Truck trailering packages

[Skycrath]

I’m totally new to both the truck and travel trailer worlds. But I want to make sure I get the appropriate trailering package on my new truck, both for my needs now and any trailer upgrades I may make in the future. I’ll initially be towing a 22ft travel trailer, but want a truck that can handle a 30ft travel trailer if I decide I need/want more living space in a couple years. I’ve pretty much decided on a Chevy Silverado 1500 V8 and I wanted to get advice from RVers as to what I truly need in a trailer package for the truck (versus what the Chevy sales people think I need, none of whom actually have any RV experience).

So, I’m still not totally clear on what towing-related components are part of the tow vehicle and what towing components are part of the travel trailer. For the purpose of today’s post, I want to focus on the truck towing components. From the online research I’ve done so far, the truck towing components consist of a receiver hitch, receiver tube and wiring system. Please let me know if there is anything I’ve missed.

The truck sales person said it was better to get a truck that has a receiver hitch from the factory versus an after market hitch. They said the hitches from the factory are part of the truck frame versus an after market hitch that is welded on, thus making the factory hitch stronger and more reliable. This made sense to me, although they could have just been feeding me a line. 

I’m also very confused about some of the item in the trailering packages, as far as what I need and what I really don’t need. I’m pretty sure I’m going to need things like an integrated brake controller and heavy duty cooling. I plan to spend a good bit of time in the mountains, so there will be a lot of up and down on some relatively steep roads. I’ve also read it is important to consider weight-carrying versus weight-distributing hitch, which I think is a trailer-related component. But I’d like to know if the best trailer hitch type for my needs will affect the truck trailering components in any way. Since I’m buying the truck first, I definitely want to make sure it has everything I’ll need to properly support the trailer.

[Grit_dog]

A lot of good advice this far.
To the OP, I wouldn't necessarily buy your second trailer first like mentioned above, largely in part to you being "totally new" to trucks and trailers. Unless you're already proficient at towing or are the type that isn't bothered by, whatever, learning the ropes with a smaller trailer is a good suggestion.
From the economic side, you live in FL where there's millions of trailers. I'd find a good deal on a used "1st" trailer so you can dump it for the bigger one without much out of pocket if you're planning on upgrading soon anyway.
Towing? Again, it's what you're comfortable with and the duty cycle you're looking for out of the truck.
I have a 2016 1/2 ton Chevy work truck that tows the equivalent of a larger travel trailer a fair amount. No issues with it, but I'm in the low mountains here where elevation isn't much of an issue and most of the grades are pretty mild. Same truck in COlorado would be sucking wind much more.
If buying a new truck with the primary purpose being towing a med or larger trailer, I'd strongly consider a 3-4 ton.

[bartlettj]

I love my diesel too. Even if you don't go diesel, having an integrated brake controller, transmission cooler, proper hitch, LT tires, and strong shocks makes a 3/4 ton likely more cost effective to purchase if you are going to modify a 1/2 with all that stuff anyway.

[Vintage465]

Tons of real good info here. I'm going to agree with Gdetrailer. That would be a lot for a first timer. First thing I'd do is buy more pickup than you need. I know that means different things to different people. One should never feel like they spent too much money or that it's a waste of money to to have a 3/4 ton diesel while towing a 24' trailer. First off, a you'll not likely recover the cost of a diesel, so I'd toss that idea out the door. The advantage is effortless towing at 1800 rpm up hills. I tow completely effortlessly with my rig and I love it. I've pulled a 30' trailer(up hills/down hills, no matter) with my pickup and it's equally effortless. Though I don't think anyone that has never towed really "gets" how much better a diesel is towing, I don't think they need to go thru the "gas rig stage" prior to getting a stout 3/4 ton. Please take this with a grain of salt. After all, it is just my opinion. My dad had an RV shop for many years and I've been towing since I got my license. I've not been without a trailer since I was 22 years old. To me, diesel is to towing, what fuel injection is carbureted engines. Both work, one is much easier than the other.

