Your info is along the line of what I am seeking. I don't totally understand the GVWR etc but it looked like it could be an issue. There is another 5th wheel, shorter and with less GVWR that I am looking at also.

Most of my "loaded" tows would be in state and to the mountains. Long distance tows (2000 miles or more) would be without the water tanks filled and no quads in the back.

I am not new to towing. I have been towing things behind trucks since I was a kid doing farm work but I do understand that this is something different.

My truck is a 2500. The info is off of the stats for the 5th wheel as they are printed in their brochure. Your info is along the line of what I am seeking. I don't totally understand the GVWR etc but it looked like it could be an issue. There is another 5th wheel, shorter and with less GVWR that I am looking at also.

Most of my "loaded" tows would be in state and to the mountains. Long distance tows (2000 miles or more) would be without the water tanks filled and no quads in the back.

I am not new to towing. I have been towing things behind trucks since I was a kid doing farm work but I do understand that this is something different.

You're fine at that weight, it's at the limit but no quads and water will see you right...

old soldier-- you're gonna have to get a new answer soon as the 2011 SRW owners start posting in this area with their higher payload ratings than your 07 :)

Lynn1130-just as a reference-

GVWR-Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the vehicle cannot weigh more then this, including fuel, cargo and passengers. This also includes hitch or pin weight

GCWR-Gross Combined Weight Rating, the truck trailer and all passengers and cargo at the same time. On my '05 2500 its 20,000 lbs. I would not recommend going over your GCWR

GAWR-Gross axle weight rating. The max weight your axles can take, including hitch weight

Lynn1130-just as a reference-

GVWR-Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, the vehicle cannot weigh more then this, including fuel, cargo and passengers. This also includes hitch or pin weight

GCWR-Gross Combined Weight Rating, the truck trailer and all passengers and cargo at the same time. On my '05 2500 its 20,000 lbs. I would not recommend going over your GCWR

GAWR-Gross axle weight rating. The max weight your axles can take, including hitch weight

Are you sure on this? :confused: I remember when I had my chevy that the rating for the 3/4 ton 4x4 diesels was 22k GCWR....:)

-Rob

I have to look too but 22K sounds right from my questionable memory.

Sorry my mistake it is 22k. I was thinking of the 8.1's rating with the 3.73 gear

I have to look too but 22K sounds right from my questionable memory.
You will like the fifth wheel over the bumper hitch hands down. Better weight displacement and better handling in windy conditions.

You're fine at that weight, it's at the limit but no quads and water will see you right...

old soldier-- you're gonna have to get a new answer soon as the 2011 SRW owners start posting in this area with their higher payload ratings than your 07 :)

You are correct. When the new trucks come out...all bets are off. All of the big three will have totally new tow numbers, all much higher

I am looking at 5th wheel that has a GVWR of 14,000, a dry weight of 11,186 and a hitch weight of 2300 lbs. I have no experience with 5th wheels but have been towing a travel trailer that is not this heavy. I have a 2004 Duramax LLB crewcab 4WD that is stock.

Can you 5er towers out there give me some advice? Thanks


I've been towing a similar setup for 4 years now. No problem for your Duramax.


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