Yet another what can I tow question

[bigcolasc]

All these numbers are very confusing! I need help understanding what I can safely tow with my 1/2 ton truck. Can someone help me determine what travel trailer UVW and GVWR I should be looking at? Here are my truck specs:


2018 Silverado 1500 2WD Crew Cab
5.3L V8 Ecotec3
6-speed auto transmission
Gross Vehicle Weight - 3,178 lb
Rear Axle - 3.42
GVWR - 7,000 lb
GAWR FRT - 3,850 lb
GAWR RR - 3,950 lb
Max trailer weight - 9,400 lb
GCWR - 15,000 lb
Max tongue weight, hitch=weight carrying - 700 lb
Max tongue weight, hitch=weight distributing - 1,250 lb


Thanks!!!

[GrandpaKip]

You didn’t list the payload for your truck. It can be found on the yellow sticker on the door jamb. Cargo should not exceed xxxx pounds.
For now, you can ignore most of the other numbers as the payload rating will be your most limiting factor.
Get an idea of how much weight you will have in the truck. Passengers, their stuff, and whatever you think will be in the bed. Doesn’t have to be exact, a ball park will suffice. Subtract that from the listed cargo max. What’s left is available payload for the tongue weight of a trailer.
Also for now, ignore any trailer dry weight. Take the Gross Weight Rating and multiply by .13 (13%) to get an idea of the max tongue weight. Use that number to compare to what you found as your available payload,
This process should give you a good starting point in a search for a suitable camper.
I have 1200# of available payload, after subtracting passengers, etc.
My trailer has a max cargo of 6000#, so a max tongue weight of 780#.
I’m well under my payload max on the truck, so all is good.

[Lwiddis]

“Many figure to add about 1,500 lbs to whatever their trailer weighs empty.”

A very reasonable number allowing for full fresh water tanks, chairs, toys etc.

[Lwiddis]

Every number except payload and the weight of stuff and people in the truck and the wrong GVW. However, my TV is about the same and 6000 pounds wet and loaded is my limit with the 1500.

[APT]

6000 pounds dry for half tons is a reasonable happy limit for most people and families. Statistically reported on here, the people towing 7000+ pounds with half tons are less comfortable with handling. Power has not been a problem in years.

[MFL]

Agree with above, your payload and hitch rating will be limiting factors. Most figure a loaded trailer hitch wt of about 13 percent, so an 8,000 lb loaded to camp trailer is likely to be just over 1,000 lbs hitch wt. Depending on your experience/comfort zone, I'd say 6,000 unloaded/dry wt, to a GVWR of 8,000.

Many figure to add about 1,500 lbs to whatever their trailer weighs empty.

Keep in mind the wt added inside truck, and truck bed, which is added with the hitch wt, as is the weight distributing hitch, another 100 lbs, to get total payload.

Jerry

[afidel]

Pretty sure you've got a typo, gross weight is probably 5,178 pounds which would give you a payload of just over 1,800 pounds. Combine that info with the max tongue weight and the max trailer weight and all your numbers agree as doing as your occupants and stuff in the bed weigh less than 600 pounds. If they exceed that then reduce the max trailer weight by 7 pounds for every one pound over.

However, that's theoretical maximum, conventional wisdom is you won't be very happy over ~30 feet or 6,000 pounds unloaded if you average what most around here who have been there say.