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Old 02-01-2016, 05:56 PM   #1
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Tow capacity vs. weight

Only eight month with our first tt and I'm already planning ahead! We will be upgrading tv in a couple of years and here's my question; if I go with a 3/4 ton diesel rated for say 17000-18000 pounds will I have enough truck to comfortably pull a fifth wheel around 13500 pounds? I'm 90% sure that's the max weight we would be looking at, something large enough to be comfy on long road trips, but small enough to fit into the majority of campgrounds, say 35- 36 feet max.
I absolutely do NOT want to regret not getting enough truck two or three years in when we move up in size. Please don't be shy with your opinions, that's how I'm learning on here!!!!
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Old 02-01-2016, 06:00 PM   #2
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I believe the consensus would be go ahead and get the 1 ton instead. The price difference will be minimal and you'll get the higher payload so future upgrades would be covered.
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Old 02-01-2016, 06:15 PM   #3
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If say get the SRW F350. Why limit yourself for a small increase in cost? Ride isn't much, if any, different.

The 6.7 will pull a mountain up a bigger mountain!
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Old 02-01-2016, 07:15 PM   #4
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The total weight of the 5er is not the only consideration. It's the pin weight that will get ya! Do you know the pin weight of the 5er you are considering? Check the TV driver's side door post for the allowable weight that your 3/4 ton will carry.
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Old 02-01-2016, 07:35 PM   #5
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I see you are in Georgia, but if they have weight fees for registration like California, you will pay through the nose yearly for the additional capacity. A 2003 Dodge dually one ton was $500 to register in 2014. The license was $56 with the remainder as a commercial vehicle weight screw. You might check.
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Old 02-01-2016, 08:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mothernaturesson View Post
Only eight month with our first tt and I'm already planning ahead! We will be upgrading tv in a couple of years and here's my question; if I go with a 3/4 ton diesel rated for say 17000-18000 pounds will I have enough truck to comfortably pull a fifth wheel around 13500 pounds? I'm 90% sure that's the max weight we would be looking at, something large enough to be comfy on long road trips, but small enough to fit into the majority of campgrounds, say 35- 36 feet max.
I absolutely do NOT want to regret not getting enough truck two or three years in when we move up in size. Please don't be shy with your opinions, that's how I'm learning on here!!!!
NO -- typically 250/2500 Diesel will have a payload capacity 2500-2900 lbs. Pin weight on a 5er is 20%-25% of actual weight. Therefor a 13000 lb 5er will have >2500lb pin weight, that's nearly the whole payload before passengers, hitch and any other items.

Many say 250/2500 payload capacities are not actual but rather the manufactures are playing games with GVWR to keep it under 10k for registration and licensing reasons. I have no idea if this is true, but the argument seems reasonable, and the power train and running gear of a 3/4 ton are essentially the same as 1 ton. As was already mentioned registration fees in many states have an additional component based on GVWR. If you really want to keep your options open a 350/3500 SRW will provide you considerably more flexibility with amount much increase in purchase price. Before you do that though you should research registration fees in your state.
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Old 02-01-2016, 09:24 PM   #7
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Tow capacity vs. weight

I skipped the 3/4 and went to 1t srw. My rig dry weight was 13200...loaded up is 15000-16500 depending on rzr in back or not. Even at 13200 my pin weight was around 3000 (mines toy hauler though, so notoriously heavier on the pin without toys in back).

the 1t srw' shave around 4000lbs payload. Don't forget the hitch weight and that if passengers...it adds up quickly...I should of got a dually actually
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Old 02-02-2016, 09:51 AM   #8
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Ahh the pin weight. See, post and learn! I've been fixating on max towing capacity vs total, loaded 5er weight. I have seen many late model used in our price range in both 3/4 and 1 ton. As I said, we are about 18-24 months from new vehicle and then maybe three years more until new camper. I must confess In my research on 5ers I've looked at tons of brands to get the combo of length, weight, comfort, and of course price range we will be settling on and I keep comparing them to the Eagle line and have a darn hard time convincing myself why I wouldn't stick with Jayco. Thanks for the opinions this is one time I want to know exactly what we should do because these will be what we ride of into the sunset with for hopefully many years to come.
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Old 02-02-2016, 10:41 AM   #9
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3/4 diesel and 1 ton diesel can have similar towing capacities. Same motor and tranny much of the time.

