Tow limit concern

[Lazy_D]

New to the RV world and looking for advise from the pros

So here is what I have and the trailer I'm looking at. I had posted this info over in the toy hauler weight section but figured it's really not exclusive to that section.

I have a 2007 Chevy Silverado classic 2500HD Duramax CCSB 4X4. The manual says 14,200 max tow and 22,000 GCWR. I have E rated tires at 80psi of a total capacity of 6084 lbs rating. I weighed my truck full of fule 2 passengers and my B&W companion slider at 7880 lbs and a rear axle weight of 3420.

The trailer I'm looking at is a 2013 Crossroads Elevation 3612 stickered at 11,572 from the factory not sure of the exact pin weight but the NADA spec says 10,910 lbs dry and 2400 lbs pin.

Am I calculating this correct that I need to limit my trailer to 14,120 lbs to keep from exceeding my 22,000, and limited pin weight to 2,664 lbs?

Is this trailer going to be pushing it once loaded? I guess it also depends on just how much gear I load up. Since it is a toy hauler if I keep more to the rear will it be fine?

Thanks in advance for helping this rookie.

[justafordguy]

Looks perfect to me, get some better tires and go have a blast. 😉

[Lazy_D]

I think you're right. Higher tire rating would make me feel much better.

Here is how it sits all hooked up.

[rhagfo]

Lazy D wrote:
Ok I now have hard numbers. No more guessing. To simulate a loaded trailer I had the dealer fill the 112 gal fresh water tanks so I could run it across the scales. I figures the 934 lbs of water would be close to real weight once I load it down with the necessities. I hooked up and drove 4 miles to the Flying J scales. Here are the real numbers.
Truck steer axle 4300lbs. Rear axle 5920 lbs. trailer axles 9940 lbs. gross combination 20,160 lbs. my main concern was the pin weight and rear axle weight. It comes in 164 lbs under max.??.
May not be ideal, but any reasons to be concerned now.

So a little close on the rear axle and TIRE ratings, TIRE being the biggest issue. I believe you stated earlier that TV has tires rated at 3,042 ea., I would strongly suggest moving up in tire size for more safety margin!

[Lazy_D]

Ok I now have hard numbers. No more guessing. To simulate a loaded trailer I had the dealer fill the 112 gal fresh water tanks so I could run it across the scales. I figures the 934 lbs of water would be close to real weight once I load it down with the necessities. I hooked up and drove 4 miles to the Flying J scales. Here are the real numbers.
Truck steer axle 4300lbs. Rear axle 5920 lbs. trailer axles 9940 lbs. gross combination 20,160 lbs. my main concern was the pin weight and rear axle weight. It comes in 164 lbs under max.??.
May not be ideal, but any reasons to be concerned now.

[Lazy_D]

tfdcc wrote:
That Chevy won't pull it as well as my SUPER DUTY, but load your guns and the wife, go camping and enjoy before you have to go back to work. Or have you signed your papers for retirement yet?

Ha Ha. I'm getting closer everyday. Kenny tell you I was gonna call ya?

[NC_Hauler]

wandering1 wrote:
Is the 14,200 max tow for a trailer or fifth wheel? The tow ratings are different.

Should be for a 5th, wheel, I think...

[wandering1]

Is the 14,200 max tow for a trailer or fifth wheel? The tow ratings are different.

[NC_Hauler]

Me Again wrote:
LT265/75R16E's and the proper wheels will make it an usable setup. The GM wheels (6.5") that the OEM LT245/75R16E's come on are technically not wide enough for the 265's, which call for 7-8" rims. I believe my OEM 265's came on 8.25" Dodge rims. As Russ stated the LT265/75R16E will provide 6830 pounds of tire capacity for the AAM rear axle, which happens to be the same axle used on the 3500's. The air bags will keep it level. Snowbird parks are full of 2500's GM towing really big trailers.

