288RLS with 1500?

[bradgalloway]

Hello! Sorry to ask the same question as everyone else, but I don't know what to do! I sold my TT last week and we put a deposit down on a Vibe 288RLS yesterday. I'm wondering if I should get it or get something lighter. A new truck isn't an option right now. The dealer said my truck would pull this with no problems. What you guys think? We don't carry everything with us. Its just my wife and dog. Clothes, food, hoses, a few outdoor chairs, outdoor mat and a small grill. We also stay on flat lands and rarely have a hill or travel more than 2 hours to camp. Thanks for any help!

Vibe 288RLS:
Dry weight - 7157
Payload Cap - 1867
Hitch Weight - 753

My Truck:
2017 Chevy 1500 5.3 EcoTec3 V8 (L83) 2WD. 3.42 rear end
9300 max tow rating
15,000 GCWR

[upflying]

Is 1867 payload on the trailer or your truck?
Don't ask a dealer if your truck will pull it, except to make a sale, they have no skin in the game.

[bradgalloway]

The 1867 is the payload on the trailer. My truck's CVWR is 9400 although. I'm not sure of the curb weight. I'm thinking 5000 and 5500, but not sure.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by bradgalloway

The 1867 is the payload on the trailer. My truck's CVWR is 9400 although. I'm not sure of the curb weight. I'm thinking 5000 and 5500, but not sure.

From reading these threads, the payload on your truck is often the limiting factor when towing. What does the NHTSA sticker show as your payload? It's on your drivers door jamb.

[bradgalloway]

Sticker in my door only says: combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1692lbs. Doesn't show anything else except tire sizes and pressures.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by bradgalloway

Sticker in my door only says: combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1692lbs. Doesn't show anything else except tire sizes and pressures.

Ok, 1692 is the payload. That includes driver, passengers, fuel, cargo, bed cap (if applicable) and tongue weight.
10% of your trailer weight will be on the tongue, assume 800 lbs. That leaves about 800 lbs for the rest of the load. Full fuel will take 200 lbs. That leaves 600 for passengers and gear. You will be close.
Subjectively and anecdotally speaking, that's too much trailer for your truck.

[67L48]

If you've spent any time here at all, you should know two things: dry weights are worthless and 1/2 ton towing questions must start with the payload number.

Conservatively, add about 1,000 lbs to your trailer's dry weight or just use the GVWR of the trailer, whichever is lower. So, you're likely going to be towing around 8,200 lbs. That will put about 1,000 lbs on your hitch (using the mid-point of the typical 10-15% range).

That leaves you 692 lbs for WDH, all the people in your car (including you ... you get no driver allowance for payload), gear, stuff in your bed, and so on.

You can do it, but it will be close. I wouldn't advise it. I'm right at or just over my payload and my 1/2 ton just can't handle it.

[bradgalloway]

I really appreciate the help. I just looked at plan 'B'... A 268RKS they had on the lot we were also interested in. Losing one slide only drops the dry weight to 6540lbs, 617lbs less than the 288RLS. Not sure what to do now! There was not much else I was interested in!