Forum Discussion

SoonerWing03's avatar
SoonerWing03
Explorer
Jun 04, 2018

Newbie and can't figure out the "What can I tow" math

Hello all,

My family and I are looking for a travel trailer but for the life of me I can't figure out how to do the math to determine what I can safely pull. I have looked at many different sites trying to figure it out and just seem to confuse myself more each time.

My tow vehicle is a 2017 Tahoe LT 4x4
Tahoe Curb Weight: 5,555
Tahoe GVWR: 7,300
Tahoe Tow Rating: 8,400
Engine: 5.3L V8 Ecotec / 3.42 rear axle ratio
Hill Descent


The travel trailer that I have my eye on is a 2017 Winnie Minnie
Minnie Dry Weight: 5,320
Minnie GVWR: 7,000
Dry Hitch: 660
Length: 27'11

Any thoughts on if this is safely doable with my tow vehicle? We are a family of 5 so passenger weight alone in the Tahoe is 600 lbs. Thank you for any and all help you might be able to provide and I apologize in advance for the elementary question.
  • WayneAt63044's avatar
    WayneAt63044
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2018
    The cargo rating of your Tahoe will be the limiting number. Considering that loaded trailer tongue weight will be around 1,000 lbs + your 600 family = 1,600 lbs before you load other cargo. The drivers side door sticker on the Tahoe will give you the load or cargo carrying capacity. I suspect you are marginal at best. Too much trailer or too many folks depending on how you'd like to spin the situation. Can you sneak off without the kids? Just kidding, but you'll likely have to reconsider.
  • Artum_Snowbird's avatar
    Artum_Snowbird
    Explorer
    Jun 04, 2018
    Not sure where you got 8400 pounds. Here it says 6400 pounds:
    Engine
    5.3L ECOTEC3 V8 WITH ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT, DIRECT INJECTION AND VARIABLE VALVE TIMING
    Horsepower
    355 @ 5600 RPM
    Torque
    383 @ 4100 RPM
    Max Towing Capacity
    6,400 lbs
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Jun 04, 2018
    With 5 persons on board you will be borderline at best. Load the family and everything you wouls normally have inside to travel and go to the scales. Im guessing you will be very close to the Tahoes limits before hitching a trailer.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 04, 2018
    All these numbers but you don’t give the payload. Besides the WDH and TT tongue weight, what will you be carrying in the Tahoe? Unfortunately you bought the Tahoe first instead of the TT.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 04, 2018
    Artum is correct...6400 pounds without the trailering package. See page 13 http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/chevrolet/na/us/english/index/vehicles/2017/trucks/silverado-1500/mov/02-pdfs/2017-chevrolet-trailering-and-towing-guide.pdf

    One more item. Five people and they total 600 pounds? Well, ah, oh...
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Jun 05, 2018
    It usually comes down to how much your TV can carry, not how much it can pull.

    My F-150 has a max cargo of 1400 lbs. With 700 lbs of tongue weight, two adults, our dog and gear max it out.

    As suggested load up the family and truck gear and hit the scales.

    Also, we rented our first TT to see what towing was all about, before we spent the big bucks.

    Good luck
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 05, 2018
    Rent a TT before I buy? But that will cost me XXX dollars! (And possibly save you thousands) Follow rbpru’s advice.
  • kerrlakeRoo's avatar
    kerrlakeRoo
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2018
    To make your math even more fuzzy, remember that those 3 kids will not weigh the same next year, or any other, you will be constantly gaining passenger weight year after year. So leave some cushion.

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