Hello to all and looking for some impartial third-party recommendation as I've been pulling my hair out over this.I currently have a 2015 Sierra Denali 1500 with the 6.2L (420hp/460#) and the 8-speed. Tranny cooler. Build sheet weight is 3269#, but nadaguides, kbb, etc. say curb weight is more like 5400#. I will be going to a scale tomorrow to get a real number. GVWR is 7,200# (GMC website), GCWR is 15,000# (manual). Truck has the integrated braking controller and 3.24 gears but they do not offer the max trailering package with this truck (salesman lied to me and I believed him - first mistake).Looking to buy a 2016 Sunset Trail ST320BH which comes in at 7700# dry, GVWR of 9744#, and tongue weight of 944#.TT dealer is throwing in a Center Line WDH with it.Using the Towing capacity worksheet at http://www.popthetop.com/files/and the 3269# of the truck I come in at 88% of GCWR and life is good. Using the 5400# I have found around on the Net I come in at 102% of GCWR. Life is not so good.My GMC guy (who lied to me originally and got an earful of it from me) of course says no-go and wants me to upgrade to a Duramax/Allison combo.Two different camper sales places both said they wouldn't think twice about a 7700# on my truck.We are pretty set on the ST320BH because we want bunks, TV for the kids and a bath and a half which are very hard to come by. We could probably go for the 2016 Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring 3350BH which comes in at 6650# but we don't really like the interior as much.I have been struggling with this for days now and am about ready to just forget the whole thing. Does anyone here have an opinion on the matter? If I need to provide other info I can.

I have a 2013 Sierra 1500 SLT w/ the tow package. 5.3L, 6 speed auto, and 3.42 rear. I've towed my TT which has a dry weight of 6800# w/ no problems. BUT when a semi passed me, the whole rig would sway and it felt like I was on a boat or a washboard while I went down the interstate. I also have a WDH, so the rig was nice and level.I just didn't feel safe. So I found a used Silverado 3500 w/ a 6.0L, 4L80 & 4.10 rear. This truck is much more suited for towing a 6800# TT.IMO, you should look for a 2500 tow truck. You'll be safer in the long run. Just my 2 cents.

Look in your drivers door jam. There is a yellow sticker. What does that say your payload is?Linc

The 6.2 is an aluminum block and head 'hot rod' engine and not designed for towing; that's why it is not available in a 2500 or 3500 truck

By the time you have the trailer loaded to camp, it will weigh around 9,000 lbs. This is going to have a tongue weight close to 1200 lbs. IMO that is too much trailer for the truck. The dry wt, 7700 lbs, that dealers are quoting, would be do able, but about the limit.If you look at yellow tire load sticker in door jam, it will tell you the payload available. If you subtract this payload number from the truck GVWR, the difference is what the truck weighed when it left the factory.What does your receiver hitch sticker show for max weight?Jerry

The payload sticker says occupants and cargo should not exceed 1392 pounds. Taken from 7200 gives me 5,808# which is even more in the wrong direction.

2015 Sierra Denali 1500 6.2L & 2016 Sunset Trail ST320BH

42 Replies

IdaD
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
swethog wrote:
@tunkcurt1
Thanks. That goes along with what everyone else was saying. New truck is almost ready (had some rock chips with only 20 miles on it? weird), pick it up today, then the camper on the 31st. Line-X, tonneau cover and side steps are all planned for next week. First two trips already planned, very excited. I've decided to stick with the Husky Center-Line 1400# bars for now. I also thought about a fifth wheel but we really like the layout of the TT while traveling with kids is happening but I assume in 4-5 years I'll be looking to change it out. Pretty windy in SD!

If you think you're going to upgrade to a fifth wheel in 4 or 5 years you'd save yourself a lot of money by just buying one now. A new TT is going to depreciate like crazy over that time span.
swethog
Explorer
Mar 15, 2016
@tunkcurt1
Thanks. That goes along with what everyone else was saying. New truck is almost ready (had some rock chips with only 20 miles on it? weird), pick it up today, then the camper on the 31st. Line-X, tonneau cover and side steps are all planned for next week. First two trips already planned, very excited. I've decided to stick with the Husky Center-Line 1400# bars for now. I also thought about a fifth wheel but we really like the layout of the TT while traveling with kids is happening but I assume in 4-5 years I'll be looking to change it out. Pretty windy in SD!
tunkcurt1
Explorer
Mar 14, 2016
You will be happy with your decision. I have the 2014 Denali 1500 w/ 6.2 and similar size trailer (9000# gross) and it is capable. I have towed it probably a couple thousand miles over the last couple years. However I did add the Blue Ox sway control and Firestone air bags on the rear axle to give me more control. It is capable, but it is not an enjoyable ride. We recently moved in to a seasonal site so I don't have to worry about towing anymore.

FWIW, I probably would have chosen to upgrade my truck if I was going to continue towing long distances. Of course, then I would have probably upgraded to a 5'er at the same time :)
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
Well... Sig links seems to be working again, for now! Lol
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Mar 11, 2016
Everything looks good in my sig.

Here is just the web pages:

WDH Set Up

How a wdh works

CAT Scale how to I have seen one here on RV.Net as well, just haven't come across it again....
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
It seems there is an issue with the forum. I will check the links, but couldn't post here a few minutes ago, and since earlier this afternoon couldn't post in another thread....
jerem0621
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2016
Yep.. they are broke links.

Need a vacation needs to come off of vacation for a minute and fix his sig :B LOL

Thanks!

Jeremiah
swethog
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
ok so I epic failed a quote, but you get the point.
swethog
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
Need-A-Vacation wrote:
Follow the links in my signature (above post) on how to adjust a wdh....

I've tried two separate browsers but none of your sig links lead anywhere.
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Mar 10, 2016
swethog wrote:
Thanks. I have posed several questions to the camper dealer about the WDH and will go from there.
I bought the camper and we pick it up March 31st! Very excited. Been a long 5 days.

YW!!!

Just know that you will probably need to readjust the wdh once you load the trailer. The dealer is only setting th wdh up for an empty trailer.... Follow the links in my signature (above post) on how to adjust a wdh....

Bet the end of the month can't get here soon enough!!! Lol I know with our winter being over (done snowmobiling) I am looking forward to getting our rig paroled from inside storage.... Have a couple more mods I would like to do.

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2015 Sierra Denali 1500 6.2L & 2016 Sunset Trail ST320BH

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