Confused

[RFUN]

We just purchsed a Salem Hemisphere 272 Lite last week and are really excited. Just a little confused about towing we have a 2012 Avalanche LTZ 4WD, I know we should of looked into the towing weights before our purchase but we didnt and the sales team said that we will have no problem towing our camper. Looking at the GVWR the camper is 9350 the GVWR for the Avalanche is 7200 I think I know the answer but did we make a really stupid move. Thanks

[funkyJunk]

Unfortunately... Yes.

[youroo]

Your first post (Hitting the road) might come true. Will the (Sales Team) take it back? Youroo!!

[btmfdr]

I don't think we have enough info to say you will be over the limits of your tow vehicle...

At first glance you won't have a ton of room for people in the vehicle or camping gear but you may still be able to safely tow that trailer... What's the tow rating on the truck? Curb weight of the truck? Trailer tongue weight?

Your towing experience will at minimum not be fun but may be safe...

[ironj]

And these sales people wonder why we call them names and label them as snakes ???.....

Unfortunantly that trailer will overload your truck in every way imaginable.....

Let us know what you end up doing....good luck

[Arn]

I might be wrong, but according to Forest River your trailer is only about 6,200 lbs dry. Add A/C, awning, your contents etc. & you'll probably come in around 7,000 lbs. I might be wrong on this too but I see your towing capacity as 7,900 lbs. This makes you close but certainly not over. My only concern now would be to find out what the Avalanche can handle for hitch weight. Load up the truck & trailer as though you were going camping & get the trailer weight & the hitch weight. If my numbers above are right, and depending on motor & rear end ratio, I think you'll be very happy with your new purchase.

[Terier]

I recommend going to the scales to get real numbers:

Ticket 1: completely hitched
Ticket 2: hitched without HD bars
Ticket 3: truck only

Post the information from each ticket so members can offer feedback. It doesn't matter which order you weigh in. You will get weighed and pull out of line to find a open space to remove your equipment. Bring a broom or long stick so you can ring the bell to talk to the staff.

I thought I had a link to a CAT scale site that shows how to weigh your trailer but I can't find it right now.

[RFUN]

Originally Posted by Arn

I might be wrong, but according to Forest River your trailer is only about 6,200 lbs dry. Add A/C, awning, your contents etc. & you'll probably come in around 7,000 lbs. I might be wrong on this too but I see your towing capacity as 7,900 lbs. This makes you close but certainly not over. My only concern now would be to find out what the Avalanche can handle for hitch weight. Load up the truck & trailer as though you were going camping & get the trailer weight & the hitch weight. If my numbers above are right, and depending on motor & rear end ratio, I think you'll be very happy with your new purchase.

You are correct with the trailor weight dry.

[MtnGuy]

According to the 2012 Trailer Life Towing Guide, the 4WD Avalanche is rated to tow any where from 5000 lbs. to 8000 lbs., depending on final drive ratio and an available cooling option.

http://dcd96xmek71bc.cloudfront.net/...ide_lo_res.pdf

[Terier]

OK, I found the link.

How To Weigh | CAT Scale

[RFUN]

Problem solved! We are purchasing a HD 2500 tomorrow, now that should make me fell better.

[funkyJunk]

Sweet! That should cover it.

[ironj]

Uhh.....yeah...I think that truck will do it..!...till ya want a 40ft 5er!...lol....it never ends!

[Herk7769]

Important to remember.

Max tow ratings are based on curb weight of the tow vehicle. NOT the GVWR.

You usually have a choice of maxing out the camper and driving with only the 150 pound driver in the TV and your family and dog in a car following you; or maxing out the Tow vehicle and towing an empty camper.

If we have said it once we have said it ten gazillion times; salesmen LIE.

It is their JOB to get you into the most expensive; biggest camper they have on the lot that they think they can convince you that you can afford and tow. Note the word "convince" because they really have no idea.

Search on Suburban and you will find a recent thread where we did a similar workup. It was not pretty. With his family and some camping gear on board the maximum tongue weight available was 199 pounds Yep, 199 pounds as he weighted 7000 pounds "ready for camping" and no camper.

At 12.5% tongue to camper ratio, that made the biggest camper he could to max in at 1592 pounds. (What your tongue weight is on that camper)

If I were you I would be looking for a good lawyer.
Yes I know you have an avalanche but they have similar towing specs.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...now-22240.html

[RFUN]

Trust me we are going back to our salesman they are going to make something right shouldnt have to purchase an additional vehicle after we just spend 30K!

[xf021209]

I have a 2002 Avalanche 2500 with a 496cid big block (they weren't offered for long) and a FEMA Forestriver Salem. I put two anti-sway bars and a 12k load balancing easy hitch to pull my trailer. My Avalanche came with the tow package so I only had to plug in the electric brake unit, wiring was already done. I have only towed the trailer a few times (I'm stripping and rebuilding the innards), but when I have towed I've not had a ingle problem. The truck rides level and has plenty of pulling power. Your 2500 should do very well. The only concern I would have with a pickup is make sure you have enough tongue weight. A light rear on a towing pickup spells jackknife. That's one reason I like towing with my Avalanche. It's a heavy pickup...oh, I mean SUV :-)

[murry52]

Your best bet would be to purchase Dodge with Cummins Diesel. Duramax diesel are not a proven motor , let's face it cummins diesel are not standard equipment in Fire Trucks for lack of durability

[xf021209]

Originally Posted by murry52

Your best bet would be to purchase Dodge with Cummins Diesel. Duramax diesel are not a proven motor , let's face it cummins diesel are not standard equipment in Fire Trucks for lack of durability

I was really happy to see the Avalanche 2500 come with the Chevy rat motor but would have preferred diesel. Though my 496cid has 125k and is still starting and running like new (amazing how that happens when an owner takes care of what they purchase) I like the torque a diesel offers. My replacement will eventually be a diesel, though I'm still a Chevrolet/GMC fan over Dodge, but your point is a good one. Thank goodness we're not dealing with those insane gas to diesel conversions of so many years ago. Those must have left many a camper stranded on the side of the road.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Yep... never take a salesman's word without investigating it for yourself!
I always laugh when they ask me the question "what you towing with"... they don't know and don't care to understand the facts behind a truck's correct tow rating.

I can get the same answer about my truck from my kids... "yep, your good to go"!
Enjoy the 2500...good news you were in a position to upgrade.