RV newbie

[Duke58]

We’re thinking about buying our first RV. We like the Rockwood Ultra Light 2608BS but I’m not sure about towing with my current truck.
2018 GMC Sierra SLT crew cab with 5.3 , 8 speed automatic and 3.42 gears.
Towing capacity is 9100lbs. 2608BS max loaded weight is 8750.
Is this too much trailer for my truck?
Thanks

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Duke58

We’re thinking about buying our first RV. We like the Rockwood Ultra Light 2608BS but I’m not sure about towing with my current truck.
2018 GMC Sierra SLT crew cab with 5.3 , 8 speed automatic and 3.42 gears.
Towing capacity is 9100lbs. 2608BS max loaded weight is 8750.
Is this too much trailer for my truck?
Thanks

Seeing that you are a RV newbie, you're making a common newbie mistake by focusing on the marketing gimmick Towing Capacity numbers.
You need to focus first, on the truck's PAYLOAD capacity. That number is on a silver or yellow door sticker. On GM trucks, I believe it is silver and it shows numerous capacities including Max Payload Capacity.
The 2608BS is VERY tongue heavy because of the front kitchen. Its fictional dry tongue weight is 946lbs. Loaded for camping, it will easily be over 1100lbs. This is why the payload capacity number is more important.
Nearly all tow vehicles, especially 1/2 tons, will run out of payload capacity WAY before getting close to the max towing capacity.

[Duke58]

Thanks Bikendan
I see that I need to do some more homework.

Payload capacity is 1770lbs
F GAWR IS 3950
R GAWR IS 3950.

The 2614 BS is same RV with kitchen and bed reversed. Would lighten younger weight to 796.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Duke58

Thanks Bikendan
I see that I need to do some more homework.

Payload capacity is 1770lbs
F GAWR IS 3950
R GAWR IS 3950.

The 2614 BS is same RV with kitchen and bed reversed. Would lighten younger weight to 796.

Payload capacity is not as good as actually weighing the truck but it's a good place to start.
Add the weights of everyone in the truck(including the driver), expected truck cargo, any add-ons(bed cover) and 100lbs for the typical WDH. Subtract that total from your 1770lbs and that's what you have for loaded tongue weight. 12-13% of trailer's GVWR is a good ballpark number for loaded tongue weight.
Now you can see how quickly payload capacity gets ate up.

[flyflotrtim]

Dan is correct.

796 tongue weight is the theoretical dry weight of the trailer and does not include propane, batteries, food and camping gear in the trailer. Your tongue weight will surely be near 1000 pounds leaving you near 770 pounds theoretical capacity for truck occupants, weight distribution hitch, and other gear.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by Duke58

Thanks Bikendan
I see that I need to do some more homework.

Payload capacity is 1770lbs
F GAWR IS 3950
R GAWR IS 3950.

The 2614 BS is same RV with kitchen and bed reversed. Would lighten younger weight to 796.

Is that 1770 lbs from the yellow sticker on the B pillar or is it from a brochure? My 2016 LTZ with the 5.3L struggled with a much lighter trailer. No way would I pull that trailer with it. It would be at the upper limits for my 2019 LTZ, which has the 6.2L engine, 10 speed transmission and Max Trailering package.

[Csbadvisor]

Originally Posted by Duke58

We’re thinking about buying our first RV. We like the Rockwood Ultra Light 2608BS but I’m not sure about towing with my current truck.
2018 GMC Sierra SLT crew cab with 5.3 , 8 speed automatic and 3.42 gears.
Towing capacity is 9100lbs. 2608BS max loaded weight is 8750.
Is this too much trailer for my truck?
Thanks

I own the Flagstaff version of the 2608BS. I upgraded my TV to a Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi from a 2014 GMC Sierra prior to purchasing this TT. I towed a Micro Light 22’ with my Sierra. I would not have felt comfortable pulling the larger TT behind the 1/2 ton Sierra. Could I have done it, sure but would really be pushing its limits. I get better gas mileage towing with the Ram than I did with Sierra and the smaller TT

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

Is that 1770 lbs from the yellow sticker on the B pillar or is it from a brochure? My 2016 LTZ with the 5.3L struggled with a much lighter trailer. No way would I pull that trailer with it. It would be at the upper limits for my 2019 LTZ, which has the 6.2L engine, 10 speed transmission and Max Trailering package.

