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?

[myredracer]

Truck is too small, TT is too big, or both. 😞 This isn't a question whether or not it's okay to tow slightly overloaded, you are way over and that's not good at all.

It's more than just about "towing capacity". You need to look at payload capacity as well. With TTs, you usually run out of payload capacity well before the towing capacity. You're already over on just towing capacity though. For that TT, the gross weight all loaded up is probably around 9500 lbs. Without going to a scale, allow 15% of that for tongue wt., 1425 lbs. That's way too much for a 1/2 ton. You've got to allow for any passengers, kids, pets, groceries, and any camping gear in the truck which can easily be at least 400-500 lbs. So you need a truck capable of handling a payload of nearly 2K lbs. minimum. That needs a 3/4 ton, and even then, not all 3/4 tons can handle that. Our F250 can only handle 1800 lbs due to wt. of factory options. Your GCWR and axle ratings could be an issue too.

Towing at near or at max. towing capacity can be hard on a TV (brakes, engine) but in your case, you are way over. Also, you may exceed the rating of the receiver by quite a bit.

If you want to get an accurate figure for your payload capacity, ignore what's on the door pillar sticker and go to a scale, then subtract that from the GVWR. Load the truck up as you would for camping along with a full tank of gas. You may get a surprise.

If you do end up with a 3/4 ton, you'll find the difference is night and day and you'll be much happier while towing.

3 options:

1. Get a new truck.
2. Forget about warnings and tow well overloaded.
3. Get a "1/2 ton towable" sticker off the internet.

[cbwallace]

I had an '07 1500 Silverado 4X4 5.3L 3.73 gears with a 7500 towing capacity and purchased a TT with an UVW of 6,000. Once loaded with gear and only myself in the truck had it weighed and was 500 lbs over GCVW rating. I towed it a few time locally with that truck and felt like the TT was in control. Now own a 2013 2500 DM with 13,000 towing capacity and don't even know TT is back there. There is no way I would tow your TT with your truck.

[therink]

Legally or not, you asked if you could tow it safely with your 1/2 ton truck. My answer is no, not with a tongue weight potentially exceeding 1000 lbs.
Please do yourself a favor and do the math with truck payload and axle ratings being the deciding factor. Also assume the weight you will add to thetruck inincluding passengers, gear in bed, hitch weight, firewood, bikes, etc.
I would not consider this for safety sake alone. Sorry to come across as weight police, but you did ask.

[Old-Biscuit]

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.

I talked to me local chevy dealer and they told me I would be fine. The truck driver side panel says I can tow 7500#.

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?

Are you pulling our leg :H

[tbred]

Given the info the op posted, the model I believe he purchased has a 10,663 lb. gvwr and a 34'8" length.

[GaryWT]

If this is for real, I found a Puma by Palimino that has a UVA of 8130 and a loaded weight of over 10,000. This is too heavy for many Chevy 2500 as I have been looking and most 2500 tow under 10,000. With a 1500 you are over on payload and weight.

It is true that you can tow over the rating but expect damage and for those under warranty they would not be covered.

Good luck with your new truck.

[JnJnKatiebug]

OpenRangePullen_Ford wrote:
You are really pushing that truck, when you load that camper your going to be over wight for sure. That truck has a 4 speed, rated towing capacity for that is 6,700 pounds(because of 4 speed), So your going to have to get a bigger truck, maybe a 3/4 ton gas, because that 1500 is not going to do it, or hope the truck can handle it (not safe) and hope you don't get caught 2,000 pounds over wight ($500-$2,500 fine).

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.

[Teamfour]

bmaccue wrote:
I talked to me local chevy dealer and they told me I would be fine. The truck driver side panel says I can tow 7500#.

I'm confused. In your original post you said the trailer weighs 8,000+ unloaded. Then you claim your truck can tow 7500?

[downtheroad]

bmaccue wrote:
The truck driver side panel says I can tow 7500#.

Your trailer, UVW of 8130#....simple math.

[tbred]

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?

Unfortunately, yes.

[bmaccue]

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?

[downtheroad]

First of all, Welcome to the Forum...your first post.

I hate to 'pile on, but my guess is that the dealer said to you, "Sure, you can tow it with that - no problem."

[BurbMan]

bmaccue wrote:
I just bought a new camper with a UVW of 8130#...

That trailer will be 9500 lbs or more when you get it packed, and that's with an empty water tank. If you ask that truck to tow that trailer any distance, it's gonna turn around and ask you for a new transmission or a new rear axle, or both.

[bmaccue]

I talked to me local chevy dealer and they told me I would be fine. The truck driver side panel says I can tow 7500#.

[TucsonJim]

Hate to break it to you, but that is probably too much trailer for a 1500. According to the Trailer Life towing guides, the towing capacity for this vehicle is somewhere between 7500 and 8500 pounds, depending on configuration. So the unloaded vehicle weight of the trailer is already getting close to the max weight of the 1500. By the time you add propane, water, groceries, clothes, and other cargo, you'll exceed the capacity of the truck.

You don't say if this unit is a fifth wheel (FW) or travel trailer (TT). Either way, you also have considerations on the payload that the truck can handle.