Help! What can we tow?

[pezan]

Realistically, Can we tow this http://www.forestriverinc.com/TravelTrailers/Wildwood/default.aspx?model=wood&page=floorplandetails&floorplanid=5399&RVType=trailers with a 2014 Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ (plus pkg) Crew Cab, 20" all terrain stock tires, 7200LB GVW Rating, rear axle 3.42 ratio, 5.3 L V8?? 3 Dogs (50-70 lbs each), no kids, basic load of camping supplies, tool box in truck... thoughts? Upgrading from a Forest River RPod 178 single axle, but we travel to Colorado (San Jauns, Denver, Boulder) and Northern NM (Chama) yearly and it's pretty scary with the Pod! Any input will be greatly appreciated!:E

[tomkaren13]

Good luck and enjoy your choice. Looks like it is comfortable.

[pezan]

well, we started the paperwork on this . :B i will keep y'all posted. thanks again for all yer input!

[pezan]

2gypsies wrote:
..just wondering why you stated that traveling with the Pod was scary?

Haha! it was our first time towing (only car camping before last years trip) long distance (atlanta to Colorado and back) and that 550 HWY was a little scary. :E we also went to Palo Duro Canyon and going down was a bit nerve racking. we would do it again in a heartbeat, (wouldn't miss out on that scenery for anything) but now that we are in the 1500 and planning on towing something 10 feet longer, i get a little nauseous thinking about all of those hairpin curves! 😄

[2gypsies1]

..just wondering why you stated that traveling with the Pod was scary?

[kaydeejay]

I agree, the second trailer (clicky) is much more doable.
You will still have to watch the weights as you will probably use most of your available payload, both the truck and the TT.

[APT]

Your second choice is a better match. If you are open to other brands, you can find something more similar in floorplan you first first choice and more similar in weight to your second.

[tomkaren13]

fla-gypsy wrote:
Nah, you don't want to do that

Agree, nice TT but not for that truck. Look around for a TT under 6000# or a 2500 truck to go with this TT. You will be happier towing and safer too.

[Bumpyroad]

the "standard" door is into the bedroom and one into the living quarters, patio, is optional??
bumpy

[fla-gypsy]

Nah, you don't want to do that

[hmknightnc]

Yeah, that TT is a lot more doable with your truck, still a little on the heavy side but should ok if you setup with WDH correctly. Congrats and welcome to the forum

[old_guy]

that is a lot to ask your drive train to pull. you need a bigger truck,

[pezan]

yeah, we were thinking is was pushing the limits. just needed some veteran advice. thanks for all the help! i forgot to mention we were towing the Rpod with my FJ Cruiser. 🙂 just figured, bigger truck, bigger trailer! our second choice was this http://www.forestriverinc.com/TravelTrailers/Wildwood/default.aspx?model=wood&page=floorplandetails&floorplanid=4556&RVType=trailers#prettyPhoto which the Husband is happy with, but i really liked that big closet in the 29'. 🙂 i think we could manage the 2 foot difference safely. isn't this Truck supposed to be able haul a trailer full of Clydesdale's!? ha! thanks for the welcome notes! we will post pics soon!

[hmknightnc]

downtheroad wrote:
Here is a direct link:....LINK CLICK

You are asking a lot from your truck...probably too much.
35+ footer with a GVWR of around 11,000 lbs. Dry hitch of almost 900 lbs.
Hopefully others will be more encouraging, but I think you are in 2500/250 territory.

and...Welcome to the Forum.

X2, way to much trailer for a 1/2 ton even empty and especially if you think pulling an RPod is scary. If your keeping that truck I would suggest you keep the TT GVWR 7,000# or less. If you get a properly equipped 3/4 ton truck then that trailer would be fine.

[C7XR7]

A couple of reviews I saw on the subject. You likely won't be happy towing that large of a rig with the 1500.
-------------------------------------------

Hauling and Towing

When properly equipped, the Silverado 1500 can tow up to 12,000 pounds and haul up to 2,108 pounds, which is good for the class. Reviewers say the V6-powered Silverado has plenty of power for towing 5,500-pound trailers. Some reviewers say the 5.3-liter V8-powered Silverado could use a bit more power and a firmer suspension after towing a 9,000-pound trailer. As a result, they say anyone needing to tow closer to the max tow rating may be better served by a heavy-duty pickup truck. One reviewer says that the six-speed transmission is not geared optimally for trailering, and notes that power lags at times. With a half ton of cargo in the bed, reviewers say that the rear of the truck squats minimally.

"We got to drive Silverados with 1,000-pound boxes in the bed, which gave us the opportunity to see how the chassis dealt with heavier payloads. Although we would have liked some kind of load-leveling capability, the visual ‘squat’ to the trucks was minimal and the handling and rear-end control on our drive routes were well within our comfort zones." -- PickupTrucks.com

"The 4.3-liter generates 285 hp and 305 lb-ft of torque. While towing a 5500-pound camper using a trailer hitch, the Silverado never hesitated. It accelerated quickly and the integrated trailer sway controls, which use the truck's anti-lock brakes, helped steady the trailer down the windy Texan roads." -- Motor Trend

"Later, we towed a skid steer on a flatbed that checked in around 9000 pounds, and only then did the 5.3 feel a bit overmatched and the suspension a little too soft. Yes, the Silverado can handle a load this heavy (some Silverados will be rated to tow 11,500 pounds) but it felt like a job better suited to a heavy-duty pickup." -- Popular Mechanics

"But despite the pull of the Silverado's huskier new engines, we've noticed that there's still too big a gap between the transmission's gear ratios when towing." -- Edmunds