Looking for opinions from some experienced people. Have a 2012 GMC Sierra 4x4 Ext.Cab. 143.5 WB, 5.3 L, 3.42 gears, with tow package..Manual States That I Can Pull 9600 lbs. Wife Wants a Big Trailer 26 to 28 ft Length, I prefer something in Range of 22 to 25 Ft.Something That The Truck Can Handle Easier!!We are new this, so any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Plus which TT manufactures are good and ones to keep away from..Thanks

The 22 to 25 Ft units are good for those weekend trips, but if you are on the road for a few weeks, those few extra feet really are nice. Thus a 26 to 28 FT unit would work. Pay attention to your trailers STATED empty weight, as those extra pounds can add up quickly. Propane/ water/ food/ clothing, and all of those extra things you will carry with you. As for trailer brands, most all are good, but even the so called best ones have mfg faults. Pick out the one that will serve you in your needs. RV shows are a good place to start. Good Hunting. OH, some parks have limits to the trailer size, but you should be good at 28'.

That truck is really going to struggle with 9600lb tagging along regardless of what the manual says. The 5.3 and 3.42 gears say fuel economy, not pulling power. If momma wants a larger trailer go for it by all means, not all of us have that luxury, but do consider a truck that is more suitable. The 5.3 might work with lower gearing but a 6.0 would be better. You can't have too much tow vehicle but you certainly can have too little.Our first trailer was within the published rating for our then truck but the initial trip told us otherwise.

I would guess that most guys on this site do not get the correct trailer the first time .I would buy a new used from the original owner from craigslist .I am on my 4th and last which was a downsize from the 2 previous .With a 1 /2 ton I would only consider a maximum 23 foot .The length of the lever starts coming into play as you get longer .The 23 footer has the same bathroom , stove , furnace , refer , holding tanks , propane , batteries , bed as the 27 footer .It is way more enjoyable to tow the shorter trailer at highway speeds on 2 lane roads .

Buy one you are capable of handling and like romore says I'd drop the weight. I have a Chevy 2500HD with a Duramax and my trailer only weighs 10 K and it is all I want to haul around with it and I have airbags, a Reese dual Cam and Michelin LT 16 in tires on my TT. Go to a dealer and try a trailer, Look at Airstreams, light, easy to pull with 1/2 ton, expensive and worth it as they keep resale value.

My brother pulls a 26', approx 6100lbs with that set up and does so easily.

2012 GMC Sierra / Size of TT?? (NEWBIE) | Good Sam Community

ependydad
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
pitch wrote:

Open the driver door of your truck. The label will say weight of passenger and cargo should never exceed xxxx or language to that effect. Figure every thing that is going to go into the truck,do not forget the hitch system will weigh about 80#. Subtract all that weight from xxxx, the remainder is your cargo and tongue weight capacity.
Look at the maximum loaded weight of the trailer ,sticker located usually on left front corner. Tongue weight will be 10 to 15% of that.
Do not exceed!
---
Matching a truck and trailer is not the mathematical problem some make it out to be,just use common sense and don't push the limits.

You described a math problem and then said it's not a math problem. :?

I think for newbies without towing experience, the math problem is the only way to approach this. (In fact, I completely agree with the first quote above except for "it's not a math problem".)
BarneyS
Explorer III
Oct 21, 2013
ependydad wrote:

---
Snip...
You described a math problem and then said it's not a math problem. :?

I think for newbies without towing experience, the math problem is the only way to approach this. (In fact, I completely agree with the first quote above except for "it's not a math problem".)

He did not say it was not a math problem. What he said was "it's not a mathematical problem that some make it out to be". (my bold) That is a different statement than what you are implying.
Barney
ependydad
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
BarneyS wrote:
ependydad wrote:

---
Snip...
You described a math problem and then said it's not a math problem. :?

I think for newbies without towing experience, the math problem is the only way to approach this. (In fact, I completely agree with the first quote above except for "it's not a math problem".)

He did not say it was not a math problem. What he said was "it's not a mathematical problem that some make it out to be". (my bold) That is a different statement than what you are implying.
Barney

(sigh, this sounds so persnickety and it's not meant to)

I still don't get the distinction?
pitch
Explorer II
Oct 21, 2013
OK OK it is an arithmetic problem.
I just wanted to point out to a new guy that when he see the inevitable spreadsheets, algebraic formulas, and such not that accompany posts on this topic,not to get overwhelmed.
ependydad
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
pitch wrote:
OK OK it is an arithmetic problem.
I just wanted to point out to a new guy that when he see the inevitable spreadsheets, algebraic formulas, and such not that accompany posts on this topic,not to get overwhelmed.

Fair enough and I wholeheartedly agree. Sorry 'bout that.
tomkaren13
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
CKNSLS wrote:
About 11 months ago I completed an 8 month-8,000 miles-32 state towing trip with my 2011 Crew Cab Silverado w/the 5.3. and a 5,500 pound 29 foot travel trailer. There are PLENTY of ULTRA LIGHT choices you have. Keep the dry weight less than 6,000 pounds and one to NO SLIDES. Those things weigh 300 pounds a piece.

As an aside-I put an additional 10,000 miles on the truck "touring the sites". I had ZERO issues with truck and trailer. No even a flat tire.

PM me if you need any further help since I have actually done what your looking to do.

X 2
Our TT is 30 ft and is 5500 lbs with a slide. They are out there.
tomman58
Explorer
Oct 21, 2013
Had a 28 foot Jayco for years and an Avalanche with 5.7 (?) and 3.73 gears. In a head wind would struggle to maintain 65mph. Mountains were another problem the best we could do (in Canada) was 35mph and sometime 30.

Go find the trailer then look on line or go to a camp ground and seek out what TV works for them.
djsamuel
Nomad
Oct 21, 2013
We tow a Camplite 21BHS with a Ram 1500 - 4.7L. Dry weight of 3500 pounds and max weight of 5000 pounds. Tows great and easy to handle. Not what you're looking at but very comfortable, especially for two. Plenty of room and can sleep four without touching the dinette in the slideout (queen bed and two bunks). Just mentioning in case you're considering alternatives.

Camplite Trailers from Livin Lite

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