I don't remember the specs on my 2000, But I have been towing a 4 horse LQ that loaded weighed 16,000 with my 2006 truck. It was not a dually and had the stock 3.73 rear axle. When I'd cross scales my front axle was fine, my rear axle was 200 lbs over and the balance was on the trailer axles and was with in limits. The total was right at the GCVW.
My truck towed that weight just fine. I did feel a little under braked when it came to steep grades here in Utah/Wyoming. So I added the exhaust brake which helped. I've also on occassions hauled a large gooseneck (with tandem duallies) and 15,000 lbs of hay for a total load around 20,000lbs with no problems
I know the newer trucks have a higher trailer payload rating.( as far as the power train being able to handle the load) and the 2005 and newer trucks got bigger brakes. You will have to look at your own power train and see if you think it will hold up.
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06 F350 CC King Ranch SRW LWB Auto Dark Copper FX4
03 F350 CC Lariat SRW SWB 6.0 Auto RED FX4 Built 12/4/02 Sold w/76,000 miles
00 F350 CC Lariat SRW SWB 7.3 Auto Red 4x4 Built Aug 99 Sold w/82,000 miles
I am looking at a new 5th wheel. It is a Holiday Rambler Presidential suite. GVWR is 16950, dry weight 13315.
The tow vehicle is a 2000 F350 CC DRW 4x4. Most of the vehicle details are listed in my sig.
I have a spreadsheet that shows I will be over the GCVRW and way over the vehicle tow capacity.
Any opinions from the experts?
Thanks,
If you think your trucks RGAWR has an available 4000 lbs of payload capacity without going over tires and axle then I'd say it could do it. You should load your truck up like it would be when towing and weigh it. 24% of that trailer's GVWR is 4068 lbs. Hopefully that is on the heavy side of the trailer's pin weight. Keep in mind that your truck will be maxed out weight wise. You'll want to get a CDL too.
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1996 F250 4x4 ext. cab, long bed 5 spd. 3.55ls, Tymar Intake, Tymar 4" downpipe and 4" exhaust. AIC, B&W turnoverball, EBPV brake, tranny temp gauge, boost gauge, and egt gauge. 235k miles and thousands of $$$$ in maintenance and repairs.
Why would he want to get a cdl? He'd be exempt if for recreational use only regardless of GCVWR.
Check the regulations of your state. For example, in my state, California, to tow any fifth wheel trailer over 15,000 lbs gvwr for recreational use only requires a non-commercial class A license.
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2001 F350 XLT 4X4, shift on the fly, 38 gal fuel tank, running boards, sliding rear window, black, crew cab, long bed, 4.10, automatic transmission, 11,500 gvwr, 20,000 gcwr, 7500 gvw, dual rear wheels, 7.3l turbo diesel, completely stock, 114,00 miles when purchased, now has 125,000 miles, repairs so far: starter, batteries, cps.
2005 Nomad Rampage toyhauler made by Skyline. 11,500lb gvwr.
I checked the gawr of the drive axle of my 2001 F350 drw, and it is 8250. The steer axle gawr is 5200. Tires LT235/85R16E are 2778 each on the drive axle, and 3042 each on the steer axle. That makes your tire ratings 6084 lbs on the steer axle if inflated to 80 psi, and 11,112 lbs at 80 psi on the drive axle. Based on these numbers, I think that you can make it within the gawr and tire weight ratings. Check the numbers on your truck bottom of driver's side door post to confirm what they are.
That still leaves you with a gcwr of only 20,000; so you will be about 5,000 lbs overweight there. However, I do not believe that exceeding gcwr is illegal, just not recommended by the manufacturer. I would recommend that you call your insurance agent to make sure that you can get insurance on a rig that is 5,000 lbs over gcwr.
What modifications will you need to safely tow this trailer exceeding gcwr by 5,000 lbs?
Exhaust brake. Because the stock brakes are not designed to stop that much weight in a reasonably safe distance, I recommend the addition of an exhaust brake. BD Power - Product: Exhaust Brakes
Bypass oil filter. Because you will be getting the lube oil dirty faster than the manufacturer planned, I recommend that you either change the oil more frequently than recommended, or preferably, get a bypass oil filter to keep the oil cleaner.
Transmission. The stock transmission isn't designed to pull that much weight; so I recommend that you call Brian and ask him what modifications he would recommend. Brians Truck Shop
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2001 F350 XLT 4X4, shift on the fly, 38 gal fuel tank, running boards, sliding rear window, black, crew cab, long bed, 4.10, automatic transmission, 11,500 gvwr, 20,000 gcwr, 7500 gvw, dual rear wheels, 7.3l turbo diesel, completely stock, 114,00 miles when purchased, now has 125,000 miles, repairs so far: starter, batteries, cps.
