Need experienced advice about towing

[Dtbuds]

Need some help and advice about towing. I will be purchasing a Flagstaff Super-Lite 26 FKBS, 30 feet end to end. The GAWR=6608 lbs ,CCC=2200 lbs,Hitch weight =796 lbs. I Currently own a 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 5.3 L and the 3.42 axle, Gvwr =7200 lbs, Max tow cap=9600,Max payload =1622 Lbs,Gcwr=15000 lbs,hitch weight max without wd Bar=800 lbs.All the salesman I have spoken with say with an E4 hitch I will have no problems .After doing a lot of reading about towing. I, am beginning to think they are not telling me the whole story. With the tow Veh and TT empty I would probably be ok. Add some cargo and I think things change. What do you experienced people think please?

[AlaskaErik]

I have a 2016 Silverado with the 5.3 and 3.42 and I wouldn't tow that much. My 5000 lb trailer was tough enough to pull in the mountains and with everything loaded up I was over payload capacity. My 2019 is better suited to pull something that size. But it has the 6.2L engine, 3.42 axle, 1910 lbs of payload capacity and the Max Trailering package. Half tons tend to run out of payload capacity before anything else.

Looking at that trailer it has a GVWR of almost 9000 lbs. That dry hitch weight will be closer to 1000 lbs once loaded. Even more if you're tankering water. That trailer is really more suitable for a 3/4 ton pickup. I think you'll definitely be over payload capacity and pretty darn close to gross combined weight rating. And expect a white-knuckle drive, especially if you drive in the mountains.

[Cypressloser]

Not only mountain driving would be a challenge but any kind of wind is just as bad.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Dtbuds

Need some help and advice about towing. I will be purchasing a Flagstaff Super-Lite 26 FKBS, 30 feet end to end. The GAWR=6608 lbs ,CCC=2200 lbs,Hitch weight =796 lbs. I Currently own a 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 5.3 L and the 3.42 axle, Gvwr =7200 lbs, Max tow cap=9600,Max payload =1622 Lbs,Gcwr=15000 lbs,hitch weight max without wd Bar=800 lbs.All the salesman I have spoken with say with an E4 hitch I will have no problems .After doing a lot of reading about towing. I, am beginning to think they are not telling me the whole story. With the tow Veh and TT empty I would probably be ok. Add some cargo and I think things change. What do you experienced people think please?

I think that loaded for camping, your tongue weight will be at 1000lbs at least(12% of GVWR). So figure 1000lbs for tongue weight and 100lbs for the WDH. That leaves you 522lbs for everyone in the Truck(including the driver), truck add-ons(like a bed topper or cap and any cargo in the Truck.
Now you see why payload capacity is more important than towing capacity.

[upflying]

Originally Posted by Dtbuds

All the salesman I have spoken with say with an E4 hitch I will have no problems .

Never, ever believe a RV salesperson when asking if your tow vehicle will pull the travel trailer you are about to purchase.

[moose074]

Not all salesman are liars. If you currently own the truck ( unless you’re looking for reason.) you can give it a shot and see how it handles before spending a bunch of money. Once YOU have driven it. Then you can decide if a bigger truck is justified. Even if you are within all the payload and towing numbers if you don’t feel safe or don’t enjoy the money might be worth it, or you might find yourself happy with your current truck.

[CincyGus]

Originally Posted by moose074

Not all salesman are liars.

Correct!

Some are liars. The majority are just ignorant of towing real world needs and live by the Max Towing capacity instead of the more important numbers like Payload, axle limits and GCWR.

Regardless of which category they fall into, few help someone trying to do the right thing and make a decision on a good setup to tow safely and comfortably.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by CincyGus

Correct!



Some are liars. The majority are just ignorant of towing real world needs and live by the Max Towing capacity instead of the more important numbers like Payload, axle limits and GCWR.



Regardless of which category they fall into, few help someone trying to do the right thing and make a decision on a good setup to tow safely and comfortably.

