2015 Silverado 1500 4WD LTZ Crew

[kjblex]

Recently we decided to consider purchasing a travel trailer and along with that determined our 2002 GMC Yukon does not have sufficient towing power. After a lot of research it looks like the combination of engine and rear axle tells us the amount of towing capability. Is this accurate? We found a 2015 Silverado 1500 4WD LTZ Crew 5.3L V8 Ecotec3 w/3.42 rear axle that the manufacture details indicate will tow 9200 (GCWR 15,000) We are considering a Forest River Wildwood Heritage Glen T312QBUD. The brochure indicates hitch weight 870, axel weight 6880, and UVW 7809. I'm looking for some reassurance that the Silverado will have the power behind it to pull something of this size without causing stress. Obviously, it's a large purchase on both ends so we want to make sure it's a smart one. If we need to go smaller on the trailer we can consider doing so. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[llr]

what is the payload on the truck? should be on sticker by drivers door. this is generally the first limit to exceed.

the actual tongue weight will probably be closer to 1000lbs.

I am buying a new trailer and will be over my F150 limits and think I will be OK, however if I was looking for a new truck it would be 3/4 or 1 ton

[aceinspp]

Thats a pretty good size tt to be pulling with a half ton pickup . Mine specks out about like the one your looking at and I have a 3/4 ton chevy with 4:10 gear and 6.0 engine. I would not tow that tt with a half ton. Later RJD

[KingFisher]

The dry weight of my 2012 Windjammer 3001W is 7100 pounds. I pulled it with a half ton, it did ok. I wouldn't have wanted to pull much more. Looks like you're taking on another 700 pounds before you even load up the trailer. You'd feel better with a 2500HD.

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

Thats a pretty good size tt to be pulling with a half ton pickup . Mine specks out about like the one your looking at and I have a 3/4 ton chevy with 4:10 gear and 6.0 engine. I would not tow that tt with a half ton. Later RJD

I agree

If you opt for the shorter TT and 2yrs down the road you get 3 footiitis you will wish you went for the bigger TV. Been there done that

[AquaMan]

With your trailer loaded, you may be pushing your max tow rating (payload aside). While this could be doable on short trips to a local campground, it won't be a very enjoyable driving experience on a long trip. I would look up on the truck or down on the camper, if traveling is your goal.

[kjblex]

The truck sticker indicates 7200 GVWR, 3950 GAWR FRT, and 3950 GAWR RR.

[timfromma]

Get a bigger truck or a smaller camper.

[Flybob]

As mentioned above, your hitch weight is likely to be closer to 1000-1100 lbs if you then add in 100 lbs for the WDH, your payload remaining capacity ( passengers, cargo) is decreased by 1100 -1200 lbs. Subtract this number from the cargo capacity on the yellow door sticker and that is what you have left. The difference between towing capacity and cargo capacity is basically.
Towing capacity is what the vehicle can pull/stop ( think 4 wheel hay wagon with no hitch weight)
Cargo Capacity is what the frame, suspension, wheels and tires can support ( weight added to the truck).
The one you exceed first determines you limits.

[kjblex]

Do I combine truck GVWR and the trailer UVW to come up with the the gross combined weight?

[Briorick]

Originally Posted by kjblex

I'm looking for some reassurance that the Silverado will have the power behind it to pull something of this size without causing stress.

"STRESS" would be an understatement with this combination. You would not be a happy camper pulling that much trailer. Let alone being able to travel anywhere other than flatlands. You would be better suited with the power offered via a 2500HD as another had stated. Even a 3:73 IMO is better for towing midsize campers, and still getting pretty good all-around gas mileage, rather than a 3:42. Unless of course you're towing a Pop Up ( with no wind drag ).

May need to re-evaluate your entire combination. Best of luck!

