Yes, another newbie towing question😳

[B and B]

To summerize many thouights.

-20 inch wheels are fine, you can find E series Michelin's that fit and work well.
-I would agree wiith others, a Reese straight line weight distribution hitch with sway. Look at 1000lb bars minimum!
-Do you have integrated brake controller? If not purchase it, works with truck sway systems and ABS
-Make sure you look at replacing trailer tires with D rated to help carry the load better
-Go with 15 kBTU, go big!

Have Fun!!


B

[MiataHoarder]

Getting back to your original question, this would be your best strategy.
Go with the dealer, your truck and the trailer you are considering to a certified scale in your area. That way you will be certain of not exceeding the rated tow weights AS WELL AS the combined gross vehicle weight of everything. Consider making your purchase offer contingent on the actual weights at a certified scale. You can always guesstimate a weight of stuff you'd add for a trip.

Sometimes a dealer will decline to tow with your truck citing "insurance" reasons. The dealer can tow with their own truck and you can meet them at the scale with yours.

[IronCobra]

I suggest a 12k Equalizer hitch. Less expensive and in my opinion more effective.

[hbillsmith]

Originally Posted by MtnGuy

If the canbyfam99 decides to get the Salem, then I don't think the Anderson is a good fit. It has never been proven on this forum that the Anderson can properly distribute the tongue weight like other WDHs.

Respectfully disagree. Towed a similar Kodiak trailer for 3 years and 30,000 miles and the Andersen performed admirably. I did many triple CAT weighs over the years and it was usual for the Andersen to send 140# to the front and 120# back to the trailer.

In windy conditions, I liked the ease of being able to crank the torsion bolts tighter a notch to stiffen the ride or if weather was calm I could do the opposite. But most of the time I just stayed with my normal setup.

[EDABEUT]

I actually worked at GM and designed some of the electrical harnesses on your truck. I also towed with a 1500 5.3L pulling 8400 lbs on a 31 FT TT. Most of the time it was ok just a rough ride. Getting WDH to tongue weight/height setup is critical to the ride comfort. Your truck with the max tow pkg has the brake controller and hill accent/descent and sway control in tow haul mode that helps a lot. What I found is with that engine it is going to be working hard up hills and against head winds. It will probably want to run 4000 RPM's which is not enjoyable. I remember on mine going uphill against the wind and having my foot to the floor trying to go 55. Not fun.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by hbillsmith

Respectfully disagree. Towed a similar Kodiak trailer for 3 years and 30,000 miles and the Andersen performed admirably. I did many triple CAT weighs over the years and it was usual for the Andersen to send 140# to the front and 120# back to the trailer.

What was the tongue weight of your Kodiak ?? It has been brought up on the forum that the Anderson seems to work good for trailers with iite tongue weights, but not heavy 1s. The Salem tongue in question is going to probably be around 1000 lbs.

With my 700 lb. tongue weight trailer, I need to transfer about 300 lbs. back to the front axle to get it to the unloaded weight. Just 140 lbs. would not do it for my setup, and with a heavier setup even more weight needs to be added to the front TV axle.

[mcmartinez]

I think you overshoot your capacity. My search for your TV is 9,700 lbs. towing capacity. I think the TT you are looking at is too big and heavy for your TV. You are over in towing capacity once you add to the dry weight and you are also over on the tongue weight once you add 1000 lbs. in the TV.


I would look for an Ultra Light weighting in at 5,500 dry weight with about 500-600 tongue weight. Add weight distribution and maybe airbags.

[ov845]

Originally Posted by canbyfam99

Okay so to clarify we have a 2014 Silverado 5.3L V8. (3.73 rear axle)
With max trailering package
We will assume the 11,200 tow rating and it appears from the sticker we have a TV payload of 1646lbs.

With max passenger and some stuff we would be looking at 800lbs in the TV.

Thanks everyone for your patience!!!

Sorry to do this, but did you buy the truck new and if so was the tow package ordered? I used to work for a dealership. Just because it has a hitch doesn't mean it has a tow package. If you're not sure, your local dealership can run an options list for that VIN number. That will tell you exactly what you're dealing with. MHO, you'll be a little over depending on what is loaded in the truck and trailer. Hope this helps. Good luck!


Happy Camping!

