Half-ton TV options

[CraigGe]

I've done quite a bit of searching, but every situation is unique, so I figured I would solicit some input for my own scenario. Appreciate any advice you all can provide.

After having rented RV's for several years, I've decided it's time to buy a TT. After finding out that the TT I really wanted was too heavy in the tongue, I believe I've found a couple of alternatives. The question is… can my half-ton handle it? To get right to it, here are the numbers:

2013 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L V8, 3.42, tow kit

Truck:
Curb: 5,487 lbs
Payload: 1,513 lbs
GVWR: 7,000 lbs
Max Trailer: 9300 lbs
GCWR: 15,000 lbs
Axle ratings: 3,950 lbs

Hitch:
Max load with WDH: 1100

Est. Additional Truck Cargo (including people):
800-1,000 lbs

Trailer 1:
Dry: 5,727 lbs
GVWR: 6,900 lbs
Tongue weight: 544 lbs

Trailer 2:
Dry: 6,550 lbs
GVWR: 8,600 lbs
Tongue weight: 560 lbs

Tire max load: 2,469 lbs


On the surface, everything appears to check out. What do you think about the 2 trailer options?

[Gdetrailer]

CraigGe writes "

Truck:
Curb: 5,487 lbs
Payload: 1,513 lbs
GVWR: 7,000 lbs
Max Trailer: 9300 lbs
GCWR: 15,000 lbs
Axle ratings: 3,950 lbs

Hitch:
Max load with WDH: 1100

Est. Additional Truck Cargo (including people):
800-1,000 lbs

Trailer 1:
Dry: 5,727 lbs
GVWR: 6,900 lbs
Tongue weight: 544 lbs

Trailer 2:
Dry: 6,550 lbs
GVWR: 8,600 lbs
Tongue weight: 560 lbs

Tire max load: 2,469 lbs"

Your "cargo" weight MUST be SUBTRACTED from the "Payload" weight leaving you only 500 lbs and some change available for the TONGUE weight.

Dry weight is typically wrong and often heavier than advertised and typically does not include propane tanks, propane and battery.

With that said, you will easily EXCEED your max "payload" of your truck.

In BOTH cases the Dry TW is way too light to start with, it MUST be at least 10% of the weight of the trailer.

Trailer 1 should have min of 573 lbs and trailer trailer 2 should have 655 lbs.

You need to find a trailer which will be 3500- 4000 lbs dry giving 10% TW of 350-400 lbs which would only give you 1000 lbs of cargo on the trailer before you max your "payload". However the TW should be at least 12%-15% which still will leave you short on payload.

[CraigGe]

Went with the lighter option. My tongue weight fully loaded (minus waste) is ~850lbs. The truck handles it better than I thought it would. Everything runs about double what it does without the trailer (RPM's, gas consumption, acceleration time, braking distance, etc), making it somewhat predictable and comfortable to drive.

The equalizer hitch puts my height measurements <= 1" of what they are without the trailer, which I thought was pretty impressive.


Thanks again for the advice.

[peirek]

Goldstalker wrote:
I think you will be fine with the first one not the second. I tow a similar set up and love it, have no issues.

I agree based off my weights (measured) and my experience. My trailer weighs between 6000 - 6300 loaded, depending on the trip. With the Hensley I am between 825-875# Tongue Weight (measured).

[Doug33]

FWIW - my new TT is 5200 lbs dry weight, and I feel as if I'm just at the limit of what I want to tow safely. And I have the same basic TV as you.

[CraigGe]

gcloss wrote:
I played the cat & mouse game for a few years. First I had a Dodge Dakota towing a PUP. Upgraded from PUP to TT and the Dakota was maxed out. So, I then went to a Ram 1500. Then upgraded TT to a larger TT and Ram 1500 was maxed out. So, of course I had to go to the Ram 2500.

Hindsight is 20/20 and I should have gone from the Dakota to the Ram 2500 skipping right past the Ram 1500.

What about the TT upgrade process. How painful is that?

[Nvr2loud]

gcloss wrote:
I played the cat & mouse game for a few years. First I had a Dodge Dakota towing a PUP. Upgraded from PUP to TT and the Dakota was maxed out. So, I then went to a Ram 1500. Then upgraded TT to a larger TT and Ram 1500 was maxed out. So, of course I had to go to the Ram 2500.

