Avalanche 2500 + 31 ft Jayco Eagle Question

[NJEagle314]

Hi All,

First time poster here. My wife and I are in the process of a major upgrade from a small 21' non slide tin and sticks Coachmen (being towed by a GMC Acadia), to a brand new 31' Jacyo Eagle 314BHDS. We have purchased a 2002 Chevy Avalanche 2500 as a tow vehicle and I am slightly concerned about the travel trailer being "too much" for the truck.

The TT falls within the capacities of the Avalanche but I am trying to find out if anyone has experience towing large trailers with either an Avalanche 2500 or a 2500 Suburban/YukonXL.

Specs are as follows:
Avalanche 2500
Wheelbase - 130"
GCWR - 17,000 lbs
Curb Weight - 6,642 lbs
3:73 Axle (Tow rating 10,100 lbs - with a 4.10 it's 12,000)
Payload - 1,958 lbs
GVWR - 8,600
8.1 liter (496ci), 340hp, 455 torque

Camper
Jayco Eagle 314BHDS
Dry weight 8,110
GVW 9,975
Tongue 1,065 dry

I realize that with a fully loaded camper we will be getting close to the GCWR, however we will not be traveling with any water or waste in the tanks, and I would expect that we will not be loading the TT with more than 1,000 lbs. My wife and I combined are less than 300 lbs, and we have two small children.

Due to the size of the engine I do not expect any issues with power, I'm more concerned about the size of the camper to the truck. Friends have gigantic 2500 Rams towing the same size camper and the Avalanche looks small compared to these.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[NJEagle314]

Straight from the Owner's Manual. I have the 3.73 rear

K-2500 (4WD)
Engine
Axle
Ratio
*Max.
Trailer Wt. **GCWR
8100 V8 3.73 10, 100 lbs.
(4 581 kg)
17, 000 lbs.
(7 711 kg)
4.10 12, 000 lbs.
(5 443 kg)
19, 000 lbs.
(8 618 kg)
* Weight-distributing hitch tongue weight 10% to 15%
of hitch weight 1,200 lb. (544 kg) maximum.
**The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) in
the total allowable weight of the completely loaded
vehicle and trailer including any passengers, cargo,
equipment and conversions. The GCWR for your
vehicle should not be exceeded.
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at the address listed in your
Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

[NJEagle314]

Thanks everyone for the input.

Did a little more research and I think it will be ok. The 2500 came with a 4.10 rear also and the GCWR is 19,000 lbs with that rear. The only difference is the gearing so I believe that even if we are close (or slightly over) the 17,000 GCWR it will not cause a handling issue with the trailer - only some additional stress on the drivetrain.

[TexasATM]

I'd hook up to it and roll out. Replacing the receiver hitch on the Avalanche is a good idea though, as someone mentioned earlier. The stock GM hitches from that era were pretty weak compared to a traditional square tube hitch.

[Teamfour]

rjstractor wrote:


I'd say he'll be fine. A few counterpoints- A properly set-up WDH will transfer a significant amount of tongue weight back on to the trailer axles and forward on to the TV front axle. IIRC the 2500 Avalanche has a 6000 lb RGAWR, virtually the same as a 2500 pickup so there should be no issues with overloading the rear axle. The wheelbase is only slightly shorter than a regular cab long bed pickup. A 1500 Avalanche I'd say no way, but a 2500 is a different story.

Good points.

[rjstractor]

Teamfour wrote:
TT dry weight of 8110 plus 1000 equals 9110 lbs.
Tongue weight should be about 12.5 percent or 1138 lbs. Add 100 lbs for the WDH and you have already subtracted 1238 lbs from your TV's payload. That leaves you 720 lbs of payload for whatever the driver weighs over 150 lbs, your spouse and kids, dog, bikes, firewood, etc. I predict that you will be approaching, if not over, the payload limit. You also need to look at the hitch to see if it can handle 1138 lbs of tongue weight, not to mention what the rear axle weight limit is. As you stated, power-wise you are fine, but IMO you are on the edge of weight limits. Combine that with the short wheelbase and I would say look for another tow vehicle or TT if you want a non-white knuckle experience towing.

