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Will this combination work

dacotahkid
Explorer
Explorer
I am looking at buying the following and have been told that it will not be a good combination because of the length of the trailer. What does everyone on here think?

TV:
2008 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z71 4x4
5.3L
3.73 gears
tow package
GVW: 7000 lb
Max Tow: 7500 lb
GCWR: 13,000 lb
Wheelbase: 143.6"

TT:
Northtrail 28BRS
Dry: 5180 lb
GVWR: 6900 lb
Hitch Weight: 482 lb
Height: 10'2"
Lenght: 32'

I have been researching and would probably get a Prodigy P3 and an Equilizer brand WD with sway.
49 REPLIES 49

dacotahkid
Explorer
Explorer
mbrianmills wrote:
I agree with those who say you will be OK. Yes, you will be at the max for your TV, but you already own it and you found the trailer you want. It may take you a bit longer to get to your destination because you don't want to push your TV too hard, but once you get to your destination you'll be able to relax in the rig you want.

I had an '06 Chevrolet 1500 which has a max payload of about 1800, but when getting rock for a retaining wall in our backyard I had over 2700# of rock in addition to my 4-person family in the truck and it did OK.

The point is that I was WAY overloaded and the truck was able to handle it. You will be at capacity (not overloaded) and your truck is designed to go up to that max. Remember that the max is a "rule" and like all rules I like to break them. You won't even be breaking the rules with this configuration.


“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.”
? Dalai Lama XIV

mbrianmills
Explorer
Explorer
I agree with those who say you will be OK. Yes, you will be at the max for your TV, but you already own it and you found the trailer you want. It may take you a bit longer to get to your destination because you don't want to push your TV too hard, but once you get to your destination you'll be able to relax in the rig you want.

I had an '06 Chevrolet 1500 which has a max payload of about 1800, but when getting rock for a retaining wall in our backyard I had over 2700# of rock in addition to my 4-person family in the truck and it did OK.

The point is that I was WAY overloaded and the truck was able to handle it. You will be at capacity (not overloaded) and your truck is designed to go up to that max. Remember that the max is a "rule" and like all rules I like to break them. You won't even be breaking the rules with this configuration.
2013 Forest River Cascade 22BH
2014 Chevrolet 3500 Duramax CC SB 4X4

Mvander
Explorer
Explorer
I stand corrected. It dosent sayALL. but i read the driver to be an occupant.
55 FEET OF FAMILY FUN!
2014 F150 HD
2015 Grey Wolf 29DSFB

Mvander
Explorer
Explorer
The sticker itself says the weight of ALL occupants and cargo should never exceed xxxx. Or if you have a ram xxx.
55 FEET OF FAMILY FUN!
2014 F150 HD
2015 Grey Wolf 29DSFB

JJ_Spectre
Explorer
Explorer
brulaz wrote:
Argggh. This ^^^^. Payload does *not* take into account the weight of the driver.

Apparently GCWR or Trailer Tow Capacity does, dunno, don't care, because payload is usually the limiting factor.


Huh, maybe not for all manufacturers and maybe not even all model years, but...

According to this, the curb weight plus the payload are only 25 lbs off the GVWR

Chev website

And according to this, Curb weight as a definition includes certain weights for standardization.

Curb weight

Looks like solid info, but go with what the manual says to be safe as I don't know how they advertised curb weight for the 2008 model year.

EDIT: the 150lbs or 75kgs is a Euro standard. Apparently the driver weight is not applied in any constant fashion for the US/North American market.

2nd EDIT: According to page 3 of the 2013 Chevrolet trailering guide for 2013, driver weight is included in curb weight.

Info overload!
  • 2014 Silverado 1500 LT with Max Trailering package
    2012 Jayco Jay Feather Select 28R
    Husky Centreline
    5 of us plus one old dog

    Days camped 2013: 21
    Days camped 2014: stay tuned!

Mvander
Explorer
Explorer
Just get it to tow stable and go camping. Your going to know the tt is there. You are asking the engine to move more than double the weight. Let it work and take your time. JMO
55 FEET OF FAMILY FUN!
2014 F150 HD
2015 Grey Wolf 29DSFB

dacotahkid
Explorer
Explorer
After doing all this research and running numbers on payload, GCWR, GVW, and max tow cap I am ready to say the heck with a new camper and take the $20,000 + and go buy a new 3/4 pickup.

brulaz
Explorer
Explorer
Argggh. This ^^^^. Payload does *not* take into account the weight of the driver.

Apparently GCWR or Trailer Tow Capacity does, dunno, don't care, because payload is usually the limiting factor.
2014 ORV Timber Ridge 240RKS,8500#,1250# tongue,44K miles
690W Rooftop + 340W Portable Solar,4 GC2s,215Ah@24V
2016 Ram 2500 4x4 RgCab CTD,2507# payload,10.8 mpgUS tow

dacotahkid
Explorer
Explorer
Goldstalker wrote:
dacotahkid wrote:
JJ Spectre wrote:
That lower payload could be the dealbreaker, but let's see...

1552, plus 150 for driver, (payload ratings allow for full tank of fuel, all consumable lubes and 150lbs for the driver) so the way you are doing your math would give you 1702 total payload. Now:

1702 minus;
100 for Nerf bars;
100 for WDH;
465 for Occupants; and
975 for TW (might as well be pessimistic) equals;
62 lbs of available payload.

