The Dreaded 1/2 Ton Towing Question

Walaby wrote:
Think, from what I see, it's not a good idea. Not sure I totally understand everything you're trying to rationalize, but here's my take.

Available payload remaining after full fuel and passengers is 1040 lbs.

Tongue weight for new TT you are considering, loaded as you indicate would be ~1022 lbs at 14% of your anticipated weight of 7300 lbs. Add about 60-75 lbs for the hitch (possibly up to 100 lbs) and you are over your payload, albeit not horribly over.

What Im not sure I understand (and it is kinda late in the evening), your second post says when you weight your setup, you had 6640 on your TV axles. What you need to tell us is how much on your rear axles. If your rear axle GAWR is 3950, you cannot exceed that.. you can't add both axle ratings and then just stay within the sum. Each GAWR needs to be met stand alone.

So, get your truck weighed, loaded, ready to camp, and get the actual axle weight for each axle. Subtract that from the rear GAWR and that will tell you how much weight you have available for tongue weight and hitch. Figure 100lbs for the hitch (to be a tad conservative), and 14% of trailer weight for tongue weight.

I think you will find you will exceed the GAWR, and probably, also exceed the overall payload.

I had a 2011 GMC Sierra CC 1500, and I towed a trailer that, loaded up was probably 6500 lbs (if I recall correctly). I would not have wanted to go to 7000. My TT towed well but I still believe I was pretty much maxed out, and didn't want to go further.

Mike