Trail Runner wrote:
GM owners manual, confirmed with a GM Rep. says max trailer of 9500 lbs
This is where a lot of folks get into trouble.
That max tow rating is calculated with a base model truck, a driver weighing 150 lbs, no aftermarket accessories, no passengers, and no cargo. Some manufacturers don't even include options, like 4X4 and A/c, etc.
As things get added to the truck, every pound of additions, takes a pound away from that advertised tow rating, and a pound away from it's advertised payload. Every truck is a little bit different in it's available capacities.
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Example:
Manufacturer advertises 9500 lb tow capacity with 2000 lb payload. Then they add 4X4 and A/C, which weighs 300 lbs.
The truck arrives at the dealer with 9200 lb tow capacity and 1700 lb payload. The dealer adds a sprayed in bed liner, at 30 lbs.
Customer buys the truck with 9170 lb tow capacity and 1670 lb payload, left out of it's advertised ratings. Then he adds a fiberglass bed cap (200 lb), floor mats (5 lbs), step bars (25 lbs), a weight distributing hitch (100 lbs), and people and cargo (600 lbs).
Now, the truck has 8240 lbs tow capacity and 740 lbs of payload left.
The customer buys a travel trailer, advertised at 6700 dry weight. He doesn't know, RV manufacturers play the same kind of marketing game as the truck manufacturers. Some dry weights do not include options installed by nmanufacturer or dealer, and do not include propane and battery. The 6700 lb trailer rolls off the dealer lot at 7000 lbs.
The customer loads 1000 lbs (average) of camping gear, dishes, bedding, groceries, water, etc, and plans on 10 percent tongue weight, but, due to floor plan and loading, he ends up with 15 percent.
The customer now has a trailer weighing 8000 lbs, with 1200 lbs tongue weight, and a truck that has 8240 lb tow capacity and 740 lb payload.
When hitched up, ready to hit the road, the truck is 460 lbs over weight. The customer wonders why the towing experience is so uncomfortable.
These numbers may be slightly inaccurate and are for demonstration purposes only.
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When matching up your truck and trailer, you need to look at all the ratings, and the weight of everything and everybody going in or on the rig.
Being on the edge of any ratings, can be an unpleasant towing experience. Leave yourself some cushion.
In most cases, you'll run out of payoad, before you get close to that mythical tow rating number.
Do a lot of homework, first.
