Just sold our MH and going to a travel trailer. We have a new 2016 Tahoe with the max tow package. 5.3 engine, 3.42 gears, 6 speed transmission, 1590 lb cargo capacity, 8400 towing capacity. Has integrated brake control, engine oil cooler, transmission cooler, automatic sway control and grade braking. We travel light, So it's me 200 lb, DW 120 lb, DW's purse 47 lb, dog 8 lb, 2 lawn chairs 30 lb, hitch 100 lb = 505 lbs. That should mean we have 1075 left for tongue weight. Trailer we are looking at is a Flagstaff 26FKWS. Empty weight from the factory including standard equipment and option packages is 5817 lbs, tongue weight is 720 lb. So add propane 50 lb, battery 70 lb, 15 gallons water 125 lb, kitchen items 200 lb, food 200 lb, clothes and bed linens 150 lb, 2 bottles of Patron Silver and margarita mix 30 lb. = 820 lbs in the trailer.Looks to me like it will work. Tell me what I am missing other than the occasional grandchild, maybe 150 lb with their stuff. I usually drive 60 to 65 mph. I just want a comfortable ride. I know to take it to the scale and weigh it so please don't respond with that. I don't have the trailer so I can't. I am just looking for a starting point. I will go to the scale after I get the trailer and if needed will have to lighten the load. Can't get rid of the dog or the Patron but DW may have to get a smaller purse. So tell me what you think I should expect please. And by the way, does anyone have that trailer. We love the floor plan, but there are some bad reviews out there. We store ours inside so the only elements it will see is while traveling.

IMHO that is going to be too much trailer. Weight might be OK, but length is really going to push you around a lot.

With the proper hitch setup, you should be within the capacities of the truck. As donn0128 said, it's going to push you around. Been there, done that with a 1/2 ton.

I think you can do it safely but fear you will hate performance. JMO

You've certainly got all your figures mapped out and at least you are aware of them, so that's already miles ahead of most..But, it never fails, no matter how much you try to compute these figures out, if you are figuring them out to the MAX ratings of the tow vehicle to the DRY weights of the trailer, the TV usually comes up short... Go get just your Tahoe weighed and see how much of that yellow sticker "payload" is really left..Still a lot more "ratings" to your truck than just the payload and tow rating...Things like axle ratings usually get ignored and the "P" rated tires and the fact that it's still a relatively short wheel base vehicle..Not saying you can't tow the trailer you quote.. Just saying, just going with published numbers, you can make just about anything work if you want it to..Towing is more than just the weights.. Gotta be able to handle it too..Good luck!Mitch

I guess I should add that this is a 3 to 4 year plan. We camp within 100 miles from home but do travel a longer trip of 1000 miles or so every couple of years. Retirement in 4 years or so then a new 3500hd with a Duramax is the plan.

Questions for the weight police | Good Sam Community

donn0128
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2016
IMHO that is going to be too much trailer. Weight might be OK, but length is really going to push you around a lot.
daystrom
Explorer
Aug 28, 2016
With the proper hitch setup, you should be within the capacities of the truck. As donn0128 said, it's going to push you around. Been there, done that with a 1/2 ton.
fla-gypsy
Explorer
Aug 28, 2016
I think you can do it safely but fear you will hate performance. JMO
MitchF150
Explorer III
Aug 29, 2016
You've certainly got all your figures mapped out and at least you are aware of them, so that's already miles ahead of most..

But, it never fails, no matter how much you try to compute these figures out, if you are figuring them out to the MAX ratings of the tow vehicle to the DRY weights of the trailer, the TV usually comes up short...

Go get just your Tahoe weighed and see how much of that yellow sticker "payload" is really left..

Still a lot more "ratings" to your truck than just the payload and tow rating...

Things like axle ratings usually get ignored and the "P" rated tires and the fact that it's still a relatively short wheel base vehicle..

Not saying you can't tow the trailer you quote.. Just saying, just going with published numbers, you can make just about anything work if you want it to..

Towing is more than just the weights.. Gotta be able to handle it too..

Good luck!

Mitch
JnJnKatiebug
Explorer
Aug 29, 2016
I guess I should add that this is a 3 to 4 year plan. We camp within 100 miles from home but do travel a longer trip of 1000 miles or so every couple of years. Retirement in 4 years or so then a new 3500hd with a Duramax is the plan.
downtheroad
Explorer
Aug 29, 2016
JnJnKatiebug wrote:
DW's purse 47 lb,

As for weight police, I'm off duty right now...
But also being a "post" policeman....I think you are good to go with that comment....:C
diazr2
Explorer
Aug 29, 2016
I think the weight is fine I also think the trailer is much too long. Like it has been said it's going to push you around I have a friend that tows an 18ft with a TV just like yours and it pushes him around quite a bit. No problem with power though.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Aug 29, 2016
Rustycamperpant
Explorer
Aug 29, 2016
I guess I am the outsider here. My TT is similar to the one you describe in length, maybe slightly longer, but not by much. I tow with my Expedition fine, I dont get the obsession with length. Maybe it depends what you are comfortable with. I just got back from a trip through the Smokies and had absolutely NO problems. Weight is more of a concern IMO, if you set up a WDH correctly you will be fine.
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Aug 29, 2016
We towed a 25 ft, 5,700 dry/6,800 loaded (the way we did it - 7,400 max) Forest River Surveyor Sport with a 2008 Tahoe equipped much the same as yours (the main differences being the 4-speed rather than 6-speed transmission and built-in sway control). It was OK... just. The 5.3 is a great power plant, but would turn 3,500 RPM for long periods of time on Interstates with moderate grades (think I-20 between Columbia and North Augusta, SC) to maintain 60 MPH. In the mountains it was worse. There were a couple of times I didn't like the stopping distance, too. We had an E2 WD hitch with anti-sway. I felt semis passing but never thought things were dicey. The trailer you're talking about is four feet longer and could end up heavier. Looking back, I would do things differently if I were to do it again.

Rob