Towing with the 6.2 V8

[nards444]

See other thread. Again, in this example the truck weight for the GCWR is only 5800 (don’t add tongue weight twice), giving you 16600 total. Still 1100 below max. A heavy load to be sure, but the truck is rated for it with some room to spare.

I did account for it twice so the math was off. But tongue weight must be included in the GVWR which makes that truck come in at 6600lbs before people and pets. which gives him 600lbs to spare in the truck before adding people.

 

And dont forget the 5th wheel hitch its self those things are easily 150lbs which must be counted in GCWR and GVWR both, which means he has closer to 400lbs to spare loading his truck with people and what not.

 

Trailer at probably close 11 grand said and done with gear and water. Plus a 5400lb truck and two peole and dog thats probably 3-400lbs. 5800 plus 11 grand is 16,800. Not sure theres going to be a grand to spare, dry weight sure, but not after is loaded.

[nards444]

Simple way is this, your truck weighs 5400 you want to tow 9000. which is 14,400. That leaves you with 3300 lbs to load yourself, wife, dog, kids, and junk in the trailer. Better pack light.

[Jon A]

I’m sorry, I missed the part where it was a 5^th wheel. 5^th wheels are a different story as you run into payload capacity issues really fast with a ½ ton. So your math was wrong but your answer was right.

 

While a 5^th wheel of the same weight is generally going to pull more nicely and probably be safer in reality (especially with a few upgrades such as airbags) you really start to exceed the payload capacity by an uncomfortable amount with a very big trailer. That trailer definitely is right at max--and could easily be over with 20% or more tongue weight which is how they're commonly loaded.

[1kwik72]

Finally got around to hooking my trailer up for a quick trip across town to unload the drag car at my shop. I have about 1250 miles on my truck so far (6.2 with max tow, only mod was to swap out the stock tires for more aggressive Cooper Zeon LTZ's)

 

My first impression is holy cow this thing has some balls. I mean it is fun to drive around town unloaded and occasionally drop the hammer, but where it really shines is with close to 10,000lbs hooked to the bumper. It has no trouble hooked to the trailer pulling away from traffic at stop lights or getting up to speed in a hurry when merging onto the highway. I even forgot to run it in tow/haul on the way over. It tows as well or better than I expected for a 1/2 ton. Stability wise it is very good no sway and just a hint of porpoising on larger dips or bumps. You can tell they split the difference between empty ride comfort and towing capability.

 

The integrated trailer brake works better than any aftermarket unit I have ever owned. It uses the brake pedal position sensor to adjust the output while the actual "gain" or total power is user selectable (I ran it all the way up as my trailer is pretty heavy) one of the nice things I noticed about the brakes were how linear the brake control applied and released. Where you really notice this is moving slowly in stop and go traffic (like waiting in line to get into the track) It comes off so smoothly that you can't even hear the typical chunk noise of the brakes releasing and the trailer isn't jerking you to a stop if you are just lightly riding them.

 

I will get a bit more time dragging the trailer this weekend when I run the car up to the track for recertification. It is about 150 miles round trip.

 

For comparison I have owned 2 big block 3/4 ton Suburbans a 99 with a 454 and a 02 with the 8.1 along with 2 Duramax powered Silverados an 03 ext cab with a LB7 and a 06 crew cab with a LBZ. I also towed this trailer with my Dad's 3/4 ton 6.0 07 Silverado classic.

 

This truck has way more power than the other gas engines it is pretty close to the LB7, only the LBZ outshines it power wise. Stability wise only the Duramax Silverados towed better with the heavier suspension and longer wheelbase. If I planned to tow a lot I would probably add airbags to stiffen the rear up a little.

[nards444]

I’m sorry, I missed the part where it was a 5^th wheel. 5^th wheels are a different story as you run into payload capacity issues really fast with a ½ ton. So your math was wrong but your answer was right.

 

While a 5^th wheel of the same weight is generally going to pull more nicely and probably be safer in reality (especially with a few upgrades such as airbags) you really start to exceed the payload capacity by an uncomfortable amount with a very big trailer. That trailer definitely is right at max--and could easily be over with 20% or more tongue weight which is how they're commonly loaded.

