Can I tow my new camper safely
I just bought a new camper with a UVW of 8130# towing with a 2008 chevy 1500 4x4 w/5.3L motor and 3.73 gears. Do you think I will be all right towing this?
Forum Discussion
I can tell you from experience there is a big difference between being able to tow and proper towing.
My 2002 F150 was rated to 6000 lbs. so a 4500 lb. trailer should have been piece of cake; but as has been noted, a loaded trailer gains a lot of weight. More important, the 200 hp. motor and transmission were not able to pull the load. 50 to 55 mph was the best I could do on even a small hill.
Matching the truck to the anticipated load and understanding the numerous weight details make towing much easier. So in answer to your question, can you pull it, probably yes; can you pull it well, probably not.
My 2002 F150 was rated to 6000 lbs. so a 4500 lb. trailer should have been piece of cake; but as has been noted, a loaded trailer gains a lot of weight. More important, the 200 hp. motor and transmission were not able to pull the load. 50 to 55 mph was the best I could do on even a small hill.
Matching the truck to the anticipated load and understanding the numerous weight details make towing much easier. So in answer to your question, can you pull it, probably yes; can you pull it well, probably not.
