Towing in the extreme: My 2014 1500 & 33’ 5th Wheel RV

JamGear · February 6, 2015

Having read though many of the threads here regarding towing with the new Silverado 1500, I noticed there was no real world commentary on maxing out payload and trailer weights. So without further ado and with much hope this thread will spark off copious discussion on the topic...

My rig is a 2014 Silverado 1500 Double Cab 5.3L 4x4 3.73 Max Tow and a 33 foot Grand Design 303RLS 5th wheel. I am curious to hear what some of you think of the chart below. I installed a set of Timbrens to level out the rear and help mitigate the bouncing.

I only tow the 5th wheel 7 or 8 times a year. While towing, I get about 8 miles per gallon running aggressive and fast. Driving the speed limits and taking it easy I get 9 to 10 MPG. What’s really nice is I get 17 MPG around town and 22 MPG on the highway without the trailer. While the 2500 would have definitely been an overall better fit and likely drive a lot better at full-load, 98% of the time I drive unloaded. So the 5.3L 1500 w/Max Trailer seemed the right choice for now.

My 1500 is fine. But it can get a bouncy at times. I am sure the 2500 would not bounce as much. Another thing; the 2500 would has a larger gas tank and more payload headroom to add things like a spare gas tank, tool boxes, etc in the bed. But my wife and I figure that once we retire and travel more with the 5th wheel, we will buy an HD truck.

Please note: The standard rear gross axle rating is 3,950lbs. But the chart shows we get another 150lbs (4,100lbs) with the 3.73 rear-end. So my computations for Max Gross Vehicle Weight with the 3.73 is a total of 7,350. Though I am 332 lbs over max payload, I am 554 lbs under max combined weight.

By the way, for those of you who follow the 20% rule-of-thumb for 5th wheel hitch weights; remember that formula assumes a long overhang, greater lengths and trailer axel position. My 5th wheel is a short nose at 33'. Granted, I am indeed pushing it. If I was towing this set up full-time or a majority of the miles the truck is driven, I would be going out to get a 2500 immediately.

Right now this truck is my daily driver. So having the smaller engine gets me better mileage than the HDs and a lot more nimbleness on the road. When I do pull the 5th wheel, I drive conservatively; always mindful that my 1500 will not perform as well as a 2500 under extremes. So the trick, when pushing the envelope, is to drive mindfully to avoid and preempt getting into extreme conditions. Then again, is that not a good philosophy for all driving anything?

high country · February 6, 2015

Refigure your fuel 26 gallons at 8 lbs. a gallon is way more than 156 lbs. and in the end your overloaded end of story, nothing to talk about.

sahls01gmc · February 6, 2015

Will your truck pull the camper.....yes.

Is it safe to do so with that truck......not really.

You're overweight, and really pushing the limits of that truck in IDEAL conditions. Add any weather to that, and it's a sure recipe for disaster. You stated in the beginning that you run aggressive and fast with the trailer.....that's a terrifying sight to see. You shouldn't go over the speed limit with your trailer, and you should go under the limit with your setup. What is the max speed rating on your trailer tires? I'm fairly confident that it isn't more than 65mph.

Hate to burst your bubble, but you should have got a 2500. I do about the same same hauling as you, and my 2500 was the perfect combination to SAFELY do everything that I need it to do.

For the record, I (as well as everyone else on this site) really appreciate you posting up your homework! It's great to see real world examples, and not just the factory literature. Thanks!

I'll be honest, as soon as I saw "1500 and 33' 5th wheel trailer", I didn't have a good feeling about it.

JamGear · February 6, 2015

Refigure your fuel 26 gallons at 8 lbs. a gallon is way more than 156 lbs. and in the end your overloaded end of story, nothing to talk about.

Gasoline is 6 lbs per gallon. Water is 8.3lbs per gallon. That's why gas floats in water

JamGear · February 6, 2015

Will your truck pull the camper.....yes.

Is it safe to do so with that truck......not really.