In other words, vitually nothing in the bed of the truck.

You are very close, but it sounds like it is within spec based upon what you've told us. If you think you can get everything you want to take camping into the TT you could do it. Keep in mind that 15% of GVWR for TW is a ballpark and it "could be" less.

As much as I'm a proponent of towing with 1/2 tons, I might be looking at a lighter TT so that I had the flexibility to bring along bikes, gernerators, toolboxes etc.

Good luck!


Wow this sucks, according to the TV manual they do not account for 150 lb driver in payload so if you add 150 to your math it is - 88. I guess the wife and I can go on diets!!!


Yes, they do give you the 150 so anything over that comes off your 1552. They also give a tank of fuel. Just load the trailer with everything not the bed of your truck and you will be fine.


Not according to the manual: It says subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from the payload in the door and the resulting figure is the available amount of cargo and luggage!

Goldstalker
Explorer
Explorer
dacotahkid wrote:
JJ Spectre wrote:
That lower payload could be the dealbreaker, but let's see...

1552, plus 150 for driver, (payload ratings allow for full tank of fuel, all consumable lubes and 150lbs for the driver) so the way you are doing your math would give you 1702 total payload. Now:

1702 minus;
100 for Nerf bars;
100 for WDH;
465 for Occupants; and
975 for TW (might as well be pessimistic) equals;
62 lbs of available payload.

In other words, vitually nothing in the bed of the truck.

You are very close, but it sounds like it is within spec based upon what you've told us. If you think you can get everything you want to take camping into the TT you could do it. Keep in mind that 15% of GVWR for TW is a ballpark and it "could be" less.

As much as I'm a proponent of towing with 1/2 tons, I might be looking at a lighter TT so that I had the flexibility to bring along bikes, gernerators, toolboxes etc.

Good luck!


Wow this sucks, according to the TV manual they do not account for 150 lb driver in payload so if you add 150 to your math it is - 88. I guess the wife and I can go on diets!!!


Yes, they do give you the 150 so anything over that comes off your 1552. They also give a tank of fuel. Just load the trailer with everything not the bed of your truck and you will be fine.
2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4X4 3.73
2013 CrossRoads Sunset Trail Super Lite 250RB
2-2012 Yamaha VX Deluxe
2012 Toyota Highlander

JJ_Spectre
Explorer
Explorer
You did the math backwards, you get the 150 back into your payload. It actually puts you back ont he positive side if you follow the math I did in my post.
  • 2014 Silverado 1500 LT with Max Trailering package
    2012 Jayco Jay Feather Select 28R
    Husky Centreline
    5 of us plus one old dog

    Days camped 2013: 21
    Days camped 2014: stay tuned!

dacotahkid
Explorer
Explorer
JJ Spectre wrote:
That lower payload could be the dealbreaker, but let's see...

1552, plus 150 for driver, (payload ratings allow for full tank of fuel, all consumable lubes and 150lbs for the driver) so the way you are doing your math would give you 1702 total payload. Now:

1702 minus;
100 for Nerf bars;
100 for WDH;
465 for Occupants; and
975 for TW (might as well be pessimistic) equals;
62 lbs of available payload.

In other words, vitually nothing in the bed of the truck.

You are very close, but it sounds like it is within spec based upon what you've told us. If you think you can get everything you want to take camping into the TT you could do it. Keep in mind that 15% of GVWR for TW is a ballpark and it "could be" less.

As much as I'm a proponent of towing with 1/2 tons, I might be looking at a lighter TT so that I had the flexibility to bring along bikes, gernerators, toolboxes etc.

Good luck!


Wow this sucks, according to the TV manual they do not account for 150 lb driver in payload so if you add 150 to your math it is - 88. I guess the wife and I can go on diets!!!

JJ_Spectre
Explorer
Explorer
That lower payload could be the dealbreaker, but let's see...

1552, plus 150 for driver, (payload ratings allow for full tank of fuel, all consumable lubes and 150lbs for the driver) so the way you are doing your math would give you 1702 total payload. Now:

1702 minus;
100 for Nerf bars;
100 for WDH;
465 for Occupants; and
975 for TW (might as well be pessimistic) equals;
62 lbs of available payload.

In other words, vitually nothing in the bed of the truck.

You are very close, but it sounds like it is within spec based upon what you've told us. If you think you can get everything you want to take camping into the TT you could do it. Keep in mind that 15% of GVWR for TW is a ballpark and it "could be" less.

As much as I'm a proponent of towing with 1/2 tons, I might be looking at a lighter TT so that I had the flexibility to bring along bikes, gernerators, toolboxes etc.

Good luck!
  • 2014 Silverado 1500 LT with Max Trailering package
    2012 Jayco Jay Feather Select 28R
    Husky Centreline
    5 of us plus one old dog

    Days camped 2013: 21
    Days camped 2014: stay tuned!

dacotahkid
Explorer
Explorer
My payload was off a bit according to door jam it is 1552 lb

So considering:

Nerf bars 100
WD system 100
Occupants of 465

it leaves me with 887 lb for tongue and cargo. Looking at what Ron is saying it appears that the WD system will take 80% of the tongue weight? So figuring on the high end with 15% a TW of 975 my actual TV would only get 780 lbs of the TW?? Leaving me with appx 100lb left for cargo. Can that be right?