Coming to the darkside

Congrats on the new rig!!!!

Another concern is the factory round tube hitch on your 1500! I can't remember what it is rated for (we had a '10-1500), but you will be near the max, if not over from what I recall.....

The propane tanks and battery are not included in the "brochure" dry tongue weight. They actually add about 160lbs for 2-30lb tanks (full) and the battery..... So you are about 1100lbs tw before the wd hitch or loading up the trailer with "stuff".

Without looking at that floor plan, if it is the same as our Jay Flight 32 BHDS, you will be way over on your 1500's payload (yellow sticker in the drivers door jamb: Passengers and cargo not to exceed XXXXlbs). Our 32 has a listed dry tw of about 900lbs (if I recall correctly), with a loaded tw of about 1400lbs!

The '11- current GM Twins have a new frame that is stronger than the '10-older HD's. Either should work fine for that trailer, but try to get no older than '08 or '09 that has the 6spd trans. Also try to get a 4.10 geared truck if at all possible if you go with the 6.0.

Good luck!!!

Contrary to popular opinion, if you overload your TV it is not going to explode and take out half the countryside.

When you overload your pick-up you are simply straining the component parts. This means slower acceleration, longer stopping distances, more wear and tear on bearings, brakes, tyranny etc.

These factors are there even with a properly matched load; overloading simply accelerates the process.

I found the most annoying things about too heavy a load are slow acceleration, poor passing ability, and the transmission always wanting to down shift. This was true whether the load was a TT or bags of fertilizer. It is also not very good for the tires or suspension.

It is always best to stay within the TV's design limits, exceeding them increases the wear and tear. It is still the same TV, how much you wish to push it is up to you.

downtheroad wrote:
As I posted earlier...congrats on the beautiful new trailer.

But, I'm guessing that you heard something like, "Sure you can pull it, no problem," from the dealer.

Actually no... asked what i had, I told them, I also told them I wanted to stay at 35 foot and under, 2 slides max. But this is a great deal.. I'm ecstatic for the trade in on my 2013, Camping World, where i bought my ) wanted to give $9800, buffalo RV gave $17000! Best offer i got in Hershey was $14,400. I'll get it home, and then I have until April to upgrade. I'll keep watch for a good deal. My biggest problem is the trade in on my Silverado. 6 months after rolling off the lot brand new, my wife hit someone who pulled out in front of her and did $10,000 damage and air bag deployed. One they run the CARFAX no one will give me what I feel it's worth. No accident and I'm right side up in the loan and get more than I owe. I have had no issues since the accident. Truck doesn't pull, same tires as when bought, (looking now to replace at 59,000 miles on the truck rolled off the lot at 20, was 19 until i drove around the lot once!) I told DW, I may look for a 2010 or 2011 2500 regular cab just to pull the camper. her and one of the boys will have to tag along in the escape. I'll probably just hold onto the 2012 and let my oldest drive the 2500 when he gets his license. OY the troubles of trying to live like a homeless person for about a month out of the year!

As I posted earlier...congrats on the beautiful new trailer.

But, I'm guessing that you heard something like, "Sure you can pull it, no problem," from the dealer.

colliehauler wrote:
What does your family weigh? Add wd hitch propane battery camping supplies food and you will be over your weight rating. Your a senior member so you have seen similar post's. If you take a long trip the ride will not be pleasant. Been there done that.

It's not how much it will tow, as others have said look at your RAWR. P rated tires with that weight will feel like driving on jello.

Senior member who only hung out in the hybrid and pop-up forums. I'm really having second thoughts on buying this camper. I cannot afford to upgrade both so we may have to knock the trailer back a bit. Even my wife is a bit concerned.

FerrisFamilyof5 wrote:

therink wrote:
With 1/2 ton frame/suspension and P rated tires, 1200 loaded tongue, I think you will find that trailer too much for your truck.
Congrats on the purchase.

i just did my due diligence and checked all the p's and q's. I have 9600 lb tow capacity, tongue weight of 1100 lbs with WD hitch. GCWR is 15,000 lbs. I go the code off the glovebox sticker and I'm running 3.42 gear ratio which for this truck gives me all the maxes. It's going to be a rough ride, but I think we'll be ok. I don;t tow like an idiot. I've always been super cautious. So it's going to be an adventure until we upgrade the TV.

Your truck has a GCWR of 15k. You will be over this, without water. The yellow sticker on the new trailer will tell you the actual weight, before you add any beverages.

Will your truck be able to pull this trailer - yes. I know it will.

Will your truck be able to stop this trailer - yes. I know it can.

My 2011 Jayco JayFlight G2 is the same layout. I have towed it 50 miles with a 1500 Silverado. I was alone in the truck. I did not go above 55 mph.

We have a 2011 Eagle 32RLDS. Actual length is about 36 feet, advertised weight was about 8600#, sticker weight is about 8900 and packed and ready to go it weighs about 10400, which is very close to the maximum gross weight of the TT. I am pulling it with an F250 with a V10 and frankly, we have plenty of pulling power but with a combined gross of about 18000# its all the truck can handle to stop safely. I think you will need more truck.

What does your family weigh? Add wd hitch propane battery camping supplies food and you will be over your weight rating. Your a senior member so you have seen similar post's. If you take a long trip the ride will not be pleasant. Been there done that.

It's not how much it will tow, as others have said look at your RAWR. P rated tires with that weight will feel like driving on jello.

I'm another one who would like to see the door jamb sticker, but I'm betting you won't post it. I wouldn't risk my family in that setup. I'm really surprised on how much focus your putting on the fabled tow capacity.

Congratulations on the trailer. I would expect you and your family will have some memorable trips.

As far as the size of the trailer and the truck capacity take a look at the yellow sticker on the driver side door jamb. It will have some helpful numbers and two import ones are cargo capacity and Rear Axle Weight Rating. These two numbers, along with the receiver hitch rating, are typically the limiting numbers.

So, for example if your cargo capacity is 1,500 lbs, then you deduct trailer tongue weight, hitch weight, cargo in the bed and passengers and see what is left. Same idea for the rear axle rating. Go to a scale and weigh it unloaded, then deduct trailer tongue weight, hitch weight, cargo weight and say about 50% of passenger weight. It is even better if you can load up as if you are camping and then hit the scale so you are dealing with the real numbers and not estimates.

Good luck,
Stu