So confused with tow capacities

[oceanluver]

We are currently looking into a GMC 1500 Sierra or Chevy 1500. We want the max trailing package but the websites are so confusing. The trailer we are looking to pull weighs 8100lbs dry. It is impossible to find a truck here with the 3.73 axel ratio. We would have to get the 3.42, even when I try to build and price directly from the website I can't get the 3.73 ratio to be an option. Do you think the 3.42 ratio is sufficient to pull it. They have a 9,600lb max trailering capacity.

[Campfire_Time]

TomG2 wrote:
I had a 2009 2500HD and went to a 2012 Silerado 1500 to pull a 7,000 pound trailer. I am back to a 2013 2500HD and glad of it. You can save what money it cost me to experiment if you listen to the folks on here. (Not the ones who say that a half ton is worthless or the ones who say a F-150/1500 is good to tow over 10,000 pounds)

Good advice! I've had similar experiences.

I have twice towed close to my towing limits with 2 different TV/trailer combos. I knew what I was getting into and I was not over, nor did it ever feel unsafe. Its doable for short trips on relatively flat terrain. NOT mountains.

However, what I will tell you is that there is a marked difference in towing with some margin. When its "right", you know it, and it makes for a very pleasurable towing experience. When you push the limits, you know that too, and its always in the back of your mind.

My current TV is a 5.3 with 3:73, 7500 tc, payload of 1600+. Trailer is almost 5k loaded. I could easily take on another 1k, maybe a bit more. But that would be the real world limit.

[Ric_Flair]

Get a 1 ton diesel doolie and be unconfused

[brulaz]

Like others are saying, look at your truck's payload.

We are towing a loaded 7500-8000# trailer with a so-called "half-ton" but our payload is 2050#. It's a 4x2 and an extended (not full crew) cab.

Unfortunately, the ride in most "half-tons" is too soft when fully loaded, the suspension is really tuned for "grocery-getting". So we upgraded the suspension of ours and switched to LT tires.

We are very happy with the rig now. It's a stable ride; I only put on my friction anti-sway bar in case of emergencies. And am pretty sure I'm under all the truck's weight limits (but close to the rear GAWR and hitch receiver ratings). Will be going to the scales again soon to confirm.

In the future, we may trade in our 4x2 for a heavier 4x4 as we want to spend more time off-road. I will then probably go for Ford's "heavy half-ton" option (HD Payload option) as that includes the tires and suspension (and rear axle) really needed to carry a full load.

Or if we were ever planning on getting a new trailer with loaded weight greater than 8000#, or a fifth wheel with heavier pin weights, I would probably move up to a 250/2500 truck. But as we are very happy with our current trailer, I don't think this will happen.

[jerem0621]

For that trailer I would probably go with a SRW 3/4 or 1 ton with at least 2500 lbs of payload.

9-10k lbs is a pretty serious amount of weight. And you may get very close to that number pretty quickly.

There are some fake half tons that will "easily" handle that weight. However, they are pretty rare and typically special order.

Please remember that a truck having towing mirrors is not an indication that it's a HD truck.

I am a huge fan of the humble Half Ton and I want another one, however it is YOUR responsibility to properly match the truck and trailer together. The great news is that you are asking questions.

I will look for "half tons" with 1600-1900 ish lbs of payload and will buy a travel trailer in the 4500-5000 lb dry weight range. I am a fan of 28-30 ft trailers and feel that they are the optimal size between family space and ease of use in campgrounds and gas stations. Take a peek at the Surveyor and the Apex lines if you are committed to the half ton truck.

Otherwise, you are clearly in 3/4 ton land.

Thanks,

Jeremiah

[TXiceman]

8100# dry weight is going to be closer to 9000# by the time it is delivered to you and heavier yet when you load it for camping. You will most likely be closer to 10,000# and a hitch weight of over 1100#. This is going to be too much for a 1/2 ton truck...pretty much end of discussion.

My advice is a 3/4 ton truck or look for a trailer that is a couple of thousand pounds heavier.

Ken

[lanerd]

oceanluver wrote:
Do you think a TT with a dry weight of 7300lbs is good for a 1500?

You're missing the point. Forget the towing capacity...that is a number made up by the mfg for sales enhancement. With ANY 1/2 ton pickup (1500 or 150 series), your main concern will be the "payload capacity".

What ever trailer you're looking at, take 12 to 15 percent of the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight for the tongue weight. Subtract that amount from the truck's payload capacity and what is left over will be what you can use for ANYTHING you put in or on the truck...includes you, passengers, equipment, tools, camping stuff...etc. You'll be very surprised at the figures.

My 1/2 ton pickup was under a lot of stress with pulling my 25', 5500 lb LOADED (weighed to make sure) travel trailer. I had to go to E rated tires, air bags and a supercharger for the engine. In three years, I had to replace the rear differential gears as they were making a lot of noise. Also had to replace the rear wheel bearings and brake shoes.