3/4 Ton diesel may only have 2,000lb payload. I looked at 3 F250's all with 1,998-2,010 pounds of available cargo (yikes). The gas motor will have much more payload. Depends on the cab size too. If you want the big cab = less payload. Smaller cab = more available payload.

The 1 ton truck will have plenty of payload, but ride like a covered wagon. If your stuck on a diesel truck and want to stay within the GVWR, a 13,000 lb 5th wheel will put you over the GVWR. The axle and tire ratings will probably not be exceeded. Most 5th wheels I see going down the road have a 3/4 ton diesel truck pulling them. If I didn't have my family in the back seat, I would go with the 3/4 ton. More comfortable ride when unloaded. Probably would pull most 5'ers (of course not all) without exceeding the RAWR or tire rating.

If you get the 1 ton, you're able to pull about any 2 axle 5th wheel without worrying about exceeding your weight capacities. Then again, many folks who have a 1 ton truck and pull a 5th wheel like the dually and say they would never tow without the DRW.

If you like the 3/4 ton option, then ya gotta consider the gas motor. You should have more than 3,000lb cargo with a 3/4 ton gasser. Not sure if that will be enough cargo for a bigger 5th wheel.

I think it all comes down to if you want to stay within the weight ratings posted on the door, or not.
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Old 02-02-2016, 10:51 AM   #10
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Our current 5th is similar to what you are thinking. I'm attaching my weight spreadsheet as a point of reference. My 5th weighs in at 12700# and I have 3020# on the pin. I am below the Rear GAWR by 490#. I can't say how the weights would fall pulling my 5th with an F250.

Click image for larger version

Name:	weights.jpg
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ID:	21741
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Old 02-02-2016, 11:57 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by RedHorse1 View Post
Our current 5th is similar to what you are thinking. I'm attaching my weight spreadsheet as a point of reference. My 5th weighs in at 12700# and I have 3020# on the pin. I am below the Rear GAWR by 490#. I can't say how the weights would fall pulling my 5th with an F250.

Attachment 21741
Very nicely done!

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Old 02-02-2016, 02:36 PM   #12
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Does dry hitch weight= pin weight on a 5er? Dumb question I'm sure but it's all new to me.
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Old 02-02-2016, 02:39 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by RedHorse1 View Post
Our current 5th is similar to what you are thinking. I'm attaching my weight spreadsheet as a point of reference. My 5th weighs in at 12700# and I have 3020# on the pin. I am below the Rear GAWR by 490#. I can't say how the weights would fall pulling my 5th with an F250.

Attachment 21741
Very nice, thanks! Saved and printed for future reference!
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Old 02-02-2016, 03:22 PM   #14
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Does dry hitch weight= pin weight on a 5er? Dumb question I'm sure but it's all new to me.
There don't seem to be ANY dumb questions asked on this forum (I've tried).
The pin weight will vary based on how much "stuff" you load into the 5th. As the 5th is shipped from the factory the pin weight would be equal to the dry hitch weight (or nearly so). I think the weights listed on the Jayco web site will be estimates based on a pre-production model or the first of the production runs (or maybe just a guess). The 5th will come with its "yellow sticker" which has the VIN and supposedly the actual weight of the trailer as shipped. Options included, manufacturing changes/variables and construction debris make the actual weight go up.

Our Dry Hitch and Weight were 2,305# and 10,685#.
Loaded for travel the pin is 3,020# and the 5th is 12,700#
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Old 02-03-2016, 07:41 PM   #15
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Tow capacity vs. weight

My pin weight is 2850 lbs which works out to approx 650 lbs of cargo on the truck plus the Jayco specs of 2225 empty.
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Old 02-04-2016, 10:01 AM   #16
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And to think once apon a time I just had to make sure there was enough room for the tent and other gear in the truck! If we were doing this now(we all know what wouldn't happen to the frog IF he had wings) the 321RSTS would be our choice so I need to get enough truck to support the pin weight, any other cargo and passengers, and a sufficient tow rating. That means a 3/4 ton diesel that's got max everything or a 1 ton and I've got no worries. That about sum it up? Feel really dumb here but I want to be sure exactly what I'm doing so I don't get steered into a mistake by someone wanting to move a truck sitting in the lot. I am so glad I found this on line RV University, an informed consumer is a darn good thing to be.
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