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Slick87SS's avatar
Slick87SS
Explorer
Aug 19, 2015

Towing with 1500

I am looking buy a used TT for me and my family. Def want a bunk house trailer with slide for the extra room. I will be towing with Silverado 1500 with 9200 tow cap. and 1850 payload. Also I will be using WD hitch. What should I be looking for as far as dry weights for trailers. It would be our first TT though I do have experience towing my 14 foot work trailer I wouldn't want a white knuckle trip every time I pull it. Most I have checked out and liked are anywhere between 5800-6900 dry weight. Any info would be super helpful.

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  • Slick87SS's avatar
    Slick87SS
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    I believe my numbers are accurate. That what the dealership tells me they are. I haven't even picked up the truck yet! Lol I went in with these types of numbers in mind and let them know I intend to tow a a TT with the vehicle. If that is not the case then I don't sign that dotted line! My wife fell in love with a used 04 Laredo that has a dry weight of 6860. All the info on the inter webs is scary so I figured I would ask some experienced people on the forums. Originally was gonna use my 06 Dodge Ram quad cab.
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2015
    1850 lbs. payload seems pretty robust for a half ton. But if that is true, you could pull a 6500 lb. + loaded weight TT with 1000 lbs. tongue weight and still have 850 lbs. of payload left.

    My F-150 4x4 has a payload of 1411 lbs. I would assume that with your cargo capacity your truck must have some sort of towing package.

    Double check all the weight figures and features on your TV before you buy a TT.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    I would stay closer to 6000 pounds dry than 6900 pounds as long as your numbers are accurate. I'll assume you have the 6-spd/3.42 axle. Use tow/haul mode and I like M5, maybe M4 for your gearing and power.
  • 8iron's avatar
    8iron
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    If your door sticker does indeed say 1850# of payload you have a lot of options open to you. A (very) general guideline would be a unit with an empty weight of 7200# or less.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2015
    Slick87SS wrote:
    I am looking buy a used TT for me and my family. Def want a bunk house trailer with slide for the extra room. I will be towing with Silverado 1500 with 9200 tow cap. and 1850 payload. Also I will be using WD hitch. What should I be looking for as far as dry weights for trailers. It would be our first TT though I do have experience towing my 14 foot work trailer I wouldn't want a white knuckle trip every time I pull it. Most I have checked out and liked are anywhere between 5800-6900 dry weight. Any info would be super helpful.


    Appears your option are endless. My 30' Bunkhouse weighs dry at 4800lbs. Loaded, well under 6000lbs.

    for you I would look for something in the 5000lb dry range. Give or take a few hundred lb. And there are hundreds in that range
  • Wishbone51's avatar
    Wishbone51
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    Not apples to apples, but I have a Nissan Titan with a 7500lb limit, and a much lower payload than yours. I have a trailer with a 6500 dry weight. I have plenty of power to keep the speed limit, but the issue is transmission temp, and because of this, I am very slow (35mph) on hills and cruise on flat ground at 55mph. This combination is very stable, though, especially when I have some extra fresh water on board (tank is up front). Feels really good towing. Certainly not "white knuckle"
  • Iraqvet05's avatar
    Iraqvet05
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2015
    5.3L with 4 speed or 6 speed transmission? Do you know what gear ratio?

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