Chevy 1500 ???

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

That may qualify as a Cramper. Hard to tell where the firewood starts and ends...

Wood ends at the hood grill....

[herbike]

Back in 95 we bought our 31 ft Kit Patio Hauler, never thought about all this capacity stuff. They allowed the salesman to sell you what ever you wanted. I had a half ton Chev, Z71, extended cab, short box, 350 CID, don't remember what the ratio was. Anyway it pulled our fifth wheel without any problem. Later we pulled with a 3/4 ton,6L, 4:10 gears I believe, pulled with ease. I also had a 96 Ford. 3/4 ton short box, diesel that didn't do the job like the gas Chev.
Now we have a 15 one ton single tire Chev LTZ with 3;73 that didn't even know the Kit was back there giving us 10 to 12 MPG. Now that we are pulling the t28FQDX on the bumper with more frontal area and about 1k# more weight, we have dropped the mileage to 8.5 to 9.5. That is a little disheartening but we haven't done anything to the PU, just drive it, got 102,000 on a 2.5 year old rig. Only problems we have had is an oil pan leak, fixed under warranty, now we have a check engine light on, to be checked next week. Hope that may explain the drop in fuel mileage. Hopefully!

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by rp53

... at a max tow of 9600lb that would mean a 1035lb tongue weight max. ...

A max tow capacity of 9600# does not mean a max tongue weight of 1035#. I agree that you're okay with the trailer you describe but the constraint on tongue weight is the payload capacity (CCC), not the towing capacity. For 1/2 trucks it's almost always the limiting factor for travel trailers having a tongue weight of 10-15%.

My understanding is that boats, for example, have a much lighter tongue weight. So they'd be potentially constrained by the GCWR more than the RAWR or CCC.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by herbike

Back in 95 we bought our 31 ft Kit Patio Hauler, never thought about all this capacity stuff. They allowed the salesman to sell you what ever you wanted.

You think it's any different today?? It's not.

[herbike]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

You think it's any different today?? It's not.

I think that differs from dealer to dealer. We talked to some that said they couldn't sell us one trailer or another because of what we had for a TV. Then there were the others that just started pushing what ever they wanted to sell the
most that day. The dealer we bought our Shockwave was very concerned what we had for a TV, he wouldn't sell something too big for the vehicle. That might be
partly because they are a Mom and Pop business that have been there since 1969.
I do understand what you are saying!

[rp53]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

A max tow capacity of 9600# does not mean a max tongue weight of 1035#. I agree that you're okay with the trailer you describe but the constraint on tongue weight is the payload capacity (CCC), not the towing capacity. For 1/2 trucks it's almost always the limiting factor for travel trailers having a tongue weight of 10-15%.

My understanding is that boats, for example, have a much lighter tongue weight. So they'd be potentially constrained by the GCWR more than the RAWR or CCC.

well the owners manual says max tongue weight is 1200lb the the payload capacity is 1649lb (door sticker) my TT 's tongue wt. is 560, the wife and I and a full tank of gas weigh less than 500lb so i figure i'm OK

[yetavon]

Congrads on the new truck, Ours is a 05 5.3 z71 with the 3.43 and tow package. We have no troubles dragging our 5000lbs around the mountains here. And you have more power and the advantage of the 6 speed transmission.

[dmchapman]

Originally Posted by rp53

i have found a 2014 chevy Z71 4X4 5.3 with 3.43 gearing, with towing package. do any of you own one and if so what are the towing capacities on this truck ???
thanks in advance

My 2012 extended cab, 4WD, Z71 with heavy duty towing package is rated 9600 pounds. Pulling a 2015 microLite 21DS. We have gone over the coastal range several times with great results. Sequoia National Park was okay. The back way up to Big Bear Lake, July, 110 degrees.....Really stressed it. Would not do that one again.

[rp53]

Originally Posted by yetavon

Congrads on the new truck, Ours is a 05 5.3 z71 with the 3.43 and tow package. We have no troubles dragging our 5000lbs around the mountains here. And you have more power and the advantage of the 6 speed transmission.

Thanks I really like it

[rp53]

Originally Posted by dmchapman

My 2012 extended cab, 4WD, Z71 with heavy duty towing package is rated 9600 pounds. Pulling a 2015 microLite 21DS. We have gone over the coastal range several times with great results. Sequoia National Park was okay. The back way up to Big Bear Lake, July, 110 degrees.....Really stressed it. Would not do that one again.

I hope not to be towing in that kind of heat

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by rp53

... the payload capacity is 1649lb (door sticker) my TT 's tongue wt. is 560, the wife and I and a full tank of gas weigh less than 500lb so i figure i'm OK

I agreed with your assessment but you to base that conclusion on payload capacity or max towing capacity, whichever is less. Don't forget the weight of the WDH and other gear in your TV, but you should still be okay. You may find the relatively short wheelbase of your TV makes for poor handling but many people have similar combos. I did.

[rp53]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

I agreed with your assessment but you to base that conclusion on payload capacity or max towing capacity, whichever is less. Don't forget the weight of the WDH and other gear in your TV, but you should still be okay. You may find the relatively short wheelbase of your TV makes for poor handling but many people have similar combos. I did.

just sayin with the TT the DW and me we still have 500lb+ left over. Mine has is a long bed not the usual 5 1/2 foot bed you see on a Dual cab. Sway is really not a concern. Heck i towed the TT with a chevy colorado and it was OK now i feel like i'm ready to tow anywhere

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by rp53

Mine has is a long bed not the usual 5 1/2 foot bed you see on a Dual cab.

