Will a Reese 16K 5th Wheel Hitch be able to Tow a Trailer with a GVWR of 16,000 Lbs

Updated 08/15/2017 | Published 08/13/2017

Question:

I have a Reese 16,000 GTW and 4,000 max pin wt. My question is will I be able to tow a 5th wheel with a 16,000 GVWR, DRY WEIGHT OF 13,950 AND HITCH WEIGHT OF 2,926? I am towing with a 2007 classic 2500 HD 4x4 GMC CREW CAB.

asked by: David J

Expert Reply:

Even though your Reese 16K 5th Wheel Hitch, like # RP30075, is rated up to your trailers GVWR of 16,000 lbs, I would not recommend using this hitch to pull this trailer. Being that you are right at the limit the potential for overload is great with a 16K hitch.

I recommend upgrading to a hitch like the Reese 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch w/ Round Tube Slider - Single Jaw - 20,000 lbs, # RP30083. This Reese hitch has a 20K gross towing capacity and a vertical load limit of 5,000 lbs. The Reese hitch will fit your current hitch's above-bed base rails that you have installed.

The Reese 20K hitch has a sider design that will allow you to make the sharper turns that can be difficult with short bed trucks.

I have attached a couple videos of this hitch for you to review.

expert reply by: Jared P