Chris

Good research and suggestion's Chris.....Didn't know it was same axle as on 3500 GM's...Sooooo, it appears using Chris's suggestion,, it'll work:)

[Me_Again]

LT265/75R16E's and the proper wheels will make it an usable setup. The GM wheels (6.5") that the OEM LT245/75R16E's come on are technically not wide enough for the 265's, which call for 7-8" rims. I believe my OEM 265's came on 8.25" Dodge rims. As Russ stated the LT265/75R16E will provide 6830 pounds of tire capacity for the AAM rear axle, which happens to be the same axle used on the 3500's. The air bags will keep it level. Snowbird parks are full of 2500's GM towing really big trailers.

Chris

[NC_Hauler]

tfdcc wrote:
That Chevy won't pull it as well as my SUPER DUTY, but load your guns and the wife, go camping and enjoy before you have to go back to work. Or have you signed your papers for retirement yet?

Wow, a Chevy slam right out of the gate:h...How do you know his 2500 wont "pull" that 5er as well as your F250 would??:h...guess it's a moot point, so never mind.

To the OP. Do yourself a favor and use 5ers GVW and figure from there. take 20% of 5ers GVW to get a more realistic idea of how much pin weight you're going to put in the bed of your truck....If you get a conventional 5th wheel hitch, add another 200# of weight to be put in the bed of your truck....Don't, as others suggested, exceed your trucks rear axle weight rating...

Safety first when it comes to family. I'd be looking at a lighter 5er.

[Toolguy5]

Lazy D wrote:
New to the RV world and looking for advise from the pros

So here is what I have and the trailer I'm looking at. I had posted this info over in the toy hauler weight section but figured it's really not exclusive to that section.

I have a 2007 Chevy Silverado classic 2500HD Duramax CCSB 4X4. The manual says 14,200 max tow and 22,000 GCWR. I have E rated tires at 80psi of a total capacity of 6084 lbs rating. I weighed my truck full of fule 2 passengers and my B&W companion slider at 7880 lbs and a rear axle weight of 3420.

The trailer I'm looking at is a 2013 Crossroads Elevation 3612 stickered at 11,572 from the factory not sure of the exact pin weight but the NADA spec says 10,910 lbs dry and 2400 lbs pin.

Am I calculating this correct that I need to limit my trailer to 14,120 lbs to keep from exceeding my 22,000, and limited pin weight to 2,664 lbs?

Is this trailer going to be pushing it once loaded? I guess it also depends on just how much gear I load up. Since it is a toy hauler if I keep more to the rear will it be fine?

Thanks in advance for helping this rookie.

I had a 2006 2500HD Silverado Duramax CCSB 4x4. The max 5er tow capacity was 14400. Max GCWR, was 22500 lbs.
I used a Pullrite superglide hitch. Pulled my Chaparrel dry weight 10400lbs. Cargo capacity 2200 lbs.
I checked with GM via Internet chat for confirmation with vehicle serial number.
I towed about 12,000 miles no issues. Towed through the Ozarks, Smokeys. Never got out west though. Never had any issues.
All equipment was stock as well except tires. I did change to the 265/75/16's.
I have seen guys with heavier 5ers then mine towing with identical vehicles.

[Lantley]

The numbers/towing parameters are calculated by the manufactures. You can believe them or you can ignore them.
At the end of the day a combo that is within all of its ratings will be more stable than a combo that is within some of the ratings.
They do make trucks to tow that RV that will be within its ratings.
Do you want to use the correct truck or do you want to fudge it with what you have. Fudging it is OK within reason, as long as you understand what you are doing.
If you are not comfortable fudging it. Be sure to match your combo so that it is within ALL of the towing ratings.
Tow ratings are not so much for clear sunny days when everything is great. But they are for bad days when conditions are bad.
Cars come with spare tires for a reason and planes have life jackets on them for a reason. Engineers and designers are well aware there will be bad days.

[tfdcc]

That Chevy won't pull it as well as my SUPER DUTY, but load your guns and the wife, go camping and enjoy before you have to go back to work. Or have you signed your papers for retirement yet?

[Lazy_D]

rhagfo wrote:

In addition to that the 245/75-16 standard tires for my TV have a 3,042# rating I have an additional 373# per tire, 746# additional safety capacity over stated and observed rear axle rating.

I do have the 16" wheels with 245/75-16 and 3042 is what I looked up on the Bridgestone site. I guess I'll be looking to move up to the 265.