Just bought a '17 Chevy Silverado 1500

[CherylH]

2017 silverado 1500 LT crew cab**
EcoTec3 5.3L V8 Flex Fuel, 6-Speed Automatic, 3.42 Rear Axle Ratio w/5.3L V8 engine, Color-Keyed Carpeting w/Rubberized Vinyl Floor Mats, Custom Convenience Package, Electric Rear-Window Defogger, Heavy-Duty Rear Locking Differential, Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Rear Vision Camera, Remote Keyless Entry, Remote Locking Tailgate, Trailering Package

I am looking at getting a Grey Wolf 26BH

GVWR W/brakes 7402
Cargo Capacity 2823


Do I add those 2 together ?
the way they break down, in this catalog, confuses me.
axle weight, ship weight, unloaded vehicle weight and dry hitch weight..

[time2roll]

If the trailer GVWR is within the tow rating I would hitch it up with a good weight distribution and antisway hitch and go have some fun. Trick is knowing the actual tow rating. Just don't expect to also load the bed with 500+ pounds of firewood and toys.

[drsteve]

What can people tell me about Equalizer Weight Distribution hitch? I was told it takes weight off the tongue. Is this true?

No. It removes load from the truck's rear axle, and moves it to the truck's front axle, and some is transferred to the trailer axles. But it does not remove tongue weight, or change it. It is still there, and counts as payload. The idea of the WD hitch is to level the truck/trailer combo out and return the front end to it's unloaded ride height for better steering and handling. You will need one with the Grey Wolf. Yes, the amount of load transferred to the trailer can be deducted from the load on the truck, but the only way to know that number is a trip to the scales with the trailer hitched up.

Dealers have a reputation for telling customers they can pull anything with whatever truck they have. Even at a good dealer, RV salespeople are usually not technicians, and generally know little about tow vehicles and proper hitch setup. Some aren't even RVers. It's easy to say hairs are being split when they aren't the one who has to deal with the rig in heavy traffic, high winds, bad weather, etc. You'll get better advice from the knowledgeable and experienced RVers here.

There are people who say you need an HD truck to pull anything with two axles, and people who will say the manufacturer's numbers are artificially low because lawyers, and to go ahead and pull a 36' 5th wheel with a Tacoma. In between those extremes you'll find the answers to your questions. I've towed over weight and with less than optimal setups, and it's no fun. Myself, I think the Grey Wolf and that truck with your family will be OK. Not awesome, but OK.

[CherylH]

lbrjet wrote:

CherylH wrote:

Sandia Man wrote:
The equipment listed above could make for a decent towing experience, at nearly 30' long, a high quality weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control, such as an Equalizer, would be particularly helpful for windy travel days. Being a half-ton tow vehicle you will still encounter difficulties traversing steep inclines in mountainous areas, it will be slower at times but you'll get where you are going. On mostly flatlands towing should be a comfortable experience, that's an impressive CCC for such a light TT, but over-packing with non-essentials will negatively affect your towing experience. Here's hoping your new TV & TT meets all your RVing expectations.

Thanks!

You think I should try to go lighter and maybe a shorter TT?
Say a 22'
Coachman Clipper 17 BH
there are a few for sell here that are like 2015 and a 2016
Says Gross weight is 3800

Pretty soon these folks will have you in a pop up. With a family of 5 I would go with the Greywolf. You will be within the payload rating and way under the truck's tow rating. In the mountains just press on the gas. You would have to do that anyway even with an 18 foot trailer. Remember these engines make peak power at well over 4,000 RPM's. You will see 4K plus going up steep grades and going down using your engine braking.

Enjoy your travels.

LMAO!! That had me laughing!
Because I went back to dealer and was like.. UHHH. . I think I want to get the 17BH because im on these forums.. and she goes, "OH don't listen to naysayers. Those people will split hairs!"

lol
AND btw the trailer shes trying to sell me isnt much more than the 17bh. Shes not trying to put me in somehting we cannot handle, or will not like.