2012 Ram 1500 5.7L 3.92
Airlift 1000
2015 2809W WindJammer
Husky Centerline WDH

[IronCobra]

I'd have to agree with others when stating that you tow capacity and even payload is not enough. First off, you have to specifically configure your truck to get the maximum payload and tower. In 99% of cases, that is a Single Cab (non crew or extended cab), Long bed, 2 Wheel Drive truck.

I looked up the Silverado/GMC 1500, and to get the 12000lb Max Towing, you need to have a Single Cab, Long Bed 16 or 18" wheels, 2WD, with the 6.2L V8 (Basically the Work Truck model)

To get the Max Payload, you need to have the same truck, but with the 5.3L engine.

If you have a 5.3, Crew Cab, 4WD, truck with 20" wheels, your Payload is only around 1820lbs (including Passengers and cargo in the bed) and your towing is either 6200, 9200, or 10,900lbs depending on the rear end axle ratio you chose (3.08, 3.42, 3.73). You really need to find out.

I'm sorry, but your truck is designed to tow a trailer around 6000lbs with a tongue weight between 600-900lbs.

You could probably get away with a GTW of around 8000lbs if you have either the 3.42 or the 3.73 geared trucks.

For a larger trailer, you really should have a 3/4 Ton truck.

Edit: Upon even further inspection, it appears that you might be looking at the GCWR of 12,000lbs your truck sticker probably is pointing out. Remember, this is NOT the tow rating, this is the total Weight of both your TRUCK and TRAILER combined. It also means that you have 3.08 gearing and your MAX towing is 6200lbs. Yeah, you would be WAY overwieght with that Salem.

[canbyfam99]

Originally Posted by B and B

To summerize many thouights.

-20 inch wheels are fine, you can find E series Michelin's that fit and work well.
-I would agree wiith others, a Reese straight line weight distribution hitch with sway. Look at 1000lb bars minimum!
-Do you have integrated brake controller? If not purchase it, works with truck sway systems and ABS
-Make sure you look at replacing trailer tires with D rated to help carry the load better
-Go with 15 kBTU, go big!

Have Fun!!


B

Thanks! We do have the integrated break controller :-)

Planned on getting 1000lb WDH and sway bars but had wondered if we needed to go to 1200???

[canbyfam99]

Originally Posted by ov845

Sorry to do this, but did you buy the truck new and if so was the tow package ordered? I used to work for a dealership. Just because it has a hitch doesn't mean it has a tow package. If you're not sure, your local dealership can run an options list for that VIN number. That will tell you exactly what you're dealing with. MHO, you'll be a little over depending on what is loaded in the truck and trailer. Hope this helps. Good luck!


Happy Camping!

2012 Ram 1500 5.7L 3.92
Airlift 1000
2015 2809W WindJammer
Husky Centerline WDH

Yes we did have it ordered that way for this very purpose...

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by canbyfam99

Thanks! We do have the integrated break controller :-)

Planned on getting 1000lb WDH and sway bars but had wondered if we needed to go to 1200???

Thinking that your tongue weight will be in the 1000 lb range, the 1200 lb. units might be a better fit for the trailer.

The OPs truck apparently does have a 11,200 lb tow rating according to this:

https://www.chevrolet.com/content/da...de_1113.13.pdf (Page 9)

[IronCobra]

Originally Posted by canbyfam99

Yes we did have it ordered that way for this very purpose...

I know its not easy to hear, but your truck does not have either the tow or payload capacity to safety tow or stop a large trailer like the one you are looking at.

Please refer to my last post as well as the one right before this.

Summary
Your MAX Payload is: 1900lbs Including TW as well as Truck Cargo and People (GM does not include the Vehicle BUMPER as part of this weight either. )

Your MAX Towing is: 6200lbs

Your MAX Combined Weight is: 12,000lbs (Truck and Trailer)

The only thing you are going to be CLOSE to being ok for is the Payload, and even that will be very close.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Physical size of a tire does not mean it's "heavy duty" or not.
You need to see the tire size.
A P235 /75 /R15 is not even close in weight rating to a LT 235 /75 / R15

Your truck came factory with p rated tires which are not what your going to need to pull that trailer.
LT is what you will need.

Btw this is just an an example.





TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2015 columbus 320RS
2015 camping "30 nights"

Do they make LTs for 24s? Now that be sharp! Youroo!!

[Happy Vibe]

ironcobra
Max towing is 11200 not 6200 not sure were you got that from.
GCWR is 16700 not 12000.
max payload is 1646 from the truck sticker posted earlier.

[IronCobra]

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

ironcobra
Max towing is 11200 not 6200 not sure were you got that from.
GVWR is 16700 not 12000.
max payload is 1646 from the truck sticker posted earlier.

Unless Chevy's website is wrong. Look at the attached image.

And I don't know what you think GVWR is, but it's only 14,000lbs on my 2016 F450, and you're saying that their 2014 Silverado 1500 has a higher GVWR than my F450.....um no. You're getting confused by something.

[Happy Vibe]

that does not take into account the max tow option. please look at the link that mtnguy posted.
That is also with the 3.08 rear end the worst for towing.
And I know what GVWR is, it should have been GCWR.

[canbyfam99]

Originally Posted by IronCobra

I'd have to agree with others when stating that you tow capacity and even payload is not enough. First off, you have to specifically configure your truck to get the maximum payload and tower. In 99% of cases, that is a Single Cab (non crew or extended cab), Long bed, 2 Wheel Drive truck.

I looked up the Silverado/GMC 1500, and to get the 12000lb Max Towing, you need to have a Single Cab, Long Bed 16 or 18" wheels, 2WD, with the 6.2L V8 (Basically the Work Truck model)

To get the Max Payload, you need to have the same truck, but with the 5.3L engine.

If you have a 5.3, Crew Cab, 4WD, truck with 20" wheels, your Payload is only around 1820lbs (including Passengers and cargo in the bed) and your towing is either 6200, 9200, or 10,900lbs depending on the rear end axle ratio you chose (3.08, 3.42, 3.73). You really need to find out.

I'm sorry, but your truck is designed to tow a trailer around 6000lbs with a tongue weight between 600-900lbs.

You could probably get away with a GTW of around 8000lbs if you have either the 3.42 or the 3.73 geared trucks.

For a larger trailer, you really should have a 3/4 Ton truck.

Edit: Upon even further inspection, it appears that you might be looking at the GCWR of 12,000lbs your truck sticker probably is pointing out. Remember, this is NOT the tow rating, this is the total Weight of both your TRUCK and TRAILER combined. It also means that you have 3.08 gearing and your MAX towing is 6200lbs. Yeah, you would be WAY overwieght with that Salem.

The info that you have about our particular vehicle is incorrect... We have all the original paperwork with options and everything that we ordered. It is a 5.3L V8 with 3.7 axle...

Trust me when I say we are looking into all options at this point but every calculator we did( and one that was recommended here) all say we are fine.

Not trying to sound ungrateful or like I am ignoring advice , everything is being considered ;-)

[IronCobra]

Originally Posted by canbyfam99

The info that you have about our particular vehicle is incorrect... We have all the original paperwork with options and everything that we ordered. It is a 5.3L V8 with 3.7 axle...

Trust me when I say we are looking into all options at this point but every calculator we did( and one that was recommended here) all say we are fine.

Not trying to sound ungrateful or like I am ignoring advice , everything is being considered ;-)

Great, since you confirmed that you have the 3.73 Axel rating, it does look like you should be good for the most part. You will be pulling at the very limits of that trucks capabilities though. Braking as well as pulling up a grade will not be very easy. Also, you will pick up quite a bit of bounce from the softer rear springs.

Regardless, you should still be fine, even if everything was slightly over.

I still suggest you get the Equalizer 12000 or even 14000 hitch. DO NOT buy the hitch from Couch RV Nation! They will RIP YOU OFF on that part and WILL NOT SET IT UP PROPERLY! They sold me the Fastway E2 hitch originally for $100 off....still paid $399 for a hitch you can buy on Amazon all day long for under $300. I sold it after buying (and LOVING) my Equalizer 12,000lb hitch.

I highly recommend you buy your hitch from eTrailer.com

Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control - 14,000 lbs GTW, 1,400 lbs TW Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution EQ37140ET

[Harkerr]

In my opinion you are too close to max ratings. 1500 models tend to struggle with max load.