Looking for BH for my newer 06 1500 TV

[lawrosa]

Hi All.

I did a search and looked at contless manufacturer sites and can not find the right weight and floor plan for my newer 2006 silverado 1500..

My s 10 did a great job of pulling the coachmen 4500 lbs trailer but my new TV dont even know its back there.

With that said I traveled alone in the s10 when I towed. I was at max weight limits.

Now with the new truck I should be able to fit the family in there and have enough payload left for something a bit bigger..

The 06 silverado says payload of 1500 lbs. I did not get my max yet if I go by the axle weights. Which I do.

Ill have 600 lbs in cab and bed with camper stuff. Just sewer hose, alum jacks, pads, hoses, ect..

Im fine with a 7500 lb or less TT.

I am looking for the bigger beds in the bunk area. not the coffins. Queen of course in master,

But the kicker is I hate the dining and coach on the same slide and that crappy TV position.

And I hate the dues openings to the master with the TV centered.

Is there something out there with this type of seating?

I was looking at gulf streams, star crafts , and jaycos so far.

Any help would be apreciated.

Oh and my vin tag got waxed off on the door. So not sure of the axle weights.

Anyone with a 2006 silverado long bed ext cab out there 4x4? 5.3 L

I read thet the front may be 3925 lbs and the rear 3750 lb axle weights..

Thanks all..

[APT]

lawrosa wrote:

The 4 speed will out perform the 6 speed anyday of the week... The rpms will stay higher inbetween gears and keep the tourque up over the 6 speed...J

Anyone that has had both disagree. Shorter first gear and closer gear spacing means the trans can help keep the engine where it needs to be for what the driver wants, whether power or efficiency.

[lawrosa]

Just saying but your 08 Trailblazer with the 5.3L and the 4L60 with a 3.42 would only be rated for 11,000 GCWR where OP's 2006 Chev 1500 with the same setup is rated for 13,000 GCWR kinda an apples to oranges comparison... I agree he won't win any races pulling more with the same setup but it doesn't mean that it can't be done safely. Also 4th on those transmission is considered an OD gear with 3rd gear being direct drive. You shouldn't be in 4th towing going downhill anyways you should be downshifting to allow for engine braking if needed.

Of course. TH mode some keep it in OD and let TH mode select. I myself drive in 3rd. Best performance and cooler temps...

Its amazing how many here dont know how to tow or what is normal for towing weight...

The 4 speed will out perform the 6 speed anyday of the week... The rpms will stay higher inbetween gears and keep the tourque up over the 6 speed...

Most 6 speeds have the 3 23's from what I read... and hunt more

Its an oxymoron...

[lawrosa]

Here is more proof for the pudding: 2008 Trailblazer 5.3V8 4l60 trans, 3.42 rear. The same setup in run of the mill half ton pickups. It could not do 60MPH downhill 7% grade. In fact it could not stay 4th gear going downhill. 300HP and commuting rear ends are meant for grocery stores and daycare jaunts!

Thats more responses that dont make any sense what so ever..

So you could not do 60 mph down hill? Why? Hmmm tow haul mode on? Were you towing something? Of course its going to slow you down...

Why would a 3 42 rear and a 3 73 rear differ down hill? My commuting rear will do the same as a 3 73.. no difference but 200 rpm or so...

If you cant lay the facts to your response and be more clear please do not respond at all...

Duh... going down hill 7% you want the truck to hold back. so from your post the truck did what it was supposed to do...


Another uneducated post IMO... All my opinion of course.

[BLT2002]

PAThwacker wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
Towing 7500 lbs with a 2006 5.3L Silvy? ... thanks for my morning chuckle. :W Funny now, but not so much if you actually attempt it ... first tow and you'll be wondering what the heck you were thinking. :R No way, no how is this truck suitable for towing any more than ~ 6000 lbs fully loaded, particularly if it's running GM's ubiquitous non-tow friendly 3.42 axle. Having towed our 5500 lb (fully loaded) KZ Spree for 4 yrs with this same truck over just about every terrain one might encounter I wouldn't have wanted to tow any more. I replaced that truck with an Avalanche - same engine, same wide ratio 4-spd transmission that isn't anywhere near as capable as the current narrow ratio 6-spd, and same non-tow friendly 3.42 axle ratio. Our current trailer is 1000 lbs lighter, ~ 4500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, and even though my passenger load is lighter because it's now just my wife and I our Av does just OK and certainly wouldn't set any land speed records. Towing 7500 lbs? - not a chance. Not only is there insufficient grunt under the hood for this size of trailer but you'll run out of sufficient payload capacity to account for trailer tongue weight transferred to the truck l-o-n-g before you get anywhere near the truck's GCWR. Prove it to yourself - fill the truck tank, mount weight distribution including spring bars, and go weigh it. Subtract your weight from the scale reading and you'll have your particular truck's dead weight as it's sits there ready to be hitched to a trailer. Subtract that number from it's GVWR and you'll have it's actual, real world payload capacity ... and it won't be anywhere near 1500 lbs, guaranteed. Believe otherwise and you're dreaming. 😉

lawrosa wrote:
Well thanks for the uneducated response..

