Forum Discussion

Bobbo's avatar
Bobbo
Explorer II
Apr 13, 2017

Checking TV capability

DW and I are buying an Airstream Sport 22FB. It has a dry weight of 3634 pounds with LP and battery, a dry hitch weight of 393 pounds with LP and battery, and a GVWR of 4500 pounds.

I will be towing it with a 2002 Chevy 1500 Silverado LS Extended Cab. It has a transmission oil cooler, but not the tow package. Without the tow package, the tow limit is 5000 pounds (with the tow package, it would have been 6100 pounds). The hitch has a dead weight limit of 6,000/600 and a WD limit of 10,000/1,000.

We will have a WD hitch and sway bar.

We will eventually get another TV, but not for a few years. How much trouble am I likely to see with this combo?

Thanks
Tow Vehicles
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Apr 13, 2017
    STEVEO496 wrote:
    I would install a trans temp gauge if you don't already have one. Make sure you have light truck "LT" rated tires and that your rear suspension doesn't sag too much with the weight of the trailer attached.


    I have a ScanGauge that I will install in the truck. Hopefully, it will give me the transmission temperature. The tires are about 9 years old so I am going to replace them. I will get LT tires, and probable load range E.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Apr 13, 2017
    My 2010 F150 is pulling my 4200lb Loaded down OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer with large tires...

    I can definitely say my F150 does not know it is back there. I get roughly the same gas mileage whether I am pulling my trailer or not. The truck has sway control features which helps as well I suppose...

    I even elected to not use the WDH hitch for this setup... Saw no difference in using one or not using one...

    I also know that I DO NOT have any wind load since this is a POPUP trailer so this is probably the real big reason it tows like it does...

    It tows flawlessly even on the US82 section of 2 and 4 lanes roadway between Greenville MS and Crossett AR where the Georgia Pacific Wood Plant is located. The loaded down very large truck trailers hauling the many logs stacked up to the maximum height going 70MPH down the US82 road sure carries a hugh WIND WAKE. Usually the last thing you see is the truck driver with a big smile on his face and after that passes it is 'Katie Bar The Door' holding on for dear life haha...

    Roy Ken
  • dave17352's avatar
    dave17352
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2017
    It will work fine. All though I will have to disagree about not knowing its back there. I had a 2001 chevy extended cab and it sure new my 3500pd boat was back there. :)
  • STEVEO496's avatar
    STEVEO496
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2017
    Assuming your WD hitch is set up correctly it should do fine. Your trucks towing capacity is based on the weakest link of the total package. In other words, if you have tires that are only rated to carry 1,000lbs then that's all your truck is capable of carrying, whether it's an S-10 or a crew cab dually. I would install a trans temp gauge if you don't already have one. Make sure you have light truck "LT" rated tires and that your rear suspension doesn't sag too much with the weight of the trailer attached. Other than that Airstreams are known to be among the best towing travel trailers out there. I think your truck would handle it fine if set up properly.

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