X Yes

What a great excuse to buy a new truck! "Honey, I didn't want to, I had to!"

quote:

Originally posted by rtquig:
I've been towing different RV trailers since I have been married 25 years ago. IMO your truck will tow the trailer, but it will not be safe. You are overweight from the start, as others said to consider the weight of people, cargo, water, and even a full tank of gas. I find that even 1,000 pounds below gvw combo is sometimes a tough haul. Currently I tow a regular 31' RV, but before this had a fifth wheel towed with a diesel.
My truck just makes the tow on the 31' I have, and like you I went to an RV show for something to do and ended buying the trailer against the suggestion of my wife not to buy it. Too much trailer for the truck. I'll go on a 500 mile trip but after that it takes a toll on driving all day and the next day. I would love to go to Disney with it but I'm not going to drive 1100 miles, just too much for the truck. If you had a dually, I would say go for it.

I would agree about the safety aspect. That would be my biggest concern.

My parents had travel trailers (Airstreams) my whole life. I've been pulling them since I could drive. Dad wouldn't always have the newest truck, but he made sure he had more than he needed. It only takes a second for something bad to happen. Make sure your truck can properly react to it.

My dads last two tow vehicles have been Chevy duramax. You don't even know the trailer is behind you. And the built in trailer braking system in his new truck is just awesome.

If I was towing your trailer I would would get a 3/4 ton diesel. You might be able to make one of the new half ton diesels work. I haven't seen the specs on the Chevy and ford coming out this year.

And don't believe any salesman that will tell you that you only need a half ton. The specs on the truck doesn't mean much when you can only do 25mph in the moutians.

Remember, just because you can doesnt mean you should.

That trailer is well within the ratings of a 2011 or newer F250 or F350 SRW.

If you're going to keep your current truck, put electric over hydraulic disc brakes on the trailer before you think about upgrading the truck's brakes.

quote:

Originally posted by architect:
X Yes

What a great excuse to buy a new truck! "Honey, I didn't want to, I had to!"

I like your thinking but won’t fly. We only put 3,000 miles a year in the truck. We’ve had our current one since new and don’t see making a change unless we win the lottery.

I agree it may not be enough truck which is holding me back from pulling the trigger.

You always want to have more HP and braking power than you think you need!!!

I'm 1,000lbs under my tow limited loaded. Coming down a steep grade in CT. with my wife driving I though she was going to loose it. Even under weight, things can get away from you quickly. Had I been driving, I would have lightly activated the trailer brakes, she went straight for the foot brake pedal. It all boils down to ass time in the seat while towing. I drove tractor trailers early on for 18 years so I developed the go the right speed for your vehicle and expect other drivers to not know how to drive.

My own experience in 50 years various camp setups. Don't matter what you got. Ain't long before something else gets interesting.

I’m constantly torn between “ Hell no I don’t need it and it’s just one more thing to throw money into” and “don’t live life like your gonna get to do it twice”. My wife wants a trailer. I think my Tacoma is enough to pull it and I can write a check to buy it, the one she wants run about 15k. But then I gotta store it. I KNOW I will be the guy that has to set it up and between scouts and dance and baseball we may use it a few times a year. But she needs it so I guess we’re buying one.

I like your truck...it looks to be in fantastic shape for an '02, and I wouldn't part with it, either. Especially considering it's low mileage, you've owned it since new, and the going price of new HD trucks these days is outrageous.

If you don't think it can handle the bigger trailer,but you're not satisfied with your current one, maybe try shopping around for one that offers the things you want but still falls within the capabilities of your tow vehicle. The trailer you have now and the one you are looking at aren't the only 2 out there. Just my $0.02.

I don't know why so many of you are saying that his truck can't handle the trailer. Every single number is within spec. 15,600 pound towing capacity.

The 8.1 is a 496 cubic inch big block that is/was used in much larger vehicles that the pick up. The Allison transmission is one of the best in its class. I see these 2500s pulling big 5th wheel campers pretty reguarly. I have a buddy who pulls a tri-axle toy hauler behind his.

The only difference between the truck in the below photos and his is that I have a heavier set of rear springs and a much heavier utility body. I have no issue towing the types of weight he's planning on, although the fuel economy isn't the best.