DONT worry though (for those who are really worrying or just want to be "right") I am doing my homework FIRST!
The place I am buying from has a REAL good reputation on putting people in the right TT that their TV can pull; BUT, I want to make sure myself, first!

But seriously though, naysayers, people honestly helping, not naysayers, whatever, thanks for the help!
I am truly taking in EVERYTHING and looking into whatever anyone says.

What can people tell me about Equalizer Weight Distribution hitch? I was told it takes weight off the tongue. Is this true?

[lbrjet]

CherylH wrote:

Sandia Man wrote:
The equipment listed above could make for a decent towing experience, at nearly 30' long, a high quality weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control, such as an Equalizer, would be particularly helpful for windy travel days. Being a half-ton tow vehicle you will still encounter difficulties traversing steep inclines in mountainous areas, it will be slower at times but you'll get where you are going. On mostly flatlands towing should be a comfortable experience, that's an impressive CCC for such a light TT, but over-packing with non-essentials will negatively affect your towing experience. Here's hoping your new TV & TT meets all your RVing expectations.

Thanks!

You think I should try to go lighter and maybe a shorter TT?
Say a 22'
Coachman Clipper 17 BH
there are a few for sell here that are like 2015 and a 2016
Says Gross weight is 3800

Pretty soon these folks will have you in a pop up. With a family of 5 I would go with the Greywolf. You will be within the payload rating and way under the truck's tow rating. In the mountains just press on the gas. You would have to do that anyway even with an 18 foot trailer. Remember these engines make peak power at well over 4,000 RPM's. You will see 4K plus going up steep grades and going down using your engine braking.

Enjoy your travels.

[GWolfe]

If you go with a 17BH from whatever manufacturer you will have no problems. I think you would be fine with the bigger trailer as well. Payload in your truck will be the biggest hurdle but I think you can manage. I'm about 100 lbs under max payload when I have my ATVin the bed and the trailer hooked up. I'm still running "P" tires on my truck but make sure they are aired up to the max PSI they are rated for and do just fine. I will upgrade to "LT" rated tires when these wear out for the extra margin.

[drsteve]

JIMNLIN wrote:
We just back in last nite from a 320 mile run one way pulling a 10k loaded car hauler (9460 lbs on the axles and 1020 lbs on the trucks rear axle).

I get what you're saying about the capabilities of this truck... but a car hauler does not present nearly as much wind resistance as a travel trailer. It's not an apples to apples comparison. My buddy used to haul a 6000 lb. 28' boat using a Chevy Astro van, and it did just fine. A TT that size would have been a different story.

[CherylH]

Greene728 wrote:
My Lord y'all are totally confusing this woman!
Excellent job on correcting Lwiddis too!
You are doing a great thing by looking for a good match to your truck in a RV. Nothing sucks worse than a bad towing experience and getting to your destination and being mentally exhausted from the RV driving the truck. Based on your trucks specs, I'd say be looking at something in the 20-26ft range with a max weight of maybe 6000 pounds (give or take a smidge). Anything less than this is even better. At this weight range and under, you should be fine on all weights. I will recommend one thing right out of the gate though. If the truck came with P rated tires, look very seriously at swapping them out for an LT tire that will provide a much better towing experience. If it came with LT tires then your already good to go! And when looking at RV's never use the UVW. Always use the GVWR or max weight. That is worse case scenario and anything under that is just weight to the good. Remember, you'll never tow or use your RV empty, so really it's a useless number.
Good Luck!

Thank you!
and I'll look into the tires.
I am actually "looking" at a 17'(im sure around 19) Jayco 17hb
or a coachman Clipper 17 BH

GeoBoy wrote:
CherylH, how many people in the trailer? How long will you be out with the trailer, traveling?

2 adults
3 children
child 1 is 6
child 2 is 13 but under 100 lbs
child 3 is 17 but shes part time (lives with mom) and is probably 150 lbs

We live in NE and plan on traveling to CA with trailer.

Lwiddis wrote:
Chery, snug it up right at the max? Not me....that's your family in that TV with you.

Follow the Dutchman: "You really need to think in terms of what is the ultimate extreme usage you'll be experiencing with your truck, not what is the lightest usage and hope it's OK when the extreme happens."

