Is this enough truck?

RowdyLil · February 6, 2017

The hubs and I are new to this rv fun but he's not quite sure we have the right set up. If we ask a dealer they have their ideas but we find asking actual rv folks gets us answers. Here's what we have...

We bought a 2015 Chevy half ton Silverado High Country for one trailer, switched trailers for a 30 foot, 2016 Heartland Sundance LT 5th wheel. He believes the engine is big enough to handle the trailer but not convinced the truck is. Does that make sense? HP vs Payload I think?

Although we have not hauled the trailer long distances yet he says it's ok but believes we need something like a 3/4 ton or even a 1 ton to do the job.

The truck is 4x4 with crew cab, short box, I think a 5.3L engine, we do have the airbags...

Do any of you have experience with this, answers or can at least point us in a direction?

Thanks everyone!

bdbake01 · February 6, 2017

That's a LOT of trailer, and hubs may be onto something. Yes, you have all the power you NEED provided you don't have some serious mountain climbing on a regular basis. But depending on the trailer weight, you may seriously be pushing the safe limits of the truck itself. Remember, it's gotta stop and turn as well. And beyond the weight, that trailer is also a huge wind sail.

Andy Seibel · February 6, 2017

Remember, it's gotta stop and turn as well.

You could get a trailer moving with a V6, but you aren't going to control it or stop it with an undersized truck.

dorkweed · February 6, 2017

Years ago; I used to see tires pushed off of rims on pickups when turning short.

The trailer wanted to keep going straight; and after the truck had turned, the trailer pushed the rear of the truck sideways enough to pop the rim/tire bead seal.

Get more truck please...................preferably a dually. You'll love the 2 extra tires when towing.............especially in a crosswind.

gmckenzie · February 6, 2017

I'd never pull a 5th wheel with a 1500, and my trailer is 34 feet long. But the 5th puts too much weight in the bed of the truck. You will run out of payload capacity pretty quick.

Not sure exactly which one you have, but looking at their website, I see this one.

https://www.heartlandrvs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=383:sd-xlt-295-bh&catid=89:xlt-sundance&Itemid=392

Hitch weight (dry) is 1660. That is empty, no propane etc. That leave very little room for anything. If it leaves any room at all.

When looking at trucks, be sure to watch the payload sticker on the vehicle. Just have a discussing in the trailer and towing forum about 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton, and there is not much difference in payload between a properly equipped 1/2 ton (talking NHT here) and a 3/4 ton with a diesel. So if you want to go diesel, you need to bump up to a 1 ton.

bdbake01 · February 6, 2017

I'd never pull a 5th wheel with a 1500, and my trailer is 34 feet long. But the 5th puts too much weight in the bed of the truck. You will run out of payload capacity pretty quick.

Not sure exactly which one you have, but looking at their website, I see this one.

https://www.heartlandrvs.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=383:sd-xlt-295-bh&catid=89:xlt-sundance&Itemid=392

Hitch weight (dry) is 1660. That is empty, no propane etc. That leave very little room for anything. If it leaves any room at all.

When looking at trucks, be sure to watch the payload sticker on the vehicle. Just have a discussing in the trailer and towing forum about 1/2 ton vs. 3/4 ton, and there is not much difference in payload between a properly equipped 1/2 ton (talking NHT here) and a 3/4 ton with a diesel. So if you want to go diesel, you need to bump up to a 1 ton.

While I agree with the payload statement, I'll also point out that the hitch setup is critical here as well since technically a 5th isn't really payload.

I'm sure it's entirely possible to come up a well engineered setup that meets all the requirements and limits set forth in the manual, my concern is that you'll have absolutely zero margin of error and an unpleasant driving experience at best. You don't want to be in that position when the driver in front of you decides that the best course of action to take when their REAR TIRE goes flat at @70 is to LOCK IT FULL UP going down the interstate. Ask me how I know! My little Dodge about ATE that Chevy.

gmckenzie · February 6, 2017

While I agree with the payload statement, I'll also point out that the hitch setup is critical here as well since technically a 5th isn't really payload.