On a 2018, it may be on a silver sticker.
https://images.app.goo.gl/K3BAejCDUdwctQfB6

[Duke58]

Thanks to all for advice. I’m not in a position to buy another truck right now so it looks like we need to look at a smaller RV as our starter.
The 1770 payload is what’s listed in specs for my particular model/ trim.
It appears this RV would push my truck to its limits.
Back to the drawing board!

[67L48]

Cargo of that trailer is 1,900 lbs, which is a pretty big number. I doubt you'll consume all of that. So, I'd budget around 8,200 lbs rolling down the road. This will drop 1,150 lbs onto your hitch. Add 50 lbs for the WDH.

1,770 lbs - 1,200 lbs = 570 lbs for people, gear, clothes, bags, and anything in the bed (wood, bikes, tools, leveling gear, etc.).

It's going to be really, really tight.

Originally Posted by Duke58

[...] The 1770 payload is what’s listed in specs for my particular model/ trim. [...]

If 1,1770 is based on literature, then it's a garbage number. Payload cannot be looked up in a guide, manual, or online. It's a unique number that is specific to your truck and its unique set of options. You must get this number from the actual truck's door jamb sticker.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Duke58

The 1770 payload is what’s listed in specs for my particular model/ trim.
It appears this RV would push my truck to its limits.

I'm not clear where you got the payload specs. From the door sticker or a website list?

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by bikendan

On a 2018, it may be on a silver sticker.
https://images.app.goo.gl/K3BAejCDUdwctQfB6

Those stickers were first used on the 2019 models.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by Duke58

Thanks to all for advice. I’m not in a position to buy another truck right now so it looks like we need to look at a smaller RV as our starter.
The 1770 payload is what’s listed in specs for my particular model/ trim.
It appears this RV would push my truck to its limits.
Back to the drawing board!

To find out the actual payload capacity for your truck you need to get it off of the yellow sticker on your B pillar. That payload capacity weight on the yellow sticker is specific to your truck. A spec number will show the highest possible payload capacity for your trim level, but will reflect a 2WD truck with no options. But it is not specific to your truck. As you add options, payload capacity goes down. Once you get that payload capacity off of the yellow sticker, you need to also adjust for anything you've added to the truck. On my 2016 LTZ, for instance, the payload capacity is listed as 1572 lbs. But I added a canopy, sidebar steps, mud flaps, a rubber bed mat, Bullring tie downs and Airlift air bags. All that added 262 lbs and reduced my payload capacity down to 1310 lbs. Which was enough for me to exceed my 7200 GVWR by several hundred pounds when loaded up and pulling my 192RBS. And that's with a trailer that weighs about 5000 lbs when I hit the road with a mostly empty water tank. Payload capacity is the reason most half tons are not suitable for anything close to their so-called max tow weight. Max tow weight is nothing more than a bragging rights number. It is meaningless and irrelevant when it comes time to pick a trailer that will be within all the various limitations of your truck.

[Fleaglefixer]

I was in the same position with my Ram 1500 with 5.7 Hemi and I had the 3:92 rear end. my new 26 FKBS which is the sister to the one you are looking at from Rockwood. I pulled it 200 miles from the dealer to home and it was empty except for propane and the Batteries. I was driving white knuckle and dreading every semi that passed me. I have the weight distribution hitch set up also but it really didn't help. I immediately went looking for another truck. Last weekend I pulled the RV with a 2020 Ram 2500 and it was a night and day difference.. My previous RV was a Rockwood 2504S and the 1500 pulled it pretty good. Back back down on the size and after looking at your capacity find one that fits your truck. There are some nice ones that you can choose from. Happy Camping