Towing a big trailer advice, I can take it!

[Tim1]

Hey fellas, looking at a 5th wheel 2 axle trailer with G rated tires that weighs in empty at 14K, a toy hauler. Tags says to add 1k for water and gross at about 18k. I am worried about only 4 tires and my 15K classic Reese Hitch. I think my truck will handle it, although with 20% pin weight, that will be alot on my E rated stock truck tires. I am sure the tires are over 5 years old and are goodyears. Do you guys feel that this kinda weight should have 3 axles? You can see that I have a 03 3500 single wheel crew cab 4x4 with exhaust brake and 6 speed. 325 hp. I have read alot here and am a bit on the fence. I know you guys have been there and done that! I would really like some advice. Thanks Tim Oh, I do have air bags.

 

[Bob4x4]

With all the twisty roads in Oregon I wouldn't

 

[RustyJC]

The 16" Goodyear G614RSTs are worth a Google search. They came on my 16K GVWR 5th wheel (see signature), and I had 2 tread separation failures, the 2nd doing over $2,500 in damage to the RV. IMHO, 18K is too much weight for these tires, especially if they are over 5 years old. I went to 17. 5" Michelin XTAs rated 4805 lbs @ 120 PSIG versus the 3750 lb @ 110 PSIG rating of the G614s, and I haven't had a tire problem since. If you don't care for Michelins, there are lots of other companies who make 215/75R-17. 5 load range H or J tires.



I know there are a lot of people here who say you don't have to pay any attention to your truck's GVWR whatsoever, but you can see in my signature what I use to tow a 16K GVWR 5th wheel. Personally, I don't think a SRW 3500 is enough truck for an 18K 5th wheel, but I have my flame suit on waiting to be shot down and told that I have no idea what I'm talking about. I probably don't - I've only been towing 5th wheels since 1996 and other trailers a lot longer than that.....



For what it's worth.....



Rusty

 

[JJPage]

Personally, I don't think a SRW 3500 is enough truck for an 18K 5th wheel

Rusty

My 30ft toyhauler is around 14k loaded up, it's all I want to pull with my SRW 3500. I agree with the above.

 

[Tim1]

Even if I am at 16k loaded, I worry that I do not have enough truck. I can fix the tire issue and the hitch issue, but the trucks only option would be 19. 5 tires, right? Or are you saying the 3500 dodge is not enough? Thanks Tim Oh, the toyhauler is a 04 Komfort Karry All 38 foot fifth wheel.

 

[AH64ID]

You have enough truck, but you don't have enough tire.

There are non 19. 5" options, but the 19. 5's will work the best with that much weight. If your going to be towing it full time then I would consider a DRW swap.

I would add airbags and a rear sway bar as well.

 

[Tim1]

I do have airbags and do not tow full time. Tow 100 miles to coast and back one time a year. Have new michelin load range E on truck. Just never pulled that kind of weight. My brother is a rv dealer and pulled this in with a v-10 98 3500 dually and said it was a easy tow with the auto. I think it is all in the tires as you said. Will probably pass on this one. It is really nice,though. Tim

 

[AH64ID]

If the tires are stock size then they should be rated for 3195 lbs each, giving you a GAWR of 6390 lbs. I don't know about your QCLB truck, but mine weights about 3200 lbs empty, so you would only have 3,000 lbs to spare. Pin weight should put a little to the front axle, but a 18K 5er with 20% weight is 3600lbs of pin weight so it would be very close.

 

[NIsaacs]

Tow 100 miles to coast and back one time a year. Tim

That seems like a lot of trailer for that amount of use. Pitch a tent and haul your toys on a car trailer



Nick

 

[Tim1]

Nick, been there. I now have a 30ft travel trailer and take 2 rigs. You know the drill! Tim

 

[HBarlow]

Tim,

IMO the truck is worth a tentative "okay" for that trailer.

You won't overload the tires and wheels of the truck. However, I agree with Rusty and Jess Page. I pull a 14,000 lb. HitchHiker with a Ram 3500 C&C which has better suspension than dually pickups and consider the HitchHIker all I want to pull. When I was being paid for each mile I hauled a trailer I pulled several that weighed in between 18k and 20k. I didn't like it and would not do it on a routine basis with a Class III truck if it was my truck and trailer.

