Trialer too heavy?

Redapple · April 9, 2003

Hey Guys,

I just bought my first Travel Trailer. It is a Thor Wanderer Lite. I was very consious of the GVWR of the trailer when I purchased it. I tried to stay within the means of my truck and just need a little re-assurance that this is not too much for my truck. The empty dry wieght is 3850, I am going to assume that the weight as equipped will be somewhere around 4200 to 4300. The GVWR is 5600. This will allow me to max out the trailer, load 1000lbs of my familiy & crap into the truck and still be within limits. My truck is a 2000 GMC sierra 1500 with the Tow Package, 5.3 engine and 3.73 diff. I have replaced the Trans cooler with one that is as big as I can fit, and replaced the tranny pan with a finned alum that holds about 2 extra quarts of ATF. I also have a large oil cooler.

I have a Drawtite brake control plugged in as well. Also I am using a good WD hitch.

Thanx for the input,

Bill

'02 Sierra Denali · April 10, 2003

I've got a 22' car hauler (approx 2100#s), plus my old hot rod was 4150#s. Add to the bed approximately 800#s of misc "stuff" for a weekend race. Truck was '99Z71,5.3,3.73. It didn't exactly laugh at the load, but didn't complain one bit. I was very surprised to see my friends 5.9ltr Durango pull approximatly the same load with his car and such at just about the same rate.

You should be fine.

gave20 · April 10, 2003

you'll pull fine with your rig...you should get a couple of tractor weights to make the truck work alittle, cause it won't break a sweat.

1500 series are rated at 7700 and 7800lbs. GVWR

BlackSilver · April 10, 2003

You'll do OK with that setup. The only time it will be a little marginal is on long grades. That 5.3L is a willing worker, but be prepared to hear the howl of 2nd-gear/4200RPM on long upgrades.

Happy Camping!!!!!!!

Dr. Dan · April 10, 2003

Sounds like you're well within the load range. I might recommend a different brake controller. I used a drawtite activator II for a few years and when I got my new Suburban put in a Prodigy. It's a different world. I highly recommend it. They make a harness for GM so installation is plug and play. Good luck with your new trailer.

siskiyou · April 10, 2003

Here is what you need to look at when you want to see if you can tow this without overloading. The GVWR of the trailer, the GVWR of the truck and the GCWR. The specs on my 2002 are as follows and I am guessing that yours are about the same.

GVWR of the truck is 6400 lbs.

GCWR is 13000 lbs with the 3.73 axle.

Your truck with gas is right around 5000lbs. Your trailer loaded with water will probably be around 5200 pounds. Your tongue weight on the truck should be about 12% of the trailer weight so this is about 620lbs. Now add it all together and you have a GCW of 11600 lbs. before you or your family get in the truck or you put anything in the bed. Your GVW on your truck with the trailer attached is going to be about 5800lbs. and this is also before you or your family get in the truck which only leaves you with 600lbs. for passengers and cargo. I tow a 5500lb. trailer and keep the bed mostly empty except for a little firewood and plastic chairs. With my load I am bumping into the GVWR of the truck. It has plenty of power but I added another leaf to the rear springs and it handles a lot better. If you have a problem with stability have a spring shop install an extra leaf between the two existing ones and that will allow you to tow this with more confidence. I also have the prodigy brake controller and it works very well.

THE BIGPUNN · April 10, 2003

your ok, my camper is 5800lbs dry.

gave20 · April 10, 2003

The specs on my 2002 are as follows and I am guessing that yours are about the same.
GVWR of the truck is 6400 lbs.

GCWR is 13000 lbs with the 3.73 axle.

Your truck with gas is right around 5000lbs. Your trailer loaded with water will probably be around 5200 pounds. Your tongue weight on the truck should be about 12% of the trailer weight so this is about 620lbs.

siskiyou- are you sure on the GVWR according to trailer life the GVWR is 8,000 for a 1500 4wd ec after that I agree with your math.

gave20 · April 10, 2003

The specs on my 2002 are as follows and I am guessing that yours are about the same.
GVWR of the truck is 6400 lbs.

GCWR is 13000 lbs with the 3.73 axle.

Your truck with gas is right around 5000lbs. Your trailer loaded with water will probably be around 5200 pounds. Your tongue weight on the truck should be about 12% of the trailer weight so this is about 620lbs.

siskiyou- are you sure on the GVWR according to trailer life the GVWR is 8,000 for a 1500 4wd ec after that I agree with your math.

siskiyou · April 11, 2003

If you look at the door tag on the '02 Z-71 it shows the GVWR of 6400 lbs. What you may be looking at is the tow rating which if I remember correctly the sales brochure stated that it was 8000 lbs. then when you add the extended cab it drops to 7800 lbs. I had a surprise because I thought it had a 7200 lb. GVWR. I read some magazine that stated that and after the purchase I found out the magazine was wrong which brought me pretty close to the max. once I was ready to roll with my trailer.

gave20 · April 11, 2003

:werd:

Redapple · April 11, 2003

Thanx for all the input guys! I am picking up the trailer tomorrow, and it goes on it's maiden voyage next weekend to Pt. Magu in California. I will let you know how it tows.

Thanx,

Bill

Redapple · April 11, 2003

Your truck with gas is right around 5000lbs. Your trailer loaded with water will probably be around 5200 pounds. Your tongue weight on the truck should be about 12% of the trailer weight so this is about 620lbs. Now add it all together and you have a GCW of 11600 lbs.

I was just re-looking at the math, and I get 10820lbs(5000+5200+620), not 11600lbs. Even if I add 1000lbs in the cab & bed I get 11820, which is still well below 13000lbs GCWR. Did I miss something?

Bill

siskiyou · April 12, 2003

Redapple: My calculator must have broke or something, at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Really though the GCW is not really a problem here. He would be well within the rating and if you add 4:10 gears it moves that figure up to 14000 lbs. so apparently Chevy figures the rest of the truck is up to pulling it but it doesn't have enough power. I have been happy with the power though. The problem is with the gvwr which is 6400 lbs. and it is real difficult to stay much under this figure once you add the tongue weight, passengers, cargo etc.

Redapple · April 12, 2003

I couldn't believe it,but I looked on the door this afternoon, and what do ya know, 6400lbs. You art right on with that number. It looks as though I will be right at the max for the truck. Between the family, and basic firewood etc. Maybe I can convince the wife to go for an 03 crewcab 2500 w/6liter.LOL

Thanx for the very useful info,

Bill