Trying to decide if we need a bigger truck

Oh yes, I just went through this personally.

I had a 2014 Chev Silverado 1500, payload was same as yours, 1750. And the truck pulled my trailer just fine.

Trailer has around a 900lb TW. But the ultimate for me, is that I have 5 passengers with me. While 4 passengers are kids, they are getting bigger. Bigger means more weight.

I've calculated the numbers fifty times and I was right near the payload capacity. Fine for now, and fine for local camping.

But as stated, my kids will get bigger, and I want to travel further. Last week I got a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 with max tow. Now my payload is over 2,000 pounds!!! And with the 3.73 gears, this things pulls like a beast!

So, you need to look at your gear and passengers and then find out if you have enough payload.


On a side note, these new trucks with max tow have a payload and tow rating near some 3/4 ton trucks (i.e. Ram). Yes, I know the overall weight of the truck is different, but these things are incredible!

Gale Hawkins wrote:
If you are asking then you may already know the answer. :)
Had a cousin trade to get a bigger truck to pull the new RV for safety reasons.

Well stated !!!

I'll not seek approval from others who have ZERO skin in MY FAMILIES SAFETY

That risk management decision (gambling) is mine and sure...seek opinions
to help me make up MY MIND

To ad what Need-A said, the purpose is best understood when one understands what the WDH does with respect to physics.

A typical example for full sized pickups and SUVs:

A trailer with 1000 pounds of tongue weight will have these effects on axle weights.

Truck front axle weight decreases by 400 pounds
Truck rear axle increases by 1400 pounds

When you apply WD such that 100% front axle weight is restored, the rear axle is now only 800 pounds over unhitched, removing 600 pounds. The remaining 200 pounds is put on the trailer axles.

So the purpose of the 3 passes with 3 scale pads is to find out what the actual TW is and how well the WDH is adjusted.

OttawaDon wrote:

Need-A-Vacation wrote:



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.

I've seen this weight method posted a few times and I'm trying to figure it out. Can someone please explain why the first and second weights wouldn't be identical. Do the Cat scales have separate scales for the truck and trailer (ie, will it give different weights for each vehicle?)

A CAT Scale has 3 "scale pads", one for the steer axle (front), one for the drive axle (rear), then one for the trailer axle(s). You want to make sure you do not pull to far forward or the front axle weight will be a lot more than it should!

When you weigh the truck only, it gives a baseline for the front axle weight.

When you weigh the truck and trailer (ready to roll down the road-wd bars latched up) you can tell if your hitch set up is adjusted correctly or not. The front axle weight (weigh #1) should be within the manufactures specs of your vehicle: restoring 50%-100% of lost front axle weight depending on vehicle.

When you weigh without the wd bars latched up you are able to figure out what your tw (tongue weight) is. #2 weight of front and rear axle weights added together (don't include the trailer axle weight)- #3 total weight (truck only)= trailer wongue weight.

ALSO!!!! Take a broom handle or maybe the cheater bar for the wd bars so you can reach the call button!!!!

All passengers should be in the vehicle when weighing. Hit the call button, and then sit back down.

You are right to be concerned

If you are asking then you may already know the answer. :)
Had a cousin trade to get a bigger truck to pull the new RV for safety reasons.

Need-A-Vacation wrote:



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.

I've seen this weight method posted a few times and I'm trying to figure it out. Can someone please explain why the first and second weights wouldn't be identical. Do the Cat scales have separate scales for the truck and trailer (ie, will it give different weights for each vehicle?)

Do yourself and those who share the road with you and get a new truck that you are 100% comfortable towing your RV with!
Good Luck!

It does have the 3.42 gears. I'll try weighing it at the CAT scales first. Thanks

Bill, I don't disagree with the sentiment, but you don't have to preface it with a backhanded insult about the OP's choice of vehicle. It does not help the OP and can very well backfire on your desire to convince him that he needs more truck.

Just my humble opinion here, but the maximum weight you really can expect to be comfortable with on a 1500 truck over the long haul is about 7000lbs. Regardless of what the truck is supposedly rated for.

A trailer that starts at around 7000lbs will be pushing 8500 by the time you're loaded and ready to hit the road. Everything is heavier than you think it is.

Can it be done? Yes, if you have a 1500 truck with whatever the "maximum tow" package is for your brand. It should be adequate, and will certainly be safe, but more than likely you will be left wanting for something better. It'll be something in the back of your mind just picking away at you. Eventually you will decide to upgrade trucks, then you will be back here posting the obligatory "LAWDY LAWDY I HAVE SEEN THEE LIGHT! WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS SOONER?" post, where you expound on the virtues of the heavier duty truck and how it is a night and day difference from the old truck, and how you never knew what you were missing. You just have to go through the experience for yourself, as there is nothing we can say that will convince you otherwise.