Half-ton vs 3/4 Ton
We have been towing a travel trailer for about 6 years now. Like a lot of Newbies, our first trailer was WAAAYYY too heavy for our TV and for us as newbies. Had white-knuckle experiences for about 6...
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I have a new Grand Design 315RTLS. 9,124 lbs. empty weight, 10,995 lbs.GVWR,and "probably" 1250-1350 lbs. tongue weight.This is hooked up to a 2016 Silverado 2500 crew cab w/standard bed length, powered by the Duramax diesel. Hooking them together is an Equal-i-zer 1400/14,000 lb hitch.
This is an extremely stable combination. I have never heard any protest from the suspension or hitch indicating possible overload. Sway is unheard-of, the rig handles like a dream, and the big Duramax can easily get this rig to 70 mph if necessary ( trailer tires are speed-rated for 75mph)
So yes, a 3/4ton truck will handle these large, heavy trailers if they are set up properly. Remember, for pulling travel trailers, a 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck will be rated the same. When you get to fifth wheels,yes, the 1 tons will handle larger trailers because of where the pin (hitch) weight goes. But for conventional trailering, according to GM's spec charts, the 2500 and 3500 series are rated the same with the same motor.
Bottom line as I see it: a 3/4 ton truck should be able to handle the OP's 8500 lb. trailer with ease, especially with the right hitch set-up
This is an extremely stable combination. I have never heard any protest from the suspension or hitch indicating possible overload. Sway is unheard-of, the rig handles like a dream, and the big Duramax can easily get this rig to 70 mph if necessary ( trailer tires are speed-rated for 75mph)
So yes, a 3/4ton truck will handle these large, heavy trailers if they are set up properly. Remember, for pulling travel trailers, a 3/4 ton and 1 ton truck will be rated the same. When you get to fifth wheels,yes, the 1 tons will handle larger trailers because of where the pin (hitch) weight goes. But for conventional trailering, according to GM's spec charts, the 2500 and 3500 series are rated the same with the same motor.
Bottom line as I see it: a 3/4 ton truck should be able to handle the OP's 8500 lb. trailer with ease, especially with the right hitch set-up