 
Dude, you need a 1 ton to pull that. Pin weight alone. Diesel, pull it up mountains if you need to. V-10 will also work.
 

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:
I don't know why so many of you are saying that his truck can't handle the trailer. Every single number is within spec. 15,600 pound towing capacity.

The 8.1 is a 496 cubic inch big block that is/was used in much larger vehicles that the pick up. The Allison transmission is one of the best in its class. I see these 2500s pulling big 5th wheel campers pretty reguarly. I have a buddy who pulls a tri-axle toy hauler behind his.

The only difference between the truck in the below photos and his is that I have a heavier set of rear springs and a much heavier utility body. I have no issue towing the types of weight he's planning on, although the fuel economy isn't the best.

My feeling is a stiff variable cross wind with that giant 5th wheel will steer that truck all over the place. Stopping it may also be a freaky feeling in some stop and go highway traffic.

quote:

My feeling is a stiff variable cross wind with that giant 5th wheel will steer that truck all over the place. Stopping it may also be a freaky feeling in some stop and go highway traffic.

It's my understanding that the only difference between the 2500HD that he has, and the 3500 HD in my photos is a heavier set of leaf springs in the rear. Everything else is equal.

Absent dual rear wheels, which I admit do make a truck with a fifth wheel feel more stable, the breaks, engine, transmission, and everything else is the same. What makes his any less capable? The badge on the side of the door?

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:

quote:

My feeling is a stiff variable cross wind with that giant 5th wheel will steer that truck all over the place. Stopping it may also be a freaky feeling in some stop and go highway traffic.

It's my understanding that the only difference between the 2500HD that he has, and the 3500 HD in my photos is a heavier set of leaf springs in the rear. Everything else is equal.

Absent dual rear wheels, which I admit do make a truck with a fifth wheel feel more stable, the breaks, engine, transmission, and everything else is the same. What makes his any less capable? The badge on the side of the door?

That it's not a dually. You're not towing a 13' high box on wheels that is 31' long. Your loads have much less windage and much lower center of gravity.

quote:

That it's not a dually. You're not towing a 13' high box on wheels that is 31' long. Your loads have much less windage and much lower center of gravity.

But he already is towing that, and isn't reporting any issues.

He's just looking to get something slightly larger/heavier.

I recommend a bigger truck. I've had three 5ers and with a rig that size you will always worry about being overweight and stopping in time.

quote:

Originally posted by a1abdj:

quote:

That it's not a dually. You're not towing a 13' high box on wheels that is 31' long. Your loads have much less windage and much lower center of gravity.

But he already is towing that, and isn't reporting any issues.

He's just looking to get something slightly larger/heavier.

His new one is 9' longer and 1' taller. 40' of trailer beyond you is a LOT of leverage on a pickup truck. Especially when it's a big box on wheels. A lot with a cross wind. Basically he's towing a tractor trailer (only 5' shorter) with a pickup truck. 40' of length is one honking long trailer to be towing.

In my day, I've towed several things with tow vehicles that were right at the weight limit.....this is going back to the late 90's when there was a heck of a lot less traffic, and I was always on pins and needles and there were a few situations that only by the grace of God didn't end up in a serious accident. My dad was towing a 33' Center console boat with a triple axle trailer and it jack knifed once, scared the living daylights out of us as it was even with us (the truck) taking up all 4 lanes of I95. Luckily it straightened itself out and didn't roll along with us.

quote:

Originally posted by walker77:
Remember, just because you can doesnt mean you should.

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Well you can't exactly tow a fifth wheel with a suburban.

He just improvised, adapted, and overcame.

Time for me to go find a photo...

Your truck WILL BE just fine.

And here it is:

2005 GMC 2500HD Duramax w/Allison, 40' 5th Wheel, three axle, 4-slides (3 on opposite side and 1 on the side shown). Ceiling height in the 5th wheel area is 6' 9". Combo box in bed, Top Toolbox / Bottom 50 Gallon Fuel Tank.

Some depends on how far you normally tow, & what conditions? Likely a fair ways with that kind of lodging.

How about saving some $$ and forget you went to the RV show?