Truck Towing and Trailer Compatability

l70cam wrote:
I believe you're right on the money lawrosa and I thank you for your input. Your math is exactly where I was at in thought and was questioning the scenario. I do think I will regret my towing scenario and if I were to purchase this camper and find out afterwards that my truck isn't compatible, I'll be in a sticky situation, especially with the wife, if you know what I mean. Lol!

Generally speaking, towing up to 80% of the published capacity is simple and with the proper setup will not be all that different than regular driving- just sluggish, wider corners, etc.

Going above that usually requires special caution and care. A very well-setup towing package and adjustment, slower, more driver skill, etc.

You are going to be over 90%. Unless you have modded the truck for this extra capacity, you will notice significant impacts on the handling, towing, maybe even trans and engine temps, etc. It also requires a great deal more skill and attention.

Each situation is a bit different, but if you're looking for a general guideline, 80% or below the published towing capacity is usually a safe bet. Above that is harder on everything, including you. It can be done, effectively, but know that you will want to be extra careful with it ;)

Good luck!

I believe you're right on the money lawrosa and I thank you for your input. Your math is exactly where I was at in thought and was questioning the scenario. I do think I will regret my towing scenario and if I were to purchase this camper and find out afterwards that my truck isn't compatible, I'll be in a sticky situation, especially with the wife, if you know what I mean. Lol!

I beg to differ and it dont sound too good..

Your #'s mean nothing really because we dont know how you have done your math..

Your issue is your payload. Tell us what the door sticker on the truck says for payload..

The truck is 5500 lbs? Thats most likely just you in the truck and some fuel. as thats what my truck weighs from the scales..

A 975lb dry weight will be at least 1300 lbs with full propane and an added battery which most do. And what you put under the bed and passthrough storage.

( Example. My dry TW was 541lb. I put my stuff in, which wasnt much, filled propane and added batt and im at 740lbs.)

So 5500 lbs - 7200 lbs = 1700lbs. ( But again whats the door sticker say?)

1700 lbs - 1300 lb TW = 400lbs - 100 lbs for WD hitch

300lbs!!!!!!! How much wife weigh, kids, cargo, more fuel @ 6lbs a gallon, stuff in bed of truck, and lets put water in the trailer tank for travel...

You will not be happy IMO. That 5.3 is a good motor but I tow 5500-6000 fully loaded and I wouldnt go any heavier.. That motor was running hot in the NC mountains some. I did add an additional large trans cooler to save the trans.. Thats a must IMO..

Well this is just my opinion and I think you will be over weight and regret it.

I would look at something like this in a bunkhouse.. Im partial to coachmen and ironically this units weighs the same as mine. 585 tw and 4882 lbs.

So now you may be looking at 800 TW ( saving 500lbs) and maybe 6000 lbs loaded..

Your truck will thank you..

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l70cam wrote:
The part that worries me is that the dry tongue weight is 975lb as the trailer sits unloaded. I have confirmed this number with the manufacturer today because I couldn't believe that the tongue weight could be that much. So since I over analyze everything, I wonder if the weight distribution system helps reduce this 975lb amount or whatever it is after the camper is loaded to some lower % amount.

It won't change the total tongue weight, but it will change the distribution of the weight. Some of it will go back on the front axle of the truck, and some back on the trailer axles.

Your unloaded tongue weight doesn't mean much. You could even make it be lower by the way you load the trailer---if you put a lot of weight behind the axles. You will really have to load the trailer and get some weights at a scale. Get axle weights on the truck with and without the trailer, and with and without the WD bars hooked up.

The part that worries me is that the dry tongue weight is 975lb as the trailer sits unloaded. I have confirmed this number with the manufacturer today because I couldn't believe that the tongue weight could be that much. So since I over analyze everything, I wonder if the weight distribution system helps reduce this 975lb amount or whatever it is after the camper is loaded to some lower % amount.

so IF your tongue weight after loading the trailer is in reality 975Lb. After you and DW plus the hitch get in the truck. you will have less than 500lb of payload left. so if you don't plan on loading the truck much, and that is all the people you take in the truck. You should be OK.

Do you know what gear you have in it? 3.42 or 3.23. Thanks for your post.

Should be good. Keep stuff in truck at a minimum...a challenge.

I tow with a GMC Sierra 1500 Denali. It has the 6.2 in it. Put load range E tires on it and it tows our 33SAB just fine. You should be in good shape I would think.