Towing with 2013 Silverado 1500

[Jandj1026]

Attachment 38726This is all new to me so I went by the CAT scales as recommended here in this forum. DW and I purchased a 2013 Silverado 1500 4x4 Crew Cab with the 5.3 and 3.42 gears (old truck was paid for), and a Coachmen Freedom Express 291 QBS. Here are my truck specs and weights from scales.
Truck specs
GVWR= 7000
GVAW front= 3950
GVAW rear= 3950
GCWR = 15000
Max payload = 1712
Max Trailer weight = 9500
The yellow sticker on the trailer lists the dry weight at just over 5400
I have the Reese WDH with friction sway control and it pulled from KY to FL just fine at a speed of 60 mph. To say I was nervous pulling it here for a week on the beach is an understatement but I followed all the tips you guys gave me and here we sit watching the ocean for a week and loving it!
Here are my CAT scale weights,
Steer axle = 3180
Drive axle = 3300
Trailer axle = 5900
Gross weight = 12380
These weights are with a full tank and fully loaded for a full week in Destin FL.
Does all of this seem OK?

[Jandj1026]

After 600 miles we are finally here!

[00buck]

I have the same truck towing a Micro Lite 21FBRS with an Equal-i-zer 4 way (600 lb bars):

Trailer Dry Weight: 3742
Drive Axle: 3300
Steer Axle: 3300
Trailer: 3980
Gross: 10580

I get around 10 mpg with 62 as my target towing speed. That’s about 2 +/ - mpg less than I got with a Toyota 4Runner towing a heavier Sunline 2363, but the Silverado holds a lot more stuff. The long wheel base makes for a really wide turning circle and also makes it a bear to back a trailer in a tight space.

I put the Chevy tow mirrors on mine. A little on the pricy side, but a lot more stable and convenient than the McKesh strap-on mirrors I used with the 4Runner.

Overall, I give the Silverado a big “thumbs up.” I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

[avolnek]

The loaded weights as you posted are only part of the equation here. We would really need to know what the unloaded weight of each axle is. The idea for the weight distribution is to return the front axle to the same weight or a touch more would be ideal IMO. It doesn't look like you are too far off if you are...

You stated you were nervous... what were you nervous about?

I noticed you mentioned you were using a reese w/d and sway control hitch. Is this the hitch with snap up chains and separate friction sway bars that clip on the side? If so, did you have those tight?

[Jandj1026]

I averaged 10.2 mpg towing it down here to FL for vacation. That's abt what I expected after reading some of these forums. Trans temp got to around 190 going through Tenn. hills with an outside temp of 90.

[Jandj1026]

Originally Posted by avolnek

The loaded weights as you posted are only part of the equation here. We would really need to know what the unloaded weight of each axle is. The idea for the weight distribution is to return the front axle to the same weight or a touch more would be ideal IMO. It doesn't look like you are too far off if you are...

You stated you were nervous... what were you nervous about?

I noticed you mentioned you were using a reese w/d and sway control hitch. Is this the hitch with snap up chains and separate friction sway bars that clip on the side? If so, did you have those tight?

This was my first time towing my RV more than 30 miles from home. We stayed in some parks close to home since June when we purchased the RV just to get familiar with it.
The hitch that I have just has the two bars that sit in saddles.

[Dave_Monica]

By the numbers you've posted, all is well within the specs of your truck. It would have been helpful if you did 3 weighings so that you'd be able to determine the tongue weight and if its distributed properly. To do that you'd have to weigh truck axles/trailer axles all hooked up; same as before but with the W/D bars unloaded and lastly, a weight of the trucks axles alone with the hitchhead and W/D bars on. This would tell you if you have enough tongue weight (looking for around 13%) and whether it's distributed properly to the truck's front axle and trailer's axles.

Dave

[Jandj1026]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

By the numbers you've posted, all is well within the specs of your truck. It would have been helpful if you did 3 weighings so that you'd be able to determine the tongue weight and if its distributed properly. To do that you'd have to weigh truck axles/trailer axles all hooked up; same as before but with the W/D bars unloaded and lastly, a weight of the trucks axles alone with the hitchhead and W/D bars on. This would tell you if you have enough tongue weight (looking for around 13%) and whether it's distributed properly to the truck's front axle and trailer's axles.

Dave

Will try that next time. This was my first time on scales and the teenager working inside the Love's wasn't very much help. So I just pulled onto the scales and then he came on the speaker and said to come inside. Thanks for the help.

[avolnek]

that's seems to be about par for the course for scale operators. If you are near any of the local co-ops of smaller towns they generally have a scale and the reading facing out of a window in a near by shack. I live just a couple miles from one and go after hours and spend all the time I need... Just a thought.

[Jandj1026]

Originally Posted by avolnek

that's seems to be about par for the course for scale operators. If you are near any of the local co-ops of smaller towns they generally have a scale and the reading facing out of a window in a near by shack. I live just a couple miles from one and go after hours and spend all the time I need... Just a thought.

Thanks for the advice, I will look into it.

[ependydad]

Once I got over my nervousness about hitting the scales, it's gotten a lot easier to "buck up and do it". Heck, now I have more nervousness about parking my camper among the trucks than I do the actual weightings.

But, yes- the folks at the scale house aren't going to be any help. You have to have a plan for what weights that you want to get. Like Dave said, for a travel trailer there are 3:
1) truck + camper hooked up w/ WDH engaged
2) truck + camper w/o WDH hooked up
(go park camper in a truck spot)
3) truck only

In each weighing, you want the truck to be on different scale platforms + for the first 2 weightings, the trailer to be on the third. The platforms are laid out that you almost have to do it that way.

(Note, for the fifth wheelers that may read this- fifth wheels only need 2 weightings 1) truck + camper and 2) truck-only.)