"Uneducated"? Ha Ha ... now that's funny, for all the reasons I already detailed in my post. :R Hey, do what you want but no degree of trucking experience on your part will change the facts of the matter - 6000 lbs total trailer weight is about as much as you should expect to tow with your older 5.3L gas aspirated GM coupled to the older wide ratio 4-spd transmission which in turn is running GM's non tow friendly 3.42 axle ratio. By hey, go ahead, tow more and find out the hard way just how poor the tow will be. :W

Here is more proof for the pudding: 2008 Trailblazer 5.3V8 4l60 trans, 3.42 rear. The same setup in run of the mill half ton pickups. It could not do 60MPH downhill 7% grade. In fact it could not stay 4th gear going downhill. 300HP and commuting rear ends are meant for grocery stores and daycare jaunts!

Just saying but your 08 Trailblazer with the 5.3L and the 4L60 with a 3.42 would only be rated for 11,000 GCWR where OP's 2006 Chev 1500 with the same setup is rated for 13,000 GCWR kinda an apples to oranges comparison... I agree he won't win any races pulling more with the same setup but it doesn't mean that it can't be done safely. Also 4th on those transmission is considered an OD gear with 3rd gear being direct drive. You shouldn't be in 4th towing going downhill anyways you should be downshifting to allow for engine braking if needed.

[PAThwacker]

SoundGuy wrote:

SoundGuy wrote:
Towing 7500 lbs with a 2006 5.3L Silvy? ... thanks for my morning chuckle. :W Funny now, but not so much if you actually attempt it ... first tow and you'll be wondering what the heck you were thinking. :R No way, no how is this truck suitable for towing any more than ~ 6000 lbs fully loaded, particularly if it's running GM's ubiquitous non-tow friendly 3.42 axle. Having towed our 5500 lb (fully loaded) KZ Spree for 4 yrs with this same truck over just about every terrain one might encounter I wouldn't have wanted to tow any more. I replaced that truck with an Avalanche - same engine, same wide ratio 4-spd transmission that isn't anywhere near as capable as the current narrow ratio 6-spd, and same non-tow friendly 3.42 axle ratio. Our current trailer is 1000 lbs lighter, ~ 4500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, and even though my passenger load is lighter because it's now just my wife and I our Av does just OK and certainly wouldn't set any land speed records. Towing 7500 lbs? - not a chance. Not only is there insufficient grunt under the hood for this size of trailer but you'll run out of sufficient payload capacity to account for trailer tongue weight transferred to the truck l-o-n-g before you get anywhere near the truck's GCWR. Prove it to yourself - fill the truck tank, mount weight distribution including spring bars, and go weigh it. Subtract your weight from the scale reading and you'll have your particular truck's dead weight as it's sits there ready to be hitched to a trailer. Subtract that number from it's GVWR and you'll have it's actual, real world payload capacity ... and it won't be anywhere near 1500 lbs, guaranteed. Believe otherwise and you're dreaming. 😉

lawrosa wrote:
Well thanks for the uneducated response..

"Uneducated"? Ha Ha ... now that's funny, for all the reasons I already detailed in my post. :R Hey, do what you want but no degree of trucking experience on your part will change the facts of the matter - 6000 lbs total trailer weight is about as much as you should expect to tow with your older 5.3L gas aspirated GM coupled to the older wide ratio 4-spd transmission which in turn is running GM's non tow friendly 3.42 axle ratio. By hey, go ahead, tow more and find out the hard way just how poor the tow will be. :W

Here is more proof for the pudding: 2008 Trailblazer 5.3V8 4l60 trans, 3.42 rear. The same setup in run of the mill half ton pickups. It could not do 60MPH downhill 7% grade. In fact it could not stay 4th gear going downhill. 300HP and commuting rear ends are meant for grocery stores and daycare jaunts!

[xteacher]

Not sure if this one is too long/heavy for your truck, but it meets most of your criteria, I think, except for the t.v. placement: Coachmen Apex 288bhs.

[SoundGuy]

big_murph_279 wrote:
I have an 07 1500 chevy with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears. It knows it is back there. It tows relatively well considering what it is dragging down the road but it is a whole lot different than my older 5000lb trailer. I will be upgrading the truck in the next few years because this truck may be rated for 7500lbs but it isn't as safe, strong or prepared for the load that I'm towing.

Lucky you that you at least are running a 3.73 axle and not GM's much more common but non-tow friendly 3.42. One question though - is your '07 still running the older wide ratio 4-speed transmission as did my '06 Silvy or does it have the much more capable narrow ratio 6-speed? That alone would make for a huge improvement in towing capability, particularly if coupled to a 3.73 axle ratio.

