Originally Posted By: clinebarger
Originally Posted By: CKN
He will be over payload (or right at it) even with most half-ton trucks.
He needs at least a 3/4 ton truck. As another poster suggested-he needs to open the driver's side door of the vehicles he is considering at look at the PAYLOAD NUMBER.
I don't think anyone needs a 3/4 ton rig to haul a 5000# camper. A 1500 Suburban can tow that pretty easy with a W-D hitch.....I wouldn't bumper pull a camper/TT without one. However there is truth in what your saying about the numbers.
2006 2wd Suburban with Tow Package....
GVWR 7000#
Payload Capacity 1731#
GCWR 13,000#
5000# camper with 15% on the tongue = 750#, 1731-750= 981# left for occupants & gear in the truck itself, Not much margin.
Lets say you max out the vehicle at 7000# (including tongue weight), 7,000# truck + 5,000# camper= 12,000#, So in theory you can still add 1000# to the camper in the form of gear & luggage (Pretending the GVWR of the camper is not exceeded)
In the end, These specs are VERY conservative! If a Suburban cant tow a 5,000 pound camper....Something is seriously wrong.
I used to have a Heartland Big Horn 3055 5th wheel, Weighed 10,400# dry, That I pulled with my '06 2500HD, Exceeded pin weight, & payload limits quite often with no ill effects.
I have a 2011 Silverado Crew Cab with the 5.3 and 2WD It has a payload of 1444 pounds(AND I HAVE THE "TOW PKG.). The tongue weight of his trailer will be about 750 pounds. Put 4 additional passengers in my truck, and add all the stuff you take for camping (Bikes,Ice Chest, Firewood, Dog, Easy ups, etc.,) and explain how I am not going to exceed the approximately 700 pounds left under my payload.
Most Half-ton trucks DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PAYLOAD as I have previously stated.
I have a 30 foot ultra light that comes in at 4,500 pounds and the truck with just the wife and I. I towed it around the country about 2 years ago and I wouldn't have wanted any more weight in the truck nor a heavier trailer.