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Tony & Donna
2022 Montana High Country 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2000 Dimensions inverter
2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
Great posts folks - always factual practical advice. To me there is an opportunity for a 15,000 lb GVRW x 37 ft which would be suitable for a 3/4 ton truck. Also, there are snowbirds that would love a high quality unit for 2 to 4 month living comparable in quality to a diesel pusher in the 3/4 ton towable range. As it is now you must replace your unit every +/-4 years because of poor manufacturing quality. If you do the math of replacing your truck and trailer every 4 years over a 12 year period it’s equivalent to a diesel pusher.
There has been a lot of convo about towing capacity. The spec’s for a 2023 Chev Silverado show a 5th wheel capacity of 18,250 lb trailer max weight and many units have a GVRW of 16,800. Most of the comments on this blog advise using a 3500 vs a 2500 in this situation. I really respect this blog and I’m wondering why the general consensus is against towing a 16,800 lb unit with a 2500 HD?
There has been a lot of convo about towing capacity. The spec’s for a 2023 Chev Silverado show a 5th wheel capacity of 18,250 lb trailer max weight and many units have a GVRW of 16,800. Most of the comments on this blog advise using a 3500 vs a 2500 in this situation. I really respect this blog and I’m wondering why the general consensus is against towing a 16,800 lb unit with a 2500 HD?
Because it really isn't about towing capacity, but about payload. Payload is typically the rating that gets ignored by both the truck and RV industry, and as a result, many unaware, unsuspecting buyers don't think about it. When, in fact, it's the most critical, and most limiting rating.
Most of the HD trucks will pull most 5ers...weight BEHIND the truck (that's the strength of the drive train). But safety is in the payload...how much weight can you put ON the truck (that's the strength of the frame and suspension). That number is stated on the yellow sticker inside the truck drivers door. These trucks have an OEM rating for how much weight they can carry. Most 3/4 ton trucks don't have enough payload to safely carry the loaded weight of larger 5ers in addition to passengers, hitch, and other cargo. Not to mention that truck's ability to manage that heavy trailer in an emergency braking or high cross-wind situation.
Remember, most sales folks in both industries are NOT in the business of your safety. They're in the business of the next sale. There are some exceptions, sure. But it's really up to the buyer to be educated and aware of how to keep his family safe. That's where forums like this come in...
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Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS / Demco Recon Hitch on B&W Ball
2012 RAM 3500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 SRW / AMP Power Running Boards / Air Bags
So I did the math and correct me if I’m wrong at any point.
2023 Chev Silverado 2500HD High Country
GVWR: 11,350 lb
Curb weight: 6,900
People & dogs: 600
Other: 200
Hitch: 150
Tongue weight: 2,950
Total Weight is: 10,800 lb
Difference between vehicle GVWR and Total Weight is: 550 lb
Seems like this is doable correct?
We traded in a 2021 F250 with a payload capacity of 2797 since we have a 3761FL on order. The advertised hitch/pin weight is dry. Add the hitch, cargo, passengers, etc…, and you will be over 3000lbs with any Montana. There are many YouTube videos on this subject. Maximum tow rating is misleading and the payload capacity number is the one that matters.
So I did the math and correct me if I’m wrong at any point.
2023 Chev Silverado 2500HD High Country
GVWR: 11,350 lb
Curb weight: 6,900
People & dogs: 600
Other: 200
Hitch: 150
Tongue weight: 2,950
Total Weight is: 10,800 lb
Difference between vehicle GVWR and Total Weight is: 550 lb
Seems like this is doable correct?
Using your numbers the sticker inside the drivers door would have a payload capacity of 4450lbs. You are on the right track. Look at the door sticker and take the payload capacity and subtract the pin weight, hitch, people, dogs, cargo.
Except there’s no way that a 3/4 ton has a payload of 4450 lbs. We need to know what the stated payload capacity is. The sticker will say something like “passengers and cargo not to exceed xxxx lbs”. That number is the OEM rated payload.
The 3761FL has a GVWR of 16,800 lbs. That's a calculated loaded pin weight of over 3800 lbs. With people, hitch, and gear you will need a payload of over 4000 lbs. That's 1 ton territory...possibly dually.
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Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS / Demco Recon Hitch on B&W Ball
2012 RAM 3500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 SRW / AMP Power Running Boards / Air Bags
You will be over. Find a nice dually. Check the rear axle. 4:10 we prefer.
I have the 4:10 axle to, it does make a difference. The people that travel over their limits have a variety of excuses for doing so but it usually boils down to money and talking the wife into another $80,000 dollar truck when you have one already. It works until things get out of hand but then it`s to late.
