Towing 2012 35lkts

[Smitty]

Buying a pinnacle 35lkts, weighing 12,200 empty. Will be Towing with 2010 Dodge 2500 4x4 6.7 diesel crewcab. I plan on adding air bags although it does not sag hardly at all. Do you think this truck is ample? I've asked two dodge dealerships and they both say it will handle it plus. My dealership told me 15k with no problem. I can't find the tow rate anywhere in my manual so am trying to go by what dealership says. I bought it new and has 17k miles on it. It has a Jake break & six speed tranny. I have a 15000 lb rated easy glide fifth wheel hitch. I notice the 2011 models have increased towing capacity by 2000 lbs but cannot find what changes they have made to increase this much. I just want to be safe and enjoy this new fiver. Any suggestions?

[29BHS ECO]

Smitty--- Just scroll down from your post --see the jayco towing guide posted by rustic eagle. That should answer your questions or you could also check the factory sticker on the door jam of your tv. Larry

[Rustic Eagle]

Smitty,

If you haven't found it, here is a link that member "19H F250" was referring to (large pdf file): http://www.jayco.com/pdfs/DigitalTLTowGuide2011.pdf

Your TV's Tow Rating is just the beginning...., once you confirm it please review this STICKY: http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3866

Also, ignore unloaded weights, think in terms of loaded weights.

Since you already have the TV, load it up like you were heading out on a camping trip and head to the nearest CAT scale, good opportunity to start with "real weights".

Compare your TV's CAT scale rear axle weight against your TV's Rear GAWR limit (found on driver's door jam). If you have yet to mount the 15K glider hitch, add another 300lbs to the CAT weight to cover the hitch weight. Now, taking 20% (15% to 25% manufacture recommendation) of the Pinnacle 35LKTS GVWR of 15,950lbs (worst case loaded weight) gives you a pin weight of 3,190lbs.

Based on your CAT scale weights do you have enough rear axle capacity left to support the 3,190lb pin weight?? Not knowing your loading habits, it is very possible your actual loaded FW weight could be less, thus resulting in a lower pin weight.

Hope this helps.

Bob

[Smitty]

Bob,
Thanks. I've been looking at a lot of different stickers and I did find the GAWR on my rear axel which is 6,010 LBS. GVWR is 9,600 LBS. Now I have a base to work with. I think I'll be way under that amount. I do not know exactly what the rear weight of my truck is but it is a short box. I figured if I filled the gas tank 300 lbs, my wife and myself 325 lbs (my wife is the light weight) that's 625 lbs plus cargo which we carry very little in the truck when traveling. That total would give us 3,190 lbs (trailer fully weighted), gas & us 625 lbs for a total of 3,815 lbs leaving 2,195 lbs. I did speak with a garage today and they are looking at either extra springs or air bags for my truck. They are making inquires to see which way will be the best for me to go. I'll keep researching from here. Thanks for all your info, very helpful.

[Crabman]

Here is the Dodge towing guide site. You enter the specifics for your vehicle and it will tell you the weight ratings.


http://www.dodge.com/towing/D/vehicl...&engine_trans=

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Smitty

snip......I did find the GAWR on my rear axle which is 6,010 LBS.....snip

Good find on the rear GAWR.

Please note; The only way to determine how much axle weight is remaining available for the FW pin weight is a visit to a CAT scale......, just adding weights doesn't give you the effect of the weights over the rear axle.

Bob

[Smitty]

Lee, thanks for the web link. They go up to a 2009. Not sure if any weight changes were made for 2010 but they did re-vamp the entire truck. Now they say they've increased the towing capacity of the 2011 by 2000 LBS. So far I'm coming up with a towing capacity between 12,500 and 14,500. The dealership told me 14,500 with my truck as it is equipped. I see now, the 2011 tow ratings went up 2000 LBS. I again called the dealership to find what changes were made and no one can tell me. I've got to figure out how to weigh the rear axel. Do you place just the back two tires on the scale?

[Crabman]

That`s a real bummer that it only goes to 09. And equally difficult to understand why it would!

[duraco]

I feel some of these tow, horsepower/torque ratings are hype. I think the manufactures make these claims to be competitive. Some times the tires can be a week link in towing capacity. I'll bet your 2010 truck will handle that unit as good as any 2500 of any make. I would have to feel for myself how it handled before I upgraded the truck.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Smitty

snip.....I've got to figure out how to weigh the rear axel. Do you place just the back two tires on the scale?

Most CAT scales will have three separate weigh platforms, when you are weighing just your TV drive up on the scale and place your front TV axle on the first platform (the one next to the attendant call button), then place your TV rear axle on the second platform...., that's it.

The following forum STICKY is a CAT scale walk through for weighing a TV and TT, but some of the information you may find helpful for just weighing your TV.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=3871

Bob

[clutch]

I would pull it just as it is before spending a bunch of money on air bags. You may find that they are not necessary. You never mentioned what the pin weight on your trailer is. I really doubt that it will over load your truck.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by clutch

snip......You never mentioned what the pin weight on your trailer is......snip

The OP just ordered a new 2012 Pinnacle, so we have been working with some assumptions on a targeted loaded pin weight on the Pinnacle.

