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Old 11-09-2009, 11:01 AM   #2
LindaH
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Spokane, WA/Brenda, AZ
Posts: 45
The first thing you need to determine is just how much your pickup is capable of safely towing. Don't pay any attention to the published tow rating since that is for a basic pickup with no options, no gear, a partial tank of fuel, and only one 150# driver.

Load your truck up like it would be for any trip with a full tank of fuel, you and all the passengers and gear that will be loaded into the pickup and go get it weighed...if you don't already have the slider hitch, add at least 200# to the weight you get.

Now that you have the "real life" weight of your loaded pickup, subtract this weight from the pickup's GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)...that will tell you the maximum loaded weight of any fifth wheel you should be pulling. When looking at fifth wheels, as long as the GVWR of the fifth wheel is equal to or less than the number you got above, you should be OK.

Next, subtract the "real life" weight of your loaded pickup from the pickup's GVWR (Gross Vehical Weight Rating)...this will be the maximum pin weight it can safely handle. When looking at fifth wheels, assume 20% of the fifth wheel's GVWR as the loaded pin weight.
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LindaH
2007 Excel Classic 30RKE
2009 Eagle Cap 950 Camper
2007 Dodge Ram 3500
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