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Towing a Solitude 310GK

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  • Towing a Solitude 310GK

    Hello fellows, we recently purchased a 310GK and love the unit and are planning to take it south for the winter here from Alberta, I'm a bit concerned regarding the weight since it's about 2100 lbs heavier than my
    old Cardinal plus 300 lbs more pin weight, having said that according to my 2015 Silverado duramax SWD specs I have a bit of headroom since is "supposed" to tow 17.000 lbs and handle 3000 lbs box weight, I also have air bags installed...we took it for couple of short camping trips and the truck did well (if you don't mind looking at the fuel gauge lol!) but the terrain is mostly flat here in Alberta so I'm a little concerned if I'll have trouble with the hills trough some of the passes going south so I'll appreciate the opinion of the members that also own 3/4 tons trucks towing a similar 5th wheel.

    P.S. the 310 GK specs are UVWR 12.130 Lbs and pin weight is 2300 lbs unloaded.

    Thanks for your opinions,

    Adrian
    Edmonton,AB Canada

  • #2
    Adrian

    If you stay west or east of the mountains you will have better luck. If you go down thru West Virginia , Virginia you may struggle. There are quite a few long up hills as well as long down hills , steep also , that will give you trouble. A couple years ago we took or previous TT down to W.V. and the hills are pretty tough. Good luck.

    Brian
    Brian & Michelle
    2018 Reflection 29RS
    2022 Chevy 3500HD

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    • #3
      Adrian, welcome to the forum. There's so much misinformation, misunderstanding and bad advice on the internet on this subject. I have been very "vocal" on it in the past but, after years and many 10s of thousands of towing miles, I have elected to stay out of the discussion. I used to try and keep track of how many folks I see towing trailers over what I would guarantee were overweight but the number became so unbelievable I have come to my own conclusion the question must be irrelevant in the real world.

      Anyway, to try and answer your question since you asked, the question YOU appear to be asking is regarding payload capacity. Your Duramax will haul the trailer up and down hills just fine. There is no difference between the drive train of a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton truck. I am fairly confident that your new 310 is pretty far over your payload capacity though. A 310 is likely close or over my 1 ton SRW payload capacity which is 3,569 lbs. Remember, your truck's payload capacity, as posted on the yellow sticker on the DS door jam, is total payload. So you need to subtract added weight including passengers, cargo and hitch before you see what you have left for pin weight! Plus, your 310s pin weight is likely to be between 3,100 and 3,300 lbs!

      All that said and based on what I have seen, if you're comfortable hauling it with your truck, you are among the average on the highways all over the country.

      FYI, the proper truck for a trailer that size is most likely a 1 ton DRW but I'm willing to bet the majority of trailers that size are towed by 3/4 ton SRW diesel trucks.

      JMHO
      Paul and Deb Cervone
      2022 Imagine XLS 22MLE
      2021 Imagine XLS 17MKE - SOLD; 2015 Reflection 337RLS - SOLD
      2016 GMC Denali 3500 SRW

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      • #4
        Thanks folks for all your inputs, the numbers I have for my truck come from the owners manual and I double checked on GM's website and they match, I used to tow my old Cardinal FW about a foot shorter but by no means was a "light weight" coach but it didn't tax my truck at all , with this new trailer I can feel I'm pulling a heavier load but somehow it seems to "hug" the truck better also with the air bags set on the ride seems less "bumpy" and I'm keeping my speed around 60 mph otherwise a 36 gallons tank won't go too far specially if you are dealing with a headwind...

        I agree that these newer fivers offer way more room and amenities but the trade of is weight and the ideal towing vehicle will be a 1 ton with dual wheels but for me it's not a practical vehicle to drive around unless used mainly for towing which is not my case, also another draw back with the SRW is that I should be prepare to replace the rear tires quite often since they won't last long with this load.

        Anyway thanks again for all your comments and I'll keep in touch,

        Adrian

        2018 Solitude 310GK
        2015 Chevy 2500 LTZ diesel, stock



        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Adrian T. View Post
          Thanks folks for all your inputs, the numbers I have for my truck come from the owners manual...
          Please take heed to Triplethreat 's comments. Look at your stickers!

          Click image for larger version

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          Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.

          2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus

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          • #6
            Thanks again guys,

            I did checked the sticker on my door and it shows GAWR of 10.000 lbs, now I may be wrong on this but somehow the manufacturers can't show anything higher otherwise will put the unit into a higher licencing category and even affect your insurance rates, also I think my truck total curb weight will be around 6.800 to 7.000 lbs without extras so optimistically I should be around the 3K payload rating...I checked the ratings of the 1 ton variation of my vintage year and you do gain around 550 lbs of extra payload on a SRW and of course that goes up drastically on a DRW even with the same drive train as mine, for the 2019's chevi's the duramax power was increased by 125 Lbs and I think they also beefed up the suspension and drive train for the 1 ton's but unfortunately I'm not in position to trade my truck so I guess I'll have to limited where I go with this trailer although the salesman checked when I purchased it and said "you will be fine" with your truck...famous last words....LOL!

            Appreciate your answers on this subject and I know it's very controversial to the least...

            Regards,

            Adrian

            Comment


            • #7
              Adrian T. - Here's how to find out what your actual payload is. In Howson's picture above there is a yellow label. That label has a line that says..combined weight of occupants, etc should not exceed: xxxx lbs.

              That number is different for every truck. Check yours, then subtract the weight of your fuel, yourself, any passengers, pets, tools, etc. That number is your permitted pin weight or payload that is left. There is no doubt that your 310GK will be over your payload number.

              OTOH, many people, including myself do it successfully every day. The only difference between a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton is an extra leaf spring. You can compensate for that spring with airbags but that will not change the fact that you are over payload. It will make your truck level while towing.

              So the bottom line is that it is up to you. It is not optimal but it is possible.
              Last edited by JeffC; 10-07-2019, 08:11 PM.
              2017 310GK

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