2500 towing question

[nwcatman]

every truck pulling a travel trailer of any size seems to be a 3500 w/training wheels. since my 03 2500 HD HO 4x4 has everything a 3500 SWB has except one less rear leaf spring, can i tow a travel trailer too? will i have to get a 5th wheel? THANKS

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I've towed my 35' TT with my 2500 for over 7,000 miles with no problems at all.

 

[slo-ryde]

I'm pulling a 36 foot travel trailer, no worries.

 

[Spoon40]

Originally posted by nwcatman

every truck pulling a travel trailer of any size seems to be a 3500 w/training wheels. since my 03 2500 HD HO 4x4 has everything a 3500 SWB has except one less rear leaf spring, can i tow a travel trailer too? will i have to get a 5th wheel? THANKS

I have had four trailers since '69, two TT & two 5th whls. I currently tow a 12,500 lb 5er with my '98 2500. 5ers are much more stable & less effected by passing trucks. I have 5500 lbs on my rear axle, the tires are rated for 6084 lbs. The only disadvantage a 5er has is that you pretty much lose the use of you p/u bed. John

 

[RustyJC]

The problem you'll run into with a 3/4 ton truck is your limited GVWR. A 5th wheel puts about 20% of its total loaded weight on the truck as pin weight - this pin weight counts against your truck's GVWR. To illustrate, we pull a 13,500 lb 36' triple slide 5th wheel (Jayco Designer XL 3610RLTS). Our scale weights, loaded with full fuel tanks, passengers and heading down the road, are as follows:



21,180 lbs GCW (21,500 GCWR)



10,380 lbs GVW (10,500 GVWR)



10,800 lbs trailer axle weight (12,000 combined GAWR)



2,700 lbs trailer pin weight



7,680 lbs truck laden curb weight



Rusty

 

[Gene Arnold]

I've been pulling TT since 1983 (a 31' Airstream, and my present 34' Airstream). I've had two 1/2 ton Chevys, one heavy-half 6. 2 diesel Chevy, and I now have my '96 Dodge 3/4 ton LWB. Never have had stability problems due to the trucks. I once had problems when I switched trucks because I didn't have the hitch set tight enough but once that was adjusted, all was well.

 

[jimnance]

GVWR will be an issue, but it can be done. Mine tows, stops, and handles fine. Fully loaded without water I'm 21,750 lbs total.



Front Axle = 4750 lbs

Rear Axle = 5800 lbs

Trailer Axle =11200 lbs



I have G rated tires and Timbrens, and Bilsteins on the rear to carry the weight.



The problem comes if I load water. 130 gallons of water is over 1,000 lbs and at least 50% of it is forward of the trailer axles. It puts me over my rear axle limit which does make me uncomfortable

 

[nwcatman]

THANKS GUYS! you've given me a lot to think about!!

 

[RustyJC]

As you're thinking, please consider that there are some civil liability risks associated with towing over manufacturer's ratings (GVWR, GCWR and GAWRs). Only you can decide whether or not those risks are acceptable to you.



Rusty

 

[Spoon40]

Originally posted by Gene Arnold

I've been pulling TT since 1983 (a 31' Airstream, and my present 34' Airstream). I've had two 1/2 ton Chevys, one heavy-half 6. 2 diesel Chevy, and I now have my '96 Dodge 3/4 ton LWB. Never have had stability problems due to the trucks. I once had problems when I switched trucks because I didn't have the hitch set tight enough but once that was adjusted, all was well.

Gene - I would love to have the aerodynamics of your "Airstream" with my 5er, but most TT & 5ers are more or less shoe boxes with wheels- John

 

[SFranzer]

nwcatman



I think you'll find your choice of fifth wheels very limited based on allowable pin weight. I have a stripped down 2500 2x4, I am right at GVWR pulling my fifth wheel. As far as risks go, those training wheels on the 3500 give you a little more stability and added insurance in case of a blowout (not to mentions a higher axle rating). Next truck I buy will definitely be a 3500 dually.



Scott

 

[jimnance]

Yes, that would be true. Allowing strangers into your home can be risky too.



Kidding aside, I drive very cautiously any time I'm towing, heavy or not. You can't expect the same level of performance or safety when towing as empty. The heavier the load the more caution involved. Obviously, I would not take a rig on the road if I felt I was a danger to others.



Point well taken Rusty. Being involved in an injury accident while towing a heavy load would not be a good thing. Caution is advised.

