Joel_S
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Joined Apr 26, 2016
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Re: 2003 Chevy Express 1500 Tow Capacity
Thanks Jeremiah, I hear yah, but I have pretty much done that already. Anything that went into the van would get weighed with our bathroom scale. That part is not my concern, my concern is how close to the 12,000 combined I should get using the van. We are leaning more and more towards switching to a 4 door truck that would have close to the same GCWR but would weigh less and have a slightly higher towing capacity. In addition, we feel we are sacrificing with the trailer we are selecting because of the limitations the van is presenting. Captains chairs and TV are nice during the trip but so is some slide outs and extra space once you arrive. Trying to finding our happy medium. In other words, from what I have come to understand. Take the GVWR minus actual weight of the loaded tow vehicle. This is how much tongue weight you can apply to the tow vehicle. Then take the GCWR and subtract the weight of the loaded tow vehicle. This is how much loaded trailer you can pull.1.4KViews0likes0CommentsRe: 2003 Chevy Express 1500 Tow Capacity
Thanks everyone, and sorry for any forum rules I may have broken. The Van weighs 6320 with a full tank of gas. I weigh 180. My wife and kids are a combined 300. This puts us at 6800. Lab and Boston Terrier add another 100. We are now at 6900. Therefore is it correct in thinking that any tongue weight over 300lbs puts the van over the 7200 GVWR for the van? I guess the part I find difficult about this is that with a full load of passengers you would easily be over the GVWR for the van? I have seating for 7. Just 6 average sized guys would put the van at 7720. Is this normal for Conversion Vans? Now for the trailer weight. The van tow rating is for 6400lbs. If I find a trailer that weighs in around 4700lbs I am well within the tow limits, but that puts us right at 11,600lbs combined. 12,000lbs is the tow limit for the van and trailer combined weight according to the 2003 Chevrolet Express 1500 5.8L V8 Owners Manual. Is the concern more for power or ability to stop? I would definitely be using an anti-sway weight distribution. I also would remove the rear bench seat from the Van. This would subtract about 140lbs. So without any gear or stuff added into the equation we would be approx 500lbs below on combined weight and 1700lbs below on towing weight. I guess it does not matter that we are low on tow weight because of extra weight of the Van.1.3KViews0likes0Comments2003 Chevy Express 1500 Tow Capacity
HI, I have a 2003 Chevy Express 1500 V8 5.3L w/transmission cooler (180,000 miles) and Explorer Conversion and Hitch rated for 5000lb and 500lb tongue weight. The hitch is also rated for 7500lb and 750lb tongue weight if using anti sway. The GVWR for the Van is 7200lb and GCWR when towing is 12,000lb. The max weight the Van can tow is 6400lb. I weighed the van yesterday with me in it and it was 6500lb. We are looking at a 24 foot travel trailer that is 4800lb and has a tongue weight of 600lb. Does the tongue weight factor in to the GVWR for the Van? If so, I am maxed out at that point. Additional in the van will be 380lbs for my family. I am thinking about removing the rear bench seat/bed from the van. It estimated to weigh 140lbs. I also estimate that any gear we bring could be stored in the trailer as opposed the van. Please let me know what you think. Thanks, Joel5.1KViews1like7CommentsTow Capacity 2003 Chevy Express 1500
HI, I have a 2003 Chevy Express 1500 V8 5.3L w/transmission cooler (180,000 miles) and Explorer Conversion and Hitch rated for 5000lb and 500lb tongue weight. The hitch is also rated for 7500lb and 750lb tongue weight if using anti sway. The GVWR for the Van is 7200lb and GCWR when towing is 12,000lb. The max weight the Van can tow is 6400lb. I weighed the van yesterday with me in it and it was 6500lb. We are looking at a 24 foot travel trailer that is 4800lb and has a tongue weight of 600lb. Does the tongue weight factor in to the GVWR for the Van? If so, I am maxed out at that point. Additional in the van will be 380lbs for my family. I am thinking about removing the rear bench seat/bed from the van. It estimated to weigh 140lbs. I also estimate that any gear we bring could be stored in the trailer as opposed the van. Please let me know what you think. Thanks, Joel903Views0likes2Comments
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