Contradicting Tow Vehicle Advise

[Littlesonny1]

First off, I'm a newbie here and something of a newbie at RVing so apologies in advance for any transgressions.

A brief history: We started with a used 2004 Caravan Micro-Lite and a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder. We were told by the RV dealer that the Pathfinder was ok for the trailer but being totally ignorant discovered only later that this was totally not true. We did manage a few trips within 30 minutes or so using an Equalizer hitch but it was nervous at best. We later bought a 2010 Pathfinder and life became easier with 4 hour trips to the Gulf over flatland not too much of an issue.

We sold the Caravan a couple of years ago but my wife is selling the business and retiring soon and so recently bought a "used" 27' 2015 Jayco Whitehawk. The trailer had been new and then traded almost immediately for a motorhome. It had been titled for just three weeks and included upgrades and even a $500 cover that was still in the box unused. It was a deal we just couldn't pass up saving about 10 grand off of new. Again we were assured by the dealer that our current Pathfinder was up to the job. We've taken one trip to the Gulf and although there were no incidents, other than someone stealing the hitch pin causing some big time drama, it was obvious the Pathfinder was close to it's limit and we needed something better.

We very recently began looking at a 2012 Tahoe LTZ which we were told by the dealer had a rating of 8500lbs. I'd seen reviews etc. which gave conflicting rating fro, 5500 to 8500lbs but figured the guy knew what he was talking about. I discovered there is an HD Trailering Package option which does give the Tahoe an 8500lbs rating. I asked the salesman specifically about this and he told me the HD package was standard on the LTZ. I discovered last night it is NOT. On this particular vehicle it may or may not have been purchased at as an option but I'm waiting to see the build sheet to confirm or deny. We were down to the last bits of price negotiation and I may well have dodged a serious bullet. Lesson learned.

My question to y'all is some advise on what we should be looking at. There will just be the two of us and our Border Collie. We want to be able to take the trailer anywhere in the country without hesitation. It's suitability to the trailer is paramount. Our dog is sweet as the come but being a BC she runs back and forth in the way back trying to organize the passing cars. Consequently we're not too keen on a crew cab truck with the dog right behind us and would much prefer an SUV. I'd like not to have to go with something as big as a Suburban as our trips will be only occasional in the near future but we may end up going full time at some point.

I've had great luck with forums in the past giving access to good folks with much knowledge and experience. I'm hoping y'all might offer some suggestion that I can create a short list out of.

Thanks in advance.

[BenK]

Kinda sorta BS...most 'can' do it...it is whether it is REALLY rated for it,
how long will it do it and finally...HOW WELL & SAFELY will it do it...

Agree...best to actually weight the whole setup, fully loaded and axle by axle

[Littlesonny1]

I should also mention I have an Equalizer hitch that I bought with our first trailer when we had a way undersized tow vehicle. Got BS'd by the RV sales person as to whether or not our 2004 Pathfinder could tow a 5,000 trailer.

[mkirsch]

Just remember there are three sure things in life: Death, taxes, and your RV is heavier than you think it is.

Your 800lb assumed tongue weight could end up at over 1000lbs very easily. Luckily you appear to have a decent cushion of extra payload capacity.

[Grit_dog]

Congrats on the new rig. It will pull your camper awesome

[Littlesonny1]

Max payload is 1954lbs. With a probable max tongue weight of 800lbs, a total weight of myself, wife and dog of maybe 350, that would leave 600lbs margin, assuming I understand how these figures work. It is highly unlike that when towing we would have much more on board other than a spare propane tank and some ice.

The manual is thick like an Oxford dictionary. I don't drive it everyday and I haven't given it more than a skim as yet beyond the maintenance schedule and how some of the basic controls work. Your tip about putting some miles on the truck is appreciated. I probably wouldn't have thought of that and made one of those obvious dumb mistakes through ignorance. I've got some deliveries to do Wednesday and Thursday out of town, just payrolls, and that should take care of it before I go to tow anywhere.

[gmckenzie]

Congrats. Make sure to put some miles on it before towing. I think the manual says 500 miles first.

What is your payload rating? yellow sticker on the door jamb.

[Littlesonny1]

As I mentioned in an earlier post we bought a 2015 GMC Sierra SLT Texas Edition with Max Duty Tow Package, tow rating 10,000. Since we are unlikely to get anywhere near 7,000 max and a tongue weight of no more than 800lb we should do fine.

This is my very first new vehicle and my first truck. I am really impressed by the design features of this truck as well as the build quality. I'm a musician and have to carry two amps, one for myself and one for our fearless leader. His amp sounds like **** so I loan him my '65 Deluxe non-reverb (for any of you guitarists out there). With the back seats folded they stand side by side like it was made for them and I can still drop the smaller seat. I just delivered a chest of drawers for my daughter hauling it behind the seats as well.

I'm looking for a park not too far to test out the towing on this thing. As you might have guessed, I'm pretty stoked.

