found out what my truck is rated for got questions now

Payload is the limiting factor in most of these discussions. Many dealers will tell you your truck can pull 9 or 10K which is very true. Here is the problem you may or may not face. I tow a trailer with a GVW of 7500 and am usually loaded in the vicinity of 6600. My tongue weight is right at 1000 lbs. The specs state 700 "with no options". Well, I have two batteries, two propane tanks and a spare tire on the tongue. So when I hook up my payload available is close to 600 pounds.

This will not work for those who travel heavy and like to take all sorts of toys and "stuff" with them. It works for us since we almost always travel light. So, my advice to you is think hard about what you are planning on taking with you when you go out. If you like to take lots of wood, extra water, a generator or two,a family of 4 and two dogs, you might want to think of getting a 3/4 ton. Note, I did not say you have to go with a particular brand. I think they are all good.

Our FR Wildcat is like new after 13 years. They do have many different lines with different quality levels but our WC is probably middle of the road. Still, nothing has "fallen apart" (or leaked nor has the interior worn) and it had fewer and less critical defects than my buddy's Arctic Fox did.

Maybe the posted 645# tongue weight is a misprint as it would truly be an unsafe towing scenario with a 8400# TT. Tongue weight ideally should be between 10%-15%, anything lower than 10% is subject to sway conditions that will worsen dramatically at higher speeds. At 12% tongue weight will come in at just over 1K# leaving just over 600# for everything else in your truck including passengers. Still doable, but very tight with what most of us carry in our tow vehicles above and beyond just passengers. It adds up real quick for us with firewood and what not in the bed of our truck. Available payload is always the main issue when talking about 1/2 ton tow vehicles.

The Solaire 317BHSK is also quite long which will not help towing dynamics when wind is blowing hard and traveling at highway speeds, an investment in a very high quality WD/SC hitch is paramount for keeping this TV/TT combo safely on the road. It will be a good workout for your Chevy 1500, but if you mostly intend to tow on flat terrain it will get you there, any substantial inclines or high elevation towing will only magnify this issue. The stated numbers just might work out on paper, but often is not the true picture of what to expect when hauling your rig down the road, it's really about towing comfort, and when a TV/TT combo is at it's limits it is bound to have an adverse affect.

If you never leave Texas you'll probably be fine. You'll need a premium hitch like a hensly Arrow or Pro Pride. At 35' long and weighing in around 7700 lbs loaded thats a lot of tail wagging the dog ready to happen.

Pulled my ~6500lb 30' TT with 2014 Silverado 5.3 / 3.42 and hated it. Long hills and wind were the primary reason. Flat ground, no wind was fine. Capability of towing and comfortable towing are two very different things.

Ya things have changed since 04 i also have a factory installed trailer brake/tow haul, etc so it would help

One of my family members pulls a fifth wheel (its and old model with one slide) with his 2016 tundra i think he said it had the smaller v8 and it does just fine.

I cant remember if mine is 9k max or 10k i kept hearing different results but with 8400 it should be ok? Since i am below the 2 mentioned

Oh and this truck has nothing aftermarket on it.

I've got a 6.0, and 3.73 gears, and by trailer loaded is 7500lbs, and 33ft long. It is all I would would want to pull. In Texas, I'm assuming it will be pretty flat, so you may be ok. It's definately more comfortable for me in GA when I go to south to Florida, than north to the mountains.

Your 2016 Chevy 1500 5.3 v8 with 3.42 gearing pulling your trailer pick may not be enough truck...

Almost everyone you talk to having the Ford F150 or the Chevy 1500 will be telling you this...

I suspect the max safe number realistically will be more in the range of 7500lbs not the 10000lbs...

I tried my 8800lbs 28-foot 5th wheel with my 2004 F150 truck and found real quick coming down long grades hills on I81 it was not enough truck. Maybe the 2016 trucks are built stronger...

Just my thoughts on my situation
Roy Ken