You're overweight, and really pushing the limits of that truck in IDEAL conditions. Add any weather to that, and it's a sure recipe for disaster. You stated in the beginning that you run aggressive and fast with the trailer.....that's a terrifying sight to see. You shouldn't go over the speed limit with your trailer, and you should go under the limit with your setup. What is the max speed rating on your trailer tires? I'm fairly confident that it isn't more than 65mph.

Hate to burst your bubble, but you should have got a 2500. I do about the same same hauling as you, and my 2500 was the perfect combination to SAFELY do everything that I need it to do.

For the record, I (as well as everyone else on this site) really appreciate you posting up your homework! It's great to see real world examples, and not just the factory literature. Thanks!

I'll be honest, as soon as I saw "1500 and 33' 5th wheel trailer", I didn't have a good feeling about it.

I appreciate you pointing out that I am indeed riding on the edge. I also appreciate your concern for safety. I have seen some HD trucks with their rear tires under the wheel well.

When I say aggressive, I do not mean aggressive with the steering wheel and brakes (flying in and out of lanes, etc.) I meant aggressive with maintaining speed. Instead of going 55 up a hill, I will go 65 or 70. I have only gone 75 MPH one or two times while trailering. In inclement weather I slow down 5 to 10 MPH overall.

The driver is a HUGE part of the safety and stability of any trailering rig. Again, if I was pulling this trailer even 25% of all driving for this truck, I would get into a 2500 as fast as I could. But as a weekend warrior that only goes 100 to 700 miles at a clip on the east coast, this rig is actually a perfect fit.

Again, thank you for your candor.

nards444 · February 6, 2015

Refigure your fuel 26 gallons at 8 lbs. a gallon is way more than 156 lbs. and in the end your overloaded end of story, nothing to talk about.

gasoline is 6 lbs per gallon, actually it can go up or down depending on temp, but 6 gallons is pretty good number to figure.

high country · February 6, 2015

Thanks for correcting my mistake on the weight.

nards444 · February 6, 2015

Couple things to think about. I have the same set up in 14 max tow, im pretty sure the max tow was 11,200 or 11,300. only the 6.2l got the 11,900 rating, if unsure check your door jam. The 15 model in the same specs is only 11,000lbs. It looks that you have done your homework though. But My guess is you may have underfigured the gear in your trailer, my guess is probably double that figure, pots and pans, clothes, food, bikes, cmap equipment can easily bust 600lbs. Another thing to think about is how RV and fifth wheels in general can act like sail.

Personally your over weight on all accounts and being dangerous to not only yourself but others on the road, im not saying that in a mother tone, but thats reality. If something were to happen and hopefully everybody walks away, but if they dont liability and insurance will eat you alive just by looking at that set up.

JamGear · February 6, 2015

Couple things to think about. I have the same set up in 14 max tow, im pretty sure the max tow was 11,200 or 11,300. only the 6.2l got the 11,900 rating, if unsure check your door jam. The 15 model in the same specs is only 11,000lbs. It looks that you have done your homework though. But My guess is you may have underfigured the gear in your trailer, my guess is probably double that figure, pots and pans, clothes, food, bikes, cmap equipment can easily bust 600lbs. Another thing to think about is how RV and fifth wheels in general can act like sail.

Personally your over weight on all accounts and being dangerous to not only yourself but others on the road, im not saying that in a mother tone, but thats reality. If something were to happen and hopefully everybody walks away, but if they dont liability and insurance will eat you alive just by looking at that set up.

While I agree the rig is pushing the limits, it is not, in and of itself, dangerous to anyone moving or otherwise. I drive it carefully and ever mindful that I am driving a 15,000 lb. brick though the air. But even an HD truck would not prevent a rig from being tossed around on the highway. What truly makes a rig safe is the driver. Frankly, we all have much more to worry about on our highways with distracted driving then a guy like me who is carefully driving a 5th wheel with a truck that is maxed out on payload.

