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Too Much Trailer?


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Just bought a 2014 GMC Sierra Texas Edition with the 4.3L V6. It is the Double Cab, regular bed. I believe it has the base 3.23 gears, but it does have the receiver hitch. I'm going to take it back to the dealership and see if they can put the factory trailer brake controller in.

 

In any event, we are looking at travel trailers and I've found a tremendous deal on an entry trailer. It's a 2000 model but its pushing the limits of the tow rating.

 

The trailer is 5800lbs dry. I'll be using a weight distribution hitch and sway control bars, and we'll mostly be driving within a 100 mile radius of our home. We mostly just want it to go down to the beach with is 30 miles from home, and a few local state parks for small fri-sun weekend trips.

 

I realize that its at the upper end of the tow rating, but I want to see if anyone else has experiences towing with the 2014 4.3L. How does it perform?

 

 

 

ETA: I ask because I've got some people telling me it will be fine, and others are acting like the truck couldn't pull itself out of a puddle.

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Don't forget about all your gear, supplies, water, people, etc. which could end up putting you over your total weight. They put those ratings in place for safety reasons. I personally wouldn't try and stretch its limit (especially with a 4.3) but Im sure there is someone bound to disagree with everything I said.

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I have a 2011 5.3 Crew Cab. I towed a 5,500- pound 29foot travel trailer around the USA. I towed 8,000 miles in 8 months. The truck performed fine but I wouldn't have wanted a heavier trailer.

 

Personally-I think you are looking at too much trailer. BTW-I would be very suspect of a trailer that old. I would make sure the rubber roof is still in good shape, inspect around all windows,vents, etc., for water damage and inspect the bearing and brakes.

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If you stick to what you just discribed you'll be ok. Stay out of the mountains. You would be fine with an aftermarket brake control. You will likely be over your tow ratings. Now, look back to the 50s and 60s and see what people had to tow with. Then think how much better your truck is even with the 4.3.

 

Mark

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The actual dry weight of the trailer is 5,690. The tongue weight is 610.

 

The 4.3L V6 is rated for 6000lbs, and 600 tongue weight or 1200 with a weight distributing hitch. I'll have both a weight distributing hitch, and an anti-sway control bar that hooks to a mini-ball next to the regular ball.

 

The furthest we would be taking it would be 280 miles north to Dallas, or 280 miles east to Lafayette, LA. Both of which are relatively flat trips. Aside from that it would be 30 mile trips to Galveston Beach, or 40 mile trips to Big Bend State Park, both of which are also flat as cardboard.

 

I can't see us ever taking more than a cooler of food, and a dufflebag of clothes. We wouldn't be using it with hundreds of pounds of gear for weeks on in trips.

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How much do you plan to load in the camper? Are you going to fill the water tank ahead of time? (several hundred pounds right there) Dry weight is just that. no battery, no propane, no water, no gear. Max trailer weight is the better number to go by with campers rather than dry since you'll end up MUCH closer to that. There are lots of campers looking for a home, personally I'd keep shopping.

 

If you decide that you're willing to bet that GMs numbers are BS I'd make very sure that the trailers brakes are in great shape and the controller is setup correctly. Merges are probably going to be ugly, make sure you have towing mirrors that you can see around the camper with.

 

This pic is from last Friday. Not sure of the exact size of the trailer but I can guarantee he was over the tow rating for the X-Terra (5K) by the time everything was loaded. He ended up hitting the car in front of him, jack-knifing the trailer, and rolling it. Imagine how much fun his weekend was.

 

 

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There are lots of nice places without water, electric, sewer, wifi...

 

The guy in the picture could also have been diligent, paying attention, and thought it was just a short trip.

 

Seems like you've had your mind made up from the beginning though and are just looking for people to chime in that it'll be fine. It probably will be.

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This happens all the time. Somebody comes on the forum and tries to justify the camper they want to buy or they have already bought. And how their truck should be able to tow it. Hey OP-you don't have enough truck, OR you have too big a trailer. Your a liability waiting to happen if you through with this.

 

Personally, I am waiting for someone over their PAYLOAD to run in to me. I need a payday to buy a 2014 Silverado.

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Personally, I am waiting for someone over their PAYLOAD to run in to me. I need a payday to buy a 2014 Silverado.

 

You're the reason why vehicles in our country are rated so much lower than vehicles in other countries. Lawsuit, lawsuit, lawsuit.

 

I don't know what GMC's are rated at in other countries, but Jeeps rated at 3500 here, are rated at 5000 in the UK. Reason being, US is too suit happy.

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Simple way to solve this. Just swap in steeper gears and it should be rated to tow more correct? See what the book says about a 4.3 with let's say 3.42 or 3.73 gears. Ratings vary based on 2wd or 4wd and depending on tow package. Just a suggestion. Other than that, tow at your own risk. Just don't come to Northern VA lol

 

Gotta lighten the mood here. People getting angry

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