New Trailer Advice

[doublejz]

So long story short I landed up at the local RV show and left with a 39' travel trailer.

The trailer details are here:
Shipping Weight - 8,795 lbs
Carrying Capacity - 2,360 lbs
Hitch Weight - 995 lbs

So the shipping weight plus max carrying plus fluids puts it at 11,400 lbs.

My 2015 Silverado 2500HD is
GCWR - 20,500
Trailer weight 13,000 lbs
Tongue Weight - 1,500 lbs

I already have Hellwig helper springs and the Reese strait line (their dual cam model) weight distribution hitch (RP66130) is on the way.

Should I be good to go?

I only plan on towing like once a month during the summer months (and its ~72 miles highway) until next year where I'll get a permanent camping site.

TIA

[SouthpawHD]

MFL wrote:
BenK, OP indicated the truck hitch is rated for 1,500 lbs. The dry hitch wt of trailer appears to be 995 lbs.

I think the truck/trailer combo will safely work. It is a long trailer that could be a handful in a high wind, but the smart RVer tries to avoid that situation.

Jerry

Yes, but his estimated overall TT weight is around 12,500 per the OP. If his TW is 10%, then he's fine. If it's around the "normal" 12%, then he'll be at this limit.

Now that being said, he's towing less than 100 miles only a few times of the year. If he packs his TT carefully and not fill it full, he should be fine.

[fla-gypsy]

I think you can safely tow it based on the info supplied. Actual comfort level and performance may vary.

[MFL]

BenK, OP indicated the truck hitch is rated for 1,500 lbs. The dry hitch wt of trailer appears to be 995 lbs.

I think the truck/trailer combo will safely work. It is a long trailer that could be a handful in a high wind, but the smart RVer tries to avoid that situation.

Jerry

[doublejz]

BenK wrote:
Here is HOW2 do the math using the information you provided, but best
if you have actual weights

If only looking for the "sure you can", "you are good for it", etc...you'll
get many soon, but my advice is to do the simple math yourself as
there is only one person responsible for the setup and that is the
driver...which might not be you, the OP...

The generic formula to figure is:

GCWR => TV actual + trailer actual + stuff (hitch, people/cargo/etc

The TV's rear GAWR normally becomes one of the limiting factors in
the ratings system down to pavement

Do you believe in the OEM's rating systems?

To be honest.. to certain point. Do I value my wife and kids? Absolutely. Therefore, I proceed with caution and value real life experience.

If not, then this is academic and note that you have taken the OEMs
off the warranty & liability hook...to assume them yourself

If yes, then learn how that system works and follow the ratings

In red below

doublejz wrote:
So long story short I landed up at the local RV show and left with a 39' travel trailer.

The trailer details are here:
Shipping Weight - 8,795 lbs
Carrying Capacity - 2,360 lbs
Hitch Weight - 995 lbs

So the shipping weight plus max carrying plus fluids puts it at 11,400 lbs.

So this is your GVWR for the trailer, right?

With fluids, it would be around 12,532 lbs. I'm not sure if carrying capacity on TTs include fluids, if it does then the 11,400 lbs is correct, otherwise its 12,532 lbs

My 2015 Silverado 2500HD is

GCWR - 20,500

for once someone asking has this info

Trailer weight 13,000 lbs

assume you mean the TV's MTWR, which
is meaningless with out the TV's actual weight subtracted from the GCWR

Correct

Tongue Weight - 1,500 lbs

is this based on the 'dry' trailer
or the actual weight of the trailer fully loaded?

I am unsure so I was using that as dry. However, IIRC hitch weight is around 10% on a balanced trailer, so I was going for 1,400 lbs

I already have Hellwig helper springs and the Reese strait line (their dual cam model) weight distribution hitch (RP66130) is on the way.

What are the bar's ratings your ordered?

The bars are 15,000 lbs GTW, 1,500 lbs TW.

If for the 1.5K you list, the tongue WILL be more when loaded if tongued
and if fiver, the PIN will be more

Should I be good to go?

I only plan on towing like once a month during the summer months (and its ~72 miles highway) until next year where I'll get a permanent camping site.

TIA

[Bedlam]

You have a longer trailer than me but it weighs less than the 11k lb toy hauler I used to pull 8k miles/year with my F250. You should be fine with your current truck configuration.

[Chuck_thehammer]

and do NOT relay on the printed weights..

put everything on Cat Scales....

truck solo..... truck and trailer EMPTY.... truck and trailer LOADED....

my trailer is 800 pounds more than the printed data.. both plates are wrong. EMPTY...

Coachmen.... printed at 7,500... real weight is 8,300 empty.

[BenK]

Here is HOW2 do the math using the information you provided, but best
if you have actual weights

If only looking for the "sure you can", "you are good for it", etc...you'll
get many soon, but my advice is to do the simple math yourself as
there is only one person responsible for the setup and that is the
driver...which might not be you, the OP...

The generic formula to figure is:

GCWR => TV actual + trailer actual + stuff (hitch, people/cargo/etc

The TV's rear GAWR normally becomes one of the limiting factors in
the ratings system down to pavement

Do you believe in the OEM's rating systems?

If not, then this is academic and note that you have taken the OEMs
off the warranty & liability hook...to assume them yourself

If yes, then learn how that system works and follow the ratings

In red below

doublejz wrote:
So long story short I landed up at the local RV show and left with a 39' travel trailer.

The trailer details are here:
Shipping Weight - 8,795 lbs
Carrying Capacity - 2,360 lbs
Hitch Weight - 995 lbs

So the shipping weight plus max carrying plus fluids puts it at 11,400 lbs.

So this is your GVWR for the trailer, right?

My 2015 Silverado 2500HD is

GCWR - 20,500

for once someone asking has this info

Trailer weight 13,000 lbs

assume you mean the TV's MTWR, which
is meaningless with out the TV's actual weight subtracted from the GCWR

Tongue Weight - 1,500 lbs

is this based on the 'dry' trailer
or the actual weight of the trailer fully loaded?

I already have Hellwig helper springs and the Reese strait line (their dual cam model) weight distribution hitch (RP66130) is on the way.

What are the bar's ratings your ordered?

If for the 1.5K you list, the tongue WILL be more when loaded if tongued
and if fiver, the PIN will be more

Should I be good to go?

I only plan on towing like once a month during the summer months (and its ~72 miles highway) until next year where I'll get a permanent camping site.

TIA