Very heavy trailer w/ 3500?

[wheeler]

Recently met two different 3500 owners pulling heavy fifth wheels... like 17-18K pound trailers. They had airbags, exhaust mods, Juice, etc., and were not complaining. In fact one guy was very happy w/ his setup. Thoughts on pulling this much over GCWR, if not RAWR, w/ 2004 3500 LLY? Thanks, --wheeler

[Scott Duprey]

I pull heavy. I am slightly over the max rating.

The key to this whole process with fifth wheelers is king pin weight and stopability. My king pin is at 3300 to 3500 pounds and my truck sits down a inch or 2 which does not even look like it if you see if from afar. Stock tires didn't even buldge.

I would say if your heavy king pin and a heavy fiver then you needed a 4500 or 5500 tank.

I had a 2500hd as you can see in my pictures but stopping was not good. The 3500 was a lot better and a good choice for me to trade.

I pull almost every weekend a month about 1000 miles round trip camping. I love my setup and think my truck does a good job pulling.

If you have specific questions please ask.

No air bags needed and no mods for me. I have a stock truck. I do have a deep pan to put on in January when I can get a hand from a friend to help. That is all my mods, just the 1. Try it first and then you will know what feels save.

If that king pin is not over the 3500 don't bother wasting money. Put the money into an air ride hitch or something like that.

You will love pulling. I have seen guys with big 40 footer fivers being pulled by 3500's and I know those weight 19,000 pounds.

king pin and stopping!

http://photos.yahoo.com/duramaxscott

[DonG]

wheeler,

I pull a trailer that weighs a little over 14,000 lbs. I had pulled it with a 2500, and I now use a 3500. The dual wheels make a huge difference in stability going down the road with the wind and passing trucks. As far engine mods are concerned, that is just how quickly one wants to get up the hill. I am running stock without any problems. I get just under 10 mpg while towing.

I did do one thing to improve the safety for towing the weight I pull. I equipped the trailer with good quality hydraulic disc brakes to insure good stopping power with this weight. So far no problems at all.

Don

[Aluminator]

Scott,

I have two questions. Is there a legal weight that can be pulled? What happens if you are over? I pull around 9,000 pounds of boat and sometimes wonder if I have the right set up with just a stock trailer hitch.

Dennis

[wheeler]

Hey Scott, Don, and Dennis-- thank you very much for the input. I'm pulling a heavy 30 foot 5er now with an '03 2500HD, but I'm buying a new 36 foot triple axle 5er... so I'm planning on a new truck. I've loved the Duramax so much I've hated to look elsewhere, but I spent a little time looking at F*rd 550s and MDTs Freightl*ner and P*terbilt--and prefer not to go that route. Will probably stick w/ my plan to pull with 3500. Thanks everybody. --wheeler

[Scott Duprey]

Aluminator,

I don't pull that often with my stock trailer hitch. I pull mostly gooseneck for fifthwheel.

I think Don G would be better able to answer your question. His post says he pulls heavy with his truck.

There are legal limits in all states. Since I go out of state on a regular basis pulling I keel it right about that 23k mark.

I am lucky due to the fact that my Travel Supreme is a lot lighter then the same model made this year. My unit is older. Go figure that. You'd think older is heavier but it is not.

BTW I have scales available for weigth testing and do almost every time I hit the road. Fully loaded and ready to rock and roll.

I would never recommend for someone to pull way to heavy. It puts everyone at risk.

I will say again. Stopping ability and safety are #1.

[Heartbeat Hauler]

I think, legally speaking, you're ok until you hit that magical weight of 26K. I think this is where the CDL, logbook, DOT cert for the vehicle, etc. come in to play. That is a bunch of weight!
JP

[trout49]

Checked with Illinois DOT and RVs are exempt from the magic 26k weight restrictions. They knew that some rvers tow over weight, but the CDL book said rvs are exempt.
So I guess pull away.... In Illinois anyway.

[Stephen1]

I pull about 18,000 pounds of boat and trailer with a regular hitch. I upgraded to the class 5 Reese hitch to avoid any structural issues. I have a stock 6.5 turbo with dual wheels. It is not fast, but i have never had a mechanical issue with the drivetrain. The key is good brakes for safety. The boat trailer is balanced so that no airbags etc are necessary. It actually tows surprisingly well.

Steve

[flarsen]

Wheeler,

We have been on the road full time for the last 21/2 years. We run at about 22K, just under rated GCWR for the 3500. I side with some of the other responses above--stay with what the horse is rated for. All these trucks can pull far more than they are rated for without any problem. I have taken the position that the weight I can pull involves only me. The weight I can stop involves me, my passengers, and everyone in front of me. In the time we have been on the road, most of the scary and/or tragic things we have seen have been related to someone being unable to stop or unable to control lateral movement of their trailing load.(cross winds, sudden lane changes, etc.) Lots of things can go wrong even at rated weights. My preference is to lengthen my odds by staying at or under rated weight.

[MaxACL]

flarsen

Do you drive for anybody?

Mike

[flarsen]

Mike,
Our travel is personal. Retired, seeing the country, and keeping track of the grandkids. We spent parts of the last two winters on Mustang Island out of Corpus Christi and also South Padre Island.