GMC 2500HD Towing Capacity Question

[CarWin]

Originally Posted by fatcatzzz

I'm on my third bag. lol

I hope it is popcorn you are talking about...lol

[Desertdawg51]

Morning all! With Regards to the issue of weight ratio to tow vehicle capacity,what about the new wave of "light " 5th wheel hitches? Andersen; PullRite Superlight, etc. What is the consensus opinion on these newer hitches? I have a 2015 Ram 2500, short box, 6.71CUMMINS D and am currently using a PR Superslide. Considering either the Andersen or the Pullrite Super Lite. Leaning the way of the Pullrite SuperLite.

Dave McElhaney

[Maury]

We have a 3665 RE and have towed it with our 2005 Chev 2500 4-wheel diesel duramax all over the country. We'd never owned a truck before and we talked with the men/women who hauled these RV's to dealers. All of them felt we'd have no problem with the 3/4 ton Chev. We've been up and over the Rockies and in 48 states. We have had two tires blow out on the RV and a rear one went flat on the truck. No control problem. We avoid high side winds (over 40 mph). We test-drove a 3500 and found it much rougher riding, empty, and more difficult to get into some narrow spaces. I agree with the person who suggested you do what you are doing - get ideas, check out some options, and most important, feel safe. If going with a 3500 gives you peace of mind, do it!

[wmcclay]

You are over weight, in many states trucks that are designed to weigh 80 000 lbs are pulling double trailers, 120 foot long and weigh 129,000 lbs. With over weight and over length permits. Look at some of the trucks hauling equipment with lowboys. Over length, over height and over weight. These are completely legal. Iam not sure if any state weighs rv at the truck scales. 400 lbs over is a negligible amount. Yes you are overweight, but in the whole scheme of things, if you feel safe, go for it.

[Mysticaldoc]

Originally Posted by John McLean

My wife and I are considering purchasing a 2019 Keystone Montana 3121RL.

We have a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax Diesel, with auto transmission, Crew Cab, 6.5' bed and around 70,000 miles.

I want to know if this truck is adequate to pull this fifth wheel rig. I am a 'newbie' at towing something this big.

On-Line available Montana Specs:
Dry Wt. Camper = 12,014 lbs.
Payload Cap. of Camper = 4366 lb.
GVWR of camper = 16, 380 lb.
Hitch wt. of camper = 2385 lb.

From the Truck Owner's Manual:
6.6L V8 Diesel
Axle Ratio = 3.73
Maximum Trailer Weight = 15, 400 lbs.
GCWR = 22,000 lbs.

John, couple of items. First it appears likely you will be over on gvrw on the truck. Can the truck pull this, if course, but doesn't mean it should or is legal. Most dealers tell you that 1100 ibs is the average weight of cargo we load into our campers, keep that in mind, or just weigh it. Keep your registration in mind also, typically pickup plates go to 8000lbs max, should upgrading will likely be needed. Can you get by for years without a problem? Likely, but if you ever had a crash, the accident reconstruction officers will go through all those figures as will an insurance company and there is the Big rub. I say get it right from the beginning: gross erights, registration, engine and suspension. Then relax and have fun.

[Hnjackson2014]

Originally Posted by John McLean

My wife and I are considering purchasing a 2019 Keystone Montana 3121RL.

We have a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax Diesel, with auto transmission, Crew Cab, 6.5' bed and around 70,000 miles.

I want to know if this truck is adequate to pull this fifth wheel rig. I am a 'newbie' at towing something this big.

On-Line available Montana Specs:
Dry Wt. Camper = 12,014 lbs.
Payload Cap. of Camper = 4366 lb.
GVWR of camper = 16, 380 lb.
Hitch wt. of camper = 2385 lb.

From the Truck Owner's Manual:
6.6L V8 Diesel
Axle Ratio = 3.73
Maximum Trailer Weight = 15, 400 lbs.
GCWR = 22,000 lbs.

Hello! We have same truck minus the long bed and pull our 2011 Montana 3750FL just fine with a 20k sliding hitch. Fully loaded with camping gear, children and pets. Only issue is 90 point turning radius for us at times. You won't have that issue with your truck bed. Pulling the weight will be fine with your truck based on my experiences. We go camping 2x a month!
For safety, make sure you have the trailer break away package.

[Jersey Devil]

Originally Posted by BiggarView

You're right I don't know the extent of your ego, but your response was flippant, my response was merely stating facts. Facts which you apparently choose to ignore. My temper is just fine... I have no reason for be upset with you... nothing you can do at this point will affect me on that level. Have a great day to you too.

I see your trying to help but unfortunately you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink!Save your breath trying to help educating someone that knows it all.

[MikeandLisa]

The towing capacity is usually not the problem, the PAYLOAD capacity is usually the problem... I'd bet your payload is not adequate but even if you are just under the payload it's not a good idea to tow at max capacity for too long. Good luck and be safe.