As for the insurance comment, I will leave that alone. Insurance companies are designed to say no at all times and conditions when it comes to claims.

nards444 · February 6, 2015

While I agree the rig is pushing the limits, it is not, in and of itself, dangerous to anyone moving or otherwise. I drive it carefully and ever mindful that I am driving a 15,000 lb. brick though the air. But even an HD truck would not prevent a rig from being tossed around on the highway. What truly makes a rig safe is the driver. Frankly, we all have much more to worry about on our highways with distracted driving then a guy like me who is carefully driving a 5th wheel with a truck that is maxed out on payload.

As for the insurance comment, I will leave that alone. Insurance companies are designed to say no at all times and conditions when it comes to claims.

I whole heartedly agree about the driver comment. And Im not get a diesel to tow a jet ski guy either as there seems to be plenty of them. But I think you may be wrong in assuming what will dump a 3/4 ton will also dump a 1/2 ton. Its not even the engine thats the factor, engine just merely determines the rate of speed you can tow at or accelerate(I take that back transmission can assist in towing with down shifting and so forth, diesel can brake its self), but on a 3/4 ton your talking 2000 more pounds on the road, bigger brakes, heavier frame and axles all of which make it sturdier safer ride in comparable conditons. So to say if you had the same driver with same trailer in the same conditions towing the half ton and then in a 3/4 ton, the half ton will dump first it just would.

I agree with insurance. But in the event you had an accident and hurt or killed somebody you are open to some liability , and then you have DOT to add to the mix. The least of my worries would be them saying no covering something in an accident, my worry is I kill somebody and if that accident is determined to be my fault, and they will easily determine that I was over weight, the liability claim levied on me, would probably end me financially. Im not telling you what to do, its a risk you have to calculate and take. But you are hauling something thats over what the engineers say the truck is designed for, and maybe its possible that your abilities can make up that short fall, but its hard to make up for the unexpected that might happen.

sahls01gmc · February 6, 2015

Also, Highway Patrol and DOT would have a field day if they were to ever stop you.

nards444 · February 6, 2015

Also, Highway Patrol and DOT would have a field day if they were to ever stop you.

In my state the fines range from 100-1500 bucks. The biggest problem is they wont allow your rig to move until another truck comes out to move it. Which means more money in a wrecker service etc. Problem with this set up, is it doesnt pass the eye test not even close.

JamGear · February 6, 2015

Now let's not unnecessarily worry the other readers with ambiguous legality. Keep in mind this is a recreational rig.

The requirements and laws for commercial trailering differ a good bit from recreational. There is a huge difference between a 15,000llb pickup truck and 5th wheel rig and a commercial 80,000lb overland rig in regard to road safety and law. Furthermore, it seems all states with RV trailer laws focus on the safety of keeping the trailer connected to the tow vehicle in addition to brake requirements, height, length and weight limits. I have not found any state law that has cause or penalty for overloading a tow vehicle past manufacturer ratings.

The link below is a good quick reference. If, in fact, any state has a recreational truck and or trailer overload statute, it is not likely one of probable cause. I am not saying my configuration is the wisest thing. But it is not at all illegal nor subject to the laws of commercial trucking.

http://www.rvsafely.com/rvroadlaws.htm

BigBadSierra · February 6, 2015

If it where me I would definitly add an air lift to it. The have some 5K systems now.

This will allow you to level out the truck. Once I go up to a bigger camper I will most likely add one regardless.

A tire upgrade is also very recomeneded with that much wheight right down on them.

You get enough heat in the rear tires they will let go.

DenaliDually · February 6, 2015

Have you ever drove it on a scale after fuelling at a rest stop?

I appreciate that you claim to drive safely but the comment that you made about breaking the speed limit, ever, with that rig blows my mind.

Also, some have touched on this but you should really rethink the insurance thing all over again. If you wreck, they will probably deny the claim and you'll be sued.

Is your vacation really worth that?

Driving trailers is a lot like golf, doesn't matter how good the good ones are, one missed swing and its all over....

2015 Denali 3500 DRW, Michelin ltx, 4x4