SRW 1 ton Towing Capacity

[Aepozzi]

I have posted here a few times and I appreciate the responses. I am getting ready to purchase a 2009 SRW, 1 ton, extended cab, long box, Duramax, 4x4. I need to know how heavy a fifth wheel it can tow. I have called the Chevy customer service and spoke with someone in the Phillipens. They didn't know. I called 3 local dealers and I was told 16,300 lbs, 15,100 lbs, and 12,000 lbs. That's a big difference.

As posted before I have a 36' Kountry Aire fifth wheel made by Newmar. It's heavy. Empty it weighs 13,200 lbs. I figure I load an additional 2,000 lbs for a total of 15,200 lbs. The pin weight is 2,500 lbs.

I currently have a 2003 crewcab DRW Duramax. I hate it. I want a SRW.

I towed the trailer with my friends 2007 Duramax. WOW it towed good.

I have also been told the 2007.5 through 2010 Duramax's have poor fuel economy. I was told to block off the EGR and remove the Particulate filter. Any truth to this?

I do not drive fast.

Respectfully Submitted,
Andy

[Aepozzi]

GM called me and it will only tow, per book spec's, 14,700 lbs.

Thanks,
Andy

[DmaxMaverick]

Still, your number may not be right. A little math is required to get it correct, but it's simple. To begin with, "empty weight" means nothing. Weigh it. The MFG's are always wrong, and often by a lot. And, your estimate of additional weight may be correct, but only for the first load-out. It will increase over time, in almost every case. Over time, you will likely have more stuff that gets added, and that adds weight.

To begin with, consider your GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating). That's the limit of the combined load, truck and trailer. Determine your loaded truck weight, plus the pin weight, and the balance is your maximum trailer weight. The pin weight is part of the trailer weight, but it varies, usually by a lot, and can be adjusted according to how you load the trailer. For example, my current RV has a rear fresh water storage, so I can "adjust" the weight on the pin, and the gross weight, by the amount of water in the fresh water storage. Every pound of water in the tank will affect the pin weight as well as the gross weight. And, the waste water storage is forward, so "moving" water from the fresh tank to the storage tank, will increase my pin weight, although it doesn't affect my gross trailer weight. If your trailer is near your gross limits, it really affects your legal load limits. Most don't get that close, but many do. I know mine does, so I load accordingly. If I'm really heavy, and have motorcycle(s) on the rear, I have to adjust for the additional weight. Otherwise, it's cross your fingers and just go. I do a lot of remote desert camping, so water is a serious factor. Fortunately, there is a water supply not far from our usual destination. In that case, I don't fill the fresh water until I get there. Work it out and get it right. You need to know what you have to work with, at the least, then make the accommodation necessary to get you to your destination, legal and safe.

[a5150nut]

Dmax gave you all the good information to make your choice. I have a 36ft Automate and have towed it with my 94 K2500. It will pull it and stop it but not as stable as a duely would. I will be getting 06/07 Dmax duely after the first of the year. Will make for a more relaxed ride getting there.

And DuarMax, just how does that work? I understand moving water from fresh to black, but how do you get by moving from black to fresh???????:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Damn smart a$$ in every crowd!:D

[DmaxMaverick]

Dmax gave you all the good information to make your choice. I have a 36ft Automate and have towed it with my 94 K2500. It will pull it and stop it but not as stable as a duely would. I will be getting 06/07 Dmax duely after the first of the year. Will make for a more relaxed ride getting there.

And DuarMax, just how does that work? I understand moving water from fresh to black, but how do you get by moving from black to fresh???????:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Damn smart a$$ in every crowd!:D

While some folks don't make the distinction between can-do and should-do, I wouldn't recommend it.

[Aepozzi]

Thanks for the replies. I'm sticking with a dually. I hate the dually, but its the smart way to go.

I talked to a captain with the CHP. He said pulling a trailer that large with a SRW would throw up a red flag and I could get pulled over. If weighed and it was found to be over weight the trailer would need to be parked until the proper truck could pull it or the weight reduced in the trailer. Either way that's a POA.

Then there's the insurance issue. If in a wreck with an overloaded truck that could cause problems.

I'm at an age in my life where I don't need any problems.

Thank you all who have posted on this and other questions I had.

Andy

[CoyleJR]

Aepozzi,

You made the correct decision by staying with a dually. My 38' 5th wheel weighs about the same as your 36' 5th wheel and I would not be comfortable towing it with a SRW truck. Always go with the safest equipment.

Good luck
John