Trying to decide if we need a bigger truck
We have a 2014 silverado 1500 Z71, crew cab, with 5.3 V8, towing package. Tow rating is 9800lbs but we are concerned about the payload rating of 1750. We are towing a jayflight 29qbh dry weight 7000 l...
Forum Discussion
IF your truck is rated for 9800lbs (not the "up to" from the brochure), then you probably have the 3.42 gears. Power wise, unless you get into the mountains, you probably have enough. BUT..... as you are concerned with, and as mentioned, you are probably very close if not over on the gvwr of the truck.
Total weight of all the passengers? How much accessories have you added to the truck since you bought it? Bed liner, truck topp/tonneau cover, step bars, mud flaps, etc... all add up toward the available payload.
What do you carry/haul in the bed when towing?
Is there a CAT scale near you? If so, try to load up like your going on a trip, and with a full tank of gas and all passengers that normally join, go weigh the truck and trailer. If you normally haul fresh water, fill the tank just like you would for a real trip. While the fridge may be empty, and coolers may not be there it should give you a very close idea where you stand. Unless the loaded coolers ride in the bed of the truck... Maybe try to put some form of weigh in their place????
Weigh 3 times total.Go inside beforehand and let the attendant know you would like 3 weighs, and can you pay after the last one.
1: Truck and trilaer ready to roll down the road.
2: Truck and trailer, but unlatch the wd bars. Place them in the truck bed.
3: Truck only. Drop the trailer iin the rear of the CAT scale/ gas station where truckers park. You will only be a few minutes.
Ask your wife to go inside and pay for the weigh slips while you hook the trailer back up.
Now post back here with the numbers.
We were in that position towing ~7200lbs tt loaded for a trip. Up to about 200lbs over the gvwr, and VERY CLOSE to the rear axle rating. We now have a 2500HD.
IF you decide to step up in trucks, seriously consider a 3500/350 over a 2500/250. Price is almost the exact same, and you gain about 1k lbs of payload.
Also, get a new 2.5" shank for your hitch if you step up to a HD truck.
Also, there is a chance you may be close to your trucks hitch limit for the trailer tw. Not sure exactly what the newer '14/'15 trucks are rated for.
Total weight of all the passengers? How much accessories have you added to the truck since you bought it? Bed liner, truck topp/tonneau cover, step bars, mud flaps, etc... all add up toward the available payload.
What do you carry/haul in the bed when towing?
Is there a CAT scale near you? If so, try to load up like your going on a trip, and with a full tank of gas and all passengers that normally join, go weigh the truck and trailer. If you normally haul fresh water, fill the tank just like you would for a real trip. While the fridge may be empty, and coolers may not be there it should give you a very close idea where you stand. Unless the loaded coolers ride in the bed of the truck... Maybe try to put some form of weigh in their place????
Weigh 3 times total.Go inside beforehand and let the attendant know you would like 3 weighs, and can you pay after the last one.
1: Truck and trilaer ready to roll down the road.
2: Truck and trailer, but unlatch the wd bars. Place them in the truck bed.
3: Truck only. Drop the trailer iin the rear of the CAT scale/ gas station where truckers park. You will only be a few minutes.
Ask your wife to go inside and pay for the weigh slips while you hook the trailer back up.
Now post back here with the numbers.
We were in that position towing ~7200lbs tt loaded for a trip. Up to about 200lbs over the gvwr, and VERY CLOSE to the rear axle rating. We now have a 2500HD.
IF you decide to step up in trucks, seriously consider a 3500/350 over a 2500/250. Price is almost the exact same, and you gain about 1k lbs of payload.
Also, get a new 2.5" shank for your hitch if you step up to a HD truck.
Also, there is a chance you may be close to your trucks hitch limit for the trailer tw. Not sure exactly what the newer '14/'15 trucks are rated for.
