Duramax to pull big load

[frnd4vr]

I am looking to go fulltime when I retire. My future 33' Teton is heavy and with stuff in it, I am figuring close to 20,000 lbs. I am trying to figure out what Duramax unit to start looking for. I can't tell which is a "one-ton".

I know, these are "girl" questions, but I am trying to learn! The info at Chevy is too technical is a way for me. I am reading all I can at places like this.

I have the info (scarce as it is) from Teton which says I should be able to pull with an F-250. Hah!

What can you all suggest for me? Resources?

Thanks a bunch!

[hitchup]

From one girl to another:

Try: http://www.trailerlife.com/output.cfm?id=42175

[wingnut60]

OR:

http://www.chevrolet.com/mediumduty/kodiak/

similar lineup in GMC called Topkick, I believe.

From the weight of your trailer, you may need Heavy Duty truck.

[RonS]

Your question is very hard to answer, and will open a can of worms. However you asked about a one ton Duramax. Which is a 3500 for both Chev and GMC. May want to consider a dually. if you want a 0ne ton pickup. The weight you list for 33 ft 5er seams a little high??? I pulled a 33ft 5er with a 2500HD (3/4Ton) duramax and it handled it well, but I did not come close to the 20K you list..

[frnd4vr]

Here is where I got the weight:

http://www.tetonhomes.com/experience.htm

33' is listed as GVWR 16,950 Dry weight 14,160
36' is listed as GVWR 20,000 Dry weight 14,710

And the pin weight and other stuff (which I am trying to learn about now).

It seems the difference between the GVWR and the Dry weight is what I can pack into it?

Thanks for everyones advice and help!

[RonS]

The pin weight has nothing to do with the overall weight. Pin weight is what the front of the trailer weights when hooked to your hitch which is in the bed of your truck. I hope I'm helping and not getting you more confused. This is what I suggest, go to a nearby camp ground, find someone with a fiftrh wheel and have him or her show you what you kneed to know. For the most part all campers are friendly and want to help others with similar interest.

[Motor31]

A 20,000 lb trailer is beyond even a 1 ton rating. The factory for the tow vehicle is the source of what the vehicle is rated to tow and haul. IIRC the top rated 1 ton is the Ford and they are rated at a max of close to 19,000 lbs but that will depend on options and whatever else you have in the truck., That tow rating is with partial fuel and a single small driver. Anything you add to the truck detracts from the load you can haul.

Pin weight is likely to be between 15% to 20% of the trailer weight and Tetons are not light. The empty weight figures are likely to be under the actual weight.

You are correct about the UVW (unladen vehicle weight) vs the GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight or fully loaded) and the difference between them being the CCC or cargo carrying capacity. The max weight the trailer can weigh including all your stuff inside is the GVW. It's also possible to over load an axle or tires depending on how the trailer is loaded. You want it to be as balanced as possible side to side.

[Mikey]

2008 Ford F450 - maximum 5th wheel towing - 24,500 lb
That's a 4.88 rear end, Crew Cab, Dually, 2 wheel drive, automatic
I don't think the milage would be too good
I have attached a file with the 250/350/450 5th wheel towing rating from Ford. Complete file available from ford.com

Our rig:
2008 Ford F450 4.33 rear end, crew cab, dually, 4x4, automatic
Max 5th wheel - 20,000 lb
2007 Mobile Suite 36TK3 - "Magnum Suspension" Trailer 18,500 max
About 11-13 MPG US depending on speed

Hope this helps

[5thwheeler]

Option 1.) F450, Dually with B&W tow body - Very nice setup!

Option2.) Post pictures of yourself - you may lure a man on here that already has a truck.

Com'on fella's....She is from northern California and talking Teton's.

[wingnut60]

I would hope you would not focus only on Tetons. While they are an absolutely fine trailer, maybe you should introduce yourself to this lifestyle with less $$$ outlay--if you find it doesn't work for you, then the loss won't be as great.

Many fulltime brands are out there to consider, all have good points and not-so-good.

Start your research and take good notes, you will find several types/brands that will work.

Good luck.

[frnd4vr]

Wow! I have learned so much already! I will keep checking out the trucks. Wish you all would have told me one of the Chevy's or GMC's had the tow capability of the F450.

I have been looking at floorplans and such for quite a while. I LOVE the Teton's floor plan in the Sunrise. I am getting excited about touring the factory later this month. I will have to take some pictures when I am there!

One of the first places I plan on traveling to when I start out is Wyoming! And I see you are in Wyoming Admin. Hah!

I have done some looking at the links above but the websites info is hard for me to read and interpret. Any good comprehensive resource for truck info that someone can suggest?