Right good point, and thats why most 5th wheels you diesel pushers or 3/4tons and above on them. You could go to a smaller one and be fine, and thats why in this application 9000lbs dry IMVHO is probably pushing it. Problem with trailers as I said before they are havens to collect junk even if you dont have much. You got food in the trailer, clothes, dishes, cookware, added jacks potentially, tiki lights, shower stuff, firewood, bikes.

[TheDave29]

Just picked up my 2014 Grey Wolf 26DBH. Got the truck so I could get a bigger trailer. I am not disappointed at all with how my truck is towing this. Had the setup weighed. My 383 miles down to get the trailer I got 22.5 MPG running around 75 MPH. On the way back running around 60-70 MPH I got 10.5 MPG. Can not complain at all. Love this setup. For those that are interested here is my scale sheet with a full tank of gas and the camper stock from dealer.

Steer Axle 3100 lb

Drive Axel 3780 ib

Trailer axel 4980 ib

Gross weight 11860 ib

Regards,

David

[pm26]

 

Just picked up my 2014 Grey Wolf 26DBH. Got the truck so I could get a bigger trailer. I am not disappointed at all with how my truck is towing this. Had the setup weighed. My 383 miles down to get the trailer I got 22.5 MPG running around 75 MPH. On the way back running around 60-70 MPH I got 10.5 MPG. Can not complain at all. Love this setup. For those that are interested here is my scale sheet with a full tank of gas and the camper stock from dealer.

Steer Axle 3100 lb

Drive Axel 3780 ib

Trailer axel 4980 ib

Gross weight 11860 ib

Regards,

David

 

I like the front of that trailer. It definitely helps to reduce the aerodynamic drag.

[nards444]

 

Just picked up my 2014 Grey Wolf 26DBH. Got the truck so I could get a bigger trailer. I am not disappointed at all with how my truck is towing this. Had the setup weighed. My 383 miles down to get the trailer I got 22.5 MPG running around 75 MPH. On the way back running around 60-70 MPH I got 10.5 MPG. Can not complain at all. Love this setup. For those that are interested here is my scale sheet with a full tank of gas and the camper stock from dealer.

Steer Axle 3100 lb

Drive Axel 3780 ib

Trailer axel 4980 ib

Gross weight 11860 ib

Regards,

David

 

Nice trailer. Its a wonder how they make these trailers so light these days. Rewind 15 years ago and 26ft trailer was probably 1000lbs heavier if not more. I have a newer trailer though and I think they made up for it in cheap plastic fixtures on sinks, and other cheap lightweight items.

 

But you cant have it all. Pay for weigh in gas mileage or pay replacing junk stuff in the trailer. pick your poson I guess.

[Rs0802]

 

I drove this setup 203 miles today. Traveled the I85 and I95 from NC to Qauntico Va. Traveling around 65-70 for the majority of the trip I averaged 10.2 mpg. The boat weighs about 4400lbs without trailer. No clue what the trailer weighs. Anyway, the truck pulled the boat easily and felt solid on the road. It blows away my 09 5.3.

As you can see my level kit did cause a rear sag.

[full_throttle]

 

Picked up the new fifth wheel yesterday. Unloaded weight is 8900lbs. Pulled like nothing was behind her.

35' Jayco HT

[Mr. Dan]

Is that a

29.5BHDS

or some other?

 

Nice rig!

[Jon A]

Dang, you don't mess around! Looks good. Let us know how things go after you take a trip with it.

[full_throttle]

Is that a 29.5BHDS

or some other?

 

Nice rig!

Yes 29.5 bhds

[full_throttle]

Dang, you don't mess around! Looks good. Let us know how things go after you take a trip with it.

Jon, dont think there will be any issues. It was a 3 hr pull home up some good hills and no issues. So glad i ordered the 6.2. Tons of power!

[Jon A]

Yeah, with the 6.2, 3.73's and airbags your rig is very well equiped!