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Old 06-03-2016, 11:51 AM   #1
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Windjammer 3029W tow vehicle questions

Hi

New to the forum and RV'ing.
Contemplating purchasing a 3029W.

I intend to use a Chevy Silverado to haul with it.
It has a rated towing capacity of 9200 lbs.

Anyone else using a 1/2 ton to tow this trailer?

Also.. would you share your thoughts on a brake controller and anti-sway bars?
What ones you'd recommend or use.

Any suggestions and help would be much appreciated.

Thank you!
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Old 06-03-2016, 12:17 PM   #2
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Welcome to the forum! Perhaps a bit more information would help us help you. Year and engine for the Chevy, and does it have the tow package, and what year of Windjammer is the 3029w?

The current specs for the 3029w are:
UVW -7751# with a cargo capacity of 1483#. Maxed out the trailer would be 9234# which is over the stated tow weight of your truck if fully loaded.

Remember also the important cargo weight rating for your truck. The hitch weight on the 3029w is listed as 934#...bull#$*!. My 3001w lists at 770# and the scales tell me it is just under 1100# when ready to camp.

I pulled the 3001w with a 2013 GMC 1500, 5.3, auto, with tow package, all over mountains in CO, WY, and Oregon with no issues, but we really watched out weights and all tanks were empty to travel. The 3029w is heavier hitch weight, so be aware that your capacity isn't exceeded.
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Old 06-03-2016, 12:27 PM   #3
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Thanks for you input.
I know I would be cutting it close, that's why I asked.

The Chevy is a 2016, 5.3L V8, 3.42 rear axle ratio.
Trailering equipment package.
Dry hitch weight of 1200 lbs.

The 3029 woud be a 2017.
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Old 06-03-2016, 12:37 PM   #4
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Yes, you would...but you could and I am sure others are pulling the 3029w with the same tow vehicle (TV) as you have. As I said, I pulled my trailer with a 2.3 GMC 1500 and did fine; up mountains and maintained 50 MPH, mileage sucks (of course), and setting up the electric brakes properly is essential. Do a search on "electric brake controllers" and then go get food and drink for all the threads you will find. You just have to be aware of how much weight you put into the truck after hitching up. Load capacity also has to account for other passengers, lawn chairs, spare cans of gas, bicycles, etc. that you put in the truck also.
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Old 06-03-2016, 12:41 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lthouse101 View Post
Thanks for you input.
I know I would be cutting it close, that's why I asked.

The Chevy is a 2016, 5.3L V8, 3.42 rear axle ratio.
Trailering equipment package.
Dry hitch weight of 1200 lbs.

The 3029 woud be a 2017.
What's the truck's payload capacity?
It's on the driver's door yellow sticker.
You may be out of payload with a dry hitch weight of 1200lbs.
It could have a real world loaded hitch weight above your truck's payload max.
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Old 06-03-2016, 12:45 PM   #6
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The tow rating is based on empty truck and a 150 lb driver. Take your 9200 and subtract the weight of passengers and anything else you plan to load in your truck. This is your real tow rating. Do the math and go from there.


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Old 06-03-2016, 12:47 PM   #7
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Yes I figure I'd have to travel bare bones with it.
I really like the layout though.
I will check out more threads and search further and see what more folks
on here might have to say.
It can be done I guess.
Thanks so much!
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Old 06-03-2016, 12:56 PM   #8
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The load capacity of the truck is 1745 lbs.
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Old 06-03-2016, 01:21 PM   #9
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Quote:
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The load capacity of the truck is 1745 lbs.
Well, subtract the 1200lbs dry hitch weight from that and you have only 545lbs. for passengers, cargo, WDH and whatever the actual loaded hitch weight is.

Loaded for camping, your hitch weight could easily exceed your 1745lbs. payload cpacity.

IMHO, you don't have enough to be safe.
With a dry hitch weight of 1200lbs., I think you need a 3/4 ton or an Ecoboost with the HD Payload package and Max Towing package.
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Old 06-03-2016, 01:27 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
Well, subtract the 1200lbs dry hitch weight from that and you have only 545lbs. for passengers, cargo, WDH and whatever the actual loaded hitch weight is.

Loaded for camping, your hitch weight could easily exceed your 1745lbs. payload cpacity.

IMHO, you don't have enough to be safe.
With a dry hitch weight of 1200lbs., I think you need a 3/4 ton or an Ecoboost with the HD Payload package and Max Towing package.
No, that's doesn't leave a lot of room for error.

Thank you.