Hindsight is 20/20 and I should have gone from the Dakota to the Ram 2500 skipping right past the Ram 1500.

I have always advised skipping the Ram 1500 🙂

Sorry Dodge owners, I couldn't resist the ease at which I could throw that in HaHaHa :0

I've had all three vehicles you've describing for towing for work. The Dakota did very well for a small truck, but it was just too small for my needs. The 1500 was gas and did okay, but it went through a lot of gas full or empty load to run. The 2500 was also gas, but it was a lot better on fuel for some reason.

I also had a 2000 Dodge Ram 3500 Duelly with a six-speed manual for awhile to tow, it was fantastic!

The only reason I have a Sierra for towing is the side of the back seat in the crew cab. It is a lot bigger then the size of the back seat in the 1500 Ram, and I don't want a mega-cab version

[gcloss]

I played the cat & mouse game for a few years. First I had a Dodge Dakota towing a PUP. Upgraded from PUP to TT and the Dakota was maxed out. So, I then went to a Ram 1500. Then upgraded TT to a larger TT and Ram 1500 was maxed out. So, of course I had to go to the Ram 2500.

Hindsight is 20/20 and I should have gone from the Dakota to the Ram 2500 skipping right past the Ram 1500.

[CraigGe]

Thanks guys.

I'm 6'5", and my wife and I have two kids and three dogs :E. So I'm all but forced to deal with a bit more weight from the family and a taller trailer.

I'm in a somewhat uncommon situation in that I'll be using one of our work trucks that we swap out every few years. If I find the trailer to be too heavy, I can just store it for a year or so until we have access to a more capable truck.

I've had worse backup plans...

[Nvr2loud]

I have the 2011 Sierra Crew Cab with the 5.3 and 4.42 final drive ratio.

I have a travel trailer with a GVWR of 6000lbs and a dry weight of 4270lbs. I run without water and a lot of chairs, gear, dishes, food, ect. and nearly reach my 6000lb limit (verified by scale)

I have not weighed the tongue, but at 15% that is 900lbs

I have a payload on my truck of just over 1600 lbs (by sticker)

I load bikes, people and a canoe on the roof, and am just near my payload limit.

[CincyGus]

I've got the Chevy truck in my sig with a 4x4 same engine and rear gear you have in a crewcab. My trailer weighes uder 4000 Empty and 4700 loaded. I limit by truck bed to light items like a folding table, 2-3 bikes, a couple water jugs with 1-2 gallons of water in them to keep them from blowing out and a drink cooler that goes about 40 lbs loaded. Likely in the 200 lbs in the truck bed. Myself, DW, DD and Dog go about 500 lbs between the 4 of us.

Truck pulls my camper fine. Did a Cincy-Tampa and back Trip last year down I-75 and through the Jellico Mountains. Other than wishing I had a 373 rear gear and didn't have to run at 4500 RPM's up the big hills, the truck is well matched.

Adding a thousand or two thousand lbs to what I'm pulling, My guess is it likely going to leave you feeling under powered on hills and if not properly setup, more likely to be feelign some sway and big truck passing wiggling.

If you decide to go for it, just make sure you load tongue heavy in the trailer, minimize weight in the truck bed and have good W/D and sway control installed. I won't say it's not doable and safe, just will take some work and be ready to hear that 5.3 scream going up hills.

[CraigGe]

Thanks all. What I'll take from this is that with some planning I can stay within the boundaries. It may just not be the best option for traveling across the country.

[APT]

CraigGe wrote:
Cargo is more realistically < 800 lbs, but I would like to plan for 1000 lbs in case I want to load the quad in the bed instead of the dogs. Either way, I hate to worry about a couple of hundred pounds every time I load.

Frankly, you have to because you have a half ton. Payload is your limit. The specs you listed look like base model/max, not as equipped like actual owners have.

Check the actual payload on the Tire and Loading sticker on the driver's door or door jam. Even at 1500 pounds of payload, 800 pounds of people and cargo, leaves 700 (loaded) tongue weight for the trailer. That's about 5000 pound dry TT.

Skip the quad as it costs you about 3000 pounds in actual towing capacity. Stick to under 6k dry and 700 pounds dry TW. Get a WDH with integrated sway control and you should be pleased.

[Goldstalker]

I think you will be fine with the first one not the second. I tow a similar set up and love it, have no issues.

[Mvander]

Load your tt not your tv to save on payload.