Catalina 24rbs with Sierra 1500

[zrockstar]

I am picking up my trailer tomorrow which is a Coachman Catalina 24rbs. I will be towing it with a Sierra 1500 with a 9200 tow capacity and a 1712 payload. The trailer is listed as 5762 dry, 7600 gvw, and 27'11". I will be using an Equalizer wdh. I know everyone is going to say get a 3/4 ton, but that isn't going to happen for at least two years, and that isn't what I'm asking. I am asking if my current truck is going to do OK for now. Everything appears to be within limits just looking for second thoughts. Thanks.

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by zrockstar

I am picking up my trailer tomorrow which is a Coachman Catalina 24rbs. I will be towing it with a Sierra 1500 with a 9200 tow capacity and a 1712 payload. The trailer is listed as 5762 dry, 7600 gvw, and 27'11". I will be using an Equalizer wdh. I know everyone is going to say get a 3/4 ton, but that isn't going to happen for at least two years, and that isn't what I'm asking. I am asking if my current truck is going to do OK for now. Everything appears to be within limits just looking for second thoughts. Thanks.

As someone who recently went from a 1/2 ton to a new 3/4 ton.. I think based on your specs, you should be fine.. Don't think you'll have any trouble.

[zrockstar]

Thanks Ron. A 3/4 ton is in the future, but I have 18 more months on my 1500 lease.

[5picker]

I'm not trying to be a smart aleck here but you are picking up the new camper tomorrow... have 18 months left on your current truck lease... and you (as you said) "hope it is going to do OK for now."

I don't see much other choice.

[mj0528]

My truck and trailer is almost the same and it pulls fine. Hills can be tough but let the engine rev and it will be fine. The eq 4 Pt made all the diff in the world. Just keep an eye on the tranny temps. You have a tranny cooler, right? If not, you need one.

[7Iron]

I purchased a 2017 FE 246 RKS and pulled it home (300 miles) with an Avalanche...white knuckled all the time....


Just traded it for a Sierra 1500. Rated at 15k GCW with extra cooling (Eng & Tran) with a 4.3 rear gear ratio . And switched WD to Reese dual cam straight line.....

My allowed cargo is 1468, tt is at 6100 loaded out, and the last 2 trips tongue wt was 900-950 (I will reduce next trip because with me , wife dog and iPhones coffee we are almost at the 6800 for TV but well below the 15k gcw

I get a push by wind or big trucks occasionally ...The avalanche was every truck. The tires on the Sierra are also much stiffer than the soft ride ones I had on the Aval

All my pulling has been pretty level coastal plains regions.

My Sierra is the highest rated 2x4 1500 with add springs , 4.3, stiff tires, HD cooling etc

[7Iron]

If yours is similar to my Sierra and the WD system works as well or better than mine,TT is at 6100 , tongue wt and other cargo in TV is below your allowable , and you drive like me (65 max) and your brake controller is adjusted properly, and trans is cooled properly and the TT aerodynamics is similar to mine.....I think you will fine...almost happy with a 1500

[mj0528]

Good to hear others are doing the same. On the road I see all the big trucks pulling smaller trailers so in my small amount of time camping thus far, I've wondered if these people look like I'm crazy. One time I got stuck behind a big one ton dually pulling a pop up and he was creeping along. I thought it was ironic with my 29 foot TT behind my 1500 Silverado

[ronheater70]

Originally Posted by mj0528

Good to hear others are doing the same. On the road I see all the big trucks pulling smaller trailers so in my small amount of time camping thus far, I've wondered if these people look like I'm crazy. One time I got stuck behind a big one ton dually pulling a pop up and he was creeping along. I thought it was ironic with my 29 foot TT behind my 1500 Silverado

Nah, People just use what they want, plus some folks buy a bit bigger so they are in line if they decide to upgrade campers later to a larger, heavier unit.
Thats what I did anyway, I could have bought another 1/2 ton with higher payload and towing than my previous f150, but I went with a 3/4 ton instead, just because im all set if I want to go a little bigger in the future.

[zrockstar]

Pulled it home yesterday and it did fine. Still a little sway with the hitch on the interstate, but it was pretty windy already anyways. I am not 100% sure the dealership adjusted the wdh with measurements, so I will take my own and adjust if necessary. That being said, the squat was pretty minimal, and I realize there is probably always going to be some sway with a setup like this, right?

[johnw32]

Sorry to change the topic, but somewhat related, and maybe something you have already checked out since your current truck is a lease.For all of you who have a new 3/4 Ton truck, do the banks/manufacturers lease them?

[zrockstar]

You can lease anything. But unless it is a manufacturer incentivized lease, then it won't make any sense unless it provides a significant business write off for you or another way you can self incentivize. Generally manufacturers only put incentives on 1/2 ton trucks.

[mj0528]

Originally Posted by zrockstar

Pulled it home yesterday and it did fine. Still a little sway with the hitch on the interstate, but it was pretty windy already anyways. I am not 100% sure the dealership adjusted the wdh with measurements, so I will take my own and adjust if necessary. That being said, the squat was pretty minimal, and I realize there is probably always going to be some sway with a setup like this, right?

I get a tiny bit but it's almost gone I would say. Semis don't really have an effect on me. Mostly just really high wind.

[7Iron]

I had to change the WD system....and now that I have the tongue wt at abt 800 my rig is very comfortable and verrry little sway, almost indistinguishable .

Other than hills, the difference of pulling a pop up behind the Avalanche and pulling the 246RKS behind the Sierra is very minimal

I was very surprised by the difference with 980 vice 800 tongue wt...it made a big difference in handling.

The physics still hurts my head: Lower the tongue wt the more wt shifted to the TT