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

[lawrosa]

krobbe wrote:
From your RPO sticker:
GT4 = AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO (DUP WITH 5 X 1)
G80 = AXLE POSITRACTION, LIMITED SLIP
Z60 - Suspension Package, High-Performance
Z82 = TRAILER PROVISIONS, SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, H.0.
KNP = COOLING SYSTEM TRANS, HD

Yup.. That truck is more then cabable of towing...

Heavy Duty Trailering Pkg includes trailering hitch platform and 2.5inch receiver with 2inch adapter, 7-wire harness, integrated trailer-brake controller and heavy duty automatic locking rear differential

Also odd is in the towing manual it lists a 3:42 rear and Cooling package could tow 9400 lbs.. ( this cooling package includes an engine external oil cooler which I dont think you have)

It lists 3:73 rear ( Yours as towing only 7500 lbs) But you also have the Trans cooler. You also have the 4 speed trans M30 RPO which is a 4L60E. Thats the same trans in my S10 pickup)

IMO if and when you tow watch your trans temps.. I put the biggest cooler I could fit.. That was the weakest link in my truck. My 4.3l enginge never runs hot but the trans did the one time I towed without a cooler..

Your trans will die a quick death.. These trans run Hot..

Now with the 3:73 and that trans cooler..( May need to upgrade cooler) You should be able to easily tow in the 9400 range. Because the only difference in the two tow ratings with the cooling package is the fact that one has the cooling package that includes an engine oil cooler.

I think the trucks with the 9400 tow rating may have a 6 speed trans though and why they are given that rating of 9400lbs..

With that said The only items I would like to knw on top of my blabbering above is..

1. Does it have the factory brake controller? ( If not get a P3 and nothing else)
2. Does your dash tell you trans temps
3. Whats the rating on the hitch plate say for weight distribution?
4. Weigh the truck fully loaded like I stated and get individual axle weights. Subtract your door plate #'s from them and let us know..


In summary you have a good truck there with all proper options.

IMO your limiting factors will be trans heat..( But not sure until you tow)
And your axle weights ( will not know until you weigh)

Hope I am helping you and sry for the long post..

[krobbe]

From your RPO sticker:
GT4 = AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO (DUP WITH 5 X 1)
G80 = AXLE POSITRACTION, LIMITED SLIP
Z60 - Suspension Package, High-Performance
Z82 = TRAILER PROVISIONS, SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, H.0.
KNP = COOLING SYSTEM TRANS, HD

Here is a LINK to look up all of the GM RPO codes.

cowtownup wrote:
I'm not sure how to interpret this sticker...

[AppFire]

lawrosa wrote:

AppFire wrote:
Hey, your truck will pull it if you have the factory tow package. You will need a WDH and some type of sway control. Maybe something like an equalizer hitch or reese dual sway cams. Also you will have to have some LT tires on it. P rated tires are to squishy. Take your time and don't get in a hurry. I have a 2002 silverado with the tow package. I pulled my TT to Kansas last October and to Savannah a few weeks ago. My TT weighs as much as yours as its a bunkhouse also. No problems at all, just don't get in a rush.

That Jayco quest you have is rather light /// 4300 lbs...

Actually after I rebuilt it, new roof, floors and customizing my weight according to the scales are a bit over 5600lbs. I have no problem pulling it.

[cowtownup]

WOW... That Jayco 26BHSW would really serve us well... Thanks for the link to that one.. I'm not sure how to interpret this sticker...

[cowtownup]

....

[lawrosa]

Also those lance trailers that was posted below all have a shower pan and no tub.. Without the tub the curtain is short and there is not enough lip on the pan.. You end up getting water everywhere..

Trying to help you find similar to the wildwood you like but lighter would be the jayco 26BHSW

This has the bathroom door like the wildwood.. Best of all its in the back not the front..

Bunks rated for 600 lbs... WOW!!!

And best of all it has opposing couch and dinette.. Not that stupid couch/dinette on the same side where your neck hurts from watching TV on an angle..

