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Best Camper type to pull ?

GMmaniac

By GMmaniac
in Towing, Hauling & Hitches

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GMmaniac Enthusiast

GMmaniac

Posted
Posted

Have 2010 GMC Sierra Crew 1500, SLE, Z71, 5.3 LC9, 6 Speed AT with Max Trailering package and 3.73 Gears. It has trailer towing max of 9600 lbs. Just wondering what type of Camper trailer is best Bumper pull or 5th Wheel ?

 

Thank you

 

Ken

SouthCo Senior Enthusiast

SouthCo

Posted
Posted

Are you sure u have 3.73 gears? I don't think that was a factory option unless U did that aftermarket. I had and sold my 2010 gmc Sierra crew cab 5.3 6apd with max trailering package and it was only offered in 3.42 gears.

 

 

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CKNSLS Enthusiast

CKNSLS

Posted
Posted

The proper trailer for a half-ton is an Ultra Light that weighs in at about 5,000 pounds dry. The limitation is your PAYLOAD number located in your driver's door jam underneath the tire sizes.

 

You truck can't tow anywhere near 9,600 pounds due to this PAYLOAD LIMITATION.

 

Yea, I know truck manufacturer's for get to mention this......

 

 

You would be able to pull only the LIGHTEST of fifth wheels because of the pin weight that will take up most of your payload.

 

Don't listen to the RV salesman when he tells you that you can tow more. There are many owner's who find themselves with "not enough truck syndrome" in this circumstance.

nht mike Enthusiast

nht mike

Posted
Posted

I have a 2011 GMC c1500 crew NHT 4X2 that has 3.73 gears and a 6.2. With me in it and a full tank of fuel it weights in at about 5053 LBS. With it's 7100 GVW that leaves about 1947 LBS for people in the cab, junk in the rear and trailer tounge weight. The GCWR is somewhere around 16,000. The NHT, called by some "Max trailer" has large rear disk brakes, a larger rear end and, different spring pack.

 

I pull a 6000LBS trailer and it does it like nothing.

CKNSLS Enthusiast

CKNSLS

Posted
Posted

NHTMike

 

The OP has a 5.3 and probably not as much payload as your truck. My Crew Cab is equipped similar to the OPs and the payload is 1440lbs.

GMmaniac Enthusiast

GMmaniac

Posted
  • Author
Posted

My owners manual states truck with driver has a max trailer weight of 9500 lbs. Drivers door say 1575 lbs payload with the P 4 ply tires that came on it, which it has Load range D 8 ply tires on it. I was simply asking which type of trailer might be best to use only. Never pulled a fifth wheel trailer before, but many bumper type units without sway bars... :-) Everyone have a great July 4th weekend.

 

Thank you

 

God Bless

 

Ken

CKNSLS Enthusiast

CKNSLS

Posted
Posted

Ken-Towing/Camper/Payload is all intertwined. You can't get away from it.

 

Generally-half tons cannot tow their full towing capacity DUE TO PAYLOAD.

 

5th wheels generally are too heavy for the half-tons. You could pull a 24 foot Fifth wheel. They tow easier, but you will HARDLY EVER see a 1500 pulling a fifth wheel because the PIN weight is around 15%. This leaves little payload.

 

As I mentioned-a travel trailer around 5,000 pounds is your best bet. Here's why-

 

A 5,000 pound DRY travel trailer will have a tongue weight of around 750 pounds ready to camp. That leaves you another 700 pounds approx. for passengers and cargo.

 

So the BEST CAMPER TO TOW is one that leaves plenty of weight for passengers and cargo.

GMmaniac Enthusiast

GMmaniac

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Looks like I will stick to bumper type trailers then. I have been looking at 5000lb to 6000lb camper weight as a general rule. When I was growing up, people pulled trailers with station wagon cars, trucks with 3 speed on stick, and my uncle pulled 29 ft Airstream with 14 ft boat and lake motor with 1/2 Chevrolet LWB truck with Camper Shell packed full and never had any troubles. Even pulled his pontoon boat to and from the lake in the hills.

 

I appreciate the comments.

 

Thank you

 

God Bless

 

Ken

kstruckcountry Senior Enthusiast

kstruckcountry

Posted
Posted

I think you'll be happiest with a bumper pull. 5-6000 is very doable. My 2006 is rated at 9000 towing I think, however with a bed full of firewood, gear etc it doesn't take long to max out the payload.

 

5th wheels are a bad idea on a half ton, since they basically kill the value of the truck. Personally I'd never buy a half ton that had one installed or ever had.

NitroCherokee Enthusiast

NitroCherokee

Posted
Posted

I've had both, I prefer the TT with a nice WD hitch over the 5th wheel myself, I have plenty of truck. I just never liked the fish bite feel in the truck that I have had with the couple 5th wheels I have towed. I used to tow a 28.5" 6800lb dry weight TT with my 08 GMT900 ECSB 4x4 Z-71, I had a good WD hitch and anti-sway setup and it did a nice job never had any "oh shit" moments with it. Make sure to use a good brake controller. I liked the Prodigy 2 in my Silvy, it worked better than the factory one in my Superduty

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