2014 Chevy Silverado 1500

[awoodwaring]

Looking at trying to tow a 30BHS (type) travel trailer. Most of these types of trailers are coming in with a loaded weight of 9600 lbs (give or take).

My eyes are starting to gloss over on the TV. If it lists max conventional trailering...does that mean Chevy has done the math and I can be safe with any trailer fully loaded at 9800 lbs??

Will the 3.42 axle ratio work for proposed trailer?

Specs on the 2014 Chevy 1500 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine 2WD (crew cab, short box)
Trailering & Payload
Curb Weight 5042 lbs
Max Payload 2007 lbs
Max GVWR 7200 lbs

Max Conventional Trailering, 3.42 Rear Axle 9800 lbs

GCWR, 3.42 Rear Axle 15000 lbs

Spring Axle Capacity 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine 2WD
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating 3650 lbs
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating 3950 lbs

[jerem0621]

awoodwaring wrote:
Looking at trying to tow a 30BHS (type) travel trailer. Most of these types of trailers are coming in with a loaded weight of 9600 lbs (give or take).

My eyes are starting to gloss over on the TV. If it lists max conventional trailering...does that mean Chevy has done the math and I can be safe with any trailer fully loaded at 9800 lbs??

Will the 3.42 axle ratio work for proposed trailer?

Specs on the 2014 Chevy 1500 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine 2WD (crew cab, short box)
Trailering & Payload
Curb Weight 5042 lbs
Max Payload 2007 lbs
Max GVWR 7200 lbs

Max Conventional Trailering, 3.42 Rear Axle 9800 lbs

GCWR, 3.42 Rear Axle 15000 lbs

Spring Axle Capacity 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine 2WD
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating 3650 lbs
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating 3950 lbs

OP.. One of my best friends has this exact truck. 2014 2wd CC 5.3 v8 with full tow package minus towing mirrors with cloth seats power options. He doesn't have navigation. I looked at his payload sticker and it's about 1780 lbs. which I thought was pretty impressive.

I would not be afraid to pull 800-1000 lb tongue weight with this truck. I would be happier happier around 700-800 lbs of tongue weight though.

I'd be careful with how I loaded it and enjoy it. I pulled similar weight for 2 years before I "upgraded" to a dually. I did that to carry my golf cart in the bed and get a crew cab..

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[The_Texan]

CKNSLS wrote:
That's too much trailer for that truck.

Very informative post.....Care to elaborate as to how YOU know this?

[uintafly]

awoodwaring wrote:
This is actually my favorite trailer (but may go a little shorter due to liking state parks):

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/shadow-cruiser/floorplans/item/s-314tsb

Hitch Weight (lbs) 725
Dry Weight (lbs) 6,290
Cargo Capacity (lbs) 3235

However, I am reluctant to go to the 2500 due to gas costs (it would be a day to day commuter...45 miles/185 days per year)

Unless you literally pack your entire house I can't see how you could pack 3,200 lbs of gear. (assuming you are not a full-timer). With my wife and 4 kids age 15 to 2 we load about 1,200 lbs, which includes 36 gallons of water (about 300 lbs.). I would say you would be fine with that trailer and probably would by > 8,000 lbs. loaded. With 2,000 lbs payload I personally wouldn't worry.

[Goldstalker]

awoodwaring wrote:
This is actually my favorite trailer (but may go a little shorter due to liking state parks):

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/shadow-cruiser/floorplans/item/s-314tsb

Hitch Weight (lbs) 725
Dry Weight (lbs) 6,290
Cargo Capacity (lbs) 3235

However, I am reluctant to go to the 2500 due to gas costs (it would be a day to day commuter...45 miles/185 days per year)

I think that would work for you if you pack light. Stay under 8500lbs loaded.

[awoodwaring]

This is actually my favorite trailer (but may go a little shorter due to liking state parks):

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/shadow-cruiser/floorplans/item/s-314tsb

Hitch Weight (lbs) 725
Dry Weight (lbs) 6,290
Cargo Capacity (lbs) 3235

However, I am reluctant to go to the 2500 due to gas costs (it would be a day to day commuter...45 miles/185 days per year)

[CKNSLS]

That's too much trailer for that truck.

