HedoTravelers
Rochester, New York & Jamaica, W.I.
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Joined: 07/12/2007
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Ductape wrote:Welcome to the forum!
First check your manual for tow ratings. BTW there is no 5.8 liter. GM has a 4.8 or a 5.3.
Maybe he has the 6.0 liter?
GM does make a 6.0 liter vortec engine for the 1500 series available in crew cab models.
I also have the 6.0 vortec in my Escalade EXT.
Respect,
Brent
TV ~
Cadillac Escalade EXT, Prodigy BC, Reese Pro Series SC
Rigs ~
Starcraft Travelstar 21RBS, Alcan Traveler Tent Camper
"Where ever you go, there you are"
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Tiger4x4RV
San Diego County, California
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Joined: 03/14/2007
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Scamp makes a 19-foot 2000-lb fifth wheel.
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amxpress
Clayton, NC
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Joined: 04/14/2007
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Here are some 5th wheels that will probably work with your Chevy TV.
1) Northwood Mfg. Nash 23-5A. GVWR 10K#, empty 4535#, hitch 900#.
2)Extreme RV/Monterey 235FS. GVWR 9450#, empty 5750#, hitch 850#.
3) Eveland Inc/Scamp 19. GVWR 3500#, empty 2000#, hitch 400#.
4) Allen Camper Mfg/Outpost Lite 199RB. GVWR 4500#. empty 3400. Hitch 500#.
5) Allen Camper Mfg/Idle-Time 2350FRKL. GVWR 5000#. Empty 3750. hitch 550#.
6) R-Vision/Trail Cruiser 526RL. GVWR 8053. empty 5917. hitch 1053.
7) Sun Valley Inc/Road Runner F230SL. GVWR 7000#. empty 3802#. hitch 618#.
Who said a half Ton couldn't tow a 5'er?
2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
2008 Palamino Sabre 31RKTS
Reese 15K Pro Series manual slide
Prodigy
Firestone Air Bags
Travel in peace...leave the M-I-L at home.
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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amxpress, better get some real world pin weights on those 5ers. Loaded a 5er will typically run about 20% of the trailer GVWR so that 10,000# 23' Nash will be closer to 2000# than the fictitious 900# and the same for the rest of them.
A 1/2 ton truck gets in trouble on the pin weight of the trailer. Most can't carry more than about 1000# once loaded with passengers and cargo.
The ONLY way to know fro sure is to weigh the truck with full fuel, normal travel cargo, passengers and add 200# for the 5er hitch. This is you Laden Curb weight or LCW.
The manual will have a GVWR for the truck/cab/engine and axle. The door jamb sticker will have a GVWR .
GCWR - LCW = MAXIMUM loaded trailer weight (NOT DRY WEIGHT)
GVWR - LCW = MAXIMUM loaded trailer pin weight.
Practically a 1/2 ton truck will hit the GVWR limit long before it reaches it's GCWR. A 21' 5er will be about the limit per the ratings.
The manufacturers us a dry weight and a manufacturers max tow rating to make you think the trailer can be towed by a 1/2 ton truck....get the real numbers and you are looking a a 3/4 ton truck.
By the same reasoning, a 3/4 ton truck will reach it's GVWr before it reaches GCWR.
They make big trucks fro big trailers and little trucks for little trailers. And NEVER believe a word the deal says about towing.
ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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portablevcb
Tijeras, NM
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Joined: 05/04/2006
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Egad. Look up the truck specs and find a trailer to fit. Simple, and, many choices.
My Tundra has a 1600lb load capacity. The trailer is just over 1000lb pin (which is under 20% of gross). We carry the two of us and the dog with some snacks and other stuff. Well under the wt spec. We are careful of what we put in the truck or in the forward part of the trailer.
And, there are many other trailers with less pin weight.
Shop around. At one dealer lot we had a choice of 6 units, 2 new and four used.
Don't let the '1 ton or nothing' folks scare you away. I pass quite a few of them in the hills 
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
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Simmang
sa
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Joined: 08/12/2008
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Thanks so much for all the good advice!! I will let you know what I find!!
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Martyn
Bennett, Colorado, USA
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Joined: 09/27/2004
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Mandalay Parr wrote:I wouldn't. Not enough truck for stability reasons. One ton dually much better.
What a ludicrous statement. Why not just buy a Freightliner for your 20ft 5er. 
To answer the OP's post sensibly, you'll see the majority of 5th wheels being pulled by 3/4 ton pickups. There are some, but only a few, 5ers that can be towed safely by a 1/2 ton. Check the capacities of your truck as provided by the manufacturer and after deducting passengers, fuel and accessories weights etc., from the carrying capacity, see if your remaining number is greater than 20% of the 5er's gross weight rating. If it is you are OK, if it isn't you need a 3/4 ton truck or a lighter trailer. It's all a matter of math.
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 QC CTD 4x4 SLT; 2007 Coachmen Chaparral 267RLS;
Reese 15K Slider;Prodigy;JT Stabilizers;2 Honda EU2000i's;
2006 Glastron MX175;
rv-forums
2005 Dodge Magnum for the DW
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donawilcox
Taylor TX
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Joined: 02/13/2008
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There are some out there and do not let some of these guys scare you but also do not let some of the sales people sell you a rig that is two large. I was in a camp ground that a small fifth wheel pulled up. It was very cute. When it got closer I noticed it was a Ford Ranger pulling it. So they are out there but may be smaller than what you want. It looked like it may of been made by the same company that makes the little casita TT. Other issues if you have the 5 1/2 ft bed will also cause you more issues.
Good luck. and welcome to the forum and the world of RVing.
Don Wilcox
Taylor TX
2006 Duramax 4X4
2007 295 Cherokey by Forest River
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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Do a search in this forum for "1/2 ton pickups" and see what you get. There have been many and the answers may help.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
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Quick trip
Cerritos, Ca.
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Joined: 12/23/2005
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I am towing a fifth wheeler with a 1/2 ton truck.
It's a GMC 1500 with 5.3.
My trailer weighs in at 5665, after loading I am about 200 lbs under total weight of 6800 for my truck.
We have towed up into Canada 2 years ago and last year went all over New Mexico.
Yes, some of the long steep grades had me down to 45 mph in second, but we are iin no hurry.
You have more truck and engine and should beable to tow a fiver.
Oh, mine is a Komfort 23' FS - total length is 24'-9"
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