Which truck best for pulling 5th wheel?

[norty1]

I was going to say that the BEST tv is a paid for one!

I do recommend the manufacturers extended warranty.

[jlhende]

I mistakenly purchased a 2013 chev 4x4 crew cab duramax 6.6 "assuming" it would be sufficient for a mid-range 5th wheel. Dumber than dumb. We'd like to buy a Pinnacle 34 RLTS (GVWR 14950). Safe or not?

[IShootSharpStix]

I've got a 2011 Silverado 2500HD with the 6.6 Duramax, Allison tranny, HD towing and plow packages and just picked up a loaded 2013 Pinnacle 34RLTS. Have only pulled it about 50 miles to a storage facility for the winter, but it pulled it without breaking a sweat. Stopping was no problem either, and I even forgot to engage the exhaust brake.

[chwill]

Originally Posted by jlhende

I mistakenly purchased a 2013 chev 4x4 crew cab duramax 6.6 "assuming" it would be sufficient for a mid-range 5th wheel. Dumber than dumb. We'd like to buy a Pinnacle 34 RLTS (GVWR 14950). Safe or not?

I did the same thing believing my local Jayco dealer that a Chevy 2500 HD CC SB SRW Duramax could tow any Jayco 5th wheel. I wish I had not listened to him and I got at least a 3500 DRW. I too feel dumb too because I thought I had done my homework. My Chevy 2500 could probably tow a Pinnacle except it would be over loaded due to the pin weight.

[IShootSharpStix]

For my clarity, I just consulted the 2011 Duramax owners manual.
It shows:
K2500 pickup - 4WD CrewCab with Standard Box and 3.73 Axle Ratio - max trailer wt 16,700 GCWR 24,500
It further states max pin weight of 15% to 25% of trailer weight up to 3500 lbs max.
Using 15% of GVWR 14950 calculates to a pin weight of 2242
Using 25% of GVWR 14950 calculates to a pin weight of 3738 but as stated the max is 3500
The Jayco site shows a hitch weight of 2530.
So I would calculate that that you could add 970 pounds of pin weight until you reach the max limit for that truck.
Interestingly that same truck configuration in a K3500 one ton configuration gives an additional 300lbs on the max trailer weight (17,000) and no difference in GCWR (24,500).
Moving to a DRW K3500 is where you see a big jump in capacity in both TW and GCWR.

[jlhende]

Originally Posted by chwill

I did the same thing believing my local Jayco dealer that a Chevy 2500 HD CC SB SRW Duramax could tow any Jayco 5th wheel. I wish I had not listened to him and I got at least a 3500 DRW. I too feel dumb too because I thought I had done my homework. My Chevy 2500 could probably tow a Pinnacle except it would be over loaded due to the pin weight.

Thanks to all for comments. I've decided to pursue the Pinnacle 34 RLTS as it's GVWR is 14950 and the pick up is rated at 15,800. My rv dealer says I shouldn't be afraid of the 36 REQS which was our first choice but it's 1,000 heavier. Live and learn.