[wingnut60]

when you are at the factory in Casper, be sure to ask about the actual as-built weights and how much higher they are than the brochure weights. I would think that will have a big impact on what you need to tow it with.
25% of a 16000# trailer is 4000# pin weight--a lot even for a dually of any brand.

Sounds like you are focused on Teton--a great line. Keep us informed of what you find out at the factory.

[Hobo]

Wow! I have learned so much already! I will keep checking out the trucks. Wish you all would have told me one of the Chevy's or GMC's had the tow capability of the F450.

Chevy/GMC do build the 4500 series that counters the Ford F450. Very nice looking units too.

[MDTdriver]

Our 5er is 16,000lbs. pin is 3,000 or almost 20% that is a lot for most 350 or 3500 dually. We started with a 1 ton dually GMC. It took me three years to move to an MDT and not look back.

Larry & Kathy

[frnd4vr]

I just got back from a tour of the Teton Homes factory in Casper Wy. That was great! I am so excited for my future retirement date to get here. I learned a lot more about the 33 foot unit I want. It is darned heavy! I found a possible alternative and it is darned heavy too! Boy, I want to bring some of my knitting books with me.

But I am going to take this information and keep studying as it looks like I have to be able to handle stopping 20,000 pounds minimum. The unit is going to weight at least 18,000 to 18,500 pounds loaded.

So I will keep studying. Thanks everyone!

[bstark]

frnd4vr: That's the wat to do it. You have the time (2009) to research thoroughly to come to the right combination. While the chev's and fords are very nice trucks and with the 450/4500 series and up probably capable of handling your trailer, you also need to lookat offerings of MDT's or even HDT's purpose built to do the job you're anticipating.

At first blush they may seem intimidating but I implore you to at least consider and delve into them with an open mind as there are many folks using them and many are women such as yourself.

The safety and reserve capacity, not to mention the reliability, of these units are second to none!

[frnd4vr]

I am still looking and checking. Recently I got the 2008 brochures for the 3500 and F-450. By the book, the F-450 should have 29,000 lb capacity and handle the 33foot Teton. But I am a Chevy girl at heart. However, I don't know how to make it work. Would be a lot for me to have to do any custom work.

My bias against getting an MDT is the size. I would have a heck of a time going to the grocery store. Or traveling anywhere. My plan is to travel to a spot and stay for up to 2 months seeing the area, then move on. That would be comfortable timing for me and my two dogs. A 3500 or F-450 is big a profile as I really want.

So....I will keep looking and listening and reading and see what happens.

Take care

[MDTdriver]

I posted last Aug. but I see you have more info to deal with.
A class 4 truck no mater what brand, after adding cargo,fuel and passengers plus loading the 5er will put the truck at close to max carring wt. And then you have to STOP all that wt.
We got our MDT to Stop the wt. more than to pull the wt. It does both ver well.
Our MDT is 22ft. long the same as our old GMC 1 ton crew cab long bed.
I have weighed our MDT several times in the last 4 years at present the scale wt is 14,600 5er wt 16,000 I have tested the stoping power of my MDT with out 5er brakes at several speeds (it has a Jake brake) I could stop for red lights and quick stops at freeway speeds, now this is not a thing to do all the time, it is hard on the truck brakes but it does work.
I have 80,000 miles with original brakes.
My wife is disabled and can climb into our truck which is a Low Pro International 4700. You can find one or more of these in a camp ground to look at.
If you look under MDT postings with my sig. there are pictures of my truck. One more thing if you get anything larger than 1 ton you will need an air ride hitch or pin box which I have and have had no pin box frame problems in the 4 years of pulling around the USA.
We have been pulling 5er's since 1986 with one MH for 11 years in this preiod.
Good Luck keep up the good researsh.

Larry & Kathy

[Charlan]

I just got back from a tour of the Teton Homes factory in Casper Wy. That was great! I am so excited for my future retirement date to get here. I learned a lot more about the 33 foot unit I want. It is darned heavy! I found a possible alternative and it is darned heavy too! Boy, I want to bring some of my knitting books with me.

But I am going to take this information and keep studying as it looks like I have to be able to handle stopping 20,000 pounds minimum. The unit is going to weight at least 18,000 to 18,500 pounds loaded.

So I will keep studying. Thanks everyone!

The GVWR of that 5er is 16950# if you pack it to 20000# you are going to have a problem. :shock:

[frnd4vr]

The 36 foot Teton is 20,000lbs GVWR per the specs. I am planning for 20,000lbs with the truck so that I can have a choice between the 33 (which prefer) or the 36 when I go looking. So that is why I am using the 20,000lbs for the loaded 5er when doing my research.

Thanks for the note however, I appreciate.