Hi: New member.I just bought a 2016 Chevy Silverado, 1500 pick up truck, Crew cab, short bed. The payload in the truck sticker on the inside door says 1617 Lbs. Engine is a 5.3L V8 Ecotec3. 3.42 gear ratio. Six speed. It has a trailer package. It has a Class 4 hitch, the hitch shows up to 1200lb. tongue weight and up to 12,000, lbs, combined, this is on the hitch label. The tires say Max load 2535 lb. I am about to purchase a Trail Runner by Heartland. It is model TR SLE 25. The brochure lists it at 4912 Lbs. Dry Weight, and Hitch Weight at 490 lbs. As far as capacity, or gear in the trailer I don't think it will ever exceed 300 Lbs. First Question: How much will my truck tow safely without any assistance of a weight distributing hitch? I have a 2 5/16" x 1 inch ball.Second question: Will it tow the camper above? They are recommending that I purchase a Weight Distributing Hitch and anti- sway bars. Needed? Yes,or No. If I get all this stuff, What kind of towing experience will I expect. Plenty of power, don't know I am towing anything, to it is over working the vehicle. Any advice would be would be helpful, the deal will be going down in a day or so. Thanks for any advice.

Moved from Forum Technical Support

19camperman51 wrote:Second question: Will it tow the camper above? They are recommending that I purchase a Weight Distributing Hitch and anti- sway bars. Needed? Yes,or No. YES!!!Get a WDH with integrated sway control, instead of old tech WDH with friction anti-sway bars.like the 4pt. Equal-i-zer, Reese Dual-Cam.

bikendan wrote:19camperman51 wrote:Second question: Will it tow the camper above? They are recommending that I purchase a Weight Distributing Hitch and anti- sway bars. Needed? Yes,or No. YES!!!Get a WDH with integrated sway control, instead of old tech WDH with friction anti-sway bars.like the 4pt. Equal-i-zer, Reese Dual-Cam.Diddo

You have a nice truck. It will do a good job towing that trailer. You will need a WDH. The brochure weights are always low, and normally don't even include propane or battery on the tongue weight.I think you are also figuring low on your wt added to the trailer, but should not be a problem. I am thinking your loaded trailer will be closing in on 6,000 lbs, with tongue wt around 700.Your truck should have enough power, and the 6-speed transmission will work great. You will know you are towing a heavy box down the road, especially in the wind. It should be a good experience, as far as towing goes. Enjoy your new rig!Jerry

IMHO the real weight will be 400# or so over the brochure weight due to added "options."And yes, get a WD hitch with integrated sway control.Your truck will handle the trailer just fine. Be prepared for 9-10MPG when towing.And there's a Heartland Owners Forum here

New truck & Trailer | Good Sam Community

1492
Moderator
Apr 25, 2016
Moved from Forum Technical Support
bikendan
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
19camperman51 wrote:
Second question: Will it tow the camper above? They are recommending that I purchase a Weight Distributing Hitch and anti- sway bars. Needed? Yes,or No.

YES!!!

Get a WDH with integrated sway control, instead of old tech WDH with friction anti-sway bars.
like the 4pt. Equal-i-zer, Reese Dual-Cam.
spud1957
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
bikendan wrote:
19camperman51 wrote:
Second question: Will it tow the camper above? They are recommending that I purchase a Weight Distributing Hitch and anti- sway bars. Needed? Yes,or No.

YES!!!

Get a WDH with integrated sway control, instead of old tech WDH with friction anti-sway bars.
like the 4pt. Equal-i-zer, Reese Dual-Cam.

Diddo
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 25, 2016
You have a nice truck. It will do a good job towing that trailer. You will need a WDH. The brochure weights are always low, and normally don't even include propane or battery on the tongue weight.

I think you are also figuring low on your wt added to the trailer, but should not be a problem. I am thinking your loaded trailer will be closing in on 6,000 lbs, with tongue wt around 700.

Your truck should have enough power, and the 6-speed transmission will work great. You will know you are towing a heavy box down the road, especially in the wind. It should be a good experience, as far as towing goes.

Enjoy your new rig!

Jerry
mbopp
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
IMHO the real weight will be 400# or so over the brochure weight due to added "options."
And yes, get a WD hitch with integrated sway control.
Your truck will handle the trailer just fine. Be prepared for 9-10MPG when towing.
And there's a Heartland Owners Forum here
19camperman51
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
I would like to thank all of you for the quick responses. I have always towed small trailers. This one is somewhat intimidating to me. This is my first pick up truck that I ever owned.
Man, this looks like a nice web site. I will have to start spending some time here.
Thanks Again
Dave
APT
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
Your truck is a good match for that TT. I think you are underestimating the weights. My Heartland TT was 300 pounds more when I picked it up new/empty than brochure/web site dry weight. Food, clothes, toys, chairs, etc all add up. Anyway, expect closer to 6k loaded with 750 pounds of loaded TW. I believe your receiver is only rated to 600 pounds without a WDH, so you need one. 750 pounds of TW will increase the rear axle by about 1050 and decrease the front axle by 300, so you probably want one anyway.

While towing a TT is a little different than smaller/low profile trailers, a cautious approach will build confidence. Learn how to adjust that WDH and brake controller. Use tow/haul trans mode. Keep it sloe, like under 60mph to start and under 65mph always.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
The truck and trailer should be a good match. The 1200/12000 receiver rating is with the use of a weight distributing hitch. Without one the ratings are about half that, which you'll be over.
BarneyS
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2016
Dave,
Welcome to the forums! We are glad you are here and hope you get all your questions answered and post often.
Even though we do have some curmudgeons, this is the largest RVing website in the world and you can usually find at least one person to answer any question you might have.

I suggest you do use a WD hitch as the tongue weight is going to be much higher than you anticipate and the WD hitch will make the towing safer, smoother, and less stressful.
We have an excellent sticky at the top of this forum on how to properly set up your WD hitch. I suggest you take a good long look at it and even possibly print out the first post as a reference when you get your trailer and hitch.

Again, welcome! Please come back often and post about your adventures and problems/solutions. :)
Barney
Relheok
Explorer
Apr 25, 2016
WDH make a huge difference on half tons. If budget is a concern go with Curt. It is basic but works well and is American made I believe.