Travel Trailer Question

crtdavis wrote:
I am considering buying my first camper and here is what my issues is. The camper that my wife and I like is the Coachman Catalina 293QBCK.

I drive a 2015 GMC Yukon Denali XL which states it will pull up to 7,900 lbs. This camper states the following:

UVW 6572 lbs and GVWR 9500 lbs.

Can my vehicle pull this safely or is this just a bit too much?

Not a bit too much, WAY too much. :( I've been towing with 3 different GM trucks, all with the ubiquitous 5.3L engine, all driving a 3.42 axle. Personally I wouldn't want to tow any full height trailer with a factory advertised UVW of more than ~ 5000 lbs, knowing that it's actual stickered UVW as it arrives at the dealer will be several hundred pounds more. Loaded & ready to camp I'd prefer to keep the trailer's GVW no more than ~ 6000 lbs, 'though I'd agree some may be comfortable with a bit more, perhaps up to 7000 lbs loaded. That would be the max though as 13% gross tongue weight would be over 900 lbs which will chew significantly into any 1/2 ton's payload capacity, leaving not a whole lot for people and cargo.

Thanks. this is why I am asking these questions as your input is very helpful. I am not taking into account the weight of all of us in my vehicle or anything else. I was only looking at this based on the weight of the trailer and what is inside as I pull it.

Sadly I am sure there is nothing I can do to my Yukon to make it pull better like upgrading the rear suspension or anything like that? There is not a vehicle I could own that would fit us comfortably and get a camper like this is what is is looking like. :(

The 6,572 dry weight of the camper will be increase significantly after you add battery, propane, weight distribution hitch and all the stuff you’ll need for a family of four in the camper. You also need to pay attention to the maximum payload for the truck because in a lot of case that becomes the limiting factor. If you end up with a real trailer weight of 7,500 lbs 10% to 15% of that weight will be carried by the truck so you may be looking at 1,000 lbs (tongue weight) plus the weight of four individuals and whatever else you carry in the truck as your final payload number.

If you can add all of those things together and not exceed the maximum tow or maximum payload numbers the truck will manage the pull but performance (acceleration, climbing steep grades while maintaining speed and stopping) will be marginal.

Thank you for your comments. I was afraid of this.

Found a similar one but the UVW is 6,379 lbs with GVWR of 7,600 lbs.

Would you say this is still cutting too close or would this work but be about max?

Thanks

Please remember this when dealing with many RV salespersons. If their lips are moving, chances are they be lying.
And yes, as already mentioned, your desired TT (travel trailer) is too big or your TV (tow vehicle) is too small.

Agree. You need more truck, or a much lighter TT. You ain't close with this one

Too large/heavy of trailer......too small of tow vehicle

Dry weight of trailer is almost as much as that Denali would handle weight wise once you, wife, 4 boys, stuff, hitch are loaded up in Denali.
Will run out of Rear Axle weight capacity when you add trailer tongue weight


MAX Tow ratings are marketing department ploys using a Base stripped down model
Look for your specific weight data on drivers door jamb....