I'd say he'll be fine. A few counterpoints- A properly set-up WDH will transfer a significant amount of tongue weight back on to the trailer axles and forward on to the TV front axle. IIRC the 2500 Avalanche has a 6000 lb RGAWR, virtually the same as a 2500 pickup so there should be no issues with overloading the rear axle. The wheelbase is only slightly shorter than a regular cab long bed pickup. A 1500 Avalanche I'd say no way, but a 2500 is a different story.

[NJEagle314]

Thanks everyone! The specs were from the manufacturer. I'll check out the door jam tonight.

What I do not understand is that the GCWR is the same for the 2500 with the 4.10 rear - and that towing capacity is 12,000 lbs. Towing 12,000 plus the curb weight of the truck would put it over the GCWR.

[Teamfour]

Forgot to ask: is the payload value from manufacturer specs or is that the value found on the label in the driver's door jamb? Real payloads are typically less than the published spec.

[BenK]

8.1L, so GMT800 platform...my suggestion is to change out that POS OEM
receiver for a traditional receiver.

They are about $200 bucks plus about 1 hours labor to remove old and
install the new

[STEVEO496]

greatwhitenorth69 wrote:

STEVEO496 wrote:
If your hitch is set up properly it will do fine. Also, make sure the trailer is loaded properly, that it has plenty of tongue weight.

Famous last words. Have you pulled a trailer that size with an Avalanche?

With a 2500 Suburban I have. I had a 28' enclosed car trailer, fully finished interior, cabinets full of tools etc, air, floor jack, winch, battery, generator etc etc. 4,000lbs worth of car... I never weighed the rig but I'm sure it was every bit of 9-10k lbs. It had a LH door over the axles to aid in exiting the vehicle if you drive it into the trailer (mistake). Therefore the trailer sat higher to make the wheel wells on the interior shorter. In other words, the trailer was very top heavy/unstable on its own. When I first bought the trailer I had a crew cab GMC dually with the Duramax and it towed it fine with one sway bar and 1,200lb Spring bars. When I inherited the 3/4 ton Suburban and towed it with the same hitch it was unstable but after upgrading the hitch and setting it up properly it actually towed just fine.

[Teamfour]

Lets do some simple math:

TT dry weight of 8110 plus 1000 equals 9110 lbs.
Tongue weight should be about 12.5 percent or 1138 lbs. Add 100 lbs for the WDH and you have already subtracted 1238 lbs from your TV's payload. That leaves you 720 lbs of payload for whatever the driver weighs over 150 lbs, your spouse and kids, dog, bikes, firewood, etc. I predict that you will be approaching, if not over, the payload limit. You also need to look at the hitch to see if it can handle 1138 lbs of tongue weight, not to mention what the rear axle weight limit is. As you stated, power-wise you are fine, but IMO you are on the edge of weight limits. Combine that with the short wheelbase and I would say look for another tow vehicle or TT if you want a non-white knuckle experience towing.

[greatwhitenort1]

STEVEO496 wrote:
If your hitch is set up properly it will do fine. Also, make sure the trailer is loaded properly, that it has plenty of tongue weight.

Famous last words. Have you pulled a trailer that size with an Avalanche?

[STEVEO496]

greatwhitenorth69 wrote:
They are not really built to pull those kinds of loads, the shorter wheelbase doesn't help, they are down right dangerous with any cross winds pulling a larger trailer. You'll have the power, but not the stability. Not sure if your 2500 has leafs in the rear but the wifes 2012 has rear coils, awesome ride but not meant to pull much more than an 18' fishing boat with out white knuckling it to your destination.

2500's have leafs, the 1500's have coils. Night and day between the two as far as towing. I've towed with both.

[STEVEO496]

If your hitch is set up properly it will do fine. Also, make sure the trailer is loaded properly, that it has plenty of tongue weight.

[greatwhitenort1]

They are not really built to pull those kinds of loads, the shorter wheelbase doesn't help, they are down right dangerous with any cross winds pulling a larger trailer. You'll have the power, but not the stability. Not sure if your 2500 has leafs in the rear but the wifes 2012 has rear coils, awesome ride but not meant to pull much more than an 18' fishing boat with out white knuckling it to your destination.