Weight advice?

[nodatset]

I have a 2005 Silverado K1500 with a 5.3 v8 and 4.1 axle ratio. Manufacturer book says max tow weight is 8600 lbs. I want to buy a travel trailer...preferably 26ft.

What approximate "dry" weight should I be looking at? Besides features of the trailer, is there anything else I need to consider?

I want to go across the country and see it!
Soon to be retired,
Thanks!

[APT]

I recommend 5k pounds dry. That will be around 6k loaded for a week long trip whether is has 10k GVWR or 6k GRWR. From that era, the 4-spd transmissions really limited comfortable towing experiences compared to today.

Flush all your truck's fluids. Get a WDH with integrated sway control and a proportional brake controller. Happy Camping!

[Lwiddis]

“Some trailers have 2000+ lb of cargo capacity,”

A reason I picked the Winnebago 2101DS...over 3,000 pounds of cargo capacity. Running at TV max and TT max is silly.

[time2roll]

Keep the trailer GVWR inside the tow rating for best results. And if you are close to the max do not expect to carry much in the bed of the truck. I agree with the 'forget dry weight' unless you are planning to haul empty trailers for a living.

[coolmom42]

nodatset wrote:
I have a 2005 Silverado K1500 with a 5.3 v8 and 4.1 axle ratio. Manufacturer book says max tow weight is 8600 lbs. I want to buy a travel trailer...preferably 26ft.

What approximate "dry" weight should I be looking at? Besides features of the trailer, is there anything else I need to consider?

I want to go across the country and see it!
Soon to be retired,
Thanks!

For a pleasant towing experience, start looking at no more than 80% of the tow capacity of your vehicle, for your loaded weight. So that is approx 6900 lb. Take off 1500 lb for "stuff" and that puts you at a dry weight of 5400 lb.

[coolmom42]

azdryheat wrote:
I agree, forget the term dry weight as it's meaningless as you will never use it dry. You want to know the maximum weight of a prospective trailer (GVWR).

Not necessarily.

Some trailers have 2000+ lb of cargo capacity, and many of us will never load that much stuff on a trailer.

If OP is travelling cross country on an extended trip, he will have a good amount of clothes and other stuff. I have the impression he is travelling alone. IMHO a single person would be hard-pressed to put more than 1500 lb on a trailer, UNLESS he/she is travelling with a large and full water tank.

[Lwiddis]

“Sounds great.” Well, ok. Now we should discuss payload. What is your payload limit? What do you carry in the TV? Iracvet suggested keeping at 5000 max which is 650 pounds of tongue weight.

[nodatset]

Sounds great. I don't think I'll have too much trouble getting a 26' at or under 7500 lbs GVWR. Thanks for the tips! At least that's a start. I wanted to make sure I'm looking a the right size/weight trailer.

[azdryheat]

I agree, forget the term dry weight as it's meaningless as you will never use it dry. You want to know the maximum weight of a prospective trailer (GVWR).

[Lwiddis]

Don and I agree. Buy based on GVWR. Forget the mythical “dry” weight. And I too live in the West. “Maxing out” isn’t fun.

[donn0128]

Do,nt worry about the mystical dry weight numbers. Every trailer built has a tag giving its GVWR. Look for it and pick one that is under 7500 GVWR. Traveling in the mountain west your going to even hate that much.

[Iraqvet05]

I would keep the dry weight around 5000 lbs. I towed our Jayco the first year with a 2007 1500 Silverado that had the 3.42 gears and found the truck to be a bit underpowered. Your 4.10 gear has an advantage but don't put a heavy load behind the 5.3.