Newbie Travel Trailer question

[Brendon44]

Hey guys/gals,

I'm wondering if anyone has a similar set up for what I'm looking for or recommendations. I'm wanting a travel trailer that can sleep 5 and has a loaded weight of no more then 4-5K. I'd like a slideout, however, not the "tent" style slide outs as pop up campers have. I have a 2015 Silverado 1500 V8 that has a very weak towing capacity of 6,200 lbs. (I recently discovered this as I was told when I bought it could tow 9000 lbs, yet it actually has 3.08 gears which lowers it to 6200.

I truly appreciate any information regarding this,

Brendon

[raspivey]

I had a Mini Lite (2104S) that came in around 4500 loaded. Slept four...five may be a little tight...several times with no issues. Never had any issues with it. Pulled it with a 5400 lb rated Trailblazer for a while (with a decent WDH and trans cooler and upgraded rear tires) and it did fine.

[donniedu]

The smaller RPods should fit your bill.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by donniedu

The smaller RPods should fit your bill.

donnie, not sure that any Rpod is big enough for a family of 5, especially the smaller ones.

OP, with your Chevy having such a low tow capacity and the 3.08 rear end, are you sure it has the factory tow package?
That means Type III/IV receiver, trans cooler, 7-pin connector and wiring for brake controller. It would also include a rear end ratio for towing, which yours is not.

[raspivey]

Sleeping 5 (comfortably) at under 5000 lbs is going to be tough. They’re out there though.

[Brendon44]

Originally Posted by bikendan

donnie, not sure that any Rpod is big enough for a family of 5, especially the smaller ones.

OP, with your Chevy having such a low tow capacity and the 3.08 rear end, are you sure it has the factory tow package?
That means Type III/IV receiver, trans cooler, 7-pin connector and wiring for brake controller. It would also include a rear end ratio for towing, which yours is not.

Yes, I'm confused myself. It's a z71 package with electronic brake controller, Trans cooler, HD hitch (12500 lbs), 7 pin. I just received the RPO of the truck ans the second on the list is 3.08 rear differential. Very odd and I'm bummed.

[raspivey]

I’ve got a 15 Silverado. Check the rpo codes in the glove box. I’m almost positive you’ve got the same rear gears as I do. From what I have seen, the integrated brake controller is only available as a package with the 3.42 gears.

[Brendon44]

Originally Posted by raspivey

I’ve got a 15 Silverado. Check the rpo codes in the glove box. I’m almost positive you’ve got the same rear gears as I do. From what I have seen, the integrated brake controller is only available as a package with the 3.42 gears.

I checked the code in the glove box, it is matching the 3.08 rpo codes I've found. Unless the codes have changed over the years, I found a list online from 3 years ago.

[raspivey]

3.42 is GU6. I think the 3.08 is GU4.

[Brendon44]

Originally Posted by raspivey

3.42 is GU6. I think the 3.08 is GU4.

Just double checked the glovebox code, GU4.

[clarkbre]

Originally Posted by Brendon44

Just double checked the glovebox code, GU4.

Bummer. 3.08 seems like such an odd gearing for a pick up.

I take it that your truck is 4wd? Changing out the gearing is likely cost prohibitive but would allow you to tow more...as long as the weight police don't catch on.

I hate that manufacturers always advertise the maximum ratings but don't actually list the real world ratings. The dealers then piggyback on this saying the maximum capabilities to sell something that isn't correct. How frustrating.

[Jay2504]

Brendon 44 there is an easy to confirm the gear ratio. Put the truck in M4 and drive 60 mph on flat ground with the engine warmed up to make sure the torque converter is locked up. If the tachometer reads around 2200-2250 rpm it’s has 3.08 gears. If it reads around 2475-2550 it has the 3.42 gears. Be sure that you are not accelerating or coasting when taking a reading and that you give the torque converter time to lock up. Let us know what you read please. Jay.

[Brendon44]

Originally Posted by Jay2504

Brendon 44 there is an easy to confirm the gear ratio. Put the truck in M4 and drive 60 mph on flat ground with the engine warmed up to make sure the torque converter is locked up. If the tachometer reads around 2200-2250 rpm it’s has 3.08 gears. If it reads around 2475-2550 it has the 3.42 gears. Be sure that you are not accelerating or coasting when taking a reading and that you give the torque converter time to lock up. Let us know what you read please. Jay.

Interesting, just saw this but will try it when I leave work today. If you don't mind me asking how is this verified?

[donniedu]

Easier still. Open the glove box and look at the axle code. If you dont understand it a two minute phone call to a GM dealer will get you the answer.

Or look here,
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...OazynkesW1tFWM

[timfromma]

Look at the sticker on the inside of the driver's door. It will tell you exactly what your truck is rated for.

[Brendon44]

The code says 3.08, was hoping it's a mistake. My sticker that I can find only gives GVWR, your saying there is a sticker saying actual tow rating?

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by Brendon44

The code says 3.08, was hoping it's a mistake. My sticker that I can find only gives GVWR, your saying there is a sticker saying actual tow rating?

Look for your cargo capacity. You will hit that long before you exceed your tow rating

[Michele and Douglas]

Originally Posted by donniedu

The smaller RPods should fit your bill.

No way you would be comfortable in an R-POD, unless you are a family of little people , or whatever term is currently socially acceptable.

[dustman_stx]

I think you'd be really well served with a Wildwood 201BHXL like I just purchased. We are a family of 6 and find it works fine. It doesn't have a slide, but it does have a Murphy bed in the front that allows that area to double as a sitting area. No slide keeps the weight down big time- just over 4K on the yellow sticker. Unlike many of the smaller units, it has a REAL Dometic AC, not a wall mount type, a stove with oven, actual RV fridge unlike a 110 only dorm fridge and so on. Also has a huge pass thru front storage unlike many murphy bed models. And a tandem axle which I MUCH prefer. We purchased ours from RVWholesalers in Lakeview, OH. Actually made the 1K each way trip in our old 98 Expedition to pick it up. It's got the gutless old 4.6L with 3.31 gears and still pulled it fine, even at ~170K on it.

[Werk]

I had a 2013 Chevy with 3.08 gears and it pulled my 2304ks great, the TT weight about 4800lbs. I had the LTZ package which moved the towing capacity up to 6800lbs. I had a price to change the gears out to 3.72 of $3000.00 but I figured with all the things it would affect it was to much trouble. Plus another $1000.00 to reprogram the computer. I read a lot of threads on here about gears and with the six speed transmission every one seemed to think the 3.08s were fine a lot better than with the old four speed transmissions.