TV

sticker show GVWR 6200 lbs.
GAWR Front 3600
GAWR Rear 3686

I've been unable to upload picture of sticker.

Thanks.

Here is copy of vehicle

thanks.

Jimmy

Don't forget to subtract the weight of the dog from available payload.

Too much trailer for that little truck.

OP wrote:
I certainly don't want to get in any kind of white knuckle event. I've taken the Mfg's MAX GROSS TRAILER LOAD AND DEDUCTED 20% for safety.

Sounds to me like you are trying to skew the numbers in your favor. To correctly calculate tounge weight, you take 12 - 13 percent of the TT's gross weight.

Making the justifiation of just not loading it to it's max weight or doing fuzzy math does not hold water.

Why don't you post a picture of your door jamb sticker? Better yet, load up the TV for camping and take it to the scales.

I looked your choices up on a few sites and they seem to agree - 8500 and 7000. So calculated at 12 percent thats 1020 and 840.

If the you have to upgrade one or the other, strt with the TV. Otherwise look forward to your white knucled towing events. Good luck on your choice.

When loaded for camping the trailers will weigh approximately 1000 lbs (this is an average) more than their unloaded weights. Their tongue weight will be approximately 12.5 (this is average) percent of loaded weight.

Add 100 lbs (WD hitch) to the loaded tongue weight. The total will be the approximate amount of payload needed to support the weight from the trailer.

Your payload is your capacity to carry the combined weight of any aftermarket accessories that have been added to the truck, people / cargo in or on the truck, and trailer weight. This is where you want a little cushion. Up to you to determine how much.

Example:

Say your truck has 1700 lbs (yours may not be this high) payload available. Your total weight of people and cargo, is 600 lbs. You would have 1100 lbs payload available for tnongue / hitch weight.

Say your loaded trailer weighs 6000 lbs (6000 x .125) = 750 lbs
Add 100 for the WD hitch. You would need 850 lbs of available payload.

1100 lbs available payload minus 850 lbs tongue / hitch weight = 250 lbs cushion

Best way to get your actual payload:

1. Fill up the gas tank and weigh the truck.
2. Look up your GVWR. Check owners manual, tire / loading sticker on drivers door post, or online.
3. Subtract your actual weight from GVWR. The remainder is your available payload. That's the number you start subtracting from. Everything and everybody (except those who were in the truck on the scale) you put in or on the truck.

Sounds like you have a Class III hitch.
Class III Hitch Definition:

Class III hitches are weight carrying (WC) and also are weight distributing (WD) depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications.

Not all Class III hitches are rated to be both. See the specific hitch for that information.

Class III hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 6000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 600 lbs.

Class III hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs.

A Class III hitch usually has a 2" square receiver opening.

A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. To use this class of hitch for weight distribution requires a weight distribution system.

I don't think you will be happy with the performance but I think you can pull the trailers within spec with a WD Hitch. AS others have said it is not a pleasant drive once you are past the 80% or capacity limit.

I drove to FL from NM with a 90% of limit set up. We made it ok but if the wind was blowing wrong we just stopped and waited. A cross wind with semi truck traffic got very wobbly.

I had a 2007 Silverado 1500 crew with the 5.3 the first year we towed our 26bh and I did not like the way it pulled. I never made it to the scales but guess I was close on payload with a family of four and our gear loaded. On flat roads, the combo was OK but when we got in rolling hills, the 5.3 struggled and constantly shifted gears. I drove white knuckled in the 1500 especially in moderate winds despite having a WDH with sway control and rechecking the dealer's hitch install. We never hauled with water in the tanks.

What does the black/yellow Tire Loading Info label say near your driver's door as far as "Occupant and Cargo must not exceed"?
That is your max payload rating and is the starting point.
You are likely to exceed that long before you exceed the Tow and/or hitch rating.
Add passengers, fuel, "stuff" and hitch weight. Subtract that from your "Payload"
What's left is the trailer tongue weight you can carry without exceeding ratings.
Hint - it won't be 945#!!!
Good luck