Not sure which 5th wheel trailer to purchase

Trigger · 05-29-2020, 05:15 PM

I recently sold my 2002, 2500HD 8100 big block and trailer. I purchased the 2019 Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab duramax LTZ standard bed, single rear wheel, because I wanted to buy a larger 5th wheel toy hauler, 42'- 44'. I have never pulled a fifth wheel before. Every trailer and truck salesperson say I picked the right truck and would have no problem towing the big rigs. The trailers I am considering are: Highlander HF383H, Keystone Impact 415, and the Keystone Fusion 419.

Just wondering if anyone has, or knows someone who has, a similar setup and if they have had any towing, suspension, or power issues? If so, what did they do to fix them? Also, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to beef up the truck to safely handle these big trailers if possible or needed. I live in Utah so I would be pulling steeper hills and off road. Suggestions please? Besides buying another truck.

Notanlines · 05-29-2020, 09:28 PM

Trigger, I know this isn't what you want to hear, but not enough truck and too much trailer. Your truck is SRW and doesn't have the payload to handle a 42-44' rig. Start by reading us the 'cargo capacity' from the sticker on the door post. You are well into dually territory.

sfsgm · 06-08-2020, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trigger

I recently sold my 2002, 2500HD 8100 big block and trailer. I purchased the 2019 Silverado 3500HD Crew Cab duramax LTZ standard bed, single rear wheel, because I wanted to buy a larger 5th wheel toy hauler, 42'- 44'. I have never pulled a fifth wheel before. Every trailer and truck salesperson say I picked the right truck and would have no problem towing the big rigs. The trailers I am considering are: Highlander HF383H, Keystone Impact 415, and the Keystone Fusion 419.

Just wondering if anyone has, or knows someone who has, a similar setup and if they have had any towing, suspension, or power issues? If so, what did they do to fix them? Also, I would appreciate any suggestions on how to beef up the truck to safely handle these big trailers if possible or needed. I live in Utah so I would be pulling steeper hills and off road. Suggestions please? Besides buying another truck.

OMG! Single rear wheel towing a 42' toy hauler.

Don't walk away from these people ... run. I'd never trust them about anything else.

rjallred · 06-08-2020, 04:26 PM

You need to read about the difference between a SRW and a Dually. Major differences.

Druidcat1115 · 06-08-2020, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjallred

You need to read about the difference between a SRW and a Dually. Major differences.

where are the major differences? Same spring rate same brakes less tire capacity. you will likely increase the tow rating by 3000 to 4000 pounds. with the dwr. the 5'ver is plenty stable on either truck

pro swr can make it through most drive and park in a normal space. Better drivability after you drop the trailer
cons swr less towing cap.

cons dwr increased maintenance more tires to maintain rotate and balance.

you decide for yourself if you have enough truck for your tow

**wingnut60** · 06-09-2020, 01:07 PM

Need to re-think the difference in TOW RATING and PAYLOAD CAPACITY...
And, so you say, the only difference in a dually and a SRW of same model is tire capacity?

Notanlines · 06-09-2020, 01:40 PM

Off hand I’d say closer to 16k more with a dually. Just a guess, but easy to look up.
(Easy to spot a newby)

mhs4771 · 06-13-2020, 07:14 PM

You will have plenty of power since a Duramax is a Duramax, in a 2500, 3500 SRW or 3500 DRW, BUT the payload capacity is your problem.
And from everything I've read, the Duallies have bigger Brakes. Your SRW will pull that THer with no problems, but most likely be over on cargo capacity.

Trigger · 06-22-2020, 05:40 PM

Thanks for all of your input. Here are the numbers I have gathered for my 2019 Chev. Silverado 3500 HD Duramax SRW

Truck 445 HP 910 Tq.
Front Axle curb wt 3789
Rear Axle curb wt. 2738
GVWR Cap 11500
GCWR 25300
Axle Capacity-Front 6000
Axle Capacity-Rear 7050
5th Wheel Mx Trailer Wt 17200
5th wheel Max tongue Wt. 4300
Max Trailering Capacity 13000

Cargo Capacity 3711 (From the door sticker)
CAT Curb weight with full tank and passengers 7900 lbs. (Add 200 for Hitch)

From some of the calculators that I have used online, it appears I could safely tow a 5th wheel trailer with a unloaded weight less than 14,000 lbs with at pin weight of less than 3200 lbs. assuming the calculators are accurate. Am I missing anything? If anyone else has more experience with the calculations, plug in the numbers and give me your input please.

Thanks!

Druidcat1115 · 06-22-2020, 06:29 PM

It appears from these numbers you have the correct truck

**wingnut60** · 06-24-2020, 12:04 PM

How do you resolve the "Max Tongue Weight" of 4300lbs with the "Cargo Capacity" of 3711lbs on this particular truck? You shouldn't put 4300lbs on a truck with a Cargo Capacity of 3711...
Usually, the most realistic Max Tongue Weight of a fifth wheel is 20% of the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
Is the CAT number an actual weighting? Already you are at 3600lbs cargo capacity(11500-7900) instead of the 3711 on the door.

Trigger · 06-29-2020, 12:41 PM

I ignored the 4300lbs when doing the calculations. I used the 3711lbs on the door. The CAT is an actual weighting.

Notanlines · 06-29-2020, 04:30 PM

We all knew from the original post that Trigger came here looking for credence on the truck question. It is fairly easy to spot a member that isn't going to actually follow advice, just look for approval for their actions.
I have long said that I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, but that you should KNOW that what you are driving is insufficient for the job ahead. We have all done things along these lines, but not all of us try to justify our actions. Good luck to you.

Trigger · 06-30-2020, 12:59 PM

Notanlines, it is also easy to spot someone who makes broad-sweeping inaccurate assumptions of someone based on a few lines in a forum thread. I have been following your advice since your first posting. I will definitely need a lot of luck in finding a trailer that works with my truck. There are so many to choose from. It is unfortunate that this junior has been written off by Senior Members of this forum so soon. Your limited input has been helpful, and I believe has pointed me in the right direction, and for that I am grateful. Take Care.

Notanlines · 06-30-2020, 04:38 PM

I 'figuratively' take my hat off to you and will delete my previous post if the site allows.
No, as suspected, this site won't allow the delete.

KirkM · 07-04-2020, 10:55 AM

Unless you are going to haul the trailer empty use the the trailers gross weight in your calculations.

FuShiLuMeitan · 07-09-2020, 08:24 AM

Cool. I have the larger version of that rig. Dually and 8’ bed.

Not sure what issues you have with driving and parking the rig but I drive mine daily and very few if any places you can’t go. It’s not a highway tractor after all. Some of those down town lots painted just for dinky cars might be an issue, but why would you even try?

As for towing our 40’ fifth wheel Raptor, we use the Geny Executive Gooseneck and it’s one darn smooth ride.

Not that I think your rig choice is wrong, but your going to be white knuckled and stressed some trips. My wife hops in and drags the trailer down the highway and into a campground without issues either.