[beeje]

Here are the facts;
-Anyone can tow anything with whatever they want. (there is no way to stop them) 100s of thousands of People no it every day and could care less!!!!
-There has NEVER been a 3/4 ton/2500 truck from any year,from any manufacturer that could legally and safely tow a camper with that much pin weight...…
-Your camper could have a pin weight as much as 4095lbs. That is more that double the payload capacity of a brand new 2500 truck (as posted by jpwhite with a pic of his door sticker) previously.
-That camper in CLEARLY in dually territory with out a dought.
-It is very possible that even a dually could be overloaded with that unit if you have 5 large adults in the truck with a bed full of firewood or whatever etc.

[rapatton]

You need to know the gvwr of your truck in order to stay under the gcwr of 22000 lbs. the new truck I think will do it

Originally Posted by John McLean

My wife and I are considering purchasing a 2019 Keystone Montana 3121RL.

We have a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax Diesel, with auto transmission, Crew Cab, 6.5' bed and around 70,000 miles.

I want to know if this truck is adequate to pull this fifth wheel rig. I am a 'newbie' at towing something this big.

On-Line available Montana Specs:
Dry Wt. Camper = 12,014 lbs.
Payload Cap. of Camper = 4366 lb.
GVWR of camper = 16, 380 lb.
Hitch wt. of camper = 2385 lb.

From the Truck Owner's Manual:
6.6L V8 Diesel
Axle Ratio = 3.73
Maximum Trailer Weight = 15, 400 lbs.
GCWR = 22,000 lbs.

[Sandra_David]

Welcome to the forum.
I have a 2016 2500HD with the 6.6 Duramax and we tow a 3950BR. Yes, I'm over weight but you can control the load. I did add airbags and compressor to the truck to adjust our ride. I had a 10k fiver prior to this one and my TV was a 2004 2500 HD Duramax.
Enjoy your new rig.

[StageCoachDriver]

Your trailer's GVMW is about 1,000 over the GMC's max towing abilities - 16,380lbs vs 15,400lbs.


If you tow as configured, keep your speed down, follow at a safe distance and be prepared for anything to happen. You might look at the Montana HC 305RL, it's GVWR is 14,300 with about the same hitch pin weight.

[Ed C]

I had to purchase a 1 ton dually to safely tow my 3700LK. Just took delivery of it on Friday. I learned from one of my posts back in October that I could pull my 3700 just fine with my F250, but it was overloaded by at least over one ton on just the payload. So, I wasn't happy about having to buy a F350 drw, but it is the safe thing to do. Kudos to the OP for asking the question in the first place!

[wade]

Originally Posted by John McLean

Learning a lot this afternoon. Didn't realize this truck was not capable of safely towing this load. Really appreciate all the good info I have received. Came out of the nuclear industry and it's all about safety. So, there you go. Best be shopping for a different coach. At least it will be cheaper, hopefully.

There are dangers in everything you tow, maybe consider tenting. I drive a class8 heavy hauler truck for a living. Bigger the load the better i like it
👍

[kdeiss]

All Keep in mind this is a 3/4 HD not a 3/4 ton add leaf to the rear springs and change out the wheels and you got a 1 Ton Everything else is the same including the brakes !

[wade]

Originally Posted by wmcclay

You are over weight, in many states trucks that are designed to weigh 80 000 lbs are pulling double trailers, 120 foot long and weigh 129,000 lbs. With over weight and over length permits. Look at some of the trucks hauling equipment with lowboys. Over length, over height and over weight. These are completely legal. Iam not sure if any state weighs rv at the truck scales. 400 lbs over is a negligible amount. Yes you are overweight, but in the whole scheme of things, if you feel safe, go for it.

👍 put your big boy pants on and ride

[cmccuan]

Look at your insurance policies for both your truck and your rig. If it's not according to spec requirements you could be in jeopardy of voiding your policy in the event of a wreck.

[Bigsob]

If you want to sell your duramax let me know

[powerhaulic]

As stated by others, springs are the only difference 2500 to 3500 in a GM.
I air bagged mine with on-board air, works great.
Tires are the big concern in my book, I chose to go 285/70-20 to get the capacity I needed. Wheels are a non-issue in my book, but many will tell you different.


Is a dually more stable? yes it is
Is it more truck? no just harder to park and actually has smaller diameter rotors than 2500/3500 SRW.
Stability and duals for capacity, if it is needed


I will be getting a 3500 next truck, but SRW not a dually.

[margerush]

we have a 3160RL & pull with a 2016 RAM 2500 Big Horn mega cab, 4x4, 6.7 Cummings, 6 speed transmission, 50 gal aux fuel tank in bed. We load the Monty with few or bare necessities, about 30 gal fresh water. It's unbelievable how easy the Monty pulls, don't feel swaying or wind gusts, truck has power to pull up steep grades & with the jake brake & transmission downhill steep grades are easy too. Just my 2 cents, newer trucks offer a lot more in pulling power.