Towing Questions-2023 GMC Denali 3500 SRW

[InternetMafia]

Hello,
I am trying to stay with a SRW instead of a dually if possible due to the amount of city driving if possible.
I have a question about the payload of a 2023 GMC Sierra 3500 SRW.

The sticker lists the following numbers.

GVWR 12100 lbs
GCWR 29700 lbs
RGAWR 7250 lbs
Curb Weight 8429 lbs
Max Payload 3671 lbs

They also give the following ratings for hauling a gooseneck
Gooseneck Tow Rating 21200 lbs
Max Tongue Weight 3180 lbs

My trailer is a 2022 Jayco NorthPoint 382FLRB
Dry Hitch Weight of 2,730
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 14,545
Cargo Carrying Capacity 2,450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 16,995

I think if I understand this correctly the max payload for the trailer and hitch is 3,180 lbs with the overall payload of the truck being 3,671 lbs

What do you think? Will this truck do what I am looking for it to do or should I plan on getting the dually?

Thanks in advance

[Jagiven]

Welcome aboard!

I'm not an expert, I just bought my RAM SRW to purchase a 5ver this coming year.

I would look at your payload number and determine if you are within spec. Pin weight should be 20-25 % of the GVWR of the 5ver.

GVWR is 16,995 lbs

• 16,995*.20=3,399 lbs pin weight
• 16,995*.25= 4,249 lbs pin weight

This is without a hitch or anything inside the TV. I would say you will be way over loaded.

I would like to hear what more experts say, as I will be in your potential boat this coming winter

[InternetMafia]

Ok so I must be mistaken then.

I was assuming my dry hitch weight is the same as my pin weight.

[Jerry713]

Originally Posted by InternetMafia

Hello,
I am trying to stay with a SRW instead of a dually if possible due to the amount of city driving if possible.
I have a question about the payload of a 2023 GMC Sierra 3500 SRW.

The sticker lists the following numbers.

GVWR 12100 lbs
GCWR 29700 lbs
RGAWR 7250 lbs
Curb Weight 8429 lbs
Max Payload 3671 lbs

They also give the following ratings for hauling a gooseneck
Gooseneck Tow Rating 21200 lbs
Max Tongue Weight 3180 lbs

My trailer is a 2022 Jayco NorthPoint 382FLRB
Dry Hitch Weight of 2,730
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 14,545
Cargo Carrying Capacity 2,450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 16,995

I think if I understand this correctly the max payload for the trailer and hitch is 3,180 lbs with the overall payload of the truck being 3,671 lbs

What do you think? Will this truck do what I am looking for it to do or should I plan on getting the dually?

Thanks in advance

Welcome!

In terms of numbers I would focus more on RGAWR rather than payload. I'm not saying ignore payload but in Texas you won't get a traffic violation for "being over payload". You can be slightly over payload and still be well within RGAWR.

Also you may have already done so but if not you might weigh your rig and make sure the pin weight is what Jayco reports. I've seen a number of Jayco 5th wheels be 1000 lbs over advertised pin weight.

[InternetMafia]

I really should get it weighed.

I have pulled it with my GMC Sierra 2500 HD and I know that vehicle is not within spec so I am trying to hunt down a new vehicle before I take it out again.

That is also the reason I have not had it weighed. I know it is too much for what I currently have

[Ringneks]

I’m towing the exact trailer as you, I have not weighed mine yet, I’m willing to bet I’m under but just barely. I stop just fine and the truck handles the load good. I have just started considering getting a dually after talking to a friend on Friday, he said the stability difference is day and night and he will never go back to an Srw truck. I only have 7500 miles on mine so I don’t drive it much. But I will wait until the 2024’s come out next year.

[Big1]

16,995lbs for that 5th wheel, Well, Ah, Oh, if you get a strip down 3500 srw you might can wing it and if you go on short trip about 3 to 4 times a year, but if that were me, I would look at a dually, you will feel safer if you do.

Believe me, I and other have seen on the road people pulling some 5th wheel with their srw and it's questionable. I went down this rabbit hole just not too long ago, but we decided getting a gas class A motorhome.

Is it a SB, LB will have a little more payload, I have a 2022 Dodge Ram CCLB and my payload is 4055lbs and my towing is 20,055lbs, anyway let us know what you finally decided to go with but really to be honest I would go dually, and I might even go LB with that.

[Ringneks]

Also you might want to look at the 2024 gmc, they say they’re available in the spring of 2023, with higher capabilities for payload and towing.

[billcf7]

With that rv you have the ability to load weight in the rear storage which can help with the pin weight but you have to be aware of handling issues if you remove too much weight from pin

[Florida Ranger]

Just do what my good friend did (do not take your wife with you to do this) go to your local GM, Ford, or Ram dealer and buy a F450 , 4500 Ram ,or a Chevy/GMC 4500 series model Dually and your problem will be solved. You can Tow any 5th wheel you want to, my friend said he was very surprised that the $ money difference was not as much as he thought it would be. Considering he was looking at pretty well equipped truck models. Before he bought the Ram 4500 he had a 3500 dually….

[ependydad]

That hitch weight only goes up. You can use a tool like this to estimate what it's loaded pin weight will be:

Estimating Tongue/Pin Weight from Dry Weights - TowingPlanner

Plugging your numbers in and assuming you're going to carry 1,500 pounds of cargo in it (which is what is commonly said is standard for weekenders), this gives you a total rig weight of just over 16,000 pounds and an approximate pin weight of just over 3,300 pounds.

That's just an estimate. Since you have the trailer already, I highly recommend that you take it and weigh it. This will give you real hard numbers to work with.