[big_murph_279]

I tow a Flagstaff Super lite 29fbss. The name has changed but is the same basic set-up. Has 3 bunks in the rear with a bedroom door. This was important to us because are kids are getting bigger and like to have a little time to themselves sometimes. They have a TV in their room and a lot of storage space for their things. Has a queen bed in the front and what I think is a nice area to sit and eat in the main area. The TV is at the center of the main room by the bedroom but it has a nice mount that allows you to bring it out to a better angle. Ours has the emerald package which weighs a little over 400lbs. Puts the dry weight at 6400lbs. This one was a great deal so we took it with this option. It includes some nice things to look at but the extra 400lbs is sort of wasted. Anyway it is probably about 7200-7400 depending on the trip. I have an 07 1500 chevy with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears. It knows it is back there. It tows relatively well considering what it is dragging down the road but it is a whole lot different than my older 5000lb trailer. I will be upgrading the truck in the next few years because this truck may be rated for 7500lbs but it isn't as safe, strong or prepared for the load that I'm towing. With that said, until then I will still camp. We will still go to the mountains and the beach but I will have to travel slower and pay much more attention to the TV service and such. Enjoy whatever you get. I don't think there is anything wrong buying a trailer because of the layout including the tv location. It will be yours and you should enjoy everything about it.

[wing_zealot]

Seriously, there are hundreds of things more important in an RV then watching TV at an angle. Focus on the important stuff and don't worry about the TV. Believe me, the kids will still watch it. If it comes down to a one has it one doesn't choice, then choose the one with the Tv in a better position. But I wouldn't eliminate any choices because the TV was not directly across from me.

[SoundGuy]

SoundGuy wrote:
Towing 7500 lbs with a 2006 5.3L Silvy? ... thanks for my morning chuckle. :W Funny now, but not so much if you actually attempt it ... first tow and you'll be wondering what the heck you were thinking. :R No way, no how is this truck suitable for towing any more than ~ 6000 lbs fully loaded, particularly if it's running GM's ubiquitous non-tow friendly 3.42 axle. Having towed our 5500 lb (fully loaded) KZ Spree for 4 yrs with this same truck over just about every terrain one might encounter I wouldn't have wanted to tow any more. I replaced that truck with an Avalanche - same engine, same wide ratio 4-spd transmission that isn't anywhere near as capable as the current narrow ratio 6-spd, and same non-tow friendly 3.42 axle ratio. Our current trailer is 1000 lbs lighter, ~ 4500 lbs loaded and ready to camp, and even though my passenger load is lighter because it's now just my wife and I our Av does just OK and certainly wouldn't set any land speed records. Towing 7500 lbs? - not a chance. Not only is there insufficient grunt under the hood for this size of trailer but you'll run out of sufficient payload capacity to account for trailer tongue weight transferred to the truck l-o-n-g before you get anywhere near the truck's GCWR. Prove it to yourself - fill the truck tank, mount weight distribution including spring bars, and go weigh it. Subtract your weight from the scale reading and you'll have your particular truck's dead weight as it's sits there ready to be hitched to a trailer. Subtract that number from it's GVWR and you'll have it's actual, real world payload capacity ... and it won't be anywhere near 1500 lbs, guaranteed. Believe otherwise and you're dreaming. 😉

lawrosa wrote:
Well thanks for the uneducated response..

"Uneducated"? Ha Ha ... now that's funny, for all the reasons I already detailed in my post. :R Hey, do what you want but no degree of trucking experience on your part will change the facts of the matter - 6000 lbs total trailer weight is about as much as you should expect to tow with your older 5.3L gas aspirated GM coupled to the older wide ratio 4-spd transmission which in turn is running GM's non tow friendly 3.42 axle ratio. By hey, go ahead, tow more and find out the hard way just how poor the tow will be. :W

[PUCampin]

The KZ Spree 240BHS is one of the more interesting floor plans I have run across. Double bunks on the back wall with a 3rd bunk on the right side, staggered so non feel claustrophobic. Bathroom on the left. A huge U dinette on a slide opposite the galley and TV, and queen up front in a relatively compact package. If I was in a position to buy a new trailer, this would be one of my top 3. They have been making this model for a while so if you like it you might score a good deal on a gently pre owned.

[Mike_E_]

Yup, they are spendy but 'tis the season for dealers looking to get rid of old stock. Ya' never know...

Good luck with the search.

[lawrosa]

Mike E. wrote:
How about this?

https://www.granddesignrv.com/showroom/2017/travel-trailer/imagine/floorplans/2800bh

Yes I was looking at those too. The GD is 36 K $$$$$ No way am I spending that...

But a few others make it too..

I like a 3 person couch though and not a fan of the entrance by the bunks.. Nice TV position though..

I thank you for posting that..

Oh and the weight is great... That would be the weight im looking for and somewhat the layout but not the 36K price tag....

[Mike_E_]

How about this?

https://www.granddesignrv.com/showroom/2017/travel-trailer/imagine/floorplans/2800bh