Towing A 5th Wheel

[firepoggy]

Anyone tow a 5th wheel camper behind a 1500 series truck? If you do, any issues?

[az'03Silverado]

I've seen it done before. I saw a 1500 Silv pulling a gooseneck horse trailer. Didn't seem to be struggling any. I think the only issue would be finding a 5th wheel trailer that's not too heavy for the half-ton. Even if you put a 15k lb 5th-wheel hitch on the truck, you're still limited by the max tow rating in the owner's manual.

[pwall]

I've seen many 1500 trucks towing 5th wheels, but like az'03Silverado mentions, you're limited to your tow rating.

[C & A s Dad]

As you have already heard, just keep it well back of you max tow rating and I would also suggest limiting the length of the 5th wheel as well. Wheelbase of the Tow Vehicle plays a tremendous part in the stability while towing.

 

There are formulas on some of the towing forums to help you determine max length. My guess is that you will needt to keep it under 24 ft with a ext cab truck. Also check your grears before doing anything. A 3.42 gear or even a 3.73 will negatively affect your towing ability.

[firepoggy]

Unfortunatly I have 3.23 gears. Would swapping to 4.10 make a big difference?

[az'03Silverado]

Yes, the 4:10's will give you more starting torque and will put less strain on the transmission/engine. Your mileage will suffer somewhat.

[Nice rig]

I wouldn't touch a 5th wheel with 3.23 gear ratio.

[C & A s Dad]

Doug, unfortunately the 3.23s will severly limit your towing. The 4.10s would make a tremendous difference and put the 5.3 right in it's "sweet spot" when towing.

 

Sam mentioned ithe 4.10s could hurt your MPG. This is true if you spend a great deal of time on Interstates at speeds of 75 MPH and up. However, it you do not use the truck for this type of driving and spend much of your time in town or rural driving at speeds of 65 or less, you could even see an increase in MPG. Some may disagree with this but my Yukon XL with 5.3 and 4.10s averages over 18 MPG and will get 21 if I am driving pure hwy only. It will not do this at 80 MPH but at speeds under 65 it will consistenly get over 20 on the hwy. When I hook the 6500 lb camper up, it drops to 11 or 12.

[Shaners]

Trailer maunfacturers make lightweight 5'ers just for 1/2 trucks.

[C & A s Dad]

It will need to be very light weight with a low frontal profile if he is plans on keeping those 3.23s.

[desrtrat]

Anyone tow a 5th wheel camper behind a 1500 series truck? If you do, any issues?

you should be good up to a 34' but you'll need 3.73 or 4.10 34' is about 7000 lbs. dry weight. and maybe about 500 toung weight if you go over 34' get a dmax...

[StoneyPgh]

My 26 ft lightweight 5er weighs 5400# without any of our "stuff"

and the empty trailer pin weight is 900#.

[firepoggy]

Sorry for the mistake....I have 3.42 not 3.23 gears if that makes a difference.

[C & A s Dad]

Anyone tow a 5th wheel camper behind a 1500 series truck? If you do, any issues?

you should be good up to a 34' but you'll need 3.73 or 4.10 34' is about 7000 lbs. dry weight. and maybe about 500 toung weight if you go over 34' get a dmax...

 

 

 

I do not want to sound like I am disagreeing with you but if I remember correctly, when I was researching trailer length for my Yukon XL, the formulas that I used off a towing form recommended no more than 30 ft for my vehicle. I believe my Wheelbase is 131" and if I am not mistaken, a std ext cab truck is somehat shorter than this. Of course I was working with a Travel Trailer and not a 5th wheel.

 

The bottom line, my Yukon XL is rated at 8700 lbs with the 4.10 gears. My camper is about 6500 lwhen loaded for camping and the Yuk does very well. However, I would not want to go anwhere near the 8700 lb max trailer weight. I feel my truck would safely handle a few more pounds but not 8700.

 

I would be very concerned about a 1/2 ton pick up safely towing a 7,000 lb camper. Safely being the key word here.

 

I would suggest the person starting this thread go to some of the more popular RV forums and post this same question.

[StoneyPgh]

Would suggest at least a 3.73 and maybe 4.10, depending on the engine size.

In any event, you will have to keep the weight down on the 5er.