Retired FF/EMT here too.
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Old 06-03-2016, 01:41 PM   #11
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Not really off topic, but wouldn't it be nice if RV dealers actually had a set of scales that they could put under the tongue jack or pin on RV's? Give you a REAL weight BEFORE you bought the rig and found it was 25-40% heavier than stated on the specifications! Like I stated, my WJ was listed as 770# hitch weight and the CAT scales showed 1075# on the way home Day 1. 300# more than listed! With 934# as the listed hitch weight for the 3029w, I would wager a cold one that it will be close to 1200#, new, dry, and empty!
The other related issue is my dealership used the 770# to determine I needed a 1000# rated WDH ...I had to change it for a 1400# after I couldn't figure out why the TV wouldn't level up. I pitched such a fit about them not knowing better, they did refund the money on the first hitch and install.
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Old 06-04-2016, 08:29 AM   #12
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2014 1/2 Chevy, 5.3 with 3.42 rear. I pull 2819VS Windjammer. Published 794# hitch weight, GVWR 7,794#. Set truck in tow mode, and cruise at 65mph. Truck has plenty of power. Still haven't pulled anywhere but in Texas.
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Old 06-04-2016, 03:35 PM   #13
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Smile Windjammer 3029

I got a 2015 Windjammer 3029W and tow it with 2013 Ford F-150 with V-6 Ecoboost with 3.55 rear end. Tows perfectly fine. I use Equalizer 4pt WDH 1200lb hitch and is easy to hook up and unhook. I use the built in Ford brake controller. Love the trailer!
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Old 06-04-2016, 06:50 PM   #14
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We towed a 2014 Windjammer 3008W with a half-ton truck on one trip before upgrading to a 2500 Siverado with 6.0L gas engine. Tow fine on flat ground, but we went through the mountains in North Carolina. 5.3L in that half-ton struggled going up, and felt like it was being pushed going down.

Can it be done? Yes. Would I continue to do it? Nope...but maybe that was because of the way we had the truck and trailer loaded. Can't say, but I just wasn't comfortable. With the 2500 Chevy, we towed that Windjammer over 20K miles, including through the Rockies, with no issues.

As far as a WD hitch, I'd recommend a 12,000 lb. Equal-I-Zer
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Old 06-04-2016, 08:09 PM   #15
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Please, please don't anybody take this personal.

I'm sure just about any salesman will tell you sure that moped can pull that trailer.

And I'm sure there is a lot of members here that pull their trailers with a 1/2 ton and believe they have no problems. But my Vlite weighs 8400 lbs and it is about all my truck can handle. I wouldn't dare go into the big mountains with it pulling my TT. If you feel your 1/2 ton pulls your rig with no problems, so be it. Just get in a slam on brakes situation and see what that (box on wheels) behind you does to that truck.

Just my .02.

No attacks please, just personal opinions.
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Old 06-04-2016, 08:26 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Capt. Mike View Post
We towed a 2014 Windjammer 3008W with a half-ton truck on one trip before upgrading to a 2500 Siverado with 6.0L gas engine. Tow fine on flat ground, but we went through the mountains in North Carolina. 5.3L in that half-ton struggled going up, and felt like it was being pushed going down.

Can it be done? Yes. Would I continue to do it? Nope...but maybe that was because of the way we had the truck and trailer loaded. Can't say, but I just wasn't comfortable. With the 2500 Chevy, we towed that Windjammer over 20K miles, including through the Rockies, with no issues.

As far as a WD hitch, I'd recommend a 12,000 lb. Equal-I-Zer
X 2 all the way I tow a V-lite also with 2500 6.0 Chevy 4:10 gear. Never had an issue so far towing flat or mountains. Later RJD
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Old 06-04-2016, 08:43 PM   #17
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We love our WJ 3029, and we also like towing it with a3/4 ton Ram. Glad we had that on our trip to the Springtime Amish rally Friday. Someone STOPPED on the interstate when they couldn't get into their exit lane! The Ram had enough brake and weight the rig stopped straight and without any skidding. I don't want to think what would have happened with a maxed out TV.
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Old 06-04-2016, 09:02 PM   #18
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If you feel your 1/2 ton pulls your rig with no problems, so be it. Just get in a slam on brakes situation and see what that (box on wheels) behind you does to that truck.
Been there! 2014 Nissan Titan w/big tow package 9300lbs tow rating pulling 8000lbs TT. It towed well once I got balance and hitch right. That one day I had to slam on brakes do to car cutting off my stopping distance at a red light. Trailer just pushed me into the right turn lane, turning left did nothing for me. We were extremely lucky no one was in that turn lane. After that trip we traded for Super Duty.
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Old 06-04-2016, 09:45 PM   #19
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2500 HD

I own a 3029 and I wouldn't tow with a half ton. It behaves very well behind my 2500 HD. You will need sway bars. Be sure to get the fan in the kitchen. we regret that. Consider load range E tires also. Love the Windjammer
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Old 06-05-2016, 07:51 PM   #20
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I have the 3029w and towing with a 2015 GMC Sierra. Pulls just fine and get better gas millage in my gaser than most diesels while pulling. Def need anti sway bars and a good weight distribution hitch. Weigh after you loaded so you know how much the true hitch weight on your truck is. You don't want to go over any limits which is possible if your not careful and paying attention.
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