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2018.5 3791 Rear Den Montana, on the lake
Electric Brakes ..... Disk Brakes, it`s the only way
2018 F350 Ford 6.7 Dually 4:10`s w/bags Top Dog (payload 5595 lbs)
Reese Goosebox Mor/Ryde SRE 4000 X Factors Monroe shocks.... real smooth ride
Except there’s no way that a 3/4 ton has a payload of 4450 lbs. We need to know what the stated payload capacity is. The sticker will say something like “passengers and cargo not to exceed xxxx lbs”. That number is the OEM rated payload.
The 3761FL has a GVWR of 16,800 lbs. That's a calculated loaded pin weight of over 3800 lbs. With people, hitch, and gear you will need a payload of over 4000 lbs. That's 1 ton territory...possibly dually.
Yeah, that's why I bought a dually. I was using my example with a 3/4 ton where the numbers won't work for a 3761FL. I now have payload capacity of 5255 lbs.
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23 Montana 3761FL
23 Chevrolet 3500HD DRW High County
Once again you guys are correct BUT the absolutely mind blowing part of this for a rookie like me is that a Chev 2500HD Duramax like mine has a load rating of 2,034 lbs!!!! I’m not sure I can put my grandkids bike in the back and go down the road. A 32 ft Montana has a weight of 11,000 lbs which puts the hitch tongue weight at about 2,200 lbs. With that said I’ve got to think that 90% of people dragging a 5th wheel are doing so over weight. This has blown my mind that it really takes a 1 ton to pull most 5th wheel trailers.
.....The sticker will say something like “passengers and cargo not to exceed xxxx lbs”. That number is the OEM rated payload...
That sticker is on the drivers door jam and called the "Tire and Loading Information" sticker. Those trying to justify towing with 250/2500 series trucks like to work the numbers, but ignore this sticker that gives the actual payload capacity for that vehicle.
Once again you guys are correct BUT the absolutely mind blowing part of this for a rookie like me is that a Chev 2500HD Duramax like mine has a load rating of 2,034 lbs!!!! I’m not sure I can put my grandkids bike in the back and go down the road. A 32 ft Montana has a weight of 11,000 lbs which puts the hitch tongue weight at about 2,200 lbs. With that said I’ve got to think that 90% of people dragging a 5th wheel are doing so over weight. This has blown my mind that it really takes a 1 ton to pull most 5th wheel trailers.
Yep, now you're getting it. EXCEPT...Think of your trailer in terms of loaded weight, not empty weight. Nobody hauls around and camps in an emptry trailer. Use GVWR for calcs. Your Monty likely weighs over 14k lbs loaded. Pin weight of >3000 lbs. plus everything else. That's why most of us here say it takes a 1 ton to haul one of these.
I know it sucks when you've already got a nice truck but now you are aware of what it takes to be safe. The good news is that the truck market is still pretty strong so you could probably do pretty well selling yours and upgrading.
Good luck in the days ahead with your new-found info.
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Jeff & Sandi (and Teddy - 7lb Schnorkie)
2018 Montana HC 305RL / HW Progressive EMS / Demco Recon Hitch on B&W Ball
2012 RAM 3500 Big Horn Crew Cab 4x4 SRW / AMP Power Running Boards / Air Bags
Once again you guys are correct BUT the absolutely mind blowing part of this for a rookie like me is that a Chev 2500HD Duramax like mine has a load rating of 2,034 lbs!!!! I’m not sure I can put my grandkids bike in the back and go down the road. A 32 ft Montana has a weight of 11,000 lbs which puts the hitch tongue weight at about 2,200 lbs. With that said I’ve got to think that 90% of people dragging a 5th wheel are doing so over weight. This has blown my mind that it really takes a 1 ton to pull most 5th wheel trailers.
You are close on the 90% overloaded, I attended an Rv towing seminar at the Hershey, Pa show before buying my truck and Rv. The guys giving the seminar started out by saying that 85% of the trucks pulling fifth wheel RVs on the road are overloaded. I did not want to have to buy a dually but after driving the four corners of the continental US and it’s mountain ranges I’m glad I did. Safety first
Hello guys very interesting and entertaining read here. I though to myself what about other bumper pull trailers and campers on the road pulled by over loaded vehicles especially with a car or midsize pickup/suv wow way more dangerous than a 3/4 ton with a fifth wheel And what's crazy to me is smaller fifth wheels that are half ton towable Really? How overloaded are those gvwrs and pin weights now i am sure there are some that are in the range but but after 26 feet of fifth wheel??? look at some of the advertised specs on them.
Here's a good video that brakes down the weights, where to get them and how to use them to determine if you have enough truck to safely tow your 5th wheel.
Here's a good video that brakes down the weights, where to get them and how to use them to determine if you have enough truck to safely tow your 5th wheel.
..... Disk Brakes, it`s the only way
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