Your dually probably weighs 8,500 to 9,000 lbs. Pulling a trailer that weighs twice that in the mountains and curves presents a challenge. A skilled driver driving sober and carefully can do it safely as long as no equipment failure occurs and particulary if its only once a year as you stated. I'm just saying a Class III pickup is not an ideal tow vehicle for a trailer that large and that heavy.

Do you really want one that large for occasional use? A trailer that size would be good for a fulltimer but they can become a burden (no pun intended) and cause buyer's remorse for occasional vacation or weekend use. A mid-sized trailer might be more practical and enjoyable.

 

[Tim1]

Thanks Harvey for the reply. This is a single tire 3500, thus the concern. I am gonna take this forums advice and get a smaller toyhauler as we want to get out much more with our grandaughter. I am guessing a gross loaded down weight of 13k would be better all around. Tim

 

[NIsaacs]

Tim,



IMO the truck is worth a tentative "okay" for that trailer.



You won't overload the tires and wheels of the truck.



Your dually probably weighs 8,500 to 9,000 lbs.

The OP's truck is a 3500 SRW.



Nick

 

[AH64ID]

The OP's truck is a 3500 SRW.

Nick

Your assuming that he pays attention to details and facts.

 

[HBarlow]

OOPS! A very large error made by me. About 6,000 lbs. of error which means your truck is nowhere near adequate for the load you're considering.

Tim, weigh each axle of your truck when full of fuel, hitch, tools, and passengers that would be carrying on a normal routine weekend trip to the coast with trailer. Subtract the gross rear axle weight from the carrying capacity of two rear tires and your result will be the maximum kingpin weight your truck can safely carry. I'm going to guess your net carrying capacity is no more than 2500 lbs. The typical kingpin weight of a 12,000 lb. gross weight trailer would be about 2400 to 2500 lbs.

Your truck is capable of towing as much weight as any dually. However, it is not capable of carrying as much weight as a dually. I would stick to a lighter trailer.

 

[mfurrh55]

Tim you have plenty of truck to haul your trailer ,i have hauled countless times 1200 miles or more hauling hay on my trailer and trailer and load weighed 21,000 lbs. plus my truck weighed 8,000 lbs,Monte

But of course i have a Dually too, and triple axle trailer.

 

[Slow Six]

Tim you have plenty of truck to haul your trailer , even with a swr, i have hauled countless times 1200 miles or more hauling hay on my trailer and trailer and load weighed 21,000 lbs. plus my truck weighed 8,000 lbs,Monte

He does not have plenty of truck. You may do it and get away with it but that does not make it right or safe. I would not consider hauling it with anything less than a 3500 dually. I hauled my last 5th wheel with my 2500 with air bags before switching to a 3500 dually. The difference in handling and stability was night and day. I tow long distances with a 19,000lb. fiver with my present truck. It handles well and is stable even in strong winds or in traffic situations. I consider my safety and that of others. The OP has the right idea by down sizing and I commend him for that thought. I just got home from an extended vacation. Some of the tow rig set ups I have seen **** me off because they are just plain insane and unsafe, for example a short box single rear wheel hauling a good sized Teton Homes or LARGE Toy Haulers.

 

[JJPage]

He does not have plenty of truck. example a short box single rear wheel hauling a good sized Teton Homes or LARGE Toy Haulers.

Hey SS, you forgot the ipod bud in the ear, 80+mph, and no clue... .

 

[NIsaacs]

SRW guys will say it is okay, DRW guys will say it is not I think if it were me, I would be more conserned about the trailer axles/tires. With a load of toys the pin weight will decrease but the trailer will increase. If the trailer has 14,000 K axles/tires it will be overloaded. If the trailer has 16,000 K axles/tires then all is well.



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

Weight scales never lie and only rarely provide false information but internet advisors often do both.

If internet advisors were held liable in court for the bad advice often given to newbies when tire failures or crashes occur they might become a little more cautious about the baloney they spread.

Internet advice justified by "I've done it many times" should be carefully analyzed.

Weigh the truck and trailer and then the answer is known.