There's some good advice here. Rojhan is right, a good rule of thumb is not to exceed 80% of your towing capacity. This allows room for passengers, fuel, firewood, etc. And remember, just because you CAN tow more than 9200 lbs doesn't mean you should. Because regardless of any mods you do to your truck, it will still only be RATED to tow 9200 lbs. RV manufacturers are notorious for fudging the actual weight of the trailer. The dry weight is almost always more than what the sticker says, so the only way to know axactly what you are towing is to go to the scales.

 

*sighs* tell me the dry weight is a useless number.... geeze...


Okay, maybe "useless" is a bit strong. Inaccurate might be better. The dry weight is a good starting point, but as CupFan points out it wont be accurate. In probably all cases the trailer will weigh more.

 

I understand that there will always be too many variables to pinpoint the exact weight of a trailer. But I strongly feel that the dry weight is the best way to determine the right trailer for your towing needs. Some trailer dry weight at up to 2500 lbs less than the GVWR, and im not talking toyhaulers.

Like Ive stated a few times in this thread; load, and take to the scales. Thats the only accurate way to determine what your towing.

Can we talk about what size tire we can fit, or what chip is better or something else now? We've milked this cow long enough; im getting powder now...

 

Well I have checked into a few things and the 5th wheel I wanna get is rated at 7800lbs dry and was told that I could tow that. I was told that not often people carry an extra 1400lbs so this one would be fine. So here is the link to the trailer so maybe someone can give me an idea if this is to big or not.
http://www.arbutusrv.ca/arbutusrv/index.php?t=6081&pg=1
Thanks everyone for all your help....

 

A 5th-wheel's pin weight is supposed to be about 20% of the trailer weight (like tongue weight is supposed to be about 12% on a travel-trailer).

At 7800lbs, DRY, that is 1560 *just* for the pin weight, not including other stuff in the bed, people, plus anything in the trailer, including propane, water, camping stuff, etc. Add a few hundred pounds for camping stuff....

That is WAY over limit for a 1500. I can't find my spec sheet right now, but I remember the 1500 payload being about 1350lbs. It also sounds like you'd be over your GCWR as well. And, again, that's with essentially everything empty, just truck+trailer.

Having been down a similar path, it was painful to trade my 1500 for a 2500 after only about 6 months, but I was well over-spec and had no reserve capacity. "If I were in your shoes," I'd either look at a much lighter trailer, or at getting a different truck. Not only does being over-capacity increase the chances for something to go wrong, it also means that if something does go wrong both the law and your insurance will be against you.

 

I would have to agree with the above. I think hat trailer might a titty bit too big. The Fifth wheel does add in a curve when it comes to pin weight, and rojhan got it. You could tow a travel trailer with these specs, I would assume quite easily. With this fifth wheel, you may not be able to steer cause your fronts will be off the ground!!!

 

...A 5er??? Thats a whole different animal. Gotta agree with Rojhan. Too much for your half ton. The pin weight will put you over the trucks max payload and thats before you add people and stuff into the truck. Heres the specs for the trailer:

http://www.mvprv.com/products/jazz/index-jazz.html

 

Well thanks alot guys...I have made my mind up and I am going truck shopping this coming weekend and getting a 2500 I do have a question and that is how are the newer trucks with MDS do with trailer towing? Do all the newer trucks have MDS or not cause I also love my HEMI also.

 

The 2500s up through 2008 don't have MDS. I'm not sure, but don't think the '09 does either.

When you are looking for a 2500, make sure you get at least a 4.10 axle ratio and 17" tires. 4.56 would be better if you are going to be pulling that much weight. You may still want to do airbags, etc., but at least the base truck will be capable of what you are trying to do. If there isn't much difference in price, you might even want to go for a 3500...

 

Thats great to hear...Well i am getting alot of info on some this weekend and passing it on to you guys for advice before I pick a truck...I wanna make a better dec...this time...and for instance what can a 08' 2500 tow weight just to get an idea.