Can I tow this TT?

[cowtownup]

This will be our families first TT purchase and we are primarily going to be weekend warriors within the state of NC possibly SC and VA. We are tent campers now and want something we can still camp with should the weather not be the best.

I have a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado LT with a 5.3L V8
GVWR = 7000 lbs
GAWR = 3950 lbs (both front & rear axles)
Max towing capacity = 7500 lbs
Combined weight of cargo & occupants not to exceed 1507 lbs.

My truck weighs 6250 lbs with my family in it and full of fuel.


Looking at the Wildwood 26TBSS which is:
825 lb = Hitch weight
5828 lb = UVW
1987 lb = CCC

Also looking at the Wildwood 263BHXL which is:
682 lb = hitch weight
5854 lbs = UVW
1828 lb = CCC

Here is my math and how I understand what I've read on here...
7000 lbs subtract the 6250 lbs my truck weighs = 750 lbs
This 750 lbs is for hitch weight and anything else I put in the back of the truck. (also for the hitch should a add WDH)
This makes me think I'd already max out my towing capacity unless I did use a WDH to move some weight off the rear axle of the TV. Or do I need to move down to a lighter TT?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

Chad

[cowtownup]

We had a successful first trip this weekend. I took the time to weigh it at our local cotton gin. I had to weigh front axle, pull forward and get combined weight of TT & TV and the. Pull forward and get weight of TT axke, then subtract to get the rear TV axle weight.

Without WD Hitch hooked up
Front - 3260
Rear - 4080
TT - 4940
Total - 12,280

WD hooked up (3rd chain link) more WD
Front - 3540
Rear - 3600
TT. - 5140
Total - 12,280

WD hooked up (4th chain link). Less WD
Front - 3440
Rear - 3760
TT. - 5080
Total. - 12,280

I went over my TV GVWR by 140-200 lbs depending on which chain link I set my WD hitch at but I had 2 kids bicycles, a cooler full of ice and maybe 40 pieces of firewood in back of TV. If I would move the cooler and bikes to the TT that would help that some. I feel good about my TV pulling this TT but I'm really glad I didn't buy the heavier TT that I initially wanted.

Thanks again for the help throughout this thread... Good times ahead for my little clan...

[FrankShore]

Try a Lance 1495 or 1575 or even the 1685. They're very well built trailers. Look on their site for The Lance Factory Tour

[IndyCamp]

cowtownup wrote:
Well, I ended up buying a used Jayco JayFlight 26BH. It weighs around 4800 lbs dry and came with a Reese WD hitch. I pulled it home today and my truck pulled it pretty good. I think once I get it loaded and it weighs in from 5500 to 5800 lbs then it will be all my truck wants.. Its in really good shape from what I can tell and our first trip is weekend after next... My kids are PUMPED UP!!!

Congrats!

Seeing the kids excited makes all of the money we spend worthwhile.

We originally towed the trailer in my sig with a 2013 Silverado, 5.3, 3.42.

We took that combo through the Smokies and the Ozarks, and it did OK. We decided to upgrade to a bigger truck after going through a bad storm in Tennessee and getting blown into the lane next to us. It's been the best decision we ever made. The 2500 feels much more stable and with a 3,000 pound payload, we have the added benefit of being able to load the bed with as much gear and firewood as we need.

Anyway, have fun and safe travels!

[rbpru]

Well the CAT scales are your friend. On your next trip, stop at the local truck stop and weigh your rig.

You will get the front, rear and TT axle weights. No guessing, no opinions, no what ifs; just the hard numbers.

You can drop the TT and weigh the TV only. Then you know the change in axle weights due to the trailer.

My 25 ft. Dutchman tows great but it puts my F-150 at its max cargo limit.

[AppFire]

Good for you, We just got back from a long weekend camping trip to Asheville. Have fun....

[cowtownup]

Well, I ended up buying a used Jayco JayFlight 26BH. It weighs around 4800 lbs dry and came with a Reese WD hitch. I pulled it home today and my truck pulled it pretty good. I think once I get it loaded and it weighs in from 5500 to 5800 lbs then it will be all my truck wants.. Its in really good shape from what I can tell and our first trip is weekend after next... My kids are PUMPED UP!!!

[misterpowertool]

you don't need LT tires and airbags, etc. You'll get to max payload before max trailer weight. Watch your loaded weight, adjust the WD bars properly, use the sway control and air your tires up from the sticker psi... not necessarily max. Add bilstien HD shocks to the rear if yours don't cut it or do all 4 if its time. Don't tow in OD if the manual says not to. Maybe you'll need more cooling, b
ut you can give it a try first.

[lawrosa]

We should let this thread rest a bit until you get the truck weighed..

Full family and full tank of fuel and gear you may carry..

Your axle limits may be the limiting factor..

Get individual axle weights!!!!!!

Example.. My s 10 pulling my camper in the sig only leaves me 500 lbs left on the rear axle for stuff. I added a battery andput a canoe on my trucks pipe racks..

Basically I am maxed. I dont carry water.Just add food and clothes to camper..

With that said I travel alone in the truck and the wife and kids follow me in the car..

We dont go far. PA, NJ mostly.. 2 hours is the longest I drove away from home..I do state parks with no hook ups..

I go to one resort a year with a water park in the campground...

You dont need to go far to camp.. Its all the same really with different scenery...

