99 2500 Gcvwr?

[BLMills]

I have a few questions for you experienced RVers, since I'm looking to buy a fifth wheel toyhauler. My biggest dilemma concerns weight issues.



1) What is the GCVWR for my Truck. (99 2500 Quad Sport 4X4. 3. 55 auto) I don't have the owner's manual and can't seem to get a straight answer.



2) What I do know: GVWR 8800# GAWRF 4850# GAWRR 5820 (due to D rated tires)

curb wt. 6780 on scales (but can't remember if I had full gas tank)

using 62% Front and 32% Rear (a WAG) Front 4204# Rear 2576#

extra 700 # (driver, passenger, kids, hitch, misc)

new curb 7480

*Note need to go weigh again fully loaded on CAT scale.



3) Potential 5er/toyhauler: '07 Rage'n 3005

length 30'05"

GVWR 13,960#

GAWR 12000#

Dry Pin wt 1960#

Dry Axle wt 5240#

UVW 7240# (Dealer said to add 1000# based on added options)

new wt 8240#



I ran some numbers using a towing calculator found in another thread, using GCVWR of 20,000#, since I could'nt find a good number anywhere. Estimated liberal addition of 3200 #s in the trailer (personal goods, 50 gal freshwater, one 720# Harley positioned over the axles) Don't ever really see maxing out)



Long story short, I estimate that the way I'll load out the 5er, GVW is around 10400#, with around 2000# pin wt. Puts me at around 18000-18500 total for truck and trailer. My concern is I estimate approx 800# over GVWR of truck but inside GAWRs.



Is this reasonable? Getting myself into trouble? I still can't find a straight answer on legalities of running over GVWR etc.



I plan on putting on air bags, I run the SuperChip, BHAF with shield and lost the muffler. Have pulled 40th Gooseneck stock trailers in my younger yrs with an old 6. 9 Ford 250, currently pull a offshore boat at about 4400#s, so not knew to towing, jut to 5ers.



I'm getting transferred to San Diego for 3 yrs. I plan on living in it off and on (while not deployed) and would like to take my Harley. Wife and kids are staying in Colorado Springs. Just looking for a do it all trailer I can camp, hunt, live in and keep the wife happy when the family goes along.



With that said, numbers don't lie and don't want to get into an unsafe configuration. Plan on moving up to 3500 dually maybe next year, but will my 2500 work in interim?



Thanks and sorry for the long winded post, but I have been losing sleep over this. Just would like to get some experienced advice before jumping into this purchase.



Cheers,

Gunny

 

[EricBu12]

sounds pretty good gunny. . I have an 01 2500 and the max is 20K. . I would suggest 2 things. .



Get E rate tires and air them up good... this will help the load carry and mileage.



Get either the airbags or like what I did the Roadmaster coil springs from Mr. bobs dist.



You are pretty close to the estimate on the loaded weight. . you might be upwards of 19K though. .



you will find a lot of people brag high and low on never do this or that, I have a 15. 5K 5th and pull a 14' utility behind that!. . 26K I am...

On your case you will be fine... yes you are a little over GVW but not over combined and not over any axle or tire rating. . those matter a lot.

 

[SBeretz]

I pull a Raptor 3814SS which weighs in pretty heavy around 11500 empty, and I pull it with my truck with NO problems. Air Bags make a world of difference and if your truck has the power you will not have any troubles. I was worried since I bought the trailer while in Afghanistan, but I put the airbags, exhaust brake and some other stuff on the truck. Really, with just the air bags, you will be fine, but I agree, get the E rated tires and fill them to the max, since you are on singles, you really depend on those tires. Good luck, your truck will pull it fine, just "over" set up the tow rig and you will have no troubles and the 5th wheel will pull awesome. Scotty

 

[DonTX]

You may be surprised as I was, my dually only has a 16,000 GCWR, not much to gain there.

 

[BLMills]

All,



Thanks for your replies. Nice to hear from folks with experience. That's why I love TDR!