Granted, 1/2 tons have grown bigger, stronger, and more powerful....but for some reason the mfg'ers have not increased the payload capacity. Strange.


Ron

[blt2ski]

A family of 5 that weighs maybe 400 lbs. Heck, my ex and I weigh that much. Much less when my boys were 9, daughters were 7 and 4! Probably another 150-200 between them.

You better go to a 2500 with 2400-2500 lbs of payload minimum. UNLESS< you are all under 5.5' or there abouts. I'm 6', my sons are now still shorter than me at 5'16", daughters are 5'8" and 5'10". My ex is in middle of daughters in height.

Your 2 yr old, probably is 50+ lbs, INCLUDING the car seat. Also include books, food etc you need to keep the kids quiet etc. So they are NOT what there bathroom scale wt is, probably at least 25-20 lbs above that wt, including you and spouse. Do not forget her PURSE!!!!!

Marty

[ksss]

I will share a saying that would seem to be applicable here.

"A lot can always do a little, but a little can never do a lot".

[bigcitypopo]

TomG2 wrote:
I had a 2009 2500HD and went to a 2012 Silerado 1500 to pull a 7,000 pound trailer. I am back to a 2013 2500HD and glad of it. You can save what money it cost me to experiment if you listen to the folks on here. (Not the ones who say that a half ton is worthless or the ones who say a F-150/1500 is good to tow over 10,000 pounds)

Solid advice,

I towed my current trailer with an F150 EB, the truck did great, but I was very close to limits all the time on long trips.... Opportunity struck and I upgraded to by RAM 2500. Wow, what a difference. I loved my ford, but I am at greater ease towing with my 2500.

I logged a ton of miles towing with my F150, it was very capable... But now there is no worries as even fully loaded I scale with 7-800 lbs of payload to Spare.... On top of that my truck is heavier.... No chance of the tail wagging the dog.

[Mr_Beebo]

I have had 1/2 tons and 3/4 tons. I think a lot of folks believe what they have is good enough because that is all they know. My 1/2 tons have pulled 6K trailers/campers in the past, and the did ok for the most part. I now drive my 2500 and with larger loads, am more relaxed, safer, and in more control. I'm a contractor though, so my towing truck is my work truck. That might not be practical for the suburbanite or daily commuter that needs a little more than 12mpg.

[Cummins12V98]

Take it from me I was told my setup with WDH and sway control was fine. NOT!!!!!!! We rolled over completely and the trailer separated not a fun experience. Soft tires and soft suspension are to blame and someone telling me my setup was fine.

Get MORE TRUCK THAN YOU NEED with a TT.

[oceanluver]

We are a family of 5 right now we probably weigh in at about 400lbs in total right now but our kids are little (9,7 and 2).

[blt2ski]

How many are in your family? if you are 6 like me, granted my kids are over 20 and do not come with me, but when they were adult sized teens, we weighed in at 1200-1300 lbs. Add in HW of a 10K trailer at 1000-1500 lbs, and you have dang near 3000 lbs of payload needed! MORE than many 25 series trucks have payload, most sw 35's have the payload. Duallies no issues, may even have room for bikes etc in the bed!

Which TV works best is based on payload, payload, and payload! DO NOT worry about tow ratings per say. Get the rig with the payload that will carry your family, other odds and ends that need to be carried by the TV, add in HW, and you should be good to go.

I towed a 6500-7000 lb TT with a 9200 GVWR 3500 GM. I typically was in the 9000-9500 lbs range. Under axel limits, but over manufacture gvwr. I will NOT disCUSS my gcwr. This thing was really low. Yeah I was 25-30% over, but I NEVER had a white knuckle experience with it! THat includes coming down Timberline in 50 mph winds, 10% grade, and SNOWING! 2-3" of compact snow and ice on the road too!

Marty

[azwildcat99]

oceanluver wrote:
Do you think a TT with a dry weight of 7300lbs is good for a 1500?

Our trailer has a dry weight of 6500lbs and a 9k gvwr. I upgraded to my current truck from a 2007 1500 CC with the 5.3 and 3.73 4sp. I did so not because it was underpowered, but because I was over the gvwr and gcwr once we loaded it for camping. I also had that tail wagging the dog feeling. I was level and driving straight but was making corrections all the time. With my current setup it is very stable, a big difference. And the power bump ain't so bad either 😉

Good luck with your decision.

[tomman58]

Ocean, seems like you are not getting it. You get over even 6000# you are exceeding the truck IMHO. You and your family need to rethink as the brakes, trans, rear end of the 250 are far more forgiving than a 1500.
I've towed for no less than 40+ tears and a 1/2 ton is a 1/2 ton and no more.
You need to get a 250 and enjoy the fact that you have done the right thing and your family will be considerable safer!