Bishops wrote:
I have been out of the camping world for a couple years. I sold my f350 and 38ft 5ver. I currently have a 08 gmc sierra 1500 5.3 crew 4x4 and looking at a travel trailer. just curious what ya'll are towing with the 1/2 ton 5.3
Pickup trucks (12 ton, 3/4 ton, one ton, etc) are not all created equal. What one person is towing with their 1/2 ton GMC, may not be the right weight for your truck. Depending on cab configurations, power trains, transmissions, drive trains, and option / trim levels, the payload can vary considerably, from one truck to another. F150 for example, can have payloads from 750 lbs to over 3000 lbs. They also have a 6000 lb range in tow capacities.
Check your drivers door jamb, for a tire / loading sticker. It will give your truck's specific payload (occupant/cargo) rating.
From that number, subtract the weight of people and cargo you plan to have in the truck, subtract the weight of aftermarket accessories (bed cap, bed liner, step bars, etc), and subtract 100 lbs for a weight distributing hitch.
What you have left is available payload to carry trailer tongue weight. Divide that number by .13. The result will be the loaded trailer weight that will put you in the neighborhood of GVWR on the truck. Shop for a trailer that has unloaded weight of 1000 lbs less.
Here's a towing calculator that will do the math for you. Just plug in your payload and weights.