You literally are not understanding what I am doing so maybe you should go to another post and help someone else ?

jerem0621 wrote:

drsteve wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
Yes, drsteve! Too close for his family.

Not necessarily... Depends if we're talking about a couple of small adults and a pair of third graders, or large adults with linebacker sized teenage sons .

BenK wrote:
Stand by the info on HOW2 in previous post and stress that the OP go out and actually weigh her TV while fully loaded ready to go RV'ing...then do the dimple math

BenK has it right... load the truck up with the family and cargo, go to the scales, and find out how much it all weighs, and figure out how much capacity is left for tongue and hitch weight. Do this before purchasing a trailer.

That's exactly where my family is. Use to have just me and DW with a couple light weight kids in the back seat. Now I look in my review mirror and I see two of those linebacker sized teens. Don't worry though. The truck will lighten itself up in a few years when they head off to college. Maybe we will get a dog then. Shouldn't have any trouble with a couples trailer then.

Life is a grand adventure, nothing stays the same forever.

Hold the ones you love because soon they will leave. They will never remember how much money you spent or didn't spend on stuff, they will remember if you were there for them or not.

Thanks,

Jeremiah

Thanks! You are so right!

[CherylH]

JIMNLIN wrote:

CherylH wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
You are SO close to being overloaded. And I will be the first to say...shoulda bought a 3/4 for that TT, water and stuff.

Um nope. I didn't want a 3/4 and I havent bought a TT yet, so I shouldnt of done anything.
I am trying to find out what my vehicle CAN tow. Thanks
I am getting conflicting information on what this truck CAN tow. I've literally read that it can tow 7k to 15k <<< that was from a towing guide.

LOL....As you suspect you don't need a 3/4 ton truck for that small trailer. Nor do you need to dump the P tires and buy LT tires....at this time. That is what we do down the road if the P tires turn out to cause handling issues.

We always have those that feel a 1/2 ton can't pull or carry its rated capacities and some folks have no idea what your trucks capacities are.

My wifes '16 1500 chevy crew cab 4wd 5.3 ET3 355 hp/383 torque 3.42 gears 6L80E tranny along with GMs 1500 7200 gvwr chassis will have no problems pulling or handling that size trailer.

We just back in last nite from a 320 mile run one way pulling a 10k loaded car hauler (9460 lbs on the axles and 1020 lbs on the trucks rear axle).
I always use manual mode on the 6L80e tranny that way I choose what gear to run depending on load and terrain. My other truck is a 6 speed manual Dodge/Cummins so I understand which gear for best mpg and pulling performance/cooler running auto tranny/etc.
If you don't then I would suggest manual mode and 5th gear in T/H mode when towing.

The 1500 ET3...5.3... 3.42 gears 6l80e tranny is a sweet combo for the size TT your looking at.

Oh thats awesome! Thanks.
I am still torn between the one I listed and
Jayco 17 bh or coachman Clipper 17 bh or cherokee grey wolf 17 bh lol
(that one has a full at the bottom of the bunk)

THANK you EVERYONE for your advice. I've read each and everyone's comments. VERY helpful!

[JIMNLIN]

CherylH wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
You are SO close to being overloaded. And I will be the first to say...shoulda bought a 3/4 for that TT, water and stuff.

Um nope. I didn't want a 3/4 and I havent bought a TT yet, so I shouldnt of done anything.
I am trying to find out what my vehicle CAN tow. Thanks
I am getting conflicting information on what this truck CAN tow. I've literally read that it can tow 7k to 15k <<< that was from a towing guide.

LOL....As you suspect you don't need a 3/4 ton truck for that small trailer. Nor do you need to dump the P tires and buy LT tires....at this time. That is what we do down the road if the P tires turn out to cause handling issues.

We always have those that feel a 1/2 ton can't pull or carry its rated capacities and some folks have no idea what your trucks capacities are.

My wifes '16 1500 chevy crew cab 4wd 5.3 ET3 355 hp/383 torque 3.42 gears 6L80E tranny along with GMs 1500 7200 gvwr chassis will have no problems pulling or handling that size trailer.