Now, the payload sticker on the truck you're looking at. This includes a 150 pound driver and nothing else in the truck. So for me, you also have to add:

1. the rest of the driver
2. any weight for passengers
3. any weight for pets
4. any weight for travel day conveniences- from electronics to snacks
5. random stuff in the truck cab (from jumper cables to tools)
6. random stuff in the truck bed
7. any add-ons to the truck
8. the weight of your fifth wheel hitch

IMO, there's little chance that you're not going to be over on the truck's GVWR.

Now, is a little over the GVWR ok or not ok? Many folks decided to do just what Jerry713 recommended: accept that they're over on the GVWR and focus solely on the rear GAWR. The truth is, in the US the truck's GVWR isn't a legal number. There aren't US federal or state regulations saying that you must adhere to them. Civil liability is a different matter. Other than grossly overload situations, I haven't read of a case where that actually came into play. But your personal risk tolerance is up to you to decide.

[InternetMafia]

Thanks for the input.
I will star shopping for a dually ASAP

[Harleys house]

Ringneks.
What hitch do you have on the back of your 5'er to pull the second trailer?

[Ringneks]

I had a local welding shop take off the factory rear hitch and weld up a new heavy duty one on it. I would have just been slightly over the weight rating on the factory hitch.

[cekkk]

I just have two thoughts on your post. First of all, safety. I like at least a 15% safety margin when it comes to weights. That and the thought of losing a rear tire at highway speeds would push me to the dual rear wheel, if nothing else. My second comment is not worth much weight to be given to it, but selecting your tow vehicle based on it being a daily driver can be a mistake. Which ever way you go, I hope you have years of safe travel and lots of fun.

[twwjayco]

Originally Posted by InternetMafia

Hello,
I am trying to stay with a SRW instead of a dually if possible due to the amount of city driving if possible.
I have a question about the payload of a 2023 GMC Sierra 3500 SRW.

The sticker lists the following numbers.

GVWR 12100 lbs
GCWR 29700 lbs
RGAWR 7250 lbs
Curb Weight 8429 lbs
Max Payload 3671 lbs

They also give the following ratings for hauling a gooseneck
Gooseneck Tow Rating 21200 lbs
Max Tongue Weight 3180 lbs

My trailer is a 2022 Jayco NorthPoint 382FLRB
Dry Hitch Weight of 2,730
Unloaded Vehicle Weight 14,545
Cargo Carrying Capacity 2,450 lbs
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 16,995

I think if I understand this correctly the max payload for the trailer and hitch is 3,180 lbs with the overall payload of the truck being 3,671 lbs

What do you think? Will this truck do what I am looking for it to do or should I plan on getting the dually?

Thanks in advance

These numbers may require a State licensed CDL driver. The weights you are to go by are the weights capable not the actual weights. You may need to check your State requirements.

12,100 GVWR
16,995 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
29,095 Combined Weight (which is over the 26,000 lbs allowed)

[LittleBill]

Originally Posted by twwjayco

These numbers may require a State licensed CDL driver. The weights you are to go by are the weights capable not the actual weights. You may need to check your State requirements.

12,100 GVWR
16,995 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
29,095 Combined Weight (which is over the 26,000 lbs allowed)

In Illinois if it is an RV you own you don't need a CDL. If you are delivering it as a business than you will need one.

I had a 'B' CDL and before I gave it you at my last license renewal, the DMV informed me I wouldn't need one for my personal RV. Besides I found when I weigh the 3500 dually 4x4 CC LB with the 40-1/2' 5er, full 60 gallon fuel tank, some water and the DW I was under the 26,000 lbs by at least 100lbs.

OP - I use to pull the 5er with a 2500 SRW CC 4x4 SB and a Demco Auto-Slider hitch. The dually is 10 times better (except MPG) handling going down the road. Pulls straighter than the 2500 did. Not bad driving in town but does need a touch more room for parking than a SUV/car due mainly to it length not necessarily its width. It's manageable, just put your walking shoes on.

Good luck and Be safe -

[twwjayco]

Typically, special RV licenses are either CDL or Class B. Many RVers think they don't need a CDL if they aren't driving their RV for commercial purposes, but some states may require the CDL if the RV exceeds a certain weight or if it's transporting over 16 people, which includes the driver.

Remember to not calculate based on your actual weight but using the tags on the vehicle and trailer. The total combined is where you likely will run into the issue of a CDL.

Example:
You driving your truck towing an empty trailer.
12,100 GVWR Truck
15,000 GVWR Empty trailer
27,100 combined you are over and required to have a CDL

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by twwjayco

Typically, special RV licenses are either CDL or Class B. Many RVers think they don't need a CDL if they aren't driving their RV for commercial purposes, but some states may require the CDL if the RV exceeds a certain weight or if it's transporting over 16 people, which includes the driver.

Remember to not calculate based on your actual weight but using the tags on the vehicle and trailer. The total combined is where you likely will run into the issue of a CDL.

Example:
You driving your truck towing an empty trailer.
12,100 GVWR Truck
15,000 GVWR Empty trailer
27,100 combined you are over and required to have a CDL

As mentioned above, this depends completely on the state of registration. Some states don't require any special license for operating an RV over that magic 26000 lb GVWR. Others like PA where I live, offer a non-commercial class A or B specifically for RV applications.

[curver900]

Originally Posted by florida ranger

just do what my good friend did (do not take your wife with you to do this) go to your local gm, ford, or ram dealer and buy a f450 , 4500 ram ,or a chevy/gmc 4500 series model dually and your problem will be solved. You can tow any 5th wheel you want to, my friend said he was very surprised that the $ money difference was not as much as he thought it would be. Considering he was looking at pretty well equipped truck models. Before he bought the ram 4500 he had a 3500 dually….

this^^^^^^