Yes you are definitely allowed your view point. I will agree that some will say anything to make a sale after all if they don’t make enough sales they don’t make as much money or they lose their jobs.

I find it interesting that we can blame others for what we do. I find it interesting that people can research cleaning products, yard equipment, electronic devices before they purchase them. However they can go buy a 20k or higher trailer and now it becomes the salesman fault. I am confused you have someone wanting to buy a product and someone who is paid to sell and only one person is unethical.
What if it’s a private sale is the person buying or selling responsible for informing the buyer their vehicle won’t tow the trailer. In theory since they owned the trailer they should be more knowledgeable of the trailer than the individual selling 100 different models.

[Flybob]

The information you need is in Post #4. Even if you feel you can be just below or just over capacity, remember a part of the experience is getting there and getting home, If it is a white knuckle trip it will not be much fun.

[Csbadvisor]

I recently purchased the same TT. Upgraded from a 21 DS which I pulled with a 2014 GMC Sierra half ton. After being educated on payload I upgraded to a 3/4 ton Ram with 6.4 Hemi. Almost doubled my payload and the power of the 6.4 is really nice. Added equalizer 4 pt. WDH hitch with 1200 lb. bars. Towing is much more comfortable and it is nice to fill the truck bed with gear and have no concerns about exceeding payload. Enjoy you newTT

[Boomerweps]

That TT will make that TV struggle big time.
Math is your friend

Take your GVWR, subtract your Payload rating, that equals your truck curb weight.
Adding the TT dry weight & CC gives you its GVWR.
Add your TV GVWR to your TT GVWR for GCW.
NOW subtract that last value from your GCWR. Oh, and subtract the average WDH weight of 100#.
That leaves you with 514# for you and everything else before maxing out the GCWR.
And this is without discussing load placement/distribution or tongue weight.
Every little rise on the interstate will slow you down. Towing will be hard work and be exhausting.

[SalemCanada]

Have logged 35,000 Miles Coast to Coast in Canada/US originally with old Husky Centre line WD Hitch & Friction Sway Bar. (2,000 Miles Short Trips). Not comfortable in wind with sway. Purchased Used Hensley Arrow hitch and have not had any issues. Tahoe has 5.3 and 3.42 full factory trailer package with trailer brake controller.

George

[Theb2b]

My experience, purchased a new TT with very similar numbers to the OP both the TT & TV, did the math and felt I could do it. My TV was an ecoDiesel with an after market hot tune, power wasn't a problem mine was the trailer pushing the TV around on windy days and I too was using an Equal-i-zer hitch. Moved up to a 3/4 ton TV, much better tow experience.

[JimMorrell]

Sorry guys. Guess you should have bought a Ford! My 32' Wildwood tows just fine behind my 2011 F 150, 5L, 4 x 4 Super Cab. The unloaded weight of the trailer is about 7,400#. Loaded near 9,000#. I live in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada and most of my towing is in the mountains. Unless I want to travel those crooked roads at 70mph, there is no problem. Further, my first trailer was shorter but the same weight and I pulled with a 1970 Buick Sportwagon (small station wagon) with a 350 CC High Compression engine. Later, I moved to Denver and bought a Chev 1500 Van with a 400 cc engine...no problem in the Rockies. Now I'm back to the Sierra. The only thing that limits me is a narrow/crooked road that doesn't fit a nearly 50' long rig.

[tpstauffer]

I understand. And I am "Close to the Edge" too.... BTW Yes

Originally Posted by bikendan

I think that loaded for camping, your tongue weight will be at 1000lbs at least(12% of GVWR). So figure 1000lbs for tongue weight and 100lbs for the WDH. That leaves you 522lbs for everyone in the Truck(including the driver), truck add-ons(like a bed topper or cap and any cargo in the Truck.
Now you see why payload capacity is more important than towing capacity.

