Welcome to the forum!

We towed a Reflection and then a Solitude. Didn't notice any difference with the additional width of the Solitude. Don't worry about the additional 3" on each side of the RV.

The thing you should consider is payload. If you don't want to exceed the payload rating of your truck, you need to check to see what it's rated at. There is a sticker on your driver's door that will show the cargo carrying capacity. Take that number and subtract the weight of your hitch, any passengers, pets, tools, etc in the truck and that's what you'll have available for the pin weight of the RV. The pin weight on that Solitude will probably be around 3,700-3,900lbs depending on how it's loaded.

Now if you don't care about exceeding the payload rating of your truck, just ignore the numbers and hook it up and drive!

lol Don;t think i want to go down the road overweight. Have bought suspensions on a Nissan twice.
Truck payload is within guidelines for this rig. My concern was the extra width. Trailer Weight is also within the limits of the truck. It just seems that most people have pulled a 16,500 lbs GVW with Full ton or Dualies. I am a little nervous.
Will pass on your helpful weight calculations to my hubby.
Cheers Ines

Has anyone else towed this weight with a 3/4 ton. Dealer naturally says.....'no problem" Hmmmm!

My pretty new truck is 2021 4wd Diesel Sierra AT4HD. ..... It's RED! lol

Since you mentioned you don't want to go down the road overweight, I'd recommend checking your door sticker. If it's under 4,000lbs, you will be exceeding your truck's payload rating. If you aren't sure how to read the sticker, you can post it here and we'll interpret it for you.

There is a reason people use one ton and dually trucks to tow 16,500lb RV's - they don't want to exceed their truck's payload rating!

Please check the payload rating on your truck. I highly doubt that your 2500 has 4000 lbs payload which is pretty much what you will need. My 3500 payload is 3838 from the yellow sticker on the door of the truck and I would be very close to payload rating I am sure.

Rob

Not to pile on the truck weight and cargo weight but my 3500 Duramax has a payload of 3661# , a 2500 will maybe have 2600#. There is a reason a lot of people that own Solitudes have dual wheel trucks that are at least 3500 or 350's.

Brian

I'm sure there are people out there who have... doesn't make it right nor smart. Loaded, the 3550BH will put 3,800 lbs. on the pin - way out of range for a 3/4-ton diesel truck. Max towing capacities are pretty useless - especially with fifth wheel trailers. It's all about payload. So, in short, take the advice of the experienced people who know what they're talking about rather than trying to find someone who will say it's OK to go ahead with a poor decision.

Rob

I will have to agree with the dead horse beating. I would be shocked if your 3/4 ton has enough payload for any Solitude. My F350 one ton does not have enough payload for most of them (its a platinum so I know it runs heavy). As stated above the width will not be your issue, its going to be pin weight and payload. Do not go by the brochure pin weight, figure 20-25% of your loaded weight will be pin weight. If you are loading to 16,500 as you say, you could well be over 4000 pounds of pin weight. Thats before you figure in the hitch, anything in the bed, and any passengers. I think thats well into dually territory.

Oh everyone ty for your insight
Max payload capacity for my truck is 3,047lbs. We will have 500 in truck and no idea what the hitch will weigh. My estimate of 16,500 lbs was worse case situation including us and hitch. Actual RV UVW is just over 13,000 lbs with the additional A/C. We don't boondock so don't travel with water etc. I thought I was only supposed to calculate 15 to 20%.

I did pick the Sierra cause it had a heavier payload than the Ram or Ford. It was my first consideration. But so wish I bought a full ton now. Twenty percent of 15,000 lbs is 3,000 lbs. Right on the trucks limit. Would driving on the limit effect stability? Could I put airbags under the rear truck shocks? Should I put heavier items behind the RV's axle?

GD states Hitch weight for the Solitude 3550BH is 2,682lbs.

You have to subtract the weight of your passengers, hitch and tools or anything else in your truck from that 3,047 available payload. That's what you have to work with. You mentioned 500lbs of passengers/gear in your truck so your available payload is around 2,500lbs. The pin weight of the Solitude you're looking at will be at least 3,500lbs so you are around 1,000lbs over your payload limit.

Airbags will lift the rear of your truck (which would probably be needed with a 3/4 ton truck) but it will NOT increase your payload capacity, rear axle or tire ratings, etc.

Your truck has plenty of pulling (towing) power and a great exhaust brake to help slow down. The weakest link in your situation is probably the truck tires. Many people tow loads that far exceed their payload rating and do it with no problems over thousands of miles. The reason people here are giving you advice about the limited payload ratings of 3/4 ton trucks is because you said you were nervous about being overweight and were concerned about stability. A dually (DRW) adds two extra tires at the rear of the truck which greatly aids with stability. It's especially helpful when towing on windy days. The dually also adds significant payload capacity as compared to a 3/4 ton truck. Most people here think all of the Solitude models with the exception of the lightest 310GK model (15,000lbs GVWR) require a DRW truck. But, there are also plenty of people with 3/4 ton trucks that think anything more is unnecessary and of no benefit. Only you can decide what will make you comfortable.

That's empty with no propane, batteries or anything else.

The published hitch weight of my Solitude 373FB was 2,800lbs. Once we loaded it with propane, batteries and gear (total weight was 15,800), the actual hitch weight was 3,830lbs. Yours will be close to the same.