[SoundGuy]

I really like owning & driving my '12 1/2 ton 5.3L Silverado and for general purpose use it's GREAT, not too big but big enough for trips to Home Depot, the dump, moving appliances & furniture, retrieving gardening stuff for my wife, etc. Love it, and it's towed our 19' 4500 lb Coachmen just fine, just as it did our previous 24' 5500 lb K-Z Spree, but NO WAY would I tow anything more than 6000 lbs loaded & ready to camp with this truck. For that one would unquestionably want a 3/4 ton to be happy.

[Tacky]

I have a 2018 Silverado with the 5.3 max tow package. This gives me a load capacity of about 2100 lb, and a tow capacity of 10,600 lb. I tow a 2018 Shadow Cruiser 265 RLS. Overall length is about 30.5' and trailer GVWR is about 7600 lb. This is pretty light for this size trailer. You can go with a 1500 series truck and tow a 30' trailer but the truck definately needs to be properly equipped. When I went to my local dealer to look at trucks, they had about 75 trucks on the lot, only 2 of them had the heavy duty tow package. You dont need it for the 22" trailer, but you will need it to upgrade to a 30" trailer. Even if you decide to go with a 2500 series truck, make sure the tow capacity is what you need. The old terms, half ton, three quarter ton, one ton, are antiquated, and almost meaningless. My "half ton" with the heavy tow package, is literaqlly a one ton, based on the over 2000 lb load capacity. Other 1500's are not. How a particular truck is equipped is very important. It appears to me that you need at least a 1500 max tow package, either 5.3 or 6.2 V8 engine.

[Gdetrailer]

Lantley wrote:

goducks10 wrote:
I would buy the 30' trailer and the 3/4 ton truck now. It will save you $1,000's down the road.
Any 3/4 ton gas or diesel will handle a 30' TT. Longer and heavier if you are inclined.
By starting with a 1/2 ton and planning on going larger, you'll limit yourself to 'Lite' 30' TT's. You will also lose a bunch of $$$ buying now and trading/selling in a few years. Way more than you will lose on your truck if you decide to trade or sell it later on. RV's depreciate fast.

Buy your 2nd trailer first! It always cost more to get it right on the 2nd try!

OK, I will give you a totally opposite view of RV life..

Saddling a FIRST TIME buyer of a HUGE LONG HEAVY TT THE FIRST TIME is not the way to go. Very good chance they will end up not enjoying the hassle of finding camping spaces that will easily fit a 30ft beast without spending several hrs back and forth and poking holes in their new RV roof and sides..

They most likely will not enjoy towing such a beast, finding gas stations which they can get in and out of without doing damage to the trailer or other property.

30Ft IS a huge monster which will require considerable concentration and driving skills, something that a novice tower may not find relaxing or fun.

Larger trailers do cost more than smaller ones, OP WILL take a HUGE loss if they decide that one trip and they are totally done with camping because the towing aspect is not for them.. Basically getting soured because of way too big of a trailer to start learning on.

This forum majority is stuck in what I call the "Supersize mentality", yep they get size envy and have to keep up with the Jones's..

Staring small IS a smart thing to do, 22ft seemed to be what the OP was comfortable with and that most likely is a good place to be, 30ft IS a lot longer, has a lot more swing, scrapes and bottoms out much easier and may just be too much to start with.

You can find lots of roomy TTs in the 20-22 ft size, we started with a USED 20ft TT and that worked great for a few yrs unitl we figured out exactly if we liked towing/camping and was comfortable with it.

Once we figured out what we wanted we decided that we could find everything we liked in a 26ft TT. So, a 26ft trailer is what we found and quite frankly IS plenty of trailer to tow and deal with for us.

The smart thing is to buy the FIRST TT USED, you take very little loss if you decide to sell it compared to a new trailer..

