Just Getting Started

An 8500 GVWR trailer with a 9500 lbs. rated TV should be good. I presume you have a V8 Chevrolet, otherwise it may struggle; a 3:73 gear in the rear end would be a Plus.

Congrats on the new TT! Get a proportional brake controller (OEM integrated or Prodigy P2/P3) and a WDH with integrated sway control (Equal-i-zer 4-pt, Reese Strait Line, Blueox Swaypro) and enjoy.

Everyone is different in what they are comfortable with. I had a 2013 Silverado extended cab 4x4 with a fiberglass cap, pulling 5,000 lb TT. The bed was loaded and the rear axle was right at max capacity of 1,650.

It was about all the weight I would want to pull with that truck. It would get up and go when entering the freeway and was able to pass when needed and I wasn't worn out at the end of the day. It wasn't like there was nothing back there either, it was noticeable. It had a wdh and sway control. If you are staying real close to home it may work and then go with a 3/4 ton down the road.

It will do it but you will may get tired of it.

I don't care what the specs say; your are not going to be a happy camper pulling that trailer with a eight cylinder truck.
If you buy it, please come back and tell me if I am wrong

Jack L

Dry weights are usually low as they don't include awning(s), propane, battery, and other options. Don't forget that tow capacity is reduced by weight of passengers and gear in truck. With a dry weight of 6662, the actual trailer weight may be closer to 7K. And, you really have to look at the payload capacity which is reduced by passengers and gear in the truck. Once loaded with gear, you will be pushing 8K. That means you will probably be OK. But, based on my experience with my Tundra (10 K towing capacity), you may want to go with a lighter rigged.

When I first got the Tundra, I towed our old Sunline trailer (29' & about 8K loaded) for a few hundred miles. It towed OK, but the truck felt stressed compared to when I had towed it with a 3/4 ton truck. To me, it would have been ok for the flat lands, but not a combination I would want to use for a lot of traveling in mountains. We had planned on downsizing anyway, so once we bought the Minnie, I took the trailer to the scales. With a weight of 6,200 lbs. the truck handles the load so much better, and we've taken quite a few trips through the mountains of West Virginia and the Appalachians.

My opinion is that with a 1/2 ton truck, you will be much happier if you keep your towing weight down to 7,500 or less. I'm not saying that a 1/2 ton truck can't haul more weight, but for a good towing experience and safety, keeping the weight below the max is better. Also, make sure you have light truck tires. I had P rated tires on my truck which was a mistake. I just put on 10 ply E rated tires and they handle the trailer weight so much better.

At this point, folks will be guiding you to crunch all the numbers, which is a good idea and others can provide better info on this. Following the KISS principle, I suggest towing around 80% or less of the towing capacity and you shouldn't have a problem. At 80%, that would give you 7,600 lbs. In that weight rating, you may have to go with a trailer that is around 24 to 27' in length.

Again...just my opinion. Good luck in your search!

GM owners manual, confirmed with a GM Rep. says max trailer of 9500 lbs and max combination weight of 15,000 lbs. WD hitch weight of 1000 lbs

Trailer stickers says trailer is 6662 dry weight with appox 1900 lbs cargo. Which puts it roughly 8562 lbs. Another sticker on outside of trailer says GVW of 9000 lbs. and a hitch weight of 642 lbs. Curb weight of truck is 5365 lbs. With those numbers it seems it would be fine. With cargo weight added and using 10% figure of hitch weight, should be around 850 lbs.

double check your trucks towing capacity