I agree with all you regarding the load range E tires. I've been looking for 33X12. 5X 16. 5 tires in E for a couple of years now, with not much luck. Interco carries them in their lineup, but not sure about the quality. Unfortunately, the guy I bought the truck from had it set up with these rims. May have to break down and go to 16" or 17" rims to have more tire options.



Thanks again.



Gunny

 

[SBeretz]

Hey Guns, if you are looking for E Rated Tires in larger rim sizes, look towards the Toyo's. They are good tires and come in all the E Rated larger rim sizes. Plus, they have great load ranges for there tires, their 33" size tires have a 3750 lbs load. That is pretty good for a tire that size. . Anyhow, good luck. If you are ever down in the Lejeune area, stop by. Scotty

 

[BLMills]

Thanks Scotty.



As a matter of fact I just happened to notice the Toyo Open Country A/Ts at Tire King today, when I picked up up my truck from rotation/balance. Nice looking tires and I can get the 10 ply, E rated tires in 16" and 17". Unfortunately, Toyo doesn't carry 16. 5" tires. Guess it's time to break the news to my wife. Now I just need to decide on rim size and steel vs. alum.



Thanks for the invite and if feel the need for some humidity I'll stop in for a visit.



After thought on staying with the 16. 5' rims and going with the TrXus MT/STS that are 10 ply/E rated (3525# at 65 psi) in 33X12. 5X16. 5. Would they still have that "squishy" feeling since they are floaters, so to speak, and only pump to 65psi? Thoughts anyone?



Gunny

 

[klaybus]

BLMills,

I hate to burst your bubble but your GCVWR is 16,000. There's a guide in the trailer life. Send me an email & I'll email you back the PDF... I know, it sucks. We have the same truck.



Clay

-- email address removed --

 

[DonTX]

Correct me if I am wrong, but have we not established that GCWR is nothing more than a manufacturers GUIDE to use as we see fit? It seems to have nothing to do with safety or even DOT requirements, rather other elements such as which transmission etc?

 

[BLMills]

Don,



That's exactly what I've been trying to figure out. Is GCWR legally binding or just a recommendation by the manufacturer. Heck with 16000# GCWR, I could only pull around a 9000# trailer. My wifes half ton Suburban will pull that, minus the 5er part of it.



As they say, "Don't ask the question, if you don't want to know the answer. " Guess I walked into this one by trying to do my homework, but at least I'll know what I'm getting myself into if I go ahead and get the toy hauler.

 

[DonTX]

Way back when I was policing the roads, GCWR NEVER entered into the equation. We were concerned first with actual weight, then if the registration was sufficient for that weight, and third if the load would pass the bridge law. At that time, there was no such offense as exceeding GCWR. An earlier poster here claimed that he had been in every state of the union, and that they came out and checked GCWR at EVERY weight station. I still think he was confused, I was on the road the next couple of days, stopped and observed weight stations. NEVER did anyone come out and check GCWR!

 

[klaybus]

As I understand it. The 3. 5s & auto I know is 16k. Theres no difference from a safety standpoint as far as I'm concerned but I personally wouldn't want to be grossly over on the gross or CGWR & get in an accident. Thats why I bought the 5vr I did. Just my opinion FWIW.



Clay



3. 5s & auto 16k

4. 10s & auto 18k

3. 5s & 5 speed 18k

3. 5 or 4. 10 HO 20K

 

[BLMills]

Thank you all for your input. Travelling to Florida for a week with no access to TDR. I guess I'll make my decision when I get back, armed with alot of good info.



Cheers,

Gunny

 

[Bug Out]

rear brakes....

just for info, I had a 2000 2500 QC 4x4 etc. When I had my 14,000 lb Alpenlite behind it, i had no problems.



However, I did cut the weight sensing brake porportion valve bar , shorten it and welded in a turnbuckle. I adjusted it so the truck would brake as if it had a load, as the bed barely went down at all with the Alpenlite on it. ( Otherwise, your front brakes will wear out prematurely all the time)



That helped a substantial amount on braking. With air bags, the bed will be level and your valve will be off and the rear brakes will activate as if your running empty.





Just an idea.