I am a well seasoned towing person, have been towing things for 25 yrs starting with a 4x8 ft flatbed trailer then 20ft TT, then 18ft flatbed trailer and now our 26 ft trailer.. My favorite trailer length to tow is right around 18-20 ft, much easier to get into tight places with minimal effort.. The 26 ft TT requires good backing skills, good mirror skills and a REALLY good "spotter" mate with some idea of what signals you need to get the job done without causing damage.

[trailer_newbe]

7,700 LBS (smaller trailer) is what they recommend. Take 700 off that and you should be good.

[_1nobby]

Chevy truck trailer towing guide.

https://www.chevrolet.com/truck-life/trailering-and-towing-guide

[trailer_newbe]

Since I made the mistake myself, I will lay it out. Budget for the biggest truck first, but don’t buy. Purchase the trailers first then buy the truck. Since very few of us do this, here is your reality. You can tow a 24’ Lightweight trailer, beyond this, it will be time for a bigger truck. This is based on personal experance.

[fdwt994]

Like others have said, do your homework. Too many look at "tow ratings" and think they're good when that's one one of several ratings you need to understand. When we were towing with a 1/2 ton, the payload capacity was our limiting factor by far. Our "tow rating" was still 2,500 lbs under but payload was maxed out. The handling (i.e. ability to control!) was much improved when we moved to the 3/4 ton. Good luck!

[campigloo]

All good info above. All I can add is check the tires that come on it. Many 1/2 tons are equipped with P rated tires which give a nice unloaded ride but are kind of squishy for a tow vehicle. You might be able to use it as a bargaining chip to get the dealer to change them for 8 or 10 ply at no extra cost to you.
Have fun shopping!

[JIMNLIN]

op wrote:
I’m totally new to both the truck and travel trailer worlds. But I want to make sure I get the appropriate trailering package on my new truck, both for my needs now and any trailer upgrades I may make in the future. I’ll initially be towing a 22ft travel trailer, but want a truck that can handle a 30ft travel trailer if I decide I need/want more living space in a couple years.

Good advise so far.
I would add trucks don't pull trailers determined by the trailers length but by the trailers weight.
A 30' TT may weigh 12k depending on floor plan/options.
And another 30' TT may have a 7500 gvwr and a 2000 CCC.
The 12k TT needs a 3/4 ton truck....
... the 7500 gvwr TT can be pulled with the "properly equipped" 1/2 ton truck.

If you gotta' have a 1500 GM truck then as other poster say NHT option gets you a 7600 gvwr and 4300 rawr 2000 lb payloads.
The 5.3 won't have any problems pulling around 6k-7k gross weight however if your 30' TT weighs 10k then the 6.2 engine with its higher rated 420 hp/460 torque is needed.

[Blazing_Zippers]

First off-congratulations on coming here before you bring out the wallet and possibly make a mistake. We're all pretty knowledgeable about RVing (just ask us).
We drive a Ram 3/4 Hemi 6.4, and pull a 30 ft. 9995 lb trailer. Money well spent on the tow vehicle! Most 1/2 ton trucks just don't have the "guts" in most cases to safely get under a longer unit. They have the power, but tires, brakes, and suspension is usually light weight.
It seems the majority on here are making the case for more truck, and I have to agree.
One last note; don't always believe the sales person!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They're job is to move units.

[KD4UPL]

Good advice so far. Remember that there are many different types of trailers: flatbed, dump, cargo, cattle, horse, RV, etc. A hard sided RV is more difficult to tow than the other types. They have a huge frontal area, a high percentage of tongue weight, very little ability to shift the tongue weight, and a big side area to act as a sail. You can't just assume that a manufacturer's television ad stating a certain tow capacity is automatically applicable to every trailer type. A truck that might easily handle an 8,000 pound boat might be over-matched by a 7,000 pound RV. Truck payload vs. tongue weight is usually a much larger factory than tow rating; particularly with 1500 trucks. Looking at the door sticker payload and computing backward to a trailer tongue weight and gross weight is critical.