[Rick J]

You are obviously going to be over limit. Your 796 lb. hitch weight is without batteries or any cargo whatsoever in the trailer. One pillow and blanket on the bed puts you over. Your 1600 lb. Payload is also at the limit because you only have maybe 600 lbs left.

Originally Posted by Dtbuds

Need some help and advice about towing. I will be purchasing a Flagstaff Super-Lite 26 FKBS, 30 feet end to end. The GAWR=6608 lbs ,CCC=2200 lbs,Hitch weight =796 lbs. I Currently own a 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 5.3 L and the 3.42 axle, Gvwr =7200 lbs, Max tow cap=9600,Max payload =1622 Lbs,Gcwr=15000 lbs,hitch weight max without wd Bar=800 lbs.All the salesman I have spoken with say with an E4 hitch I will have no problems .After doing a lot of reading about towing. I, am beginning to think they are not telling me the whole story. With the tow Veh and TT empty I would probably be ok. Add some cargo and I think things change. What do you experienced people think please?

[Rick J]

At 1000 lbs hitch weight he is way over the hitch maximum of the truck hitch of 800 lbs. Not only foolish but a dangerous situation for everyone on the road.

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

I have a 2016 Silverado with the 5.3 and 3.42 and I wouldn't tow that much. My 5000 lb trailer was tough enough to pull in the mountains and with everything loaded up I was over payload capacity. My 2019 is better suited to pull something that size. But it has the 6.2L engine, 3.42 axle, 1910 lbs of payload capacity and the Max Trailering package. Half tons tend to run out of payload capacity before anything else.

Looking at that trailer it has a GVWR of almost 9000 lbs. That dry hitch weight will be closer to 1000 lbs once loaded. Even more if you're tankering water. That trailer is really more suitable for a 3/4 ton pickup. I think you'll definitely be over payload capacity and pretty darn close to gross combined weight rating. And expect a white-knuckle drive, especially if you drive in the mountains.

[Rick J]

He is clearly hundreds of lbs over the truck's hitch limit of 800 lbs.

Originally Posted by moose074

Not all salesman are liars. If you currently own the truck ( unless you’re looking for reason.) you can give it a shot and see how it handles before spending a bunch of money. Once YOU have driven it. Then you can decide if a bigger truck is justified. Even if you are within all the payload and towing numbers if you don’t feel safe or don’t enjoy the money might be worth it, or you might find yourself happy with your current truck.

[2019 Cherokee]

I am going to tell you what happened to me. I bought a 2013 Shasta Revere. It was 30ft 9 inches long. The dry weight was 6300lbs. I had a 2003 GMC Sierra with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears. I towed with that truck a total of 5 times before it blew the transmission. It had the full tow package and was rated for 9600lbs. It was the worst white knuckle towing I have ever experienced. After I blew the trans I decided I needed a truck that would better suit my needs. I found a 2011 Ram 1500 with the outdoorsman package. It was rated to tow 10500 lbs. what I neglected to realize that even though the trick would pull the trailer it was still over Payload. Also being a 1500 the suspension was not up for the task. With airbags and heavier springs it didn’t do bad and an equalizer hitch and anti sway. It lasted 6 short years the suspension was shot again and was going through brakes like every 6months. Towing about ten times a year. So I traded that truck in and bought a 2016 Ram 2500 this was the best decision I ever made. I towed three times with the Shasta and I didn’t even know it was back there. No anti sway bars or equalizer hitch. I now have a 2019 Cherokee 274rks it is about 6500 lbs and tows fantastic. So my suggestion is get rid of the 1500 and get a 2500 you will be so much happier and won’t kill your truck.

[moose074]

Originally Posted by Rick J

He is clearly hundreds of lbs over the truck's hitch limit of 800 lbs.

If I read is op correctly it is 800 without the WDH. I will agree with the others that he will be around 500 under payload.
I was telling him he could drive it and make his own educated decision before. I wouldn’t fault the OP for keeping or upgrading.