Weight Capacity

[fourtenposi]

Hello All,

Have a question. I have a 2005 GMC 2500HD with the duramax/allison combo. Factory manual says max trailer weight is 12k and GCWR is 22k. Looking online, I see you can buy a trailer hitch and weight distri system that are rated upto 15k. Now is that max trailer weight a limitation of the current factory hitch or the chassis and all.

Can I safely upgrade my hitch and weight distro system to pull over 12k?

Current trailer is rated to 18k,(I know way overkill), Normally I will be loaded between 10-11k. But may want to go up to 14-15k.

I understand that I can not go over the GCWR 22k.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[MacDR50]

That 12,000 lbs is the maximum with a tongue weight that doesn't exceed 1200 lbs. That is with a weight distributing hitch. Increasing the hitch capacity won't increase the truck's capacity. To give you an idea how this compares, we have a brand new F450 DRW and its maximum conventional tow is 16,000 lbs. Personally I wouldn't tow a trailer without a weight distributing hitch over 5000 lbs or if the trailer's pin weight noticeably raises the trucks front bumper . White knuckles I don't like.:D

A gooseneck or 5th wheel will allow the truck to tow a heavier trailer say 15,000 lbs (check your manual) but the limiting factor is your payload as from 15-25% of the trailers weight is on the pin and being carried by the truck.

Hope I've helped.

[christophersond]

The weight distribution system does not change the weight of the trailer. It distributes the tongue weight of the trailer so the weight is carried more evenly on all axles/wheels of both the tow vehicle, and the trailer. It makes for a level hookup which increases safety, braking, and overall handling. Just curious---what type of trailer do you have?

[fourtenposi]

I understand the weight distro hitch does not change the weight of the trailer, but it does change how the weight is loaded on the pickup truck.

If I replace the current hitch with one that is rated to 15k like this one.

http://www.etrailer.com/pc-H~41939.htm?vehicleid=2005300925

Then purchase a weight disto system like this

http://www.etrailer.com/p-66130/Strait-Line-Weight-Distribution-Hitch-System-1500lbs-TW--15000-lbs-GTW.html

Basically is there some other limitation for towing capacity of a tag trailer other then the hitch and weight distro hitch?

Trailer is a 32 foot triple 6k axle enclosed racecar trailer.

Would I be safe and legal to tow in this configuration, as long as I didn't go over the 22k GCWR?

[christophersond]

Sorry. I didn't intend to offend you on the trailer weight issue. MacDR50 already has stated that increasing the hitch capacity does not increase your truck's capacity on weight limits. That sums it up. Your truck probably has a weight limit of around 12,000 lbs for a pull type trailer, and 16,500 lbs for a 5th wheel. The 22,000 lb GCWR does not literally mean any combination thereof when referring to towing limitations. Best suggestion I can offer is to load up the trailer, as you would for a normal trip to the track, then take it to the scales for an official weigh-in. Then use your best judgement. You probably should also check your state laws concerning towing/trailer restrictions (if any) on maximum lengths, weights, and so forth, to ensure compliance in that regard. Good luck at the races.:)

Chris

[DickWells]

If I might add a suggestion, regarding weight-dist hitches. A regular W D hitch set-up will have just chains to load the bars and thus transfer weight forward onto the front tow vehicle wheels. These systems will, usually, have a friction type sway control, which I personally don't like much. I use a dual cam hitch, which controls sway through loading the transfer bar cam riders over a pair of cams, which are pulled up by chains for tension, just in reverse of the hitch with chains only on the ends of the bars. The advantage is, that those cams hold your combined horse/trailer in a very stable line while on the road. Now, when you turn more sharply, you'll hear and feel those cams popping in and out of the cam riders, but the extra stability is very noticeable. Well worth the extra money, and almost as easy to set up innitially. Sounds like you're dealing with a close-to-the-edge situation, just like me, and I know from personal heart-stopping experience that the dual cam system works.
BTW, I changed to a 2.5" Reese hitch, a year ago, after I bent my factory hitch, when I cramped it while backing hard with a Hensley hitch installed. Another case of money well spent, except, the darn reducing sleeve is a loose fit in the 2.5" tube, and will shift and rattle a bit at times.
Good luck,
Dick Wells:)

[fourtenposi]

No offense taken, I probably wasn't totally clear on what i was asking. I will have to look into those cam style hitches. I never had an issue with the current trailer being unstable in the current configuration. I figure the new trailer will be about 1000 pounds heavier and 6 foot longer. I have also been told the the triple axle makes a big differerance also. I should have at least a 1000 pound buffer between the max hitch limit.

I guess i don't understand why several manufactures sell these hitches if you can't really use this.

Thanks

[DickWells]

You're really fortunate that you have a trailer that actually has adequate axles under it. Most every travel trailer will come with marginal axles and tires from the factory. The difference between my Keystone Montana Mountaineer and my friends converted Wells Fargo stock trailer is remarkable. He has fully capable axles, wheels, and tires, right from new. His brakes are no better, but at least he's never had an issue with capacity, which is an issue that I fought from day one with a 2 year old trailer, for 3 years, until I went to American Eagle 16" wheels and BFG Commercial Load Range E's. Still, the axles are only rated for 5250 EA, on a trailer that grosses 11700! They want you to subtract the tongue weight, of course, but where's the extra margin! The new trailer came with LR D's! That should be a criminal offense.
That 3rd axle is a great thing to have for sure. Fifty% more drag, maybe, but a nice cushion of safety.

[fourtenposi]

I wanted the margin and higher rated tires, that is why I ordered the trailer like that. I will only be at 2/3 the rated weight for the trailer.

You really think the triple axle results in that much drag?

I was told that the triple actually makes its roll easier because the weight is spread across three axles as opposed to to.


Anyone else have any opinons on this? Will I see a significant decrease in fuel economy? Trailer loaded will weight within 1000 pounds of my currect tandem axle.

[MacDR50]

Ditto on RV trailers being just at the margins WRT axles , tires etc. My Montana GVWR actually exceeds my two 6000lb axles by over two thousand lbs. The difference of course is the allowance for the pin weight. However the same axles are rated at 7000lbs in the USA so if I load only Canadian cargo and drive only in the States I am really safe :rolleyes:.

My own experience with triple axles is they make for a much more forgiving trailer from a balancing of the load point of view buy scuff tires terribly when making tight low speed turns. I towed with a medium duty truck so never noticed a difference in pull resistance.

[DickWells]

Yeah, I probably miss-spoke when I said 50%. I doubt you'll ever notice the drag, and I bet you'll reap a lot of benefit from the extra stability. I have even considered adding an axle to my Montana! Trouble is, in order to do any good, I'd have to move both existing axles to get the weight distribution right. Now, with the new wheels/tires, I'd have to fork out another $600 plus the cost of a new axle assm., in order to match things up. I'm going to give it a year or so, to see how those wheel/tires hold up. So far, it's looking good, and I don't cringe every time I look at my trailer wheels because I see new paint flakes and rust, like I used to.:D