Towing a Toy Hauler with 5.3L

[Jon A]

It was '16 for the HD's, the 1500's started using the standard in '15. Anyway, SAE J2807 does not determine GVWR/Payload, only the TWR. However it does require some things (passenger weight, hitch weight--including WD--, weight of common options, etc) be included while figuring the max trailer weight which is probably the reason why GM felt they needed to raise it.

[Josh121]

lol wow theres a ton of information in this thread. With me being a towing rookie, I'm trying my best to learn and understand it all hahahaha.

 

so this is my truck set up

crew cab, short box, 4wd, rear axle 3.42 ratio. max tow of 9200 pounds i believe

 

i am looking at purchasing a shockwave toy hauler.

specs of the toy hauler

 

dry weight: 5990 lbs

Hitch weight: 882 lbs

GVWR: 9980 lbs

CCC: 3952 lbs

Length: 26'11"

 

There were usually only be 2-3 dirt bikes loaded in it at a time. (500-800 pounds)

Other miscellaneous camping gear, generously give it another (600-1000) pounds

would never fill the water tanks or gas tanks until i was at the destination

 

would probably only have a loaded weight of 8000 lbs

 

i believe i should be able to tow this no problem with my truck, unless I'm missing something?

[SouthpawHD]

Using your specs above, and the "average" tongue weight of a travel trailer (10-15%, so using 12% in this case), you will have a tongue weight of 960 pounds. The maximum allowable tongue weight on your 1500 is 1,000 pounds without a weight distribution hitch, 1,200 pounds with a WD hitch. Add 50+ pounds for a WD hitch, you'll be over 1,000 pounds on the tongue.

 

So your payload is probably around 1400-1500 pounds. And now your trailer will take nearly 1,000 pounds on the tongue, leaving you around 500 pounds for passengers and gear..... You will be getting very close to the maximum amount of both tongue weight and payload. If you travel locally, pack light in the truck, and you and your passengers are on the small side, you probably will be fine. If not, you need a bigger truck or smaller TT.

[Josh121]

Would installing airbags on the truck increase my allowable tongue weight?

[SouthpawHD]

Would installing airbags on the truck increase my allowable tongue weight?

 

Nope. Nothing really increases the allowable tongue weight (beyond what is allowed with a weight distribution hitch) or payload. Airbags will help to decrease rear sag and increase stability while driving.

 

Take it from someone who has been down this road, a bigger truck or smaller trailer is the best way to go in your case. I now have a 2500 because of the limited payloads on the 1500 and the high tongue weight of my TT.

[2004lebanshee]

IMO for a setup like that you need a 3/4. Toy haulers are heavy and wind resistant. Just my opinion. Your going to have people tell you they run 9,000lb 28ft trailers all the time. Bla bla bla, maybe they do. I think a lot of long hauls with that trailer would beat that truck up. I've towed 8,000lb boats that are easier on a truck then a toy hauler because of less tongue and wind resistance and I would get a 3/4 or smaller trailer.

[2004lebanshee]

Would installing airbags on the truck increase my allowable tongue weight?

No nothing increases it. You could remove your bed and technically have more available weight to use. The sticker on your door is the law.

[redwngr]

Would installing airbags on the truck increase my allowable tongue weight?

No.

[Jon A]

Would installing airbags on the truck increase my allowable tongue weight?

 

By "allowable," if you mean change the sticker on your door, no. If the factory had installed them before you bought the truck they would have, but nothing you do after you buy the truck is going to change the number on the sticker.

 

But if you mean improve how well it handles a max tongue weight in the real world--ride, handling and safety--then absolutely they will. No 1/2 ton is very confidence inspiring when loaded to the max and airbags (especially when combined with E rated tires and better shocks) do make a dramatic difference in how well it handles and how safe it is when loaded heavily.

 

Personally, I feel actual handling and safety in the real world is a lot more important than whether you're 100 lbs over or under the number on the sticker. In other words, my personal common-sense limit for a completely stock truck would actually be lower than the limits listed on the sticker. When a couple simple modifications can so greatly improve handling and safety I feel it's the wise thing to do if you want to load a 1/2 ton to the max.

[Nathan79]

Allowable tongue weight is on the stick of the receiver. Available payload is GVWR - truck actual weight. Allowable rear axle weight is GAWR (rear) - rear axle weight. These are three different things and each can limit before the other.

 

The receiver can be changed to increase allowable tongue weight as long as the other two (payload and axle weight) are not exceeded.

[smcgillis10]

Empty

[pickmeup]

You can probably drag it but my opinion it will not be a comfortable and pleasurable tow for lack of better words . A heavier horse pulling the wagon like a 2500 HD will change the driving experience immensely. You have to remember where the 1500 gets close to max tow the 2500 will pull that same tow with room to spare.

[JcMont]

I've done it, the trailer was 5600lbs empty, 10ply tires and rear airbags, you will get trailer sway, your fuel economy will greatly suck, and the engine won't have much hill climbing power.

 

 

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