westend wrote:
RoadExplorer wrote:
westend wrote:
The restrictions for length and parking in campgrounds is based on RV length. Truck doesn't count.
First, to make this mating of trailer and truck possible, you will need to know the payload numbers (weight of cargo and passengers) from the sticker on the driver's door jamb. Estimated or scaled cargo and passenger weight is deducted from that number and the total is then used to determine maximum tongue weight availability. That 9100 lbs, you can forget about. To really focus the truck advice, list your year, make, model of truck with engine size and final drive ratio.
6000 lbs is going to close to the max you want to pull with that truck, regardless. If this is your first travel trailer and a cross-country trip is being planned, I'd suggest to get something smaller. Tell us how many campers will be going along. If it's only you and one other passenger, a 17' trailer will produce as much fun and be a lot easier to handle for a newbie.
Forget about MPG while travelling with an RV. It will only make you anxious but tallying it and bragging at a campground, "I got 6 MPG coming over the Pass" is permissible.
More info= better advice. Welcome to RVnet Forums.
Passengers: 2
Vehicle: 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4
Engine: EcoTec3 5.3L V8
Rear Axle Ratio: 3.42
GCWR: 15000
I am looking at two travel trailers at the moment.
One:
WEIGHTS
Average Shipping Weight (lbs.): 5,415
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs.): 596
Cargo Capacity (lbs.): 1,185
MEASUREMENTS
Height: 10' 8''
Length: 29' 1''
Two:
Dry Weight 6,732
GVWR 9,560
Exterior Length 29' 11"
Carrying Capacity 2,828
Hitch Weight 764
Axle Weight 5,968
L.P. Gas 60 lb
RIM rated load 2,600
RIMS 15x6
GAWR 4,400
Axles per unit 2
Number of slides 2
Awning Size 16'
Tire rated load 2,540
Exterior Width 8'
Exterior Height (with A/C) 11' 2"
Tire Size ST225/75R15D
Main features I am looking for in a travel trailer:
Less than 30' in length.
Double slideout in the center of trailer for a much more open feel.
1x Sofa
1x Dinette
Kitchen must have fridge and freezer, double sink, gas stove top and oven. Counterspace for 2 people to work on food.
1x internal queen size bed
OK, all good info. Let's work on the truck's towing capacity because that will be a number you may not wish to exceed. As someone else posted, your cargo and passenger weight ratings are individual for your truck, only. If you can, retrieve that number off the driver's side door jamb sticker. I'm seeing low numbers but post what you find on the door pillar.
Here's the math: from the maximum Payload rating (from that sticker) subtract weight of passengers and any cargo you'll have in the truck (camping gear, wood for the fire, Mom's purse, etc). Also subtract the weight of a Weight Distributing Hitch, typically 80 lbs or so. The remainder is what you can put on the back of your truck, this is also called trailer tongue weight.
We can use one of your trailer targets to see the approximate tongue weight. Pick #1-5415 shipped weight. Add at least one battery-60 lbs. Add two 20 lb propane cylinders, filled--37 lbs each, 75 lbs total. Add in all you will carry in the trailer for camping, typically 700-1000lbs. Total thus far---6250 lbs. Typical tongue weight on a travel trailer is a percentage of between 11%-> 15%. Let's use 12%. 12% of 6250 is 750 lbs. Is that below or above the remainder found in the payload math exercise?
Using this to calculate everything: http://www.huskytow.com/towing-calculator/
