Easy way to determine how much Travel Trailer I can buy?

[elsique]

I know this has been discussed many times. Looking to upgrade our TT and a simple way to determine max TT we can buy without all complications.
Our Truck has a max tow capacity of 9400lbs with current set up (2010 Chevy Silverado 6.2 with 3.42ax. So I am thinking that I should be looking for a trailer with a dry weight 2000lbs less as my max to account for the weight of everything (including people) we put into the truck and the TT combined. So if 9400 is my max, then I should not buy a TT that weighs more that 7400 lbs UVW.

Would that be a simplistic way to determine our max?

Note: The TT I really like is 7900LB UVW and I think that is just at least 500lbs over the max we can consider.

How much does all the extra stuff (food/bottled water, beer, clothing, chairs, linens, etc.) generally add for a weekend trip?

[drsteve]

Payload is the limiting factor with any half ton. You will run out of payload long before you reach the towing capacity. Does your truck have the six speed?

[elsique]

Thanks all,
Our Current TT is 2007 Rockwood 8293SS -
GVWR is 7643; UVW = 6146 lb- No problems towing this TT

Tow Vehicle - 2010 Chevy Silverado 1500 4x4 6.2L Engine and 3.42 axle with Tow pkg. GVWR 7000lb GAWR Frt 3950LB, GAWR RR 3950LB (also have Wt D Hitch & Equalizer Anti sway)May have to look around for any other numbers on truck

We also decided this evening that we will only look at new TT's under 7000lbs just to be safe.

[keymastr]

Your max towing number is only achieved with an empty truck. If you add passengers and gear in the truck then you will need to reduce the size of the trailer.

Use the gross weight of the trailer because it will be much closer to that weight than the dry weight. Figure tongue weight at 13% of gross trailer weight because again, it will be much closer to that than the listed dry tongue weight.

With 3.42 gears I would limit total weight to 6500 pounds. Even then it will struggle in the mountains.

[llr]

I don't find the specs on your current trailer in your sig but from the number I expect that it is fairly large and heavy. how does the weight and size compare to what you are looking at? what do you think of the way it tows?

this will probably give a better idea then guessing how far under (or even a little over) specs to stay.

[APT]

You already have a combo already. Take it to a a scale to find out where you stand with respect to all your truck's ratings. Looks like current TT has dry weight listed around 5600 pounds, so you will quickly calculate how much extra your family takes as well.

I tend to stick to about 6k dry for half ton recommendations. That tends to be 7k loaded with 900-1000 pounds of TW. A bed full of camping gear or toys and some people in the cab tend to very quickly exceed the 1200-1600 pound of typical half ton payloads. You are considering 7500 or 8000 pounds dry, so 8500 pounds loaded. That would be 1000-1200 pounds of TW. How much rear axle and payload do you have available?

[troubledwaters]

This is what I would do.
1. Find the payload number on the drivers door of your truck. (xxxx)
2. Added together your weight, your wife, kids, dog, etc. Subtract that from the payload number xxxx. = (yyyy)
3. Determine the weight of stuff you may carry in the truck (hitch, firewood, tools, bikes, etc.). Subtract that from yyyy. = (tttt)
4. Take the weight of the trailer as it weighs on the lot at the dealer (aaaa), add about 1250 lbs to it. = (bbbb) (loaded trailer weight)
5. Multiply bbbb x 15%. = (cccc)
6. Subtract cccc from tttt = (jjjj)
7. If jjjj is a positive number you have some cushion. If jjjj is a negative number pick a lighter trailer.

The 1250 lbs is an estimation of how much stuff you are going to carry in the trailer. The smaller the trailer, the smaller this number will probably be. The more water you carry in the tank plus, camping charis, grills, etc. that you carry, the higher this number will be. No kids, less stuff, etc. 1250 lbs is probably a tad on the high side considering a 7400 lbs trailer. Also 15% is a little on the high side. So there may be a little fluff in the calculations but this is just a SWAG to get you close.

[Lwiddis]

I agree with Tom. "Maxing" everything is not a good idea. Every truck, machine, weapon etc. has a "max" rate but the most important number is the sustained rate.

[donn0128]

Weigh the truck loaded ready to travel. Add 100 pounds for hitch. Look up the trucks GCWR from GM. Subtract B from A. That is the max towing capacity per GM compliance engineers certified to the feds. If you adhere to the 80% rule then 80% of the left over weight number is the GVWR of a trailer you should be looking for.

[TomG2]

As has been mentioned, there is "Towing" and there is "Safe and enjoyable" Towing. Exceed the payload of your tow vehicle by very much and you will be back on here asking about tires, expensive hitches, and suspension upgrades. You will learn what "Sway" and "White knuckle driving" means. Weigh the tow vehicle ready to tow and subtract from the GVWR to get recommended payload number. Calculate tongue weight conservatively and see where you stand. Better yet, get actual weights.

[lawrosa]

The right way to determine is not assume or guess.

My truck has a 7500 lbs towing capacity, but as with any truck im sure it can pull 10000 plus lbs.

But its the payload what is always the limiting factor.

Take the truck to a cat scale and get individual axle weights. Then subtract those #'s from your door sticker axle weights. This will tell you exactly what you can tow in regards to tongue weight.

Weigh with full fuel tank and all people and cargo you will camp with.

You will be surprised of the findings.


Example. My truck with me and full tank I have 1420lbs payload left. I bought a light 4700lb camper.

The TW started at 585. Just with extra battery, pots pans, plates, tools ,chairs etc etc I am at 740lbs TW.

The camper is now 5300 lbs just with basic stuff.

Thats 600 lbs. And I travel light.


Put my wife and two boys in the truck, 4 milk crates of jackpads, water sewer hoses, maybe a generator, and solar panel where do you think I am at?

[danimal53]

if you're looking to upgrade, meaning you have a current TT, you should be able to get a pretty good idea of how much all the extra stuff weighs for you. i think there are too many variables to get a simple answer. DW and I only have about 400lbs of stuff, depending on how long the trip is.

important thing to consider is max payload of the truck, and consider this when you think about gear, people, tongue weight, hitch weight. i've read a lot on these forums of people hitting that max payload number before any other limit (usually)

[Chris_Bryant]

You actually have to weigh your truck and subtract that weight from the gross combined weight rating to find the real tow rating, then go from there. Published "tow ratings" are often for stripped dry vehicles.
Other than that, your plan sounds good to me.