Travel trailer recommendations

Big Whiskey · February 7, 2017

The 6.2 is only available with the LTZ trim package. It is also only available currently, with the 8 spd trans, hence the 3:42 gear instead of the 3:73 gear that comes with the 5.3/6spd. All NHT trucks have the 9.76" rear axle.

^^^This.

NHT is available with the 5.3 or the 6.2 (and actually increases the payload). And the 6.2 is available in a LTZ Z71, but you can't get the NHT with the Z71 package...so a Z71 6.2 will have the 8-spd and 3:23 gears.

I checked my payload and it is 1625 lbs. If I keep to trailer choice to a maximum rating of 7,000 lbs then I should be fine, correct? A 24' Jayco, for example, has a maximum load rating of 7,000 lbs. If I allow 700 lbs for hitch weight, then I am left with 900 lbs. of additional load capacity in the truck. The trailers I am looking at max out at less than 7,000 lbs. It is just my wife and I (and little dog) that will be travelling. I want to be comfortable in my trailer as well as towing. I appreciate all the help.

That's not much of a cushion, in my opinion. Let's say that it takes closer to 800 lbs to get your hitch set where it needs to be. Then you're left with 800 lbs of payload. When you, your wife, and your dog hop in the cab, you're down to 500 or less (assuming). It won't take long for other camping gear to add up to 500 lbs.

I agree, and here is a perfect example of what I was getting at...you can "tow" 11k, but you can't ever reach that number realistically. And that's getting back to my comment on using those numbers to sell a truck...

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I agree. I would much rather tow with a 2500HD Duramax loaded to max payload, than a 1500 5.3 loaded to max payload. In my opinion, the 1500 numbers are inflated, while the d-max numbers are conservative.

gmckenzie · February 7, 2017

^^^This.

NHT is available with the 5.3 or the 6.2 (and actually increases the payload). And the 6.2 is available in a LTZ Z71, but you can't get the NHT with the Z71 package...so a Z71 6.2 will have the 8-spd and 3:23 gears.

The 6.2L NHT has a lower payload than the 5.3L NHT, configured the same. Not sure if that is what you meant or not.

Donstar · February 7, 2017

That's not much of a cushion, in my opinion. Let's say that it takes closer to 800 lbs to get your hitch set where it needs to be. Then you're left with 800 lbs of payload. When you, your wife, and your dog hop in the cab, you're down to 500 or less (assuming). It won't take long for other camping gear to add up to 500 lbs.

My assumption is that when I work with the maximum payload rate of the trailer, my camping gear is already factored into this equation. The dry weight of any trailer I buy will be significantly less than my 7,000 lb. max.

Big Whiskey · February 7, 2017

My assumption is that when I work with the maximum payload rate of the trailer, my camping gear is already factored into this equation. The dry weight of any trailer I buy will be significantly less than my 7,000 lb. max.

Roger that. I guess I didn't consider that you'd have enough room in the camper for all your gear. I'm used to traveling with our pop-up. There's enough room for our clothes in the camper, but things like coolers, water jugs, totes, chairs, tables, firewood, grille, etc. end up going in the bed of the truck.

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Big Whiskey · February 7, 2017

The 6.2L NHT has a lower payload than the 5.3L NHT, configured the same. Not sure if that is what you meant or not.

No, I was actually just referring to the payload of an NHT truck vs that of a non-NHT truck....but that's good information to know! I guess the 6.2/8-spd weighs a bit more than the 5.3/6-spd. Do you happen to know how much difference there is between the two?

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gmckenzie · February 7, 2017

No, I was actually just referring to the payload of an NHT truck vs that of a non-NHT truck....but that's good information to know! I guess the 6.2/8-spd weighs a bit more than the 5.3/6-spd. Do you happen to know how much difference there is between the two?

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Top of the last page.

2210 with the 5.3

2050 with the 6.2.

Yes, I assume it is all from the difference in engine weight.

Between that and needing to run premium, I'm glad I have the 5.3 (not that I wouldn't mind the 6.2 for the extra power).

ChevyTech77 · February 8, 2017

Top of the last page.

2210 with the 5.3

2050 with the 6.2.

Yes, I assume it is all from the difference in engine weight.

Between that and needing to run premium, I'm glad I have the 5.3 (not that I wouldn't mind the 6.2 for the extra power).

Engines weigh the same. Trans weight is the difference.

As far as I have seen, all 8 speed NHT trucks get 3:42 gears, all 6 speed NHT trucks get 3:73 gears. 3:08's and 3:23's come into play without the NHT package depending upon engine and drive (2 or 4WD) choices.

ChevyTech77 · February 8, 2017

As far as running premium, my L9H trucks cost me less than $400 a year more to run on premium over regular octane and trust me, that engine HATED regular fuel. The DI 6.2 gets better mileage so the difference in price for fuel is a non-factor as far as I am concerned. The price for the engine is the big hit but boy I tell ya, they run hard as a mofo. My L9H trucks were fun. The DI 6.2's are like driving a sports car at times.

Daryl LBZ · February 8, 2017

As far as running premium, my L9H trucks cost me less than $400 a year more to run on premium over regular octane and trust me, that engine HATED regular fuel. The DI 6.2 gets better mileage so the difference in price for fuel is a non-factor as far as I am concerned. The price for the engine is the big hit but boy I tell ya, they run hard as a mofo. My L9H trucks were fun. The DI 6.2's are like driving a sports car at times.

Do you still have your 2011 or did you buy a new K2?

Waaazooo · February 8, 2017

As far as running premium, my L9H trucks cost me less than $400 a year more to run on premium over regular octane and trust me, that engine HATED regular fuel. The DI 6.2 gets better mileage so the difference in price for fuel is a non-factor as far as I am concerned. The price for the engine is the big hit but boy I tell ya, they run hard as a mofo. My L9H trucks were fun. The DI 6.2's are like driving a sports car at times.

Speaking of fuel... do you think it's worth putting mid-grade or premium in a 5.3?

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ChevyTech77 · February 8, 2017

Speaking of fuel... do you think it's worth putting mid-grade or premium in a 5.3?

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No. If it is an DI 5.3 and E-85 compatible, they REALLY like E-85. My '14 5.3 runs almost as good as my L9H trucks did running premium, on E-85. Of course, the L9H trucks liked E-85 as well.

Waaazooo · February 8, 2017

Mine isn't flex fuel.

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gmckenzie · February 8, 2017

Speaking of fuel... do you think it's worth putting mid-grade or premium in a 5.3?

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I've been using mid-grade and do think it runs better. I feel less of the V4 mode lugging. I don't see a difference in mileage, but I have a stupidly short commute and get crappy milega anyway.

My gas bill is usually under $100 a month in the winter so the extra cost is not a big deal to me.

Donstar · February 14, 2017

I am considering a 10 year old Arctic Fox in nice condition. It is a 25S with a dry weight of 5380 lbs. I believe it is reasonable that I could keep under my max tow limit of 7,000 lbs. even though the GVWR of this trailer is 7875 lbs. This trailer exceeds our needs in size but the price and quality are compelling. Does anyone have experience pulling a similar weight with a 4.3 engine? I know I wouldn't have given this weight a second thought with my old and less powerful 350 V8 Sierra! I plan to travel extensively through Canada and the US but want to feel comfortable that I am not putting excessive stress on my engine to keep up!