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

[Terryallan]

awoodwaring wrote:

Terryallan wrote:
Wow. What kind of bunkhouse are you looking at that weighs that much? My 30' Apex is 4811lbs dry. Loaded, Ready to camp it is less than 6000lbs. There is absolutely no excuse for loading that much stuff in to a TT. There isn't anywhere to put all that******any way.

For those of you that think I'm crazy. Yes a scale was involved. The TT was loaded with pots, pans, silverware, cups, blankets, towels, bedding, blankets, 10 folding chairs, 2 folding tables, a grill, awning matt, and campstove, Some food, a dining fly, a huge cooler, Griddle, and some clothes. Along with stove , TV, and cooler stands.

What else could a camper possible need?

Most of the ones I looked at gave an approximate 9600 lb fully loaded weigh, like the Shadow Cruiser I listed above.

That is the GVWR, or how much it CAN weigh, not what it WILL weigh, What it weighs loaded is entirely up to YOU. The 6200lb dry weight is a good place to start. Do you really believe you will add 3300lbs to the TT. I seriously doubt there is storage in that TT to carry 3300lbs

You need to not rely on the GVWR, or what it CAN weigh so much, and check the shipped on the lot weight, and decide if you will add enough to get to 9600lbs. I can tell you. There is no possible way. My TT would EVER weigh 9600. there just isn't any where in there to put 4500lbs of stuff. TTs unlike 5ers don't have the storage space needed to carry all that much stuff.

I'd bet you are looking closer to the TT weighing 7500lb loaded. Which in truth is still a little high for a 1500 series.

[ib516]

ktosv wrote:

ib516 wrote:
However, if you plan cross country trips or those that involve mountain grades, it'll be under powered IMO.

I guess that I need to retire my van from towing considering it has a measly 323HP and 373#-ft of torque compared to the 355HP and 383#-ft of torque of the Silverado. All though don't tell my van that cause it has towed flawlessly to this point.

As others have mentioned, you will be challenged by your payload. In my opinion, you have more than enough power to tow such a trailer.

Everyone's acceptance of "good performance" is different. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying that in my experience, using a maxed out (tow rating wise) half ton to tow an RV cross country would not be my idea of fun. If you're more patient than I, and willing to accept a lower level of performance when towing, it might work fine for you. To each their own. 🙂

[Campfire_Time]

The Texan wrote:

l001952119 wrote:
Pay attention to the GM published weight ratings. They are determined by engineers, not wayward RV'er's!

Not entirely true......Yes, the engineers determine the actual numbers, THEN the bean counting legal department determines the "published" numbers, which are considerably lower than the ones the engineers derived. You think not, go look up the identical truck, sold in a foreign country and look at their published numbers.....It will open your eyes.

I don't totally buy into that. More than once I made a conscious choice to tow close to rated capacity knowing I would eventually replace my TV. The closer you get to rated capacity, the harder it is to tow. Its that simple. Leave as much margin as you can and your towing experience will be far better.

[ktosv]

ib516 wrote:
However, if you plan cross country trips or those that involve mountain grades, it'll be under powered IMO.

I guess that I need to retire my van from towing considering it has a measly 323HP and 373#-ft of torque compared to the 355HP and 383#-ft of torque of the Silverado. All though don't tell my van that cause it has towed flawlessly to this point.

As others have mentioned, you will be challenged by your payload. In my opinion, you have more than enough power to tow such a trailer.

[The_Texan]

l001952119 wrote:
Pay attention to the GM published weight ratings. They are determined by engineers, not wayward RV'er's!

Not entirely true......Yes, the engineers determine the actual numbers, THEN the bean counting legal department determines the "published" numbers, which are considerably lower than the ones the engineers derived. You think not, go look up the identical truck, sold in a foreign country and look at their published numbers.....It will open your eyes.

[APT]

any trailer fully loaded at 9800 lbs??

No and that's partly why people get in trouble. Another is looking at dry weights. The tow ratings are generally for the best case, easiest type of trailer and lowest load in the cab and TW. Frontal area is also restricted for some vehicles tow ratings. A 9000 pounds boat or flatbed car hauler will tow far easier than a 9000 pound RV.

3-week trip will add at least 1500 pounds over dry weights and probably 300 pounds to TW.

