truck size/trailer weight

What's the wheelbase on the Sierra?

We have been told by many that we do not have enough truck to pull it.
What is your opinion?


It would be nice if you could provide the trailer's gross weight since dry weight is useless when loaded for camping. Personally, I think you are going to be in over your head and perhaps not just with a towing number but also payload as the tongue weight plus hitch weight will be in excess of 1100 pounds. What is the payload of your truck?

How about details on your truck? Model year, cab configuration, axle ratio...4 speed or 6 speed (all though model year will pretty much tell that unless you have a "classic")

For a 6000# dry trailer you will be pushing the payload unless you have a newer truck with the max tow/payload options.

There are a number of ratings for a TV and you need to meet all of them. With a 5.3 engine I’m guessing you’re talking about a 1/2 ton and the weakest link with them is payload. Tow rating is almost a pie in the sky rating. The best way to have any reliable numbers is to load up the TV with all the people and gear you’ll carry on a trip and weight it. Then subtract that weight from the GVWR on your door post for your real payload. If you’re well under that you’ll be fine, if you’re under but pushing it, it will be OK on the flats but not so if you get in the mountains. People pulling near max usually wind up getting a bigger TV .

I don’t pull a long rig so I defer comments about pulling that length with a ½ ton to people who do. But a 6000# dry 34’ TT will likely be well over 7000# on the road and it’s too much TT for the TV to me.

The truck makers have no maximum length ratings I am aware of. I do think the law of Physics should apply but I am no physicist or engineer so I cannot intelligently comment on how the truck will be impacted. I will say that you should learn every rating limit for your truck (there are many) and understand what they are. I am a proponent of not exceeding the makers ratings in all categories.

First we're glad you asked. But we do need more information. The 9500# is probably a "best case" with a 6.0 or 6.2 engine and Max Towing Package. You have a 5.3. At best I'm thinking your TC is more like 7500#. The hitch rating for GM 1/2 tons is 1000-1100# depending on the year. A 9500# trailer will far exceed that. Without more information I would say that the 6000# dry is too much. Look for something that has no more than a 6000# GVWR. But again, that's a guess and guessing isn't a good idea with this stuff.

You need to learn everything you can about your truck's specs to get an accurate feel for what it can and can't do. Check your owners manual for the towing chart. The manual has a towing capacity chart listing the various available combinations of cab style, bed length, gearing, and engines. It also lists the GCWR, which is the max total your truck, trailer, people, and "stuff" can weigh.

Chevy Owners manuals. The ratings and option packages are the same as the GMCs. I can't find a link to older GMC manuals.


To cross reference things you also need to know your RPO codes. They are on a sticker in your glove box. These are just a few relavant RPO codes.

K5L = HD Cooling Pkg
NHT = Max Trailering Pkg
GU5 = 3.23 gears
GU6 = 3.42
GT4 = 3.73

GM RPO Codes

Follow this thread. Assuming you have the same 2009+ GM 5.3L/6-spd/3.42 with HD cooling like him, payload is likely your limit. All just hashed out.

34' is not a problem. Weight is, specifically tongue weight and its effect on receiver, truck rear axle, and truck GVWR.

The truck is a 2014 GMC Sierra 4 wheel drive with a towing package. The motor is a 5.3l. With a 342 rear end.

In that case, 2014 Owners manual.

What cab style? That has an effect on your capacity ratings.

BTW, your WD tongue limit is 1200#. Not bad actually.

Cool! So you should be in slightly better shape than the thread I linked as 2014 GM half tons dropped about 300 pounds and it all went towards payload. You should have about 1700 pounds on your B pillar sticker, plenty for 7-8k loaded TT and a family. Enjoy!