Silverado 1500 & Travel Trailer

The payload will likely be the greatest limiting factor and is where you need to start.



Not sure if the Chevrolet has any additional info but Ford also includes this sticker with GVWR, tire and axle ratings which may come into play.



If you can provide this info we can give a more informed opinion

Start with as equipped payload as noted on Tire and loading sticker on driver's door or B-pilar. Note what your truck has where mine says 2051:



Subtract the estimated weight of you and family and maybe another 200 pounds of camping gear that will go into the truck bed. Multiply by 7 for a reasonable dry weight to shop for. My guess: stick to under 6k dry, get a quality WDH with integrated sway control, and you should be pleased with handling.

I hope you have the 5.3L or 6.2L with 6-spd trans with 3.42 or 3.73 axle.

If you have the 327 c.u. engine, the less payload the better. Towing in the hills, mountains and headwinds will cause a problem with a heavy TT.

AzRattle wrote:
I have a 2009 Chevy Silverado crew cab 1500 2x4

I'm a little confused on some numbers
1: GVWR 6800
2: Towing Capacity 10,600

I'm looking to buy a travel trailer and just a little confused on which number i should go by, to pick out the correct trailer for my rig.

I know the 80%/20% or 85%/15% rule

as goducks said, your payload capacity is a more important number with a 1/2 ton truck.

and where did you get your two numbers from?
it would help if you posted the specs for your truck: engine size, rear end ratio, cab and bed size, factory tow package or not.

You actually need to start out with the payload number that's posted on the truck. That number is what determines how much weight the truck can carry. Once you find that out then figure how much weight you're putting in the truck, i.e, passengers, camping gear, etc. Then what's left is for the TT's tongue weight.
Lets just say for example you have 800lbs left for tongue weight. The norm for tongue weight is around 12%. So 800lbs would be 12% of 6700lbs. So the TT loaded for camping should weight 6700lbs. Now figure most people take 1000-1200lbs in a TT. 6700lbs minus 1200lbs = 5500lbs. So you could start looking at 5500lb+/-dry weight TT's.

All those weights are hypothetical, but you could just fill in the blanks with your own and adjust accordingly.