2500hd Duramax Slide In Camper, 5th Wheel Questions ...

[mints33]

Ok, I’m trying to convince some family members they need a larger truck for the job. Here’s the situation, they want to get a 2500HD Duramax, they have a slide in camper w/ a dry weight of over 3000lbs. The max payload on the 2500 HD according to GM’s website is slightly over 2300lbs. See a problem? Not to mention they want to get a HUGE 5^th wheel, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-15000 lbs. Again, this amount exceeds the numbers on the website. I think a full ton size truck will be better suited for them, but they don’t want to listen. Opinions, suggestions, ideas throw some over this way….

[pwall]

All the tow and cargo carrying weights are available at:

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/vehicles/commercial/silv_pickup

 

Carrying capacity for the 2500HD can vary from 3200-3892 lbs, depending on cab configuration and drivetrain. A slide-in camper with a dry weight of 3000lbs would be pushing it. Adding air bags certainly would help, but doesn't change the legal weigh of the vechicle.

A 3500 can vary from 4600 to just over 5000lbs. Certainly more suited for a heavy slide-in camper.

 

You mentioned that they also want to get a 5th wheel. They can't tow both. ;)

For 5th wheel towing, the ratings are only different by roughtly 1000lbs (15k - 2500, 16k - 3500). However, the 3500 DRW will have better stability, but would also be a pain if needed as a daily driver (yes, can be done, I've driven mine just about everywhere, but parking is always a nuisance).

 

My two cents..........

[steiny93]

i'm not following the problem with the 2500hd, according to the link provided you can put 3217lbs in the box and tow a 15,800lb 5er with a crew cab 4x4

 

also need to be reasonable on these decisions as well

if a truck is rated for 3000lbs and the wet weight is 3001lbs the world isn't going to end

[mints33]

Seems like the max payload and towing are different between the GMC site vs. the Cdn. Chevy site. http://www.gmc.com/sierra/2500HD/specsCapabilities.jsp shows the max payload on the Duramax as 2321, and 12,700 for the max 5th wheel trailer. Am I missing something?

[mints33]

Dry weight is 3070lbs. Anyhow, let's take your route, 3000lbs dry weight, loaded weight w/ all food, propane tanks, 40 gallons of water, etc etc ... for a total of 3001lbs wet weight. Wow if all that weighed 1lb, there's nothing to worry about. LOL

 

 

i'm not following the problem with the 2500hd, according to the link provided you can put 3217lbs in the box and tow a 15,800lb 5er with a crew cab 4x4

 

also need to be reasonable on these decisions as well

if a truck is rated for 3000lbs and the wet weight is 3001lbs the world isn't going to end

[imollison]

The only problem with trying to do both with the same truck is the bed rails for the hitch that are bolted through the bed to the frame of the truck. Not something that you really want to remove for a slide in.......So unless you want to put in a new solid and heavy floor over the rails (which run from 1 to 2 inches in height) so you have a flat and solid floor to slide the camper......mean that you will be over weight for the axles, wheels, suspension, etc.

 

Sounds like they NEED 2 3500HD's to make it work....

 

My thoughts on the subject.....

[steiny93]

your post was looking for suggestions

my suggestion is to not nit pick on the weights

when its your dollars on the table buying the new truck you'll get to make the choice you think is best

 

if it were me I'd stop at a 3/4 ton if it was a daily driver (those loads are rather small, 15k lbs isn't a huge 5er anymore), if its only a tow rig then I'd go with a dually long box (as the smallest) or a 4500/5500 with a tow bed to handle bigger toys or double towing

 

 

on the hitch topic:

they could go with a b&w roll over ball and the 5er wheel adaptor

that would give them a clear box for the slide in

[mints33]

Just trying to keep everything on the safe side for them. I guess it's a std box, not the long box, anyhow, according to the GM website, max payload is 2523. You throw on a 15,000lb 5th wheel w/ a king pin weight of 13%, for a total of 1950lbs dry weight. That alone leaves you 573lbs left for water, propane, passengers, cargo, etc ... etc ..., and not to mention they are not small pple.

 

Anyhow, thanks for the comments.