I'm sure it's entirely possible to come up a well engineered setup that meets all the requirements and limits set forth in the manual, my concern is that you'll have absolutely zero margin of error and an unpleasant driving experience at best. You don't want to be in that position when the driver in front of you decides that the best course of action to take when their REAR TIRE goes flat at @70 is to LOCK IT FULL UP going down the interstate. Ask me how I know! My little Dodge about ATE that Chevy.

But the pin weight is carried on the axle. Not sure how that isn't payload?

newdude · February 6, 2017

The hubs and I are new to this rv fun but he's not quite sure we have the right set up. If we ask a dealer they have their ideas but we find asking actual rv folks gets us answers. Here's what we have...

We bought a 2015 Chevy half ton Silverado High Country for one trailer, switched trailers for a 30 foot, 2016 Heartland Sundance LT 5th wheel. He believes the engine is big enough to handle the trailer but not convinced the truck is. Does that make sense? HP vs Payload I think?

Although we have not hauled the trailer long distances yet he says it's ok but believes we need something like a 3/4 ton or even a 1 ton to do the job.

The truck is 4x4 with crew cab, short box, I think a 5.3L engine, we do have the airbags...

Do any of you have experience with this, answers or can at least point us in a direction?

Thanks everyone!

Do you know what gearing is in the truck? Check the upper glovebox for the following codes GU4, GU6, GU5. Also look for the engine codes L83 or L86. In the VIN the engine will either be a C (5.3) or I think a J (6.2).

Also, what box does the truck have a 5ft 8in (short) or the 6ft 6in (standard)?

bdbake01 · February 6, 2017

But the pin weight is carried on the axle. Not sure how that isn't payload?

Because the assumptions are different. "Payload" is a generic term that basically describes the additional weight that any truck/vehicle can carry above the dry curb weight without any specific regard to weight distribution of said payload (though in a truck this is primarily assumed to be in the bed).

A 5th wheel, on the other hand, does not necessarily place the weight "on the axle". In fact, most of the time the weight is, and should be distributed between both the drive and steer axles. The 5th should be mounted directly to the frame, and its bias fore/aft of the rear axle allows one to select their weight distribution. What's more, if your trailer has sliding axles you can actually move gross weight between the trailer and the tow vehicle allowing for more adjustment.

This is kinda good/kinda bad imho. Good in that it gives one TONS of flexibility in order to fine tune the handling characteristics of their rig for the best setup while also allowing for easy adjustment to accommodate cargo changes. Bad from the standpoint of it can allow the savvy mathematician to come up with a scenario that makes it SEEM like a 1/2 ton pickup is the best tow vehicle for a 12klb trailer.

Nathan79 · February 7, 2017

You will be overloaded. Don't kid yourself.

Doobs41378 · February 7, 2017

That is a lot of trailer for a 1500

Billy346 · February 7, 2017

Wow.. That trailer is almost 8200 lbs dry and has a GVWR of 9900 lbs. If I were you, I would go shopping for a new HD2500 or 3500. As far as fifth wheels go, its not huge, so you don't necessarily need to spring for the diesel, but the heavier frame and suspension are what the doctor ordered.

Pacfanweb · February 7, 2017

WAY too much trailer.

Darth_Vader · February 7, 2017

Too much trailer for a 1500. But you do not need a dually by a long shot. To give you a better idea, when we full timed in a 5er we used a dually to pull ours but it was a 43 trailer. Even then I never had to air up our helper bags and we had a washer and dryer (separate units) in the closet out over the hitch.

Get a 2500 and save yourself the headache that comes with owning a dually.

RowdyLil · February 8, 2017

Hey you all! Thank you very, very much for your input!

We have experienced that one issue with the trailer going straight while the truck is turning and Hubs about went crazy trying to figure out what was wrong. Even the guy who was guiding him into a site was scratching his head over that one.

We're going back to our dealership and asking questions. We bought the trailer and the truck there and were assured the truck would handle things just fine but Hubs had his doubts big time.

At any rate we HUGELY appreciate all your input! Thank you so much!