What are you using to pull your 23IKSS?

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by dudleydoo

We tow ours with a Ford Explorer. It's a 2014 and we are thinking about selling it. I can tow it but hook up will not work when I want to travel with my friends. They are not experienced to guide me like my DH does. We may look at motorhomes soon.

??????????? Explorer? Towing an IKSS with a DRY weight of 5045? Really?

Or do you mean Expedition?

[dudleydoo]

No, Eddie Bauer 2009 Ford Explorer. Haven't been out west to the mountains yet. The only one we hit is outside Chattanooga on the way to Georgia.

[Archicamper]

So I am all hype up to buy a 1500 Chevy with a 5.3 V8 and a 3.08 rear which is what are on the lot right now and I am not sure that it is enough truck to pull the 23IKSS! This will really bum me out because I was ready to do the deal tomorrow. A 2500 will be $5000 to $7000 more. Is anyone pulling with this truck? I hate to be in the same situation as I am right now that I can only go 55 mph into the wind!

[KMP44]

What does the door sticker give you for payload? The 5.3 should be fine, but I would be concerned about the 3.08 ratio.

[jking46]

Chevy 1500 ...good truck.
5.3...good engine
3.08 rear end....too high
Did you check the payload and towing info on the door? I'm afraid that rear end ratio won't give you enough power off the line and cause the transmission to wander up and down. It will however give you better fuel mileage when not towing.

[Archicamper]

Max towing is 6200 lbs , GVRW 7200 lbs from the Chevy site.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Archicamper

Max towing is 6200 lbs , GVRW 7200 lbs from the Chevy site.

that's not payload capacity.

the newer 6 speed GM trucks can have much higher towing capacities, even with a 3.08 rear end.

but the payload capacity will be the key. if it has the HD tow package, you should be fine. keep in mind that the 3/4 ton suggestion comes from many who get bigger trailers down the line and find that their 1/2 ton can't do it.

[Archicamper]

Originally Posted by bikendan

that's not payload capacity.

the newer 6 speed GM trucks can have much higher towing capacities, even with a 3.08 rear end.

but the payload capacity will be the key. if it has the HD tow package, you should be fine. keep in mind that the 3/4 ton suggestion comes from many who get bigger trailers down the line and find that their 1/2 ton can't do it.

This is with a 6 speed

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Archicamper

This is with a 6 speed

Still haven't answered what the payload capacity is.
By the way, 6200lbs towing capacity is low for a 5.3 truck.
Sounds like that's without the HD towing package.

[CNYCamper]

I have the 3.42 gear. Payload is 1,747 (occupants & cargo from the door sticker).
Max. trailer weight is: 9,600 (6,600 for the 3.08 w/ double cab, 4WD). These are per the owner's manual.


Pulls fine up hills. I won't be going to a larger RV. This is just the size we like.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by bikendan

Still haven't answered what the payload capacity is.
By the way, 6200lbs towing capacity is low for a 5.3 truck.
Sounds like that's without the HD towing package.

Mine is 7500 lbs with the 5.3 and a 4 speed and tow package. 3.73 rear end. Rear brakes are drum, not disk, which I think is part of the somewhat lower tow capacity.

As I've pointed out before, my 2009 Owners Manual lists 99 different permutations of the Silverado 1500 with tow capacities running from about 4,000 lb up to about 11,000 lbs. So you really have to know exactly WHICH Silverado variety you have (or you're looking at).

[deartruc]

DudleyDoo, you threw me off too with the 2014 statement. I tow with an suv and I didn't think you could get a 2014 Explorer to tow more than 5k. Thanks for clearing that up. BTW, if you don't stuff the back of the suv full, you can open the liftgate and do the hitch assist like from Harbor.

[Archicamper]

I found a 2015 Sierra today with the 5.3 and and a 3.42 rear end that will tow 9500lb. So hopefully I am good to go with a vehicle to tow a 23ikss.

[jking46]

As others have stated here, check the payload numbers, but I think you will be just fine with this truck.

[Summer2Go]

I am towing my 183 with a Ford Explorer, lighter than 23kis. I am wondering all the time, if it is too small to tow the trailer. We went up and down the hills across PA, almost empty with one passenger, and I wasn't too crazy about how it behaved. My trailer guy says it's fine, but I still wonder if it is the best match.


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[dudleydoo]

Originally Posted by deartruc

DudleyDoo, you threw me off too with the 2014 statement. I tow with an suv and I didn't think you could get a 2014 Explorer to tow more than 5k. Thanks for clearing that up. BTW, if you don't stuff the back of the suv full, you can open the liftgate and do the hitch assist like from Harbor.

I went back and read my message again and it is confusing. The trailer is a 2014, sorry folks.

We are now looking into a motorhome.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Summer2Go

I am towing my 183 with a Ford Explorer, lighter than 23kis. I am wondering all the time, if it is too small to tow the trailer. We went up and down the hills across PA, almost empty with one passenger, and I wasn't too crazy about how it behaved. My trailer guy says it's fine, but I still wonder if it is the best match.

Unless it's a v-8 Explorer, it's going to struggle in hills/mountains.
Any v-6 vehicle, except an Ecoboost, towing a full height HTT/TT, will have a hard time.

[Summer2Go]

Unfortunately, it is an average 2014 Ford Explorer. I need an SUV for Sept-June, that won't be too much for basic transportation. Hate parking a "big" thing all the time, and need to save on daily mileage. I wish they would offer more options for towing on an Explorer size SUV.


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[Archicamper]

Wow, I was reading the break-in period for the GMC Sierra 1500 and GM recommend staying under 55mph for the first 500 miles and not tow in the first 500 miles. Which I did and they also recommend staying under 50mph for the first 500 miles of towing. This will make for a lot of leisurely drive to campsites for awhile!

[wicked1]

2014 F150 SCREW FX4 SB EB 3.5 with Max Tow

2015 Roo23IKSS Loaded is 6,000
500#'s in Pickup Bed and 700 Fuel, GF, Dog and Myself

7200#'s total

Truck can do 11,200#'s


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

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