Mechanical stuff...

BobbieLee wrote:
We have been confused about this for the past week. Chevy manual says it can tow 9600. But combined 12000. So combined at full weight is a concern. However it’s a lease and we will be trading it in in 2020. We called the Chevy dealer, the hitch place and the RV dealer and they all give thumbs up. Our first season of travel will be local. We will not be transporting fluids. But I personally would prefer not to be nearing the max. So your feedback echos my own concerns.

As I said earlier, here we go again. :E Sorry, not trying to be abrupt but none of these people really know what they're talking about. You'd need to supply specific numbers for your particular truck so those of us who have been at this for awhile can offer useful information that's in fact accurate. However, as one who has been towing with GM's 5.3L platform for a dozen years now I can absolutely assure you that this trailer you have in mind is just way too heavy for a 1/2 ton Silvy with a 5.3L engine. Most of us would prefer that the trailer's GVW fully loaded & ready to camp to about 6000 lbs max, which in turn means it's UVW (dry weight) should be no more than 5000 lbs. You want to also be aware that the actual UVW of any trailer as shown on the required sticker affixed to the front street side of the trailer will be several hundred pounds more than it's brochure listed UVW because of any options or accessories that may have been added to that particular unit. Some might be willing to push that fully loaded limit somewhat beyond 6000 lbs but that will only make the situation even worse, particularly when it comes to payload capacity, or more correctly lack thereof, which is the Achilles Heel of most 1/2 ton trucks. Before you go any further I'd suggest you delve into this issue of what your truck can actually safely tow, paying particular attention to payload capacity, otherwise you could easily end up as many before you have - with a trailer you just can't safely tow.