Brand New Buyer Looking for Sound Advice

JWeaverCMA wrote:
I looked up my total payload and my truck's limit 7350 lbs. So we're probably going to have to compromise a little on space in order to keep the weight down. What kind of general challenges/problems can I expect if I'm towing close to my weight limit?

That would be the gvwr of your truck, which is the truck weight plus anything inside the cab or bed. Also look in the drivers door jamb for the sticker I mentioned, stating "All passengers/occupants and cargo not to exceed XXXXlbs".

Something I didn't mention before is if you have added any accessories to the truck (truck cap/topper/ tonneau cover, step bars, bed liner, etc) they also count toward the trucks available payload.

Towing near the max is hard to say. with our last truck ('10 Chevy 1500 ccsb 4x4 5.3/6spd3.42) and trailer (~7200lbs loaded, ~920lb or so tw) we were actually over the gvwr of the truck by about 200lbs, but still under the rear axle rating by about 50lbs. And that was only with about 200lbs in the bed: a tool box, 4 bikes, and maybe a couple other items (20lb propane tank come to mind, maybe a cooler- rest was in the trailer). We did have a set of step bars, spray in bed liner, cab high fiberglass topper, and a family weight of under 500lbs (was probably closer to 450ish) at the time.

Handled ok, though we luckily never had to make any emergency manicures. Power never seemed to be lacking here in Mi at that weight. But the newer motors do need to rev to make power. On steady in line we have here the truck just did not have quite enough to hold 4th climbing it. Just ever so slowly was dropping speed. Gave a little gas, trans dropped into 3rd and I could have accelerated to whatever speed I wanted (within reason!).

The thing about towing near max is it could possibly wear parts a little faster. Some are happy if they are under the axle rating if the tv, even if the are over the gvwr (some tv's have a gvwr that is under the total axle rating by a fair amount: our Chevy had 2-3950lb axles if I recall correctly, but a 7000lb gvwr. but that is a decision you would have to make on your own. I didn't care to do it, so we ended up buying our HD.

Hopefully this helps some.

Good luck!