Family of six looking for tow vehicle

For a small trailer, it should work without going over any of the payload or towing ratings. Can you determine what axle ratio it has? Look in the glove box for the option codes. I think a 3.42 axle is GU6, 3.73 is GT4, and 4.10 is GT5. A higher axle ratio will give a higher tow rating and better towing performance. Does it have the towing package? Do you see a transmission cooler? If you look behind the grill do you see any smaller radiators in front of the larger one? It would be perhaps 4-5 inches by 10-12 inches? If not, you'll want to add one. Is it a regualar cab with just one bench seat like Marty is guessing? How did you determine the payload capacity? More information will get you better advice. Thanks.

In a nut shell, yes that truck will work. I'll have a bit more time after I get home from work to do a better wright up tonight. I work with out a computer in the field per say. My office is my home. One of my twin sons has one, he likes it overall. I will guess it is a reg cab? ie a 3 seat model.

Marty

Marty, it's a 1500. Is that bad? I'm bracing for impact....the paperwork says vortex 4800 v8 4 speed with tow haul mode. It has almost 100k miles. (Great for 13 years old...bought it from my mom) Runs good still.

No hitch so I can start fresh there.

Fourkidletts wrote:
We live in Northern California where there is a ton of camping places to choose from within 2-3 hours so I'm getting more used to the idea of splitting cargo and passengers up to make a trailer work.

Cool, I was going to suggest the two vehicle approach and you figured that out on your own. Give that a try!! Soon some of the kidlets will not want to go anyone, choosing to stay behind with other friends!

Chris

More than likely nothing more than a brake controller, hitch if you do not have one strong enough for the trailer, and appropriate ball mount for the truck hitch. I would get a weight distribution setup minimum, or a dual cam/equalizer set up would be better.

Reality is, with two people in the truck, that would leave you with 1500 or so lbs of payload, with 10% hitch wt, you could go upwards of a 15K lb trailer without overloading the truck per say. With an 8700 lbs tow rating, and it being a 2000, I will assume it is like my 2000 C2500 with probably a 350 gas motor. I've towed upwards of 12K with mine, while not the most fun, it worked power wise better than I thought it would. 6-8K should not be an issue. I towed the pictured trailer with it one time, had no issues.

One thing to remember, as you go up in elevation, you lose about 2-3% of the motors hp per 1000' of elevation you go up. So when you are in the 5-6K fot range, you will be down 10-20%. Hence why a lot of folks like turbo diesels, you do not start to lose power in the same manner until 10K feet elevation. So you go a bit slower.

Two vehicles for us was a no go! so we choose based on what would handle the 6 of us, along with trailer all at once. A big van did not work for her per say.....I could use a truck at work, tow my work trailers....so that is how we went! A crew cab pickup for a family of 6 is not the best option, probably worst, van best, suv somewhere in the middle. We made do, kids have no arguments over it, now are in the 21-28 range with out too many issues, other than having me as a dad!

Marty

Fourkidletts wrote:
Thank you again. We are at about 1000 pounds just for family. What really sucks is how much im realizing 1/2 ton SUVs are meant for smaller families who want to tow. No wonder the crossovers are becoming so popular. We can't fit in one however! The backseat is tiny in those too.

So here's plan b. We also own a 2000 silverado truck.. 8700 max tow and 2144 payload. We really don't fit in the cab well it's cramped. I figure that could tow whatever small trailer the expy could tow. We may just have to accept the fact that since I'm not loving the other TV options we are just going to have to take 2 vehicles camping. Any long road trips we could maybe just rent something. Our tow vehicle being the main family vehicle is obviously going to be a challenge. When my kids are gone someday I can buy whatever I want, but of course wish they were there with me. :) our camping sites are usually 2-3 hours away.

So, would a rear wheel drive silverado truck with specs above handle a small trailer, with likely only a couple of passengers? Decent plan b?

If you have more than one drive that's a great idea and it will save you the cost of a new vehicle. I'd post up the specifics of the truck and the guys here will help you pick a weight that will work for you. Once your other three children are off on their own the three of you will have no problem camping with just the truck and trailer.

I know we got a fair bit off on tangents answering your questions, our goal is to make your experience as good as we can. I'd hate to steer you down the wrong path.

We live in Northern California where there is a ton of camping places to choose from within 2-3 hours so I'm getting more used to the idea of splitting cargo and passengers up to make a trailer work.

Marty, as I mentioned we won't all go in the truck there's no way. It would be likely two people on the truck and me following in the minivan, carrying some additional stuff. What would the silverado need for towing with that scenario?

Fourkidletts wrote:
By the way, I found out my current 2005 minivan has a greater payload than the expy el. And we weigh this thing way down in trips. Infuriating!

Now you know why we went with 1 ton pickups! Our Astro vans only had 1200 lbs of payload, they were squishing the springs with just us! we're 200 lsb more than you are!!!

Marty

Just make sure it is a crew cab and a 25 series with 8 lug nuts on the rims, then you will be fine! An ext cab as I showed earlier will not make a 6'+ person happy in the back seat. My sons did not have issues in the back of either of my crew cabs at 6'4". The only seat most did not like was the front middle, and even then no one complained, as they knew there was no other alternative. My 96 had a manual tranny gear shift in the way too, unlike the 05 which was an automatic.

One has to figure it out and call it a day, when you come up with the best options for the task at hand.

Marty