[lawrosa]

3. I don't see any info on or around the hitch plate. where would it be?

RPO code VR4.. This is a weight distribution receiver you have...( First pic)
RPO code Z82 is the hitch part and ball. Second pic) Do you have this part?

If you dont have the second pic and the bars make sure you get the heavier 1000 lb bars,, Dont let dealer sell you the lighter 750 lb bars..

Here is a sticker from a 2013 silverado





Total wd package..

[krobbe]

jenoble99 wrote:

Are you certain that your truck has the 5.3 engine? I also have an '09 with a 5.3 and it has the 6 speed trans. My understanding is that in that vintage the 5.3 trucks got the 6 speed and the 4.8 v8 trucks had the 4 speed. With the 5.3, the gear ratio max is 3.42, though a heavy tow option may change that(not sure), but with the heavy tow option the 6.0 was the usual power plant. My truck with the 5.3, 3.42 gears, and the hd cooling(trans and engine oil cooler) the tow rating is 9500 lbs. Our trailer is around 6800 lbs ready to camp. The truck handles it well. If I had to lodge a complaint it would be a lower gear ratio. I know the 6 speed with 3.42 gives a lower final drive ratio in the first 4 gears, and it is way better than my '05 with the 4 speed, 5.3 combo, but 4.10 would let it hold 5th gear(first overdrive) longer.

The RPO codes tell the story.
LY5 : ENGINE, GAS, 8 CYL 5.3L
M30 : TRANSMISSION, AUTO 4 SPD, HMD, 4L60E, ELECTRONIC
GT4 : AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO

[lawrosa]

jenoble99 wrote:


Are you certain that your truck has the 5.3 engine?

First introduced as Generation III in 1999, the Generation IV Vortec 5300 engines share all the improvements and refinements found in other Generation IV engines. At present, six versions of the 5300 engine are in production: 3 iron blocks (LY5 LMG, and LMF)

He has LY5 in his RPO code

[jenoble99]

cowtownup wrote:
This will be our families first TT purchase and we are primarily going to be weekend warriors within the state of NC possibly SC and VA. We are tent campers now and want something we can still camp with should the weather not be the best.

I have a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado LT with a 5.3L V8
GVWR = 7000 lbs
GAWR = 3950 lbs (both front & rear axles)
Max towing capacity = 7500 lbs
Combined weight of cargo & occupants not to exceed 1507 lbs.

My truck weighs 6250 lbs with my family in it and full of fuel.


Looking at the Wildwood 26TBSS which is:
825 lb = Hitch weight
5828 lb = UVW
1987 lb = CCC

Also looking at the Wildwood 263BHXL which is:
682 lb = hitch weight
5854 lbs = UVW
1828 lb = CCC

Here is my math and how I understand what I've read on here...
7000 lbs subtract the 6250 lbs my truck weighs = 750 lbs
This 750 lbs is for hitch weight and anything else I put in the back of the truck. (also for the hitch should a add WDH)
This makes me think I'd already max out my towing capacity unless I did use a WDH to move some weight off the rear axle of the TV. Or do I need to move down to a lighter TT?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

Chad

Are you certain that your truck has the 5.3 engine? I also have an '09 with a 5.3 and it has the 6 speed trans. My understanding is that in that vintage the 5.3 trucks got the 6 speed and the 4.8 v8 trucks had the 4 speed. With the 5.3, the gear ratio max is 3.42, though a heavy tow option may change that(not sure), but with the heavy tow option the 6.0 was the usual power plant. My truck with the 5.3, 3.42 gears, and the hd cooling(trans and engine oil cooler) the tow rating is 9500 lbs. Our trailer is around 6800 lbs ready to camp. The truck handles it well. If I had to lodge a complaint it would be a lower gear ratio. I know the 6 speed with 3.42 gives a lower final drive ratio in the first 4 gears, and it is way better than my '05 with the 4 speed, 5.3 combo, but 4.10 would let it hold 5th gear(first overdrive) longer.

[lawrosa]

I would really go with the jayco.. Those big bunks are so much nicer then sleeping in those small coffin bunks as I call them..

Also you will apreciate that couch that opposes the dinette which the others dont have..

Youll get tired of breaking down that murphy style bed couch in the other units...

Its got a light tongue that jayco and your ahead of the game compared to the others...

Ill look up the rating on that hitch if I can find info..

Also Ill look into those campers. Jayco give the full 2 year warranty...

Im not a fan of forest river..

Whats you budget?
How many kids and how old?
What are your average trans temps?

[cowtownup]

Your help is much appreciated. To answer a few of your questions:

1. I have already installed a Reese Pilot brake controller from pulling a 20' enclosed trailer and an open car trailer with electric brakes.
2. My dash does have the trans temp readout.
3. I don't see any info on or around the hitch plate. where would it be?
4. n/a yet.

I've found a few TT's ranging from 4300 lbs to 5100 lbs that I think would suit me well and I wouldn't be afraid at all to try and tow one of these... Here are a few I like the best...

Vibe Extreme Lite 243BHS

http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=216&ShowParent=1&ModelID=2228#Main

Jay Feather 26BHSW

http://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2016-jay-feather/26bhsw/


Wildwood 230BHXL

http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=178&ShowParent=1&ModelID=2413#Main


Vibe 250BHS

http://www.forestriverinc.com/product-details.aspx?LineID=216&ShowParent=1&ModelID=2230#Main