I have always owned large fifth wheels pulling with 3/4 ton diesel. Will now be going to a TT. I own a 2017 4X4 1500 Crew Cab Silverado with a 5.3 gas with 3.42 rear end and 6 speed trans. The max tow rating is 9100. I am looking at either a 30 foot Imagine with a 5900 dry weight and 590 pound hitch weight or a 34 foot Imagine that has a 800 pound hitch weight and 7200 dry weight. We’re very experienced in loading with minimal weight, under 1000 pounds. Looking at a Center Line Husky distribution/weight hitch system. Not having the experience with TT, would appreciate your experiences with this type set up, good or bad. Thank you in advance.

Start all over again and forget about all the DRY weight numbers you posted. Also forget about the tow rating of your truck. It's not nearly as important as the Payload rating...To get correct advice, post the GVWR of the trailers you are considering. Lots of experienced members here on the forum and start to give you good advice...

In response to question on GVWR the 30 foot is 7500 and 34 foot is 9,000. The truck is 15,000.

Lighter is better especially since you have a 3.42 front and rear axle ratio.

You are looking a way to big of a TT!I have a 20' 4340 lb dry wt., -5300 lb loaded wt. As I load it TT.My TV 2011 Silverado 1500 LS (work truck) 9800 tow, 5.3 gaser, 3.73 rear end, and 6 speed trany!I've had to upgrade the tires to "E", air bags, upgraded TT suspension (wetbolts, brass bushings and EZ-Flex)On my experience I would not go over 5000 dry TT with my setup.

I don't think your 1500 has a #15,000 GVWR... ha, ha! That is probably your GCWR..So, as long as your truck weighs around #5900 with everyone loaded in it and the weight of the trailers tongue weight on it and on and on, you should be fine..;) I know my truck weights at least that much with just my fat A in the truck and the other stuff I just haul around for the fun of it...On the other hand, towing performance is different for everyone, so you just gotta decide what is your towing performance parameters? Any of us keyboard commandos can quote weight ratings and all... Just gotta decide what works for you in the end.. We ain't towing it and we ain't paying for it, so there you go.. :)For me, you might get away with the #7500 GVWR TT, but then, what weights are you exceeding on the truck and what are you comfortable with?? I have no idea. :)Good luck!Mitch

TT size advice | Good Sam Community

downtheroad
Explorer
Sep 03, 2018
Start all over again and forget about all the DRY weight numbers you posted. Also forget about the tow rating of your truck. It's not nearly as important as the Payload rating...

To get correct advice, post the GVWR of the trailers you are considering. Lots of experienced members here on the forum and start to give you good advice...
mickose
Explorer
Sep 03, 2018
In response to question on GVWR the 30 foot is 7500 and 34 foot is 9,000. The truck is 15,000.
theoldwizard1
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2018
Lighter is better especially since you have a 3.42 front and rear axle ratio.
WNYBob
Explorer
Sep 03, 2018
You are looking a way to big of a TT!

I have a 20' 4340 lb dry wt., -5300 lb loaded wt. As I load it TT.
My TV 2011 Silverado 1500 LS (work truck) 9800 tow, 5.3 gaser, 3.73 rear end, and 6 speed trany!

I've had to upgrade the tires to "E", air bags, upgraded TT suspension (wetbolts, brass bushings and EZ-Flex)

On my experience I would not go over 5000 dry TT with my setup.
MitchF150
Explorer III
Sep 04, 2018
I don't think your 1500 has a #15,000 GVWR... ha, ha! That is probably your GCWR..

So, as long as your truck weighs around #5900 with everyone loaded in it and the weight of the trailers tongue weight on it and on and on, you should be fine..;) I know my truck weights at least that much with just my fat A in the truck and the other stuff I just haul around for the fun of it...

On the other hand, towing performance is different for everyone, so you just gotta decide what is your towing performance parameters? Any of us keyboard commandos can quote weight ratings and all... Just gotta decide what works for you in the end..

We ain't towing it and we ain't paying for it, so there you go.. :)

For me, you might get away with the #7500 GVWR TT, but then, what weights are you exceeding on the truck and what are you comfortable with?? I have no idea. :)

Good luck!

Mitch
APT
Explorer
Sep 04, 2018
You will be happier towing at 6k pounds than 7200 pounds dry.
camper1013
Explorer
Sep 04, 2018
I have the same truck you. My trailer is 28' and 7200 gross (Passport 2800BH). I use an Equalizer hitch. I have scaled this setup loaded for a 9 day trip and I am at the trailer weight limit and my trucks axle limits.(we take a lot of stuff for the kids) The 9100 towing capacity doesn't matter in this case.

The truck tows nicely at highway speeds. Obviously it kicks down for hills. The truck drives nice and tows good unless my tank is full of water (I need to adjust my hitch) which I have been able to avoid this summer.

I would not go longer or heavier based on what my experiences are. The 7200 trailer would definitely put you over your weight limits. There are plenty of people out there that do, but I don't think you would like it.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Sep 04, 2018
We tow a 34' 6400lbs dry, 7800lbs loaded trailer. I wouldn't do it with anything less than a 3/4 ton truck. You'll be much happier (towing) the smaller lighter one with your 1/2 ton.
troubledwaters
Explorer III
Sep 05, 2018
The place to start is by looking at the tire loading sticker on the drivers door of the truck and go from their. No one on here can help you with "Good, Reliable Information" without knowing those numbers.
For further information click me, click me!!
mosseater
Explorer II
Sep 05, 2018
Your numbers are very similar to what I've been doing for 10 years, and I'm ready to stop. It's doable, but being maxed is no fun. Next time, biggest dang gas engine they make! I'm weary of putting my foot down and nothing much happens for the next minute. Especially anxious on turnpike entrance and big hills. It gets it done. Barely.