2005 Nomad Rampage toyhauler made by Skyline. 11,500lb gvwr.
I have a spreadsheet that shows I will be over the GCVRW and way over the vehicle tow capacity.
Thanks,
Hi Horses2,
I put your post into the category "When you ask the question, you already know the answer".
You ask "Can I tow this trailer". The question should be "Legally, can I tow this trailer". And you know the answer from your own figures.
No one on the Internet can give you permission to do this even if they have done it themselves.
So perhaps the question should be "Do I WANT this trailer" vs "Do I NEED this trailer".
Yes the big trailer is beautiful and has lots of room and all kinds of features and probably, right now is available at a great price (demand has dropped due to fuel prices).
But big trailers are very hard to resell. They are harder to manouver and park, some campgrounds cannot take such large rigs and will burn more fuel to tow.
Are you prepared to replace your truck with an F550 or other medium duty truck? Are you prepared to upgrade your D/L to a weight category for that weight?
Or, can you settle for a smaller, lighter rig that fits your truck and (if more mainstream) will be easier to resell when the time comes?
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John
99 F350 PSD CC DRW, BD Tranny, Fan driven tranny cooler, exhaust brake, tranny temp gauge
Titanium 29/34 Fifthwheel
HiJack 21k 4way hitch
I know of a guy who towed a 15k 15th wheel rv with his '97PSD.... no mods. I think you'll be fine with a 13k trailer.... but wether it is legal or not I can't say.
__________________ '92 F-250 7.3 IDI Diesel 4:10 (just hit 90k) 4x4 ext cab (Prodigy brake controller)
you are correct, I should have named the post, How far over do I want to go.
I have a "B" CDL right now, getting an upgrade is not a problem. This would most likely be our "last" trailer. We want to buy one big enough and well equipped to be almost a full timer.
While upgrading to a 550 is possible, the best thing about our current rig is that it is paid for.
We intend on buying the trailer, I was looking for a bit of advice on "towing big".
I am looking at 19.5 rim & tire upgrade, big brake upgrade, and airbags. While this doesnt change GCVWR, it helps handle the load.
I appreciate the input.
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2000 F350 CC 4wd DRW, 4.10, Ultimate spray in bedliner, Hutches tank & prepump mods, H/X mod, Rhino Grillguard, Hella lights, DI Fuel Reg mods, Air Dog, Bob's 203 thermostat,80hp injectors, heater core bypass, FTVB & AIH plug. ZooDad mod,AIS filter, ISSPRO EV Oil,Water,& Tranny temp,Pyro,Oil pressure,Boost gauges, non EBV pedestal & Turbo outlet, Garrett BB turbo, MBRP 4" duals, PML trans pan,front & rear diff covers, more to come.
Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I have owned four duallies now, and have pulled that much behind three of them. It really handles quite well and pulls OK. I would just hook up and go.
I never put much stock in the GCWR rating, just GVWR, which you should be able to stay under if careful. You will be under all GAWR's and tire raings as well.
If you are planning on cross country touring, maybe a F450 is in your future, but for local stuff I wouldn't worry about it.
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2006 GMC K3500 CC DRW 4x4
1994 F-350 DRW PS w/ zf5
1996 Town Car
Horses,
You never said what model. They have 5 floorplans and go from almost 36 feet up too 40 feet.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. Keep the weight down on both the trailer and the truck. The 16,950 is A LOT! Unless you are a mega pack rat (and got kids), then I doubt you will get that weight.
having a Class B, you must be somewhat smart, unlike grandpa in his 23k# Class A...
You certainly do not need anything larger than a F-450.
I have looked at that exact line and I would haul it with my SW F-350 in a heart beat.
I would be looking at that rig weighing 15k for the wife and I and the 2 boxers.
Have you looked at Forest River? Weights are down and quality is up there if not better.
Cardinal, Cedar Creek, & CC Silverback are top choices.
Rickson wheel has 19.5" powder coated steel wheels that are rated to carry 3,500 lbs each. They are available in either 6.75 or 7.5" width.
Goodyear unisteel G647 RSS tires come in size 225/70R19.5, which would fit the 19.5 X 6.75" wheel, or 245/70R19.5, which would fit the 7.5" wheel. Both sizes come in either F or G load range. The maximum load per tire ranges from 3415 to 4540 lbs per tire depending upon size, load range, and single or dual.
'92 F-250 7.3 IDI Diesel 4:10 (just hit 90k) 4x4 ext cab (Prodigy brake controller
)
Linear Mode
