How much weight is too much?

blt2ski wrote:
Assuming 1000 lbs additional weight, an additional 3HP will be required at 60 mph. Oh dear!
If you added height to rig, ea additional 3 sqft of frontal area is equal to HP of 1000 lbs, or 3HP. Add a foot, 1000 lbs, equal HP needs of 4000 lbs.
BUT!!!!!
If said trailer is more aerodynamic!, you may need less HP than you do now, and get better performance and mpg by .1!
Also remember, tow ratings are a performance/warranty rating. A 2011 is out of warranty. Performance wise, every one of us has different assets, so expectations are different.
Reality, assuming a 2500 series, no big, a 1500, might be a chassis retrain issue.
OPs call. I'd do it in a chebby heartbeat if an 8 lug truck!

Marty

I was thinking on the GMT800 board I am on Facebook some of the folks with the exact same truck as me who are farmers and live in the flats tow 12000 to 15000lbs with the their 02 6.0 2500/3500HD. Some have asked why I only have a 7500lbs trailer. My main reason I like to keep up the flow of traffic out here on the west coast on the bigger passes.

My BIL had a 1998 Dodge Cummins 5 speed 1 ton, oh 7 years ago now and it broke, lost the transmission in Spokane. He worked for the carnival. You should hear some of those stories but it requires alcohol.

Long story short My wife and her family cried until I said I would go get the trailer, a 1985 Carriage 5th wheel, and bring him home so he wouldn't lose his job. I towed that 14,000lbs pile from Spokane to Whidbey Island and while on the big hills I had to slow down. I was surprised at how well the 02 did.

Then I thought about it. What were people towing that thing with back in 1985? A lot less than my truck.

I feel sometimes on here people are like "Oh you have a Pop up trailer? You need at least a 1 ton dually to pull that."

Like blt2ski said your call, but 1000 lbs? I don't think that is going to make or break you.