Sway Fatigue

LarryJM wrote:


From reading your posts in this thread it appears you have the 5.3L crew cab "short box" configuration and according to the information in the table referenced above on page 9-92 (2WD version) and page 9-95 (4WD version) your tow capacity is between 6,000 (4WD) (6,100 for 2WD) with a 3.08 rear end and 6700 (4WD)(6800 for 2WD) with a 3.08 rear end and the K5L HD Cooling PKG (7,000 for 2WD K5L HD Cooling Pkg XFE) upto 9500 (4WD) (9600 for 2WD) with the 3.42 rear end and K5L HD Cooling Pkg.

Biggest issue I see is also in that the GCWR varies from only 11,500 to 15,000 as a max and with a trailer having a "dry wt" of 7,000 and a wet wt. of probably closer to 8500 attached to a 1/2T TV with a max. GVWR of 7300(4WD) or 7100(2WD), I bet you are most likely over or VERY, VERY close to all your ratings .... GCWR, GVWR and probably RAWR and maybe even tires. There is also a chance you have exceeded not only your WDH rating of 1,000lbs, but the factory receiver max tongue wt. for using a WDH setup.

Larry

Ok.... So first my vehicle (I was wrong regarding tow capacity)... I do have the 5.3L, Crew Cab, Short box, 3.42 Axel ratio with the HD cooling package.My tow capacity is 9500lbs, GCWR is 15000lbs and GVWR is 7300lbs.

I located a CAT Scales near my home. The Tech directed two passes to obtain weights.

Now my weigh in results - Combined Weight - 13640lbs, Tongue Weight - 1200lbs, Trailer weight 7940lbs. GVWR - 6800lbs.

My wife and daughter were not with me so I was missing about 200lbs which would have brought the GVWR up to 7000lbs.

My understanding of those numbers is that I am at the high end of my limits, but have not exceeded them??? I do think the TW is probably heavier then i want as it does slightly exceed the 15% mark. I do have lumber for levelling and some other removable items in my front hatch that could help in bringing those numbers down.

Tongue weight is also an issue for my hitch. I have the Equalizer 10K, When I plug the numbers into their web site it indicated I should be using the 12K... If I reduce the TW to 1000 it advises the 10K is sufficient. What I can't tell from the site is if there is a difference in the Hitch heads or would I just need new torsion bars? I will have to call them during business hours next week.

My storage yard actually had a poured concrete pad which they have no built on yet. So i took advantage of the perfectly level surface. I pulled onto it, ripped my hitch apart and started from ground zero. My hitch height moved the trailer from slightly above level to slightly below.

Test drives post changes seemed strong, but a coupe hours of driving time will be needed to be confident in the changes.