The OP stated he has a 15K hitch...., but your correct, the loaded pin weight on an existing FW hasn't been mentioned.

Bob

[3'senough]

I could be reaching here but that particular model has the heaviest pin weight of all the 5that Jayco sells. To put it on a stock 2500 truck may be unsafe based on kin pin weight rating of 2665#'s, plus your hitch set up. Dry, no gear, tools or anything your looking at close to a 2800# payload if the numbers are actual. You'll be stretching your axel, spring and stock tires IMHO.

As for the pulling of 15K I think you will be fine, but your payload may have you beyond your limits which may be something they (dealers) are not figuring into the account. 5th wheel pin weights can vary significantly from one to another. I have the same GVCW as yours but my pin is 200+ pounds lighter than yours.

If your trip home is short then see how it sits first then figure out what to add and where after you see and feel it. If you can scale it loaded then even better to see exactly where you are and how to get into safe ranges on your springs. Also you might want to upgrage your rubber to E rated if you don't have already.

There's no reason you can't get your truck close to a SRW 3500 ratings with the exception of the axel which may be different.

Good luck.

[clutch]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

The OP just ordered a new 2012 Pinnacle, so we have been working with some assumptions on a targeted loaded pin weight on the Pinnacle.

The OP stated he has a 15K hitch...., but your correct, the loaded pin weight on an existing FW hasn't been mentioned.

Bob

Bob that was my point. It may be ok for total weight but possibly not for weight ON the truck. On the srw Dodge the rear end is the same for 3/4 and one ton trucks. The difference is in the spring pack. That is why I suggested he pull it and if the front of the truck is pointed at the sky he may have to do something different. A slider hitch is probably a must for his application.

[Smitty]

I just checked the ratings on my hitch. Its rated to tow 15000 lbs with a pin weight of 3500 lbs. I am going to try and attach two pictures that I took at the dealership where I had them hook up the 2011 lkts that they had on the lot. They sat it down on my hitch and raised both front jacks off the ground. They would have let me try hauling it but had no capture plate for the pin on the trailer, that my hitch requires. The shop forman looked at it and said looked pretty good considering I only had 45lbs of low preasure in my tires whereas I inflate to 70 when towing in heavy mode. There's a button on my dash to set for light or heavy loads with tires set respectfully at 45lbs & 70lbs.


Man I sure hope I didn't make a major mistake here. I've got 17k miles on this truck, sure can't take a digger on that especially after ordering this trailer. Both car & trailer places said I'd be fine. I don't mind if I have to make some truck modifications but cannot buy new vehicle at this time, way to much of a loss. This one cost me 54k+. When I pick it up the new fiver I have about a 60 mile drive home and I plan on installing air bags for sure.

[Rustic Eagle]

Smitty,

Well, I guess only a visit to a CAT scale will tell you what you are dealing with once you have your new FW, and it may not even be a problem depending on your loading habits.

Oh, with the FW slides out the pin weight will be less than with the slides in. Same condition when dealing with TT tongue weights.

Bob

ps: Sure is a nice looking fifth wheel!

[clutch]

Very nice looking trailer. To me the front of the truck looks a little high.

[3'senough]

That's a nice looking setup! I would agree with clutch that your front axels look light and the truck is pitched upward. Keep in mind you will hit bumps and might get some see-sawing as you go without the proper support.

Maybe the truck dealer can tell you exactly what the differences in spring packages are between yours and a SRW 3500? It might be cheaper to add the proper spring(s) direct from Dodge.

Does that unit have the washer/dryer setup? That would also throw in more weight on the pin. My rig sits perfectly level and pushes my rear down about 1.5" from no load. Like RE said, get to a scale and see how your axels are affected under load and then make your corrections.

I don't think you need a new truck if everything said is true about the differences between a SRW 3500 and yours. Spring mods you can do reasonably to get the capacitities, it's the axel that you need to confirm. If it is the same as mentioned above then you should get where you need to based on spring and rubber mods.

[Smitty]

Attached is a handy link that I found for calculating towing weights. You plug in your information and then it calculates it for you.http://changingears.com/rv-sec-calc-...eight-tt.shtml I belong to a Dodge Forum and did find out through them that the third generation 2500's and 3500's are identical other than the 3500 has overload springs mounted above the main leaf packs. My co-worker has a 2009 Dodge 3500 and I went out and counted his springs and yes, he has 7. I counted mine and I have 5. His extra's are on top. I'm confirming this with my Truck Dealership to make sure that they are the same axels and at the same time, getting a quote for the extra springs. My tires are LT265/70R17E so I'm not sure if the "E" at the end means that they are "E" rated. Maybe someone could direct me in that area. I also found a forum here where it lists locations of CAT scales. The closest one to me is 60 miles in the opposit direction where I'm getting the fifth wheel from. That's fine for now, because the unit won't even be here until November and I won't pick up until spring. Got lot's of time to get this truck in order but in the mean time I sure am learning a lot. Again, lots and lots of info here.

[clutch]

Smitty, I recently had air bags installed on my 3500 srw Dodge. Now towing my trailer and hauling my Rhino on the truck I am level. I had Firestone bags installed for around $500. I like the adjustability of the bags.