Merry Christmas,I am new to this forum and looking to Buy a TT and I have done some research. I have a Chevy Silverado 1500 4.8 with 3.23. Max trailer weight is 4700 and gcwr is 10000. Well if I change my gears to 3.73 that would raise my Max trailer weight 6700 and 12000 gcwr. Well that's my truck. The TT that I am looking at is a jayco Jay swift 264bh. The yellow stickers on the TT range from 4500-4600lbs. My question is, is this safe? With the gear change or not? Please advice Thanks in advance

Did you mean you were looking to buy a forum, or buy a Travel Trailer? Welcome to the forum. :)

Haha thanks. I fixed that. Any opinions to what I'm asking

Forgot to mention my payload is 1650lbs. And the hitch weight is about 500lbs

Merry Christmas, welcome to the forum and you’re in good company, there are a lot of us confused, and we will do our very best to keep you confused, so you have to keep coming back for more… :BOthers on here are much better and more qualified than I to answer your question, some very qualified, so I will leave that to them… just don’t be too surprised if someone suggest you need a diesel one ton dually or better to move almost any trailer…Edit::: you may want to ask about more than the gear, like the suspension, brakes, cooling capacity, tires, engine oil and transmission oil coolers….

you know the tranny is geared for the 3:23's and if you change out the rear end you might still work that poor truck to death.

newbie and confused | Good Sam Community

rubsal70
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
I just want to say thank you for all your help. I keep getting emails saying that Someone is replying but I don't see anything.
gmw_photos
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
kgg402 wrote:
You should look at suspension options . load distribution hitch maybe air bags sway control. Tire ratings. Trailer brakes a must. Your pulling power is not going to be your issue . control is going to be major issue. A half ton truck without suspension modification. You will be looking at the stars and swaying all over the place.

"looking at the stars and swaying all over the place" ????

uuuum....probably not. Considering the weight of trailer the OP is talking about, it is entirely possible to set this rig up for safe, comfortable towing. The important issues of remaining within payload, axle, and receiver limits have already been covered in this thread.
wmoses
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
kgg402 wrote:
A half ton truck without suspension modification. You will be looking at the stars and swaying all over the place.

Doesn't happen with any rig I own.
rubsal70
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
Well I do plan on using a weight distribution with sway control. a lot of people have said that is enough. But I will look into that as well
Thanks
kgg402
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
You should look at suspension options . load distribution hitch maybe air bags sway control. Tire ratings. Trailer brakes a must. Your pulling power is not going to be your issue . control is going to be major issue. A half ton truck without suspension modification. You will be looking at the stars and swaying all over the place.
kgg402
Explorer
Dec 29, 2013
jerem0621 wrote:
rubsal70 wrote:
Guys Merry Christmas again. Thank you all for the info that y'all have given me. As of right now it looks like I'll be changing to 3.73 gears. I also will be adding a transmission cooler to it. What else would I need. The way we camp with the family is we just take clothes, cooler and some gear. It never totals 500 lbs of cargo. Besides the cooler what else do y'all recommend. My truck is not a 4x4 so only rear axle change would be needed. I do plan on getting a WD with sway control and obviously brake control for the trailer. Do I need to upgrade brakes to my truck also? I appreciate the info. I'm a little confused but to me it makes sense that changing gears will add max tow as per manual and like others have confirmed. To the person who posted the video to me and like someone said it doesn't look stressed. Any one else have any more advice please let me know. I will try to make a decision in the next week or two
Thanks

Here is a thought... Instead of 3.73 why not go to a 4.10 now. The cost is the same and you should not notice much difference between the two in daily driving. However, towing will be much nicer with the 4.10.

Thanks
rubsal70
Explorer
Dec 27, 2013
Yeah I don't plan driving any faster than 65 anyways. I live in Texas and we really don't have mountains. I plan to go to the coast n other state parks. Not really big mountains or even hills.
Thanks
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Dec 27, 2013
You know my last truck was a 95 F-150 with a 5.0 (302) engine and a 3 speed with OD automatic transmission (4 speed) I use to pull my 20 foot 4580 pound (loaded) TT around with it and had no problem. But, I will admit I live in flat country and never went up any mountains. I also didn't tow over 60 mph. It would start running out of steam around 65.
rubsal70
Explorer
Dec 27, 2013
Like I said before I will be towing maybe like once a month so its not a lot. Hopefully in 5 years I can buy a bigger truck but this has to do for right now.
Thanks guys
wmoses
Explorer
Dec 27, 2013
rubsal70 wrote:
Wmoses actually I have a 4speed.it's a 4.8 v8 truck. Is that going to be a problem?

Not a problem, as such. Just not as good a spread of gears especially for a smaller engine.

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