IMPORTANT towing question

2000LTZ71 · September 6, 2002

Okay I hope someone here can help me. My father is thinking about buying a 30' 5th wheel camper but the question he and I have is will his 2000 gmc 1500 tow a camper that big. the GVWR on the truck says 6400 lbs but the camper has a 8600 lbs empty rating. The camper is going to be brought to a year round facility and then left there, Not pulled around the country like someone might think. is there any way to beef up the suspension to handle a camper that large??? any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks allot

Randy

Shotgun · September 6, 2002

When Looking to see what your truck will tow according to specs you need to look at the towing and not GVWR.The 8,600lb 5th wheel is over your trucks rating,you need to find out what gears he has in the rear and what engine to figure it out properly,I would think that the max tow rating for that truck would be in the neighborhood of 7,000lbs max.I would not tow that size camper with a small truck like that.It would be just plain unsafe to have almost 9,000lbs of camper pushing that light of a truck around.I think that instead of spending the money to beef up the rear suspention adding the hitch and brakes to your truck I would try to hire someone to pull it to the location especially since you won't be moving it again .....Gun

Jpshostr · September 6, 2002

I don't think I'd be pulling around that camper with a half ton.

And if I'm saying it may not be a good idea when it comes to towing, it really isn't a good idea.

THE BIGPUNN · September 6, 2002

i had the same question about a week ago about my 30ft travel camper. its gvrw is 7,700 and dry or empty is 5368. i use sway control and weight distribution. my truck handles the camper better than i thought it would but the truck would be maxed out if my wife loaded the camper up. i wouldnt conceive of a bigger camper. you should try to match the trucks top towing capability with the campers gvrw. you can find your trucks towing capabilities in the owners manual. by the way, also consider the weight if you carry extra people, firewood, bikes and so forth in the trucks bed. so i agree, the camper is too much for the truck and it would be best to borrow, rent or hire a heavier duty truck to set you up.

2000LTZ71 · September 6, 2002

Thanks for all the reply's guys. I'll talk to my father about all that and see what he comes up with. I was surprised to see that the GVWR for the z71 with tow hitch from factory was only 6400lbs I thought it would be more then that. by the way the truck has the 5.3 where would I find the info on the max towing capability??

thanks again.

Randy

SilveradoWV · September 6, 2002

OK, I have been into this little towing guide a lot lately!! A Z71 5.3, 4.10s, reg cab, Fifth wheel trailering, the Max Trailer weight is 9200lbs, if it has 3.73s it is 8200lbs. If it is Ext Cab with 4.10s, max trailer weight is 8800lbs and 3.73s is 7800lbs. Hope this helps, it comes out of the Silverado book or the Trailering Guide that the Dealers have in the Showroom!

Shaners · September 6, 2002

For the cost of what it would cost to install a fith wheel hitch and to wire the truck (assuming it isn't already done), you'd be far better off to have someone pull the trailer to its' permanant home.

2000LTZ71 · September 6, 2002

Thanks SilveradoWV that helps allot. Shanners I agree with you completely. I do how ever have one question, Lets say that my fathers truck has the 8800lbs towing capability and he decides to buy this camper anyway. Just how dangerous is it going to be to move this camper? it's a short trip to the site where it's going to be placed, only about 25 miles one way. I'm pretty sure that he wants this camper to stay put but at the same time it would be nice to have a the truck be able to move it if he really needed to. simply put is the truck capable of moving something this big short distances without great danger??

thanks again for all your help.

Shaners · September 7, 2002

Randy, it could be done IMO. But I would recommend moving it at a time of day when there isn't alot of traffic. The one thing that bothers me is the weight if the King pin or toungue weight. I bet it is about 1500 lbs or so, and if the roads are rough it will put alot of stress on the suspension and driveline.

I've seen plenty of 1/2 ton trucks pulling large 5er's down the road, and they certainly look like they are maxxed out. I've also seen alot of Explorers and the like pulling 26 foot tailers and boats and it really looks like it's way too much for them.

I guess if he were to do it, he needs to make sure that the truck and trailer have been thoroughly gone over and that all things are in working order. And when traveling down the road he needs to take his time.

I pulled a 12000 lb trailer with my truck about 10 miles once. It's 2000 lbs over the trucks max and 2800 lbs over the legal limit in PA for my truck. I took my time and got the trailer where it needed to be and was glad when the ordeal was over!!!

Stepside Z · September 7, 2002

You can do almost anything if you pick your time of day, take your time, go slow and above all else be careful.

THE BIGPUNN · September 7, 2002

a friend of mine has a 01 ram and a fifth wheel camper. he is way over on the truck recommended weight limits. he get 6mpg on the highway, when he hits a bump the truck bounces all over-front to back and side to side. very unstable. but he manages very long distance trips. i think its mainly about comfort, drivability and most important safety. if in doubt and if your dad already has the fifth wheel hitch, see if the dealer will let him try it out, you'll know right away.

2000LTZ71 · September 8, 2002

Thanks allot for all your replys, My father went to the GMC Garage the other day and talked to someone in service there and they have convinced him to buy the air bags for his truck and told him that he will have no problem pulling that camper so I guess we'll see how it goes. I'm sure the bags will help level the truck and carry the load and I know the 5.3 will have no problem pulling the weight but I will make sure and tell him what you've all said about taking his time and not pushing the truck too much. I'll take some pictures and post them when he's on the road so you can all see how the truck looks with all that weight on it.

thanks again

Randy

Stepside Z · September 8, 2002

Thanks allot for all your replys, My father went to the GMC Garage the other day and talked to someone in service there and they have convinced him to buy the air bags for his truck and told him that he will have no problem pulling that camper so I guess we'll see how it goes. I'm sure the bags will help level the truck and carry the load and I know the 5.3 will have no problem pulling the weight but I will make sure and tell him what you've all said about taking his time and not pushing the truck too much. I'll take some pictures and post them when he's on the road so you can all see how the truck looks with all that weight on it.
thanks again

Randy

Makes me wonder why GM does not offer airbags for the hard core tow guys.

Jpshostr · September 8, 2002

Makes me wonder why GM does not offer airbags for the hard core tow guys.

IMO, loads that require airbags shouldn't be pulled with a half ton truck. In certain cases I can see their usage on three quarter and one tons.

Back when I was looking for a used Chevy K2500 I was having a #### of a time finding one (still can't find one, but its #2 on my list now ), but half tons were coming out of my ears. Dealer told me they could beef up the rear suspension with airbags and leaf springs so I could haul the same loads. Uh, nope, not for me. Gotta remember, those half tons have smaller axles, tranny, frame members, on and on.

silverado3500 · September 17, 2002

Pulling a trailer that large on a half ton platform is murder on the transmission, the tranny is not designed to take that kind of weight. Also you need to consider the brakes. The trailer brakes are only designed to assist the tow vehicle, and half ton brakes will work very hard to stop anything above the gvwr of the vehicle. :urgent: if you decide to use the half ton, try and do it on the weekend when d.o.t. is not working. The fine for overloading a truck is pretty steep and is by the pound!

A 2500 could pull the weight, but I would strongly recommend a 2500hd/3500. The dually would be preferred because it is more stable with a 5th wheel, but both can pull the weight easily.

Hope that helps