Can I tow my new camper safely

[bmaccue]

I just bought a new camper with a UVW of 8130# towing with a 2008 chevy 1500 4x4 w/5.3L motor and 3.73 gears. Do you think I will be all right towing this?

[tbred]

bmaccue wrote:
Do you think the chevy 1500 HD would be a good choice to to my camper?
The rating on the truck I am looking at is 9500# and my camper is 8130# empty.

No, nothing in a half ton truck can/should pull that trailer. You need to be looking at the 3/4 ton trucks and being sure the payload is able to support the trailers 11-1300 lb. tongue weight along with all passenger and gear weight in truck. Should be looking at MINIMUM 2000lb. payload.

What type of weight distribution/sway control system have you purchased?

[Old-Biscuit]

bmaccue wrote:
Do you think the chevy 1500 HD would be a good choice to to my camper?
The rating on the truck I am looking at is 9500# and my camper is 8130# empty.

Slow learner......:S

[Old-Biscuit]

More like OP was looking for 'support'. He knew the trailer was too heavy but needed justification to show wife.

"See honey......everybody says we need a new truck!"

[fla-gypsy]

This is sounding like a troll post. The UVW is over 8k, the tow rating is 7500 and the RV dealer and the local Chevy dealer said "no problem" on a 10k trailer.

[myredracer]

Fines happen in BC for being overloaded, even on something like a hay wagon (happened to a neighbor). If they pull you over, they'll weigh you on the spot and if they find you are overloaded, besides getting a fine, they can order you to drop your TT and return with an appropriately sized TV. Could end up being rather expensive and a very bad day.

I've been told by a CBSA officer if you try and cross the border into Canada and appear to be overloaded, they'll pull you over for inspection and call in the RCMP.

I don't know about around the US, but I never want to find out and never will have to because we don't tow overloaded.

[bmaccue]

Do you think the chevy 1500 HD would be a good choice to to my camper?
The rating on the truck I am looking at is 9500# and my camper is 8130# empty.

[sask934]

When you buy your new truck....be sure that it to can pull that TT when it is loaded. Your Payload is going to be the issue. Do not buy the truck until you know that it can safely pull that trailer.

Congrats on the new TT and the truck to pull it.

[JnJnKatiebug]

Bumpyroad wrote:

JnJnKatiebug wrote:


Do you know someone who was fined for being overweight with an RV? I have read that statement here but have never heard of anyone who was actually fined.

someone on here a while back cited a situation I think in NC where after a wreck the investigation that was conducted led to such a situation.
someone towing thru Emporia, VA, was stopped and went through a very lengthy/thorough investigation but after lots of questions the cop couldn't come up with a violation.
and why do you think that this would make the news anyway? just because you haven't heard of anyone that was actually fined? but I think you would be more likely to get involved in a civil suit than a fine.
bumpy

I agree with you. I would not pull that camper with that truck unless I was going 10 miles down the road and park it at the lake for the summer. No way would I want to head across the country with that setup. A civil suit because of an accident is very possible.

My point is, I see these post about fines on here from time to time. I have never heard of anyone being fined for being overweight with an RV. I have never talked to anyone that knew anyone who was fined for being overweight with an RV. I have not been at the barber shop and someone's cousin knew this guy who knew some guy who had a son in the 6th grade who's teachers brother was fined.

[tbred]

bmaccue wrote:
Thanks, I new I was in bad shape with the truck but I couldnt turn down the deal I got on the camper. Now I will go get a chevy 2500HD.

Sounds like a great plan! Congrats on the new trailer (and new truck)!!

[myredracer]

Excellent! When you do get it, you need to post what it's like towing your new TT (with pic too of course). I guarantee you'll love it. 🙂

You might want to look at the receiver's rating on the new truck if your actual tongue weight is indeed on the high side of the usual 10-15% range. You may find it's rated for 1250 lbs max with a WDH. Might be a good investment to get a Sherline tongue scale.

bmaccue wrote:
Thanks, I new I was in bad shape with the truck but I couldnt turn down the deal I got on the camper. Now I will go get a chevy 2500HD.

[kaydeejay]

bmaccue wrote:
Thanks, I new I was in bad shape with the truck but I couldnt turn down the deal I got on the camper. Now I will go get a chevy 2500HD.

Ahh! Just saw this post.
MUCH better solution!
If it's a 6.0L gasser, just make sure you get the 4.10 axle, not the 3,73 or you will still be (a little) over the official tow rating.

[kaydeejay]

bmaccue wrote:
I just bought a new camper with a UVW of 8130# towing with a 2008 chevy 1500 4x4 w/5.3L motor and 3.73 gears. Do you think I will be all right towing this?

No No No No! If you're having difficulty understanding, is the "N" or the "O" that's giving you trouble?
That 7500# tow rating is reduced by everything you put in the truck other than a 150# driver.
Your realistic tow rating is going to be less than 7000#. And you want to tow a trailer that grosses at 10,700#. Maybe you won't load that heavy but I suspect you will be close to 9500#.
"ONLY" 2500# over!
Don't do it.

[bmaccue]

Thanks, I new I was in bad shape with the truck but I couldnt turn down the deal I got on the camper. Now I will go get a chevy 2500HD.

[cmack]

bmaccue wrote:
The camper I just bought was a 30ft TT Palomino. Even the camper place where I bought it said I could tow it fine. Are they pulling me leg?

Shouldn't be a problem as long as you're going downhill :R

In all seriousness, you know the trailer weighs almost 1000 lbs more than the truck is rated for and that's before you've loaded the truck and trailer with gear... which will likely be another 1000 lbs!

Never believe any salesman (be it trailer or truck) when it comes to towing. They will tell you what ever is needed to close the sale.

[Bumpyroad]

JnJnKatiebug wrote:


Do you know someone who was fined for being overweight with an RV? I have read that statement here but have never heard of anyone who was actually fined.

someone on here a while back cited a situation I think in NC where after a wreck the investigation that was conducted led to such a situation.
someone towing thru Emporia, VA, was stopped and went through a very lengthy/thorough investigation but after lots of questions the cop couldn't come up with a violation.
and why do you think that this would make the news anyway? just because you haven't heard of anyone that was actually fined? but I think you would be more likely to get involved in a civil suit than a fine.
bumpy