Originally posted by RustyJC

As you're thinking, please consider that there are some civil liability risks associated with towing over manufacturer's ratings (GVWR, GCWR and GAWRs). Only you can decide whether or not those risks are acceptable to you.



Rusty

 

[SnoKing]

Here are some real world weights with a mid size 5th wheel. Trailer is a 2005 Cardinal 29WBLX by Forest River, two slides with a King Size Bed. Rear living room.



Loaded heavy, 2 TV's, water full, propane full, golf clubs, Honda EU1000i/gas can, Freedom 10 inverter, tools and two group 27's.



Front 4060

Drivers 5160

Trailer Axles 9020

GCW 18240



Pin weight is around 2200 lbs, because truck is around 7K.



Trailer actually rolls down the road easier than the 26 5T Terry did. Also the Magnaflow SS exhaust seems to have lowered max EGT by 150 degrees.



http://mysite.verizon.net/res6pseo/id15.html



Chris

 

[Turboman]

Keep in mind also that some drivers are overloaded with a small Uhaul!! And how does having 2 more tires on the same Dana 80 axle increase the axle rating. Does the axle know it has 4 tires??? I have never heard about a lawsuit involving a truck/trailer that was 500 or 1000 lbs or what ever over the GVWR. I'm not saying there is not, just not to my knowledge.



I know people who are idiots BTW, that drive like idiots all the time, empty the run 90 mph all the time, everytime they accellarate it full throttle all the way, then they go hook on to 20000lbs of what ever and away we go, these are the ones to worry about. IMHO

 

[rblomquist]

Some of the 2500s have Dana 70 (like mine). I believe it was trucks with autos have the 70 and standard trans got the Dana 80.

 

[Wiredawg]

My experience w/ 2500 towing

Folks:



I believe I made the strongest discussion (or arguement) that I had made my 00 2500 4X4 equal to a 3500 minus two wheels right here in the towing forum. I had added Ranchos, heavy duty rear anti-sway bar, exhaust brake and air bags. With a triple axle, triple slide 36' Travel Supreme, I exceeded GVWR, GCVWR and right at the limit on the rear tires.



I really need a Freightliner FL-60, but not practical as a daily driver. I traded for my 02 3500. I'm still exceeding GVWR (by only 600lbs now) and GCVWR (by 5K lbs). I'm right on the GAWR of rear axle (7500 lbs).



The short fall to my original argument on my 2500 being a single rear wheel 3500 came out when I was stripping 2500 for trade. I found both top rear bracket bolts on both sides had sheared and were held in place through binding. There are some powerful forces excerted and a truck and all it's equipment haas to be up to them



I believe I would have had the equivelent of a train wreck had I continued to tow with that truck.



So, be careful and know the limits of your equipment. One day, I will get a Dodge 4500 and be legal all the way around, but until then, I'll continue to be careful myself.



Happy (and Safe) Trails,



Wiredawg

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

The short fall to my original argument on my 2500 being a single rear wheel 3500 came out when I was stripping 2500 for trade. I found both top rear bracket bolts on both sides had sheared and were held in place through binding. There are some powerful forces excerted and a truck and all it's equipment haas to be up to them



Excellent info - and worth repeating for the benefit of those claiming towing overweight is "no big deal"...

 

[NIsaacs]

What were the brackets for, and what did they bolt to? I am guessing they had something to do with your gooseneck or 5th wheel hitch. If thats the case, it is not the trucks fault. There is not a pickup truck alive that will break 4,1/2" grade 8 bolts, if they were bolted flush to metal as thick as the brackets, like the frame. I have seen a lot of hitches bolt thru the bed, thru a tin cross member under the bed, then thru the frame. This is not good as the tin crossmember is too mushy. Like I said I am not sure of the application of the brackets, so I may be out of line here ! However overloading the truck did not cause the failure !





"IF IT AIN'T CUMMINS POWERED, IT AIN'T A TRUCK"





"NICK"

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

However overloading the truck did not cause the failure



Figured that all out without ever seeing the truck or trailer didya Nick?



What brand of crystal ball DO ya use?

 

[jkalchik]

Hang on a sec, Gary, I'll bet Nick is more right that you think.....



Here's a fer instance: the Warn XD9000i winch on the front of my Heep is only bolted on with 4 small bolts (head size is 1/2") and torqued to 40 ft/lbs each. The bolts are in shear (it's not an 8274,) not compression or tension. I have completely stalled out the winch motor on the last wrap on the drum which is max pull, and nothing budged.



Wiredawg, you said top rear bracket bolts. Are you talking about the front control arms or the rear shackles?



Jeff