6500-ish pounds dry should be okay for the 2014 GM twins. Typically equipped crew cabs have about 1700 pounds of payload, so 900 pounds of TW should be good.

[Mr_Beebo]

Your gas mileage will be 10 mpg or less loaded, no matter whether 1/2 ton or 3/4 chevy. Fuel costs should only be a factor if you are driving it 7 days a week.

[l001952119]

awoodwaring wrote:
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

Add the 6.2 gas engine with 420 horse and 460 torque with the Max trailer package and you have 12,000 GTW. I have this in my 2014 Silverado crew cab. The gas mileage has not been determined in "real life scenarios", but it will cost you for the "premium" grade gas required by GM. The hitch is rated for 1000 tongue weight and 12000 towing capacity. The 3/4 ton can tow 13000 with a 4.10 rear end. That will surely eat up the gas! Pay attention to the GM published weight ratings. They are determined by engineers, not wayward RV'er's!

[Quick_trip]

Never mind the MPG, THINK FAMILY SAFETY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good Luck & Drive Safe!

[awoodwaring]

uintafly wrote:

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.

I was thinking that we would probably not hit that capacity.

[awoodwaring]

Terryallan wrote:
Wow. What kind of bunkhouse are you looking at that weighs that much? My 30' Apex is 4811lbs dry. Loaded, Ready to camp it is less than 6000lbs. There is absolutely no excuse for loading that much stuff in to a TT. There isn't anywhere to put all that******any way.

For those of you that think I'm crazy. Yes a scale was involved. The TT was loaded with pots, pans, silverware, cups, blankets, towels, bedding, blankets, 10 folding chairs, 2 folding tables, a grill, awning matt, and campstove, Some food, a dining fly, a huge cooler, Griddle, and some clothes. Along with stove , TV, and cooler stands.

What else could a camper possible need?

Most of the ones I looked at gave an approximate 9600 lb fully loaded weigh, like the Shadow Cruiser I listed above.

[awoodwaring]

ib516 wrote:
I will disagree with the majority and say "it depends".

That truck will be what I would call 'marginal' for that load, but it will be doable if you plan short local trips. However, if you plan cross country trips or those that involve mountain grades, it'll be under powered IMO.

We do long, cross country trips. Well, about 3 weeks long.

[TxRick]

If mileage is your concern here is food for thought. My F250 PSD gets the same mileage as my last 1500 GMC with the 5.3 V8. I average 15.6 daily driving (mix of highway and city) and get 18.5 to 19 on the highway running 75. Diesel is more than gas, about 30 cents a gallon here, and that equals about $6 everytime I fill up with 20 gallons. Those are the main reasons I went with a 3/4 ton diesel instead of a 1/2 ton gas when I bought this truck. We had planned on buying a 5er to, that played into it as well.
I would at least suggest you price the larger truck with the options you want before you buy. For me the 1/2 ton gas 4WD was around $2000 less than the 3/4 ton diesel 4WD. I was comparing GMC 1/2 tons to Ford 3/4 tons, so that had a little to do with it.
Just something to think about. It's a lot easier to buy big enough the first time than upgrade a year or so later.
P.S. The diesel blows the 1/2 ton out of the water pulling anything. I get 14.5 highway pulling a 21 foot bass boat 75 down the highway and the 1/2 ton got 10 on a good day.

[Terryallan]

Wow. What kind of bunkhouse are you looking at that weighs that much? My 30' Apex is 4811lbs dry. Loaded, Ready to camp it is less than 6000lbs. There is absolutely no excuse for loading that much stuff in to a TT. There isn't anywhere to put all that******any way.

For those of you that think I'm crazy. Yes a scale was involved. The TT was loaded with pots, pans, silverware, cups, blankets, towels, bedding, blankets, 10 folding chairs, 2 folding tables, a grill, awning matt, and campstove, Some food, a dining fly, a huge cooler, Griddle, and some clothes. Along with stove , TV, and cooler stands.

What else could a camper possible need?

[ib516]

I will disagree with the majority and say "it depends".

That truck will be what I would call 'marginal' for that load, but it will be doable if you plan short local trips. However, if you plan cross country trips or those that involve mountain grades, it'll be under powered IMO.