fifth wheel trailer towing
 

anyone tow large fifth wheel trailers with single axle duramax ?

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

I tow a 38ft ATC with 1ft extra height, with a 2500 HD 4x4 Duramax crew cab long bed, and it tow just fine. The weight of the aluminum trailer fully loaded matches the weight limits of the truck real close. All that being said, the only thing the truck really needs more of is BETTER BRAKES. I would not want to tow anything heaver unless I had a 1 ton dullie, which I believe has larger brakes.

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

Billy,

I tow a 40 foot Vintage with living quarters, race supplies, and a 3000 pound door car. My truck is a 2006 GMC single wheel, two wheel drive, DuraMax With 52,000 miles it is untouched,[of course regular maintenance] factory original, including the factory tires. The performance is completely satisfactory.

The power of a DuraMax is very impressive. Set the cruise at your desire travel speed and relax. NOTE; cruise control setting is necessary, otherwise you run the risk of speeding tickets.

Of course, the trailer has brakes on all three axles so stopping as never been an issue.

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

Never ....

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

I have a 2007 new body 2500HD Duramax with tow package. I tow a fifth wheel camper, 40ft long "factory weight" aprox. 11000lbs with no problems. Optimum speed is at about 60-65 miles an hour and average about 12.5 mpg. The only thing I don't like is the brakes are a bit weak on the truck, need to make sure the trailer brakes are properly adjusted. Other than that I love it.

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

Have you weighed the trailer loaded? My truck and trailer is 31,000 pounds wet ready to go to a race.
I have a Ford F550 chassis cab (Fontaine conversion).
I was complaining about the fuel mileage. Now 9.5 mpg at 60 mph. Till I got it weighed. Now I understand fully and am very happy with the 4.88 rear, the 19.5 inch wheels, and the overall hugeness of the truck.
At 60 mph I'm turning 2,400 rpm's Not very good for mileage, but my trans temps and my egt's are well within parameters.

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

I tow a 50' Gooseneck Living Quarters with a 2007 Duramax Allison 3500 series Classic Dually and it tows awesome, I'm also approx 30,000# loaded and get betwen 8-9 mpg @ 68-70 mph depending on head-winds, worst has been 7mpg and best 10mpg.

http://i386.photobucket.com/albums/o...5/DSC01112.jpg

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

I think a lot of people don't realize how much these long, extended height, living quaters trailers weigh.
Coupled with a loaded pickup truck. it's a lot of weight to move or stop.
I definetly would not want to have a single rear wheel with mine. Come to think of it neither would the people in front of, or along side me on the interstate.

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

Billy,

Check the load rating on your tires. You probably have load range E tires. They are only good for about 2500 lbs each or about 5000 lbs on your rear axle. My 40 ft goose puts about 8500 on the rear axle when loaded. That kind of weight would be way over the tires capacity. The truck would be unstable and tire life would be very short. If you want a large trailer you need a dually as a minimum.I would not attempt to tow with a single wheel truck.

Re: fifth wheel trailer towing
 

Billy,

Towed both cars in the Goldrush 48 ft fifth wheel with the 2001- 3500 crew cab dualley w/the Duramax and Allison 5 speed and got best 11.2 MPG !!. Total weight loaded was 22,756 #. Towed great just had to leave a little extra room for braking. You definitely need the dual wheels, 1 ton, long bed for good stability on the highways