BTW, having had a very near disaster the first time we took our new trailer to the coast, some idiot stole the hitch pin and I didn't notice, I've bought a locking pin and a Trimax lock for the coupler even though the trailer is parked in front of our house. Seems like thieves have either got braver or dumber. Either way I'm taking no chances.

[Grit_dog]

Buying a truck with you're old dogs comfort in mind is a new one!
Anyway. To remove the mystery you're are trying to solve and simplify.
Trailers under 3500 lbs = mid size suv minimum, 1/2 ton truck ideally
3500-7000 = 1/2 ton truck or full size sub min, 3/4 ton overkill but ideal
7000-10000. = heavy half (Eco boost, 6.2 Chevy) or 3/4 ton gasser min, 3/4 diesel optimal
10000-15000= 3/4 to 1 ton gasser min, srw diesel ideal.
Over 15k = srw diesel bare min, dually or 4500 ideal.

[RAMwoodworks]

Sonny,

Good luck with your Sierra. I've got an '06 with 160K on it and have only done brakes and a fuel pump (knocks wood). Hell, I even got 75K out of the factory Wrangler tires. I'm in the NE and the only rust is on the painted rear bumper.

GM sure has come a long way since the disposable **** they made in the 80s.

[littlesonny]

Pulled the trigger on a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Texas Edition with Max Duty Trailering Package.

Finally after much research, stress, and great info here we've got our TV. Haven't had a chance to hook up the TT yet but from driving experience she's a great truck and from everything I can fathom from specs should suit our needs just fine.

I'm a life long car guy and have spent most of my life in Europe and so, other than some classic vehicles, never rated American built cars, though trucks were a different matter. I'm really impressed by the build quality and design of this truck.

I'm 67 and this is the first brand new vehicle I've ever owned. **** thing is fantastic and both my wife and I love it. Really looking forward to seeing how it tows. I'll be hooking up our TT in the near future and running over to that parking lot I mentioned before taking it further afield.

[Littlesonny1]

@BenK - Your point is well made. When we get the opportunity to have our trial period I plan to take the rig to a nearby parking lot. It's a shared high school football stadium with open access to the lot. I'll be trying a couple of emergency stops and a few maneuvers to see how it handles. Nothing too crazy. We always travel dry but I'll probably fill the fresh water tank to get maximum weight on it and to simulate what it's like should we decide to go boondocking at anytime. Other than clothes, food, drink, and a bit of ice we don't carry a lot of extra and there's only my little wife, 190lbs of me, and our 45lb dog.

[blt2ski]

The new tow ratings do include a frontal area max, IIRC 60 sqft for smaller rigs, and 80 for full size pickups.

From my own experience towing, I used to get better mpgs at 18K pulling my bobcat than I did towing my TT at 15K lbs. WHY? took 105Hp at 15K and 70sqft of FA
Marty

[gmckenzie]

With the 6.2L, be prepared to pay for premium fuel.

I just picked up a 1500, 5.3L max trailering (3.73 axle)CCSB and thought about the 6.2 but would have had to go up in trim level and would be paying for premium fuel. It has the highest GVWR I could find at 7,600. My tag has a max payload of 2,015. Also, if I remember, the 5.3L has a higher payload than the 6.2L, but a lower towing capacity. Basically the 6.2 is heavier than the 5.3 and takes a bit of payload away.

Now I have not towed very much yet. Maybe 20 kms yesterday around town testing out my hitch setup. My trailer is 8,200 lbs fully loaded. First trip in a couple of weeks. That said, I think it will be fine and I am withing my capacity. Tried to hit a scale but it's closed on Sundays. Last time I weighed the trailer (with my 01 Duramax) hooked up tongue weight was ~800 lbs.

With me, the wife and our 2 small dogs (no trailer) I did hit a scale and still had ~1,600 lbs of capacity left.

I asked here and elsewhere before buying the truck. I got favorable views on it.

[BenK]

RAMwoodworks,

Fordlover is spot on and add that it not just the frontal area...

Think of standing on a flatbed and then lift up a 4'x8' sheet of plywood with
a rope attached...you'd be lifted and flown like a kite...

The other and bigger issue: the ability of the TV to manhandle the trailer
and whole setup during that day(s) when Mr Murphy crosses your path

Either you have the right sized everything or not...spot on...no time to
go back to the store for bigger/better/etc...nor time to re-setup the WD Hitch system

Just like the OP and the dealer letting them go test tow...the dealer knows
just about anything 'can tow' it on the good days (the Shuttle
'can' be towed, but for how long...how will it 'manhandle' it
during a bad day, etc) by a half ton


My personal risk management decision (AKA gambling) is to have as much safety
margin as I can afford...or do NOT tow it. My family, self, etc is worth
more than to make this kind of gamble with

Too many only think of and/or recommend 'go' power and ignore why
there are dialed in design margins by the OEMs

Manhandling is performance at that worst instance out there. Braking
is just a part of 'manhandling' and again, too many asking and
providing advice ignore these attributes...