Is Weight Capacity of 5th Wheel/Gooseneck Towing Higher Than Bumper Towing for a 2015 Sierra 2500
Question:
I have a 2015 GMC 2500HD Duramax Crew Cab 4wd and the Max Trailer weight for it that I found is 13,000 pounds for a what they call a Weight Distributing Hitch. I also found that the Max Trailer weight when using a Fifth Wheel Hitch is 17,100 pounds on a site. What are your thoughts on different weights for different kinds of hitches? Do you believe that a fifth wheel hitch gives the truck more towing weight capacity than a tow hitch attached to the frame below the bumper? Thank you very much.
asked by: Wade B
Helpful Expert Reply:
According to my research the weight ratings your found for your 2015 GMC Sierra 2500HD Duramax Crew Cab 4WD are correct but it is always a good idea to confirm this with your copy of the owner's manual.
Since 5th wheel or gooseneck towing places the tongue weight (or pin weight) of the trailer almost directly on top of the rear axle it is extremely common to see higher weight ratings for 5th wheel/gooseneck towing than bumper pull towing.
If you'd like to tow a 5th wheel/gooseneck trailer and you don't already have a hitch then I recommend the B&W Gooseneck Hitch # BWGNRK1012-5W. The great thing about this option is that you get a clean bed when you aren't towing as the hitch ball can be installed upside down for storage purposes. If you end up wanting to tow a 5th wheel trailer you just need the Companion, part # BWRVK3400-5W for short bed or # BWRVK3500-5W for long bed, which inserts right down into the gooseneck receiver and again leaves you with a clean bed when you remove the hitch.
Attached are some review videos for you to check out.
Products Referenced in This Question
B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Slider - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Sliding Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 17 - 19 Inch Tall
- 12 Inch Fore/Aft Travel
- B and W
more information >
B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch - Dual Jaw - 20,000 lbs
- Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Fixed Fifth Wheel
- Aftermarket Below Bed Rails
- 5000 lbs Vertical Load
- 20000 lbs GTW
- Double Pivot
- Standard - Double Jaw
- 16-1/4 - 18-1/4 Inch Tall
- B and W
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Custom Underbed Installation Kit for B&W Companion 5th Wheel Trailer Hitches
- Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
- Custom
- Below the Bed
- B and W
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
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on Fifth Wheel Installation Kit