[Goldstalker]

Plenty of Bunk houses much lighter than that. I would go with something lighter along these lines.

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/sunset-trail/super-lite/floorplans/item/2014-st300bh?category_id=103

http://www.cruiserrv.com/products/shadow-cruiser/floorplans

http://www.coachmenrv.com/products/apex.aspx?page=floorplandetails&floorplanid=5253

[TomG2]

Go ahead and get the 1500. I have some Timbrens for a late model 1500. Others will offer LT tires and fancy hitches. Someone else may try to sell you some horsepower tricks. In reality, I recommend a 2500HD for tongue weights over 1,000 pounds. Forget the towing rating and evaluate your tow vehicle based on payload and you will be a lot happier.

[lbrjet]

If you have your heart set on a 9500lb TT get a 3/4 ton to start with. Will save you a bunch of money in the end.

[The_Texan]

Yes, that is the NHT package which will get much better mileage than the 6.0L engine in the 2500. Plus, it will ride much better than the 2500, when not towing. NOW if you are using this package strictly as a towing machine and not a daily driver, then the 2500 will make a better TV, but that is your call. Mine is a daily driver so that figured into my decision and as I said, I am very pleased with the results I got and get both with and without the trailer.

[AlmostAnOldGuy]

Agree with all of the above comments that you need to watch your payload and ensure you have an adequate engine and transmission cooler. You should get these with either the Chevy or Ford max tow packages. In addition to the payload you also want to ensure the receiver is rated high enough for your expected tongue weight.

For comparison purposes I have the Ford HD Tow / Max Payload with a curb weight of 6,000#. I have the 3.73 rear end and it tows 8,200 well. However, I am at 1,100# tongue weight and the receiver is rated for 1,150#. I do not know what the Chevy receiver rating is, but recommend you find out as that may be a limiting factor.

Sounds like Texan, who currently hails from Idaho where there are a few good hills, has had good experience with the NHT, but per his signature that is with the 6.2L. That engine provides more torque and hp as well as more weight on the front axle which helps stabilize the rig.

Here is Chevy's tow guide, but I did not see the receiver hitch rating. Chevy Tow Guide

For a trailer of that size I would seriously consider looking at 3/4 tons.

Good luck,
Stu

[awoodwaring]

Ok...so it is this one or the 2500 (which I assume gets worse gas mileage):

Trailering & Payload 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine 2WD
Curb Weight 5042 lbs
Max Payload 2007 lbs
Max GVWR 7200 lbs

Max Conventional Trailering, 3.73 Rear Axle 11400 lbs

GCWR, 3.73 Rear Axle 16700 lbs
Spring Axle Capacity 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine 2WD
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating 3650 lbs

Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating with 3.73 Rear Axle 4100 lbs

[The_Texan]

GM makes a "max tow" package with a 3.73 rear end and better specs than the one you are looking at. It is called the NHT package, has upgraded rear end, brakes, cooling and built in brake controller. My '11 NHT is rated for 10.7K towing and 16.7K MCWR. Find yourself a salesman that "knows" his trucks and not the salesman who is selling the grocery getter to the soccer mommy. We routinely tow 10K with ours here in the west and are very happy with the performance and handling, but your comfort level may be different.

[6_7_tow_rig]

Thats 3/4 ton territory. I have the same type of trailer. I dont think you would enjoy that much weight with that truck. The specific truck you mentioned has the absolute worst rear end gear for towing too. If you dont want to go 3/4 ton maybe check the F-150 with the max payload or whatever they call it package. Tons of people on this forum can help you with the specifics on that truck

[downtheroad]

You are looking at upwards of 1300 lbs of tongue weight.
Bunk house style trailer...family, kids, dogs, and lots of gear. It's going to be close.

Think PAYLOAD...not just towing/pulling it.