Well really best of all is the outside kitchen..

Also
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (lbs) 4815
Dry Hitch Weight (lbs) 580
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (lbs) 6250
Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs) 1435

These are dealer stock only so hurry and find one...

Video

Jayco 26 BHSW

Link..

Jayco

[lawrosa]

Look in your glove box for some RPO codes. Let us know what you have in regards to these...

I am pretty sure the RPO codes that pertain to your thread are what rear you have and if you have the cooling package.
:
GU4-3.08
GU6-3.42
K5L-HD cooling pkg.
KC4-ext. engine oil cooler
Z82-HD traveling equip. pkg
G80-locking diff
GU5-3.23
GT4 or 5-3.73
Z85 handling/trailering suspension pkg

Also if you do have a factory hitch read that label and see if its rated for weight distribution.. Let us know that ..

Those trucks can tow from 6000 lbs to 9400 lbs depending on the rear and cooler package per the towing guides. You can easily add the oil and trans cooler to make it a 9400 tow rate vehicle..

Your next limiting factor are the axle weights.. You would need to post that to get an idea on max tongue weight..

Full fuel and family weight at the scales. Let us know those #'s..

[2012Coleman]

Have you seen the Lance 2185? It is a bunkhouse - 3 bunks. check out the link.

[cowtownup]

Thanks again for the suggestions.. I'm going to continue to look at my options and try to find something that will work for my family and for my TV..

[APT]

The good news is you found out before you purchased. More good news - your truck is probably worth $10-20k. That can buy you a very nice 2007.5+ GM 2500HD that you can tow nearly any travel trail with. Get the more capable truck first, then the RV. Or get the more capable truck and a used RV instead of new. You'll want something with closer to 2500 pounds or more to handle your family, 1000 pounds of trailer tongue weight, and a bed full of stuff.

[krobbe]

Before you start spending money on tires, trans cooler, air bags, etc, find the TT bunkhouse layout that works for you and add 1500Lbs to it's dry weight. Multiply that by 15% to get a high end tongue weight.
Now look for a 2500/3500 to carry/tow the weight of your family and TT. Trade/sell your 1500 and buy a capable truck for what you want to do.
Tow/Camp happy.
I was in your position 4 years ago. I found a 3 year old bunkroom TT(in sig) that I wanted for $13k, and a 3/4 ton Suburban for $12k. Together, that was about what a brand new TT cost. I think it is cheaper to buy for the long term rather than upgrading every other year like so many end up doing.

[2012Coleman]

cowtownup wrote:
I'm trying to look for something right around 5,000 lb UVW and less than 600 lb Hitch weight.. I need the bunk house for my kids and kinda like the outside door to the bathroom... I've looked at floor plans for days now...

This doesn't exist. If you calculate tongue weight at 13% of 5000 (as read on this forum) it gives you 650. Besides, unless you are planning on towing it empty, I'm not sure why you'd be concentrating on unloaded weight. Unless your trying to make it work by thinking I'll just load xxxx pounds of stuff into it.

[lawrosa]

The Jayco x213 is a good compromise... Very light...

But if you get your axle weights we will know more...

http://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2016-jay-feather/x213/

[lawrosa]

AppFire wrote:
Hey, your truck will pull it if you have the factory tow package. You will need a WDH and some type of sway control. Maybe something like an equalizer hitch or reese dual sway cams. Also you will have to have some LT tires on it. P rated tires are to squishy. Take your time and don't get in a hurry. I have a 2002 silverado with the tow package. I pulled my TT to Kansas last October and to Savannah a few weeks ago. My TT weighs as much as yours as its a bunkhouse also. No problems at all, just don't get in a rush.

That Jayco quest you have is rather light /// 4300 lbs...

[tonymull]

For towing, especially in that part of the country, with it's curvy mountainous roads, you'll be much happier with a smaller trailer. Something like 19-21' will suit you better. I'd stay under 4000lbs dry.