2015 Sierra Denali 1500 6.2L & 2016 Sunset Trail ST320BH

[swethog]

Hello to all and looking for some impartial third-party recommendation as I've been pulling my hair out over this.

I currently have a 2015 Sierra Denali 1500 with the 6.2L (420hp/460#) and the 8-speed. Tranny cooler. Build sheet weight is 3269#, but nadaguides, kbb, etc. say curb weight is more like 5400#. I will be going to a scale tomorrow to get a real number. GVWR is 7,200# (GMC website), GCWR is 15,000# (manual). Truck has the integrated braking controller and 3.24 gears but they do not offer the max trailering package with this truck (salesman lied to me and I believed him - first mistake).

Looking to buy a 2016 Sunset Trail ST320BH which comes in at 7700# dry, GVWR of 9744#, and tongue weight of 944#.

TT dealer is throwing in a Center Line WDH with it.

Using the Towing capacity worksheet at http://www.popthetop.com/files/
and the 3269# of the truck I come in at 88% of GCWR and life is good. Using the 5400# I have found around on the Net I come in at 102% of GCWR. Life is not so good.

My GMC guy (who lied to me originally and got an earful of it from me) of course says no-go and wants me to upgrade to a Duramax/Allison combo.

Two different camper sales places both said they wouldn't think twice about a 7700# on my truck.

We are pretty set on the ST320BH because we want bunks, TV for the kids and a bath and a half which are very hard to come by. We could probably go for the 2016 Keystone Passport Ultra Lite Grand Touring 3350BH which comes in at 6650# but we don't really like the interior as much.

I have been struggling with this for days now and am about ready to just forget the whole thing. Does anyone here have an opinion on the matter? If I need to provide other info I can.

[jerem0621]

You are in 3/4 ton Territory...I agree with the Truck Dealer...way way too much load for the truck.

If you are dead set on the trailer then it's time to go for a 3/4 ton truck.

Otherwise, there are a ton of larger trailers that would work well with your truck. check out the Apex line of ultralights as an example.

Kind of surprises me that the GMC isn't available with the NHT package. My buddy has a 2014 LT Silverado Crew Cab with NHT and a 5.3. He has over 1900 lbs of payload. Even with his truck it would be marginal with a 1200 plus lb tongue weight TT...plus family...plus gear in the truck.

Good luck,

Jeremiah

[westend]

You really don't need all that big of a trailer to have fun camping with your family. There are millions that enjoy camping and traveling without 1 1/2 bath and four bunks. I'd suggest to choose a smaller trailer and have fun.

[MFL]

There is a thread right now on the tow vehicles forum with similar situation to yours. This trailer is only 4900 dry, and some are saying he needs a 2500. Yes, that trailer will weigh 6,000 when loaded to camp, but IMO the right 1/2 ton could handle it easily.

You may want to read that thread.

Jerry

[MFL]

swethog wrote:
That's what I was afraid of. Just bought this truck in the Fall (4700 miles on it) and I love it but it looks like I need to downsize the camper. Other option I guess is to eat the diff and get a 2500. Both options will cost me sleep tonight.

You have a nice truck, that is likely your daily driver. If you got a 2500, it would ride rougher, and use much more fuel. I would downsize the trailer, unless the truck is not a DD.

Jerry

[swethog]

That's what I was afraid of. Just bought this truck in the Fall (4700 miles on it) and I love it but it looks like I need to downsize the camper. Other option I guess is to eat the diff and get a 2500. Both options will cost me sleep tonight.

[MFL]

swethog wrote:
The payload sticker says occupants and cargo should not exceed 1392 pounds. Taken from 7200 gives me 5,808# which is even more in the wrong direction.

Yes, 5,800 for a decent optioned 1500 would be right. I don't think that trailer will work. If you load your family, gear, bikes, etc, in the truck it all counts against your payload. You have to add another 100 lbs for the WDH.

You would need a 2500 to safely handle that trailer IMHO.

Jerry

[lbrjet]

You don't need the Duramax/Allison, but you are in 3/4 ton truck territory IMO.

[swethog]

I do not see a sticker on the receiver but IIRC the manual said 1200 pound hitch max and my calculations from that site put 14% at 985 pounds.

I called the place selling the camper back and he said I can come up anytime, hook up and take it for a drive. He keeps swearing (literally) that there will be no problems but I'm more of a numbers guy because they don't lie.

[swethog]

The payload sticker says occupants and cargo should not exceed 1392 pounds. Taken from 7200 gives me 5,808# which is even more in the wrong direction.

[MFL]

By the time you have the trailer loaded to camp, it will weigh around 9,000 lbs. This is going to have a tongue weight close to 1200 lbs. IMO that is too much trailer for the truck. The dry wt, 7700 lbs, that dealers are quoting, would be do able, but about the limit.

If you look at yellow tire load sticker in door jam, it will tell you the payload available. If you subtract this payload number from the truck GVWR, the difference is what the truck weighed when it left the factory.

What does your receiver hitch sticker show for max weight?

Jerry

[Dannyabear1]

The 6.2 is an aluminum block and head 'hot rod' engine and not designed for towing; that's why it is not available in a 2500 or 3500 truck

[Lspangler]

Look in your drivers door jam. There is a yellow sticker. What does that say your payload is?

Linc

[DrPepper1010]

I have a 2013 Sierra 1500 SLT w/ the tow package. 5.3L, 6 speed auto, and 3.42 rear. I've towed my TT which has a dry weight of 6800# w/ no problems. BUT when a semi passed me, the whole rig would sway and it felt like I was on a boat or a washboard while I went down the interstate. I also have a WDH, so the rig was nice and level.
I just didn't feel safe. So I found a used Silverado 3500 w/ a 6.0L, 4L80 & 4.10 rear. This truck is much more suited for towing a 6800# TT.
IMO, you should look for a 2500 tow truck. You'll be safer in the long run.
Just my 2 cents.