stupid GVW Question

[ChrisOlson]

Hello ALL



Found a deal I cannot pass up



I have a 99 dodge ctd 2500 4 wd AUTO



truck weighs in at 7700 lbs loaded me fuel gear



found a 36ft fifth wheel he says the total trailer weight full of water and every thing else and loaded is 12000 he says pin weight is about 2000 lbs



will this be too much for a ram ctd 2500 I could have done a search but I am out of town and on dial up can you guys help here



thanks in advance

 

[dhill]

12000 seems light for a 36' loaded. look inside you drivers door for the axle and truck weight limits. If yiou already have a hitch in your truck, hook it up and weigh it a scale to be sure.



A lot of people haul trailers that big with no problems. If you in an accident you might get questioned about the wieght. My '97 was rated for 16000 gvw, that's why I have 3500 now







Dave

 

[GFrance]

I would have to agree with dhill. Tell the guy you would like to weigh it hooked to your truck first. My 32' Everest tripple slide weighs 12,000 & pin is 2350 Thats why I traded my 2500 in for a 3500 dually.

 

[Radshooter]

I third the notion that 12000 sounds too light. Our 36' triple slide weighs 16,800, but that is loaded for full-timing. Never did figure the pin weight.

 

[GAmes]

That might be the right weight if the trailer has no slide-outs. Although not perfect, the GVWR on the trailer ID tag will give you an indication of what it will weigh loaded. 2000 lbs pin wt might overload your rear axle.

 

[Gaylord]

Chris, find out what the GCWR (gross combined weight rating) is for your truck. Stay within these limits or you are doomed to failure by design. Don't take anyone's word for what something weighs, weigh it yourself, including your truck with all persons and gear that you normally carry. Most rigs with 35' plus 5th wheels are overloaded, that is they exceed the mfg's GCWR. GCWRs usually run from 12K to 26K, depending on the engine, transmission, brakes and rear end ratio. HTH

 

[RJOL]

Even if the 5th wheel weighs 12000lbs (which is hard to believe for a 36' trailer) and the kingpin weight is 2000lbs, I think you will find that you are overweight over the rear axle. Get your actual weights of your truck and this trailer before you jump into this deal, or just close your eyes and hope for the best... JMHO...

 

[Thomas]

Chris, find out what the GCWR (gross combined weight rating) is for your truck...

GCWR model year 1999 for any Cummins/Ram with automatic transmission is:

3. 54 rear axle - 16,000 pounds
4. 10 rear axle - 18,000 pounds

GVWR model year 1999 for any three-quarter ton Cummins/Ram is 8,800 pounds.

 

[cwsoules]

It sounds too good to be true. There should be a plate on the left side of the trailer listing it's GVWR. I would be amazed if it's GVWR was 12,000#. My 29' one slide 5er GVWR is 10,640#. I am slightly over my truck GVWR and under the GCWR.

 

[Rman]

I think it's truly impossilbe to hit your GCVWR without going over the GVW. With a typical 3/4 ton GVW of 8800 pounds you just aren't left enough pin weight to ever tow anything that weighs 16-18k. I know I go over my GVW with my slide in camper, I take the risk knowingly. For a man trying to stay within the 'rules of the road' they sure don't make it easy.



Perhaps a properly designed trailer with minimal pin weight can reach the GCVWR, but I doubt it'd tow very well with such a low pin weight.



Good Luck!

 

[ChrisOlson]

I am at work right now limited net access

Thanks every one very much this is the reason I joined up with tdr all the help that comes when asked



please keep the info coming



just for grins the trailer is a 1989 fireball fifth wheel converted to a toy hauler



tried to up load a picture too big



once again thank you

 

[SnoKing]

Hello ALL



Found a deal I cannot pass up



I have a 99 dodge ctd 2500 4 wd AUTO



truck weighs in at 7700 lbs loaded me fuel gear



found a 36ft fifth wheel he says the total trailer weight full of water and every thing else and loaded is 12000 he says pin weight is about 2000 lbs



will this be too much for a ram ctd 2500 I could have done a search but I am out of town and on dial up can you guys help here



thanks in advance

Does the 7700 include a 5th wheel hitch? If not that is another 150 to 200 lbs. 7700 plus 2000 pin puts you at 9700. I am towing a 5th wheel with 2225 pin weight and trucks in 7000 lbs Std Cab. Here are my weights:



Front 4060

Rear 5160

Truck 9220

Trailer 9020

Combined 18240

Pin around 2200.



You may be close on the rear axle weight, will be over the GVWR and GVCWR. Do you have the overloads on the rear? Make sure you are running good E rated tires. SNOKING

 

[jimnance]

I pulled a 33' ffith wheel with my '99 CTD. It was similarly equipped, though I had 4. 10's put in to improve towing in the mountains. I was never legal except for my axle weights.



With a 36' fifth wheel you probably will be pushing the rear axle weight, possibly over. You will be very close to the rated capacity of your rear tires. Hmmm.....



Honestly, I felt reasonably safe with my '99 pulling the 33' trailer, but I drove very cautiously. A 36 footer would be well beyond my comfort range.



I'm towing a 37' Toy Hauler with my 3500 dually CTD and I am right at my GVWR. Depending on what I load in the trailer I'm around 11,900 lbs. I'm over my GCVWR by about 1,500 lbs. I can't imagine pulling a 36 footer with a 2500 except to the shop.



Just my $. 02