We just back in last nite from a 320 mile run one way pulling a 10k loaded car hauler (9460 lbs on the axles and 1020 lbs on the trucks rear axle).
I always use manual mode on the 6L80e tranny that way I choose what gear to run depending on load and terrain. My other truck is a 6 speed manual Dodge/Cummins so I understand which gear for best mpg and pulling performance/cooler running auto tranny/etc.
If you don't then I would suggest manual mode and 5th gear in T/H mode when towing.

The 1500 ET3...5.3... 3.42 gears 6l80e tranny is a sweet combo for the size TT your looking at.

[rbtglove]

I would tow it with my Silverado, just be careful on loading, check final ready to go scale weight and a just if necessary. With proper hitch and set up you should be OK. Don't need a dually oil burner to tow everything.

[jerem0621]

drsteve wrote:

Lwiddis wrote:
Yes, drsteve! Too close for his family.

Not necessarily... Depends if we're talking about a couple of small adults and a pair of third graders, or large adults with linebacker sized teenage sons .

BenK wrote:
Stand by the info on HOW2 in previous post and stress that the OP go out and actually weigh her TV while fully loaded ready to go RV'ing...then do the dimple math

BenK has it right... load the truck up with the family and cargo, go to the scales, and find out how much it all weighs, and figure out how much capacity is left for tongue and hitch weight. Do this before purchasing a trailer.

That's exactly where my family is. Use to have just me and DW with a couple light weight kids in the back seat. Now I look in my review mirror and I see two of those linebacker sized teens. Don't worry though. The truck will lighten itself up in a few years when they head off to college. Maybe we will get a dog then. Shouldn't have any trouble with a couples trailer then.

Life is a grand adventure, nothing stays the same forever.

Hold the ones you love because soon they will leave. They will never remember how much money you spent or didn't spend on stuff, they will remember if you were there for them or not.

Thanks,

Jeremiah

[drsteve]

Lwiddis wrote:
Yes, drsteve! Too close for his family.

Not necessarily... Depends if we're talking about a couple of small adults and a pair of third graders, or large adults with linebacker sized teenage sons .

BenK wrote:
Stand by the info on HOW2 in previous post and stress that the OP go out and actually weigh her TV while fully loaded ready to go RV'ing...then do the dimple math

BenK has it right... load the truck up with the family and cargo, and a full tank of gas, go to the scales, and find out how much it all weighs, and figure out how much capacity is left for tongue and hitch weight. Do this before purchasing a trailer.

[BenK]

"Can" is different from "rated for"....

Add safely and a loooooooong time before the wheels fall off...to the decision

Am hoping the OP is NOT just looking for "sure you can"...

I'll not say that, but provide the metrics for the OP's to make up their own mind....on that...we advisors on these freebie forums have no skin in the OP's game...nor will we warranty anything...the OEM does, but CYA's themselves with their published SOECIFICATIONS...

Stand by the info on HOW2 in previous post and stress that the OP go out and actually weigh her TV while fully loaded ready to go RV'ing...then do the dimple math

If the trailer's actual weight isn't known...then us its GVRW to figure and if not loaded to GVWR...more safety margin

Hint....designers/engineers design to specification and that is also for the day Mr Murphy crosses your path...either you have the right sized stuff and setup .correctly...or not spot on...no time to go back to the store or reset up

The ability to manhandle the setup during that worst day is what RATINGs are all about...

[Lwiddis]

Yes, drsteve! Too close for his family.

[drsteve]

According to your door sticker, the truck has P rated tires--you will want to ditch those for LT tires. They are stiffer and will give you much better control and ride when towing. The door sticker also gives us the most important number for a 1/2 ton truck: the cargo capacity, which is 1689 lbs.

The trailer you're looking at will probably have about 850-900 lbs of tongue weight when loaded for camping. Add 100 lbs for the weight of the WD hitch. That leaves about 700 lbs for the weight of all passengers and any cargo carried in the truck. I assume you have a family that includes kids, since you're buying a bunkhouse. It's going to be close...