Looking at getting 1st RV

[RDedrick]

My wife is looking at a Potomac rv which is a 5330RLKS. The info. that I could find says it has a:

GVWR 12,550

UVW 9,610

Tongue/Pin 2,150

CCC 2,474



I have a mostly stock 03 2500. I was wondering if my truck can safely handle this 5er. Any advice would be good.

 

[RustyJC]

You might want to read THIS thread.



Rusty

 

[Grizzly]

You need a 3500 SRW as a minimum. A 3500 DRW would be preferred and much safer.

 

[KBalzuweit]

I would have no problem using your current truck to pull it. I would be rather haul that than a lighter 32 or 34 ft travel trailer.

 

[JRMora]

My wife is looking at a Potomac rv which is a 5330RLKS. The info. that I could find says it has a:

GVWR 12,550

UVW 9,610

Tongue/Pin 2,150

CCC 2,474



I have a mostly stock 03 2500. I was wondering if my truck can safely handle this 5er. Any advice would be good.

What everyone else says.



You'll very likely be over the GVWR of your truck before you load anything (yourselves included) into it.





Don't forget, the hitch adds a good bit of weight, then fuel, then the stuff you have to take along..... I see people do it all the time out on the highway (I once saw a hemi Ram 3/4 ton pulling a Mobile Suites 37' trailer. He could barely move that thing. Passed right by with our CTD pulling our CC).



Anyway, you'll have to answer the question "can my truck SAFELY handle this trailer". My trailer is barely a 1000# heavier and I wouldn't pull with anything less.



Juan

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

I think you should be fine. I pulled a fiver that was slightly lighter with my old '01 Ram, and it only had the 3. 55 gears. I never had difficulty, regularily pulling over the passes in Colorado. Your '03 has atleast the 3. 73 gears, and much improved brakes. One thing I would consider is an exhaust brake (assuming you have the 6 sp).



Ryan

 

[klenger]

RV and Tow Vehicle Weights ... an exercise in reality

 

[RDedrick]

What weights do I need to get from the dealership with the Potomac. GTWR and Pin weight.

 

[RDedrick]

Klenger, I tried using that site and I don't think I did it wright. I could not find the GCVWR or dry axle weight for the trailer. This is what I could find:

Truck

GVWR= 9000

curb weight= 6829



Trailer

GVWR= 12,550

UVW= 9610

PIN= 2150

CCC= 2,474



If this 5er it to much what size would be good to get. I am looking for some thing with slide outs, travel trailer or 5er.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Before you sacrifice the trailer you really wan't, get a real GCWR for your truck. I believe you are still well within you capacities. As far as power and brakes, you will have no problems pulling this trailer especially if you have a H. O.

Pin weight is high but a set of air bags would level it our nicely.

My max trailer weight is 13,700 and I'll bet yours is close to that or higher because of your 4:10 gearing. In 2003, the difference between a 2500 and a 3500's towing capacity was not that big.

 

[RDedrick]

Prairie Dog, I have the 305hp 555tq engine and 3:73 rearend. I know the engine can handle the trailer. I just don't want to tear up the truck. It is my daily driver. I have no experience with air bags.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Air bags will level the rear of your truck with a heavy pin weight. The problem is that you want to make sure you don't exceed the carrying capacity of your tires. A typical "E" Rated tire carries 3195# per tire so the maximum the rear axle on your truck should weigh with the trailer attached is 6390#. You can get higher rated tires since the capacity of the 11. 5" axle far exceeds the tire capacity but your current tire capacity is the limiting factor you should consider carefully.

 

[RDedrick]

I have the 285/70 17 BFG All-Terrain T/A KO's which I think have a Max load of 3195 lbs.

 

[JRMora]

One more stupid thing to consider. Do you have a hitch yet? I see from your signature that you have the MBRP cool duals. On MBRP's website, they say you cannot use the cool duals with a fifth wheel hitch because they will hit each other.



I asked a while ago and only found I person running cool duals and a fifth wheel hitch. He had a B&W.



No fights intended Prairie Dog, but the GCWR isn't the limiting factor on the 2500 - it's the GVWR of the truck. the SRW 3500 has 900 more #'s to play with for the pin weight. a 12,000 lb trailer is going to put the truck over on it's GVWR even if it's within the GCWR. Airbags will help the ride, but they won't change the ratings of the truck.



RDedrick - I'll bet those TA's are "D" rated, even with a max load of 3195#. They will have fewer plies in the sidewall and they'll flex more.



The best thing (if you don't want to upgrade the truck) is to find a trailer with a GVWR of 10-10,500 lbs. You should be closer to where you need to be.



Flame suit on - it's just me 2 cents worth.



Juan

 

[Prairie Dog]

The only problem I see is with the BFG's. The amount of weight they'll hold really doesn't have anything to do with how they will perform. For that amount of weight you really need load range "E" tires with thier stiffer side walls. Anything less and you may experience squirrely handling at speed.

I learned the hard way on this one!



Scotty

 

[RDedrick]

JRMora,

I haven't even thought about the cool duals problem. I really didn't know about it to tell you the truth. I just looked at there website and you are wright, #13 on the F. A. Q. page. The TA's are "D" rated, but I thought I may have a problem there. I can get some higher rated tires. I have not made up my mind if I am going to get a 5er or a TT . The wife saw a Potomac 5er and liked it, but I think it may be to heavy for the truck. We where not even thinking about getting a rv until we got 2 little dogs.



You have to love this site, you get all kinds of great info from everybody. I have learned a lot from reading everybodys post on here. Thinks for all the great advice.

 

[JRMora]

Just remember, you'll get a lot of opinions here, Listen carefully and make an informed decision.



I hope you get something you are happy with. We really enjoy having our trailer (me + wife + 3 boys) and can't wait to get back out on the road (work and weather are conspiring against me now).



Juan

 

[Jeff Knight]

RDedrick, If you didn't know. Potomac is out of business. I would make sure the dealer will warranty it. Thats if its a new one. Jeff

 

[macdaddy]

The only problem I see is with the BFG's. The amount of weight they'll hold really doesn't have anything to do with how they will perform. For that amount of weight you really need load range "E" tires with thier stiffer side walls. Anything less and you may experience squirrely handling at speed.

I learned the hard way on this one!



Scotty

Scotty



You nailed this dead on!. You should see all the big heavy trailers (Toy Boxes)here in so ca being towed with lifted trucks with BFG's and load "D" tires.



Too much sidewall flex and instability,this is the land of overloaded trucks and tow vehicle's galore.



Mac

 

[Ramtough]

You can haul all the weight you want. You don't even need to care particularly about the truck's capacity. Just don't have a wreck where you are at fault while overloaded or you may find yourself without insurance. :--)