[mxdad]

Originally Posted by kjblex

Recently we decided to consider purchasing a travel trailer and along with that determined our 2002 GMC Yukon does not have sufficient towing power. After a lot of research it looks like the combination of engine and rear axle tells us the amount of towing capability. Is this accurate? We found a 2015 Silverado 1500 4WD LTZ Crew 5.3L V8 Ecotec3 w/3.42 rear axle that the manufacture details indicate will tow 9200 (GCWR 15,000) We are considering a Forest River Wildwood Heritage Glen T312QBUD. The brochure indicates hitch weight 870, axel weight 6880, and UVW 7809. I'm looking for some reassurance that the Silverado will have the power behind it to pull something of this size without causing stress. Obviously, it's a large purchase on both ends so we want to make sure it's a smart one. If we need to go smaller on the trailer we can consider doing so. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

If you are set on a 1500 and this trailer, I would skip straight to the 6.2. As others have stated, you will be very near the limits, but if you set up the hitch right, it will probably pull well. I pull a 26RR that is about 7100 loaded with an Escalade ESV and the 6.2, and I don't even want to imagine pulling it being down on HP and TQ. Ours is set up well and pulls great doing 60-65 down the road.

Also, how often and how far do you travel? If you are looking at only camping once a month during the spring summer months at close campgrounds, the 1500 might not be a bad choice. However, if you are going to camp often and far away, a 2500 would be a better choice (or a smaller camper.....but smaller campers are just gateways to bigger ones).

[53jimc]

Don't do it.

I tried a 29' Surveyor with a 5.3 Chevy, it was white knuckle all the way. The actual handling was ok, it's just that the engine spent a lot of time screaming.

I sold it and bought a F250 6.0 diesel. Night and day difference.

[Factor]

I have a Windjammer 3006 and tow it with our 2006 Silverado 5.3 Went to Texas and return 4000 miles with no problems. Our WJ is heavier than your TT, our Silverado is rated for 10,000 lbs. Shouldn't be a problem,
John

[rjc1024]

I have almost that same truck and pull a 28' trailer. It does downshift and run higher RPMs on big hills (never towed it in the mountains) but does fine on small hills and flat ground. Personally, I would not tow a bigger trailer with my current truck. If I was looking for a bigger trailer I would definitely be in a HD truck.

[53jimc]

Originally Posted by Factor

I have a Windjammer 3006 and tow it with our 2006 Silverado 5.3 Went to Texas and return 4000 miles with no problems. Our WJ is heavier than your TT, our Silverado is rated for 10,000 lbs. Shouldn't be a problem,
John

It was fine on flat land. I'm in the hills in upper SC so it was a chore. After a few trips in the hills that's all I could stand. Apologies, I should have pointed that out in the original post.

[EDABEUT]

I have a 35' TT scaled weight of 8600 I am pulling with my 1/2 ton. But I have the max tow pkg with the 6.2. Engine pulls no problems anywhere I want to go but it only has a full tank range of 200 miles. I would like to add a aux fuel tank someday. I had a 28" TT I pulled with a 2001 Silverado and the 5.3 was not enough engine. I also had the 3:73 gears. It was at 3000 rpm doing 65 most of the time and then downshifting up hills it would hit 4000-4500 sometimes. Not enjoyable at all. You need a truck with the 6.0 or 6.2.

[Kimber45]

Sounds to me like you would be fine. members of the weight police in the group are going to suggest a dually 1 ton to tow anything for 5,000 pounds.

I would do it. Think about your own needs and travels. I live in flat land Michigan and stay close to home, I don't travel the country and climb mountains.

[philobeddoe]

Whether you ultimately decide on the 1/2 ton or not, you'll grow to hate the 3:42 rear end gear. I wouldn't consider anything less than 3:73's in a gas burner. Unless you absolutely need a 4x4, the towing capacity is slightly greater on 2x4, or it was, considering GM hasn't revamped their the gross numbers on 2wd vs. 4wd. As many have mentioned, if you plan on using your camper a considerable amount, get you a 3/4 ton. You can go gas in that configuration and be plenty good for towing the camper you described.

[aceinspp]

Don't forget that besides the WDH wight add in two full 30# LP tanks and battery. Later RJD