TT-Correct Hitch to use
Late last fall I purchased a new travel trailer (2014 Puma 32DBKS). Dry weight roughly 8,700 with 2,000 cargo...so gross weight of about 10,700. Total length from hitch to bumper is 36'. Tongue wei...
Forum Discussion
SimpleMan78 wrote:
@lanerd
I've spoke with dealership and they claim I would be ok. They didn't try to sell me a 3/4 ton. Here is Chevy page on capabilities of the pickup I am getting. Select 6.2L EcoTech3 V8 engine 4wd on crew cab shortbox. It will have the 3.73 axle.
It's not like I'm traveling the country...max distance for the most part is 150 miles that we do our camping.
The link shows your truck will have 1805 lbs of payload. That is when it leaves the factory. Any dealer or customer add-ons (undercoating, bed liner, bed cover, etc), will take capacity away from that 1805. Your trailer, with weight distribution hitch, will take 14 - 1500 of that 1805.
With that trailer and a few afftermarket accessories, you could be looking at one, maybe 200 lbs of payload available for driver. passengers and cargo. You will be maxed out / possibly overweight, very quickly.
At gross weight, your trailer weighs almost double the curb weight of that truck. On windy days, the tail will be wagging the dog.
A quality WD hitch, won't make up for being overweight. Towing at, or above, max weight is quite unpleasant and can be unsafe.
With that combination, your 150 mile weekend trips will give you white knuckles, back pain, neck pain, and leg cramps. Those pains will subside in 24 - 48 hours. Just in time for the return trip.
