fifth wheel hitch weight 96 K2500 8600GVW

[dreese_us]

I am thinking of buying a 2004 fifth wheel trailer with a dry weight of 9830 lbs and a hitch weight of 2010 lbs. Does anyone know what the max hitch weight is for my 96 K2500 6.5 diesel? I know this is probably to heavy, just don't know by how much. I can't really find any information for the old truck.

I just put some money into the truck and I'm not ready to part with it. I also like driving it too much to jump back into truck payments.

[JohnC]

The hitch weight should be OK, but check your rear axle weight and capacity first. The problem is how much other stuff do you want to be able to carry? The hitch weight comes off the GVW.

[dreese_us]

Thanks, I put my truck on a scale last week and it weighed in at 6380 lbs with 1 kid and a half tank of fuel. I guess I should have taken the time to weigh each axle. Sticker on the door shows gross front axle rating of 4250 lbs and rear gross at 6000 lbs. I will take it back one day next week and try to get the unloaded axle weights.

[6.5TDTahoe]

The factory rear axle,tires ,springs & frame are rated @ 7500lb on an 8600 GVW /2500 series 2 w.d truck. IRRC IIRC the truck rear will weigh just over 2200 LB. unladen.

[cowboywildbill]

We bought a gooseneck LQ 40 ft. long Horse trailer. We were told it weighed 10,500.
When we got home I took it to our local Southern States scale and weighed it. All axles and so on.
I was shocked to find it weighs 14,500 empty and has a pin weight of 4120 lbs. before it's loaded.
The truck handles it fine, but I added air bags and made sure our tires will take the weight.
We are a dually so that is a plus. Just make sure your tires are rated and up to the task, in my mind that is the weakest link.