Towing question

[silver-1500]

Hi there,

I have a question in regards to towing.

Currently we have a 5000 lbs travel trailer (loaded) (23 feet long)and tow it with a 2010 GMC sierra 1500, 4.8L with a towing capacity that I think is 5500lbs.

I can pull this trailer without issue and pulled it 7800 kms last summer through the mountains in BC.

We really want to upgrade our camper to a bunk model but with the lower towing capacity of our truck almost need to buy a new truck with the floor plans we looked at. I did find one from Jayco though that has all the features we like that weighs in at 4615 lb dry but has a total loaded weight of 6500 lbs. My question is, if we always make sure the water, black and grey tanks are empty can I assume we can safely tow this camper?? thanks

[Hannibal]

I've towed 2k~ lbs over my tow rating with our '01.5 250hp Cummins powered auto/3.55 2500HD Ram and 11,400 lb 5th wheel. Like said above, it's a HP issue, not a weight carrying issue. Around the relatively flat southeast, we did fine and the occasional grade like Monteagle Pass wasn't a problem. What limits the tow rating is startability up a grade, not climbing the occasional grade at speed. In my case, I didn't nor would I exceed any weight ratings but, identical Rams with shorter gears were rated to tow 13,400 lbs so for us, it was a simple performance issue. I never had to launch from a dead stop up a steep incline so we never noticed the difference.
Upgrading the truck would likely result in better sleep if nothing else. :B

[silver-1500]

thanks for all the replies. I think I may look at upgrading my truck first and then look at a bigger camper down the road..I just have to face facts about the limitations of the truck.

[poppin_fresh]

I would guess you have a low tow rating because of the 4.8L engine and probably have something like the 3.08 final drive. It's good for gas mileage, but makes the truck a dog towing.

My 2007 had this combo and even my 1000lb empty landscaping trailer had a very noticeable affect on engine RPM when hooked on to my truck. I would not want to tow that much weight unless maybe I lived in Kansas where there are no almost hills.

[Iraqvet05]

Do you have the 4 or 6 speed transmission? I had a 2007 Silverado with the 5.3 and towed my 5000 lb Jayco with it for a year and hated it. The 4 speed had to rev high to make power and I had to manually shift it at times to keep the thing towing at a descent speed and this is in the rolling midwest hills. I'd say you will be highly disappointed in the way your truck pulls a larger camper.

[Chuck_thehammer]

a good floor plan .. the slide will not limit its use.. look around..

with my slide ( IN ) I still can view the television, cook food, etc . and get to the rear of trailer for bathroom and bedroom.. and with OUT turning sideways.

and I was BIG at disliking slides.. till I got my first trailer without a slide.

to your question.. being at or near the upper limit.. is not a good idea or practice .

[glkids2]

If you lived and traveled the Midwestern Plains I would say with caution and awareness you could get by for awhile with your existing truck. But if you travel through mountains not only are you on the small side (hp) for climbing but using the engine and gears for going done the other side could put yourself in a very uncomfortable position

[2012Coleman]

silver-1500 wrote:
thanks for the response. It looks like 5500 is my limit. So this trailer will be in the upper limit with gear. Is it ok to tow near your max rating?

Tow rating is meaningless. You need to know your payload.

[Bumpyroad]

how do you know it weighs 6500 lbs. loaded? have you loaded and weighed it or are you taking GVWR? if GVWR are you really going to ad 1900 lbs. assuming dry weight is accurate?
bumpy

[nickthehunter]

Your issue is Hp. Your limited tow rating is because of lack of Hp, not the frame and suspension. If you can live with the lack of Hp and wear and tear on the engine; I don't think you have to worry about the wheels falling off. You should also know the heavier and heavier you go, the worse those P rated tires are going to perform.

[Desert_Captain]

You need to take a hard look at your current trucks payload (yellow sticker inside the drivers door). With the limited tow rating you have I suspect that your payload is probably around 1200# {or less}, and when you add the proper tongue weight and the weight of the hitch which should be around 750#, you are probably already just about out of payload.

Going to anything larger just does not look promising and that 4.8 is already working pretty hard with the trailer you have. I too am no fan of slides as they are problematic at best and add a lot of extra weight. Look for a floorpan which works for you without a slide and your life will be much simpler.... not to mention lighter.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

[silver-1500]

thanks Jerry, Thats what I was thinking too. That particular Jayco trailer doesn't have a slide out which I think is why the weight is lower. I am not a big fan of the slides personally, (I like the idea of being able to access the whole trailer without having to slide parts Out) My wife likes the idea of a slide for the extra room.. Maybe have to give this a bit more thought.. Can't afford to but a truck and a trailer at the same time..

thanks again

[MFL]

IMO, your truck could safely tow that Jayco trailer. Your trucks issue is more of a lack of power train (pulling power), than handling the trailer safely. If you tow over your tow rating weight, it is more likely to cause your truck to wear out sooner.

I would not just buy this particular trailer, due to it might work with your current truck. You are better off to buy THE ONE trailer that you both really want, and deal with the truck upgrade, if necessary.

Jerry

[silver-1500]

thanks for the response. It looks like 5500 is my limit. So this trailer will be in the upper limit with gear. Is it ok to tow near your max rating?

[ChooChooMan74]

Almost no one to tell you that it is ok to tow over your tow rating. I think you should double check your tow rating here:
http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DigitalTLTowGuide2010i.pdf
and here
http://www.campinglife.com/tow-ratings-database/
and here
http://www.newgmcsierra.com/images/new-GMC-Trailering-Guide.pdf
Make sure you pick the right gearing, as footnote e=3.23:1 and i=3.73:1, g=3.42:1