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cjwink's avatar
cjwink
Explorer
Sep 10, 2023

Buying a new TT, questions on TV setup

We are looking at buying a new TT after a few years without one. TV is a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 CC 4WD 5.3l with 3.08 gears.

Tow Weight is listed at 6,200 lbs, so I know I want to be under 5k dry weight. I'm looking a couple of TTs with one weight 3,700 lbs and one at 4,700lbs. I know the 3,700 lb would not be a problem, but is anyone out there with a similar TV pulling closer to 5k? If so, how is your experience..
  • If your maximum towing weight is 6200 lbs, you can potentially tow right up to 6200 lbs. The bigger question is what is the payload capacity of your truck, how much will the tongue weigh fully loaded, etc., etc., etc. You need to know all the ratings of your truck. You can tow right up to 100% of those ratings as long as you’re not exceeding any rating. Chances are, payload is your limiting factor.
    Read up on the “why’s” and “how’s” of towing HERE
  • Never look at dry weight, never!
    Look at the gross weight and work from there.
  • While GVWR is important don't overlook the fact that some TTs have a difference between dry weight and GVW of more than 3,000 lbs while others have a difference of less than 1,000 lbs. While adding 1,000 lbs of cargo is pretty normal, 3,000 lbs is not.
  • theoldwizard1 wrote:
    3.08 rear axle is going to be a problem !


    Probably why the tow rating is only 6209. If it has the 8 speed though shouldn't be an issue pushing the max tow rating
  • The 8-spd with 3.08 diff is better than 6-spd with 3.42 which in prior years was rated for over 9000 pounds. Power will not be a problem. I do highly recommend spending $300 at a trans shop for a higher capacity transmission cooler with either trailer. Get the one your wife likes better and enjoy camping.
  • APT wrote:
    The 8-spd with 3.08 diff is better than 6-spd with 3.42 which in prior years was rated for over 9000 pounds. Power will not be a problem. I do highly recommend spending $300 at a trans shop for a higher capacity transmission cooler with either trailer. Get the one your wife likes better and enjoy camping.


    Absolutely. People fixate on the tall rear axle ratio and don't realize that an 8 speed with 3.08 gears (4.56 x 3.08= 14.04) will launch better on a hill than an older 4L60E with 4.10 gears (3.06 x 4.10= 12.54) . The shorter (numerically higher) rear axle gears will always launch better given a particular trans, but the newer trans ratios help immensely.