You have an advantage over my SCrew in that respect.

[RSchleder]

Originally Posted by youroo

Many members tow with a 1/2 ton,they are Very pleased with the results "After" they upgrade the P tires,install air bags,install air shocks, install super springs, change gear ratios, chip the engine"! Youroo! !

Yeah, and some of us simply order a Ram 1500 with Hemi, 3:92 gears, 8 speed tranny, 4 corner air suspension, towing package and replace the crappy tires with Michelin L/T tires and go on our merry way. And since we have only 1 vehicle these days and 90% of our driving is NOT towing, we have a very quiet, comfortable truck to "tool" around in!

[MKClark]

I have a 2014 Chevy extended cab, 6.5 bed, with same engine & rear ratio.
My 2015 2819VS Windjammer sticker says unloaded 6,239 lb.. Truck pulls just fine
here in flat lands of Texas. I pull at 65 to 68 mph. Still plenty of power to pass 18 wheelers out on interstate. Some of us just can't afford 3/4, 1 tons trucks. Trans temp has never gone over 209 even pulling up steep hill at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Hope this helps.
MK Clark
2819VS Windjammer.

[rp53]

thanks for the info ours @4500lb should tow just fine

[parkguy60]

i haven't bought yet..! Keep reading the different forums and have decided that everyone who has towed with a 1/2 ton, and many who haven't, have their own experience and they can differ much. My 2016 Silverado Z71 4WD LT DBL Cab w/Stabilitrak-stability control w/trailer sway control & hill start assist, w/4 whl antilock disc's &(duralife rotors (TM)?) 5.3 (355HP) 18" Alum wheels & 6 speed trans w/3.42 axle.. this info is off the window sticker.
I have been getting so many different opinions on what the truck will handle I decided to call Chevrolet & also start thinking about a class C or A instead of towing a TT.. The tech at Chevrolet said "we build trucks..it will handle what it is rated for (9200) and still be covered under warranty." I did look at a very nice used Class A but all the systems, which make it very nice to use as a portable motel room, Believe me, we ain't gonna camp, we just want to travel, can be quite complicated to learn, service maintain and get very expensive very quick...why in the living *** don't they put generators on TT's ? If ya can put them on motor homes I see no reason they are not available on TT's..then ya stop & rest most anywhere..When we looked at the class A I didn't even know the guy had it running... I could not hear it until he shut it down, then the noise difference was barely detectable..
Guess I'm getting a bit flustrated with deciding on a camper, er, I mean motel room...

[rp53]

Originally Posted by parkguy60

i haven't bought yet..! Keep reading the different forums and have decided that everyone who has towed with a 1/2 ton, and many who haven't, have their own experience and they can differ much. My 2016 Silverado Z71 4WD LT DBL Cab w/Stabilitrak-stability control w/trailer sway control & hill start assist, w/4 whl antilock disc's &(duralife rotors (TM)?) 5.3 (355HP) 18" Alum wheels & 6 speed trans w/3.42 axle.. this info is off the window sticker.
I have been getting so many different opinions on what the truck will handle I decided to call Chevrolet & also start thinking about a class C or A instead of towing a TT.. The tech at Chevrolet said "we build trucks..it will handle what it is rated for (9200) and still be covered under warranty." I did look at a very nice used Class A but all the systems, which make it very nice to use as a portable motel room, Believe me, we ain't gonna camp, we just want to travel, can be quite complicated to learn, service maintain and get very expensive very quick...why in the living *** don't they put generators on TT's ? If ya can put them on motor homes I see no reason they are not available on TT's..then ya stop & rest most anywhere..When we looked at the class A I didn't even know the guy had it running... I could not hear it until he shut it down, then the noise difference was barely detectable..
Guess I'm getting a bit flustrated with deciding on a camper, er, I mean motel room...

have you never owned a TT or motorhome ??

if not my suggestion would to be start with something small and affordable if camping is for you then upgrade. i would hate to pay 80,000.00 + for a class A then find out i really didn't enjoy it. for us we have been camping our whole lives but we started small and affordable then upgraded to the options we wanted. ours is still small by most folks standards but it is exactly what we want

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by rp53

have you never owned a TT or motorhome ??

if not my suggestion would to be start with something small and affordable if camping is for you then upgrade. i would hate to pay 80,000.00 + for a class A then find out i really didn't enjoy it. for us we have been camping our whole lives but we started small and affordable then upgraded to the options we wanted. ours is still small by most folks standards but it is exactly what we want

X2.

I'm always amazed when I read about first-timers buying a giant motor home or fifth wheel.

But I guess that's why there are some "gently used" ones out there for sale!

[lbrjet]

If you have the money buy a class A and tow a car with it. Then you can stop where ever in the summer and still run your A/C. If not buy a trailer in the 6500-7500 GVWR range and stop at campgrounds or state parks and plug into electric. Either RV will have all the same features except for the gennie. Budget usually dictates which way people go with this decision.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K