2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Towing fifth wheel RV hitch weight vs payload

[SMalafy]

I have a 01 with a 2600 lb payload weight but I want to buy a RV that has a hitch weight of 3220. Not sure how much this will affect the suspension/springs. It is a toy hauler so I imagine when I add a couple motorcycles in the rear the hitch weight would be lighter but not sure by how much.
Has anyone ever attempted this before and what were the results. Do I need to beef up the suspension with air bags or something else ?

 

[Road Dog]

You should try and stay at or under your GVW. You also need to consider your axle, tires and rims. All the weight ends up on the rear axle and sidewall flex can do you in.

Air bags help for leveling but but don't increase the capacity of the truck. My 3500 is slightly over it's GVW after loading a [loaded] slide-in camper. At least it's level.

Finally, don't trust the listed pin weight. Have it measured.

 

[petersonj]

Air bags help for leveling but but don't increase the capacity of the truck.

Nor the capacity of the tires.

- John

 

[GAmes]

I've towed a few dozen toy haulers, both bumper pull and 5th wheels. #1, the manufacturer's weight of the trailer or the hitch is never correct. With a pin weight of over 3000 pounds the GVWR of the trailer must be around 15,000-16,000 pounds. Hooking a trailer that big to a stock 2nd gen 2500 will give you a combo that you will not enjoy.

 

[SMalafy]

Well I better forget about that RV then

 

[Grumpy8811]

I have a 01 with a 2600 lb payload weight but I want to buy a RV that has a hitch weight of 3220. Not sure how much this will affect the suspension/springs. It is a toy hauler so I imagine when I add a couple motorcycles in the rear the hitch weight would be lighter but not sure by how much.
Has anyone ever attempted this before and what were the results. Do I need to beef up the suspension with air bags or something else ?

there comes a point in trailer towing where the tail wags the dog.. and it sounds like that is what you are attempting to do.

if you only pull a few miles once in awhile you could get away with it but what you propose to do is not a recipe for success.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I towed a 32' Avion Platinum with my 98 12V without air bags. My combined weight was 20k. The truck sat level and handled the load easily traveling the West Coast.

 

[GAmes]

I towed a 32' Avion Platinum with my 98 12V without air bags. My combined weight was 20k. The truck sat level and handled the load easily traveling the West Coast.

An Avion is a far cry from a big 5th wheel toy hauler. It could have been towed with a Hemi/Ram.

 

[NIsaacs]

An Avion is a far cry from a big 5th wheel toy hauler. It could have been towed with a Hemi/Ram.

As in 1500 or 2500? '98, is apples and oranges with modern late model pickup trucks. In '98, the 360 gasser 2500 was only rated 14k gcw, diesel 18k and v10 19k. Be specific

 

[Grumpy8811]

when it comes to trailer towing its more about suspension, brakes,gearing and steering than it is about engine ..
those older trucks were not nearly as capable as the new versions..

one thing for sure is its alot more fun to bring too much gun to a gunfight than to bring a knife

 

[GAmes]

As in 1500 or 2500? '98, is apples and oranges with modern late model pickup trucks. In '98, the 360 gasser 2500 was only rated 14k gcw, diesel 18k and v10 19k. Be specific

My mind was seeing an Avion bumper pull travel trailer which is very much like an Airstream. Regardless, the GCWR isn't the issue. The trailer I brought you exceeded my factory GCWR but it didn't have a pin weight over 3000 pounds.

If Cummins 12V98's trailer was a 5th wheel it's pin weight would have been roughly 2500 at most. In addition, the aerodynamics of the Avion trailers was much better than any rear door/ramp toy hauler so towing would have been much more comfortable.

 

[Cummins12V98]

An Avion is a far cry from a big 5th wheel toy hauler. It could have been towed with a Hemi/Ram.

Not sure why you are saying this as all I did was state what I did with my 98 12V. Sure not trying to say it was BIG.

Yes it was a 5er, didn’t think I needed to state that as the topic was 5er’s.

 

[GAmes]

Not sure why you are saying this as all I did was state what I did with my 98 12V. Sure not trying to say it was BIG.

Why else would you post it if not comparing it to pulling a big toyhauler?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Why else would you post it if not comparing it to pulling a big toyhauler?

I was just letting him know what can be towed weight wise without concern. He was wanting to know what he could do.

Did you have your coffee yet???

 

[GAmes]

I have a lot of experience towing heavy 5th wheels and travel trailers with a 2nd gen, far more than you do. There is a concern, whether you believe it or not, with towing a trailer that large with a 2500. Not only with the sheer weight, there is a drivetrain limit and a cooling system limit. I don't need coffee to know that.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I have a lot of experience towing heavy 5th wheels and travel trailers with a 2nd gen, far more than you do. There is a concern, whether you believe it or not, with towing a trailer that large with a 2500. Not only with the sheer weight, there is a drivetrain limit and a cooling system limit. I don't need coffee to know that.

Ya know I have respected everything you have posted in the past. I am not sure what the attitude is about??? "There is a concern, whether you believe it or not, with towing a trailer that large with a 2500." When did I ever state a darn thing about the 2nd generation capabilities??? I simply stated what "I" safely towed a weight and I get all this BS, I simply don't get it.

I am done, I hope the OP got some good info from what I posted.

YEA I think I do know a thing or two about towing "HEAVY". 35,500# combined!

 

[GAmes]

YEA I think I do know a thing or two about towing "HEAVY". 35,500# combined!

Not with a 2nd gen and you don't have a 2500 either.