We just purchased a 2015 Sierra with the max tow package. Says we can tow 10,900. Looking at a TT that's 8300 dry. We'll be towing in NC/VA/WV mountains on occasion and I don't want any problems! Is this size rig okay, or do we need to shop for lighter?

Towing won't be the issue, a 1300# (or so) tongue weight will be.Apart from exceeding hitch capacity it won't leave much payload for passengers and stuff.

As Keith said, the issue will be payload after you have passengers and cargo in the truck (needs to be confirmed on the CAT scales). Use the search function on the forum - has been asked and answered many times (with formulas on how to calculate).

Read through the post on how to calculate GVWR and GVCWR. This was a hard lesson for me that you "load out" before you "tow out." I have a 9500 lb tow rating but my actual max is 6500 lbs because of the tongue weight (TW). I'm hauling a family of four so I could maybe squeeze a little more cargo if I didn't have 4 people but my hitch is 500 without a weight distribution hitch (WDH) and 950 with. WDH weighs 100 lbs leaving 850 for TW.Look at the stamp on your hitch as see but I bet it's rated to 1,000 or less with a WDH. All the other numbers matter but this may be a limiting factor even if you can squeeze a little more room on cargo.Good news is, that means you should have some margin in GVCWR which gives extra power for towing up hills.

4fromOH wrote: ...or do we need to shop for lighter?I would. Unfortunately you haven't provided any details as to how much weight you intend to carry in the TV at the time you're towing (people, cargo, it ALL counts) but with a trailer this heavy which will also present a significant gross tongue weight once loaded and ready to camp it sure will be a challenge to remain within the vehicle's stated payload capacity. :E Especially for towing in the mountains I'd be looking for something much lighter. JMO.

At 8300 pounds dry, you can expect to be more like 9500 pounds loaded for a long weekend with 1200 pounds of tongue weight. You should confirm what your receiver limit is as well as the truck's as equipped payload per he tire and loading sticker. I suspect that proposed TT will exceed at least 3 of your truck's ratings. And then there is the performance. What are your expectations? The 5.3L is capable, but its peak torque is over 4000rpm. Are you mentally prepared for towing at 2200rpm with 4000-5500rpm in those mountains? You are pulling two sheets of plywood through the air which takes a lot of base power. Any hill is noticeable.6k dry is a good range for the most capable half tons and RVers. That will tow worse than a 9k boat.

How much can we REALLY tow with our 2015 Sierra 1500?

lly-zf6
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
I normally just set the tow/haul and let it do what it wants.
It surprises me how much it is able to hold 6th.
I've even saw it run in 4 cylinder mode some while traveling the flatlands in Ohio.
The biggest hill I've ever pulled was Fancy Gap on I77.
Came right up it at 65. Did bang 4th a couple times, but no issues.
APT
Explorer
Apr 28, 2015
That makes more sense. I just keep mine in 5th gear and sometimes 4th in the hills and mountains. The GM small blocks will sing all day at 3000rpm.
lly-zf6
Explorer
Apr 27, 2015
APT wrote:
lly-zf6 wrote:

At the weight I am pulling the truck will hold 6th gear on most smaller hills at interstate speeds. It will bang 5th (3400 rpm) on the larger grades.

That doesn't make sense. 3400rpm in 5th gear is about 111mph. You should be towing a lot in 5th gear (about 2100rpm @ 65mph). 4th gear about 2800rpm and 3rd gear about 3800rpm @ 65mph.

My bad. 2400 hit the wrong key.
APT
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
lly-zf6 wrote:

At the weight I am pulling the truck will hold 6th gear on most smaller hills at interstate speeds. It will bang 5th (3400 rpm) on the larger grades.

That doesn't make sense. 3400rpm in 5th gear is about 111mph. You should be towing a lot in 5th gear (about 2100rpm @ 65mph). 4th gear about 2800rpm and 3rd gear about 3800rpm @ 65mph.
BenK
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
Yes, please post your actual weight numbers. Best to have axle by axle
weights

Here is the generic formula:
GCWR => TV + TT + cargo/people/etc

Most half ton's run into rear GAWR quicker than the higher class TVs

Example is that most half ton rear GAWR is in the 4K range. The next
higher classes are in the 6K range

Not being negative, just pragmatic about it. Half tons are more car
than truck. Not saying half tons can not tow anything...just within
their ratings

ON that, decide if you believe in the ratings system or not

If not, then this discussion is academic...as just do whatever but
know the OEMs are now off the warranty hook and liability hook

If yes, then continue and provide the actual weights so that we can
provide 'ADVICE'. I never provide the 'sure you can', 'you are good
for it', etc, but the metrics to figure it out yourself...as the only
person responsible for the setup is the driver

4fromOH wrote:
Thank you all so much for your replies! Thanks to all of the advise here, we decided to wait a bit longer to buy a new TT. We'll take our time and make sure we have all of the numbers figured out before making a buying decision. We will have the opportunity to get weighed this week as we're loaded up and traveling, so we should be able to get more accurate numbers there too. Thanks again! As soon as I have time on a computer, I'll look up all of the numbers and post them here??
lly-zf6
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
I am towing a Laredo 274 with a '14 max tow 1500.
Trailer weighs 6400 lbs dry with 800 lbs TW.
I weighed it ready to camp. about 7600 lbs.

The truck pulls it great with no issues.
That said, I'm not sure I would want to jump to to something that heavy.
At the weight I am pulling the truck will hold 6th gear on most smaller hills at interstate speeds. It will bang 5th (3400 rpm) on the larger grades.
I have a camping buddy pulling a 35 foot 7600 dry with a '15 max tow.
It does fine but stays in 5th alot of the time.
Some where in the mid 6k dry seems to be the sweet spot if you are pulling alot of hills.
4fromOH
Explorer
Apr 25, 2015
Thank you all so much for your replies! Thanks to all of the advise here, we decided to wait a bit longer to buy a new TT. We'll take our time and make sure we have all of the numbers figured out before making a buying decision. We will have the opportunity to get weighed this week as we're loaded up and traveling, so we should be able to get more accurate numbers there too. Thanks again! As soon as I have time on a computer, I'll look up all of the numbers and post them here??
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Apr 24, 2015
Looking at GM specs for your 1500 truck with the max tow package with the 10900 tow rating shows a 7600 GVWR and a uprated RAWR which I couldn't find but a couple of years ago it was in the 4400-4600 RAWR range.
The 5.3 cranks out 355 hp/383 tq along with the 3.73 rear axle and the 6L80E tranny. You sure won't have any issues pulling GMs 10900 lb tow rating .....just watch those rear axle weights (RAWR) and especially those P tires. Have fun on your trip.
wecamp04
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
I think your truck can do it but your going to be at max for your truck and it will get tired in a few years if you tow alot .we are in North east tn,border va,nc and had a similar setup when we got out first tt by year two we traded up to a F250 superduty so much better,I would look for a lighter tt your truck will think you,
Ruger3739
Explorer
Apr 24, 2015
I have a 2012 gmc sierra and tow a fully loaded 6900 lbs trailer. I make sure I don't put much in my bed and I am 200 lbs under my 1520 lbs payload. This is as much trailer as the truck wants to tow. I added an extra trans cooler to help out on the steep grades. I personally would not want to tow a dry 8000+ trailer