Question about large travel trailer towing on 6.2L AT4

Back in Black AT4 · July 29, 2020

We're considering purchasing a Jayco Jay Feather 25RB travel trailer with a gross trailer weight of 7,000lbs.

https://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2020-jay-feather/25rb/

Our 2020 AT4 6.2L has a tow rating of 9,200lbs., a GCWR of 15,000lbs. (which is key) and a as-spec'ed curb weight of 5,185lbs.

The way I see this is (I'm new to this whole towing thing):

15,000lb. Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) minus 7,000lb. Gross Trailer Weight minus 5,185lb. Curb Weight = 2,815lbs. remaining for passengers and equipment....is this correct?

Anything else I should consider?

ice_nyne · July 29, 2020

You are forgetting tongue weight and the weight of the items on the tongue (filled gas cannisters, battery, etc). They are not reflected in the manufacturers weight listing.

Are you using a weight distribution hitch? For something that size, you should be. And you’ll need to include its weight in your calculations.

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Back in Black AT4 · July 30, 2020

Thanks! I didn't think about those items!

amxguy1970 · July 30, 2020

What is the maximum payload for your truck on the door jamb sticker? That is usually the limiting factor. Heavily optioned trucks can have a fairly small payload. Rams for example can be down around 1,000 pounds for the tongue weight and passengers. Figure 8k trailer, 10% tongue weight of 800 pounds (probably a little high depending on the trailer) leaves around 200 pounds of passengers and gears. That pano roof, alcantara 18 way adjustable seats with 4 climate zones and massive screens isn't looking so good when you are trying to get the family, boat and gear to the lake for a long weekend and you have to bring a second vehicle to be legal...

My buddy has a 2500 Ram one of the loaded versions I think a laramie longhorn with a cummins, his payload is 200 pounds more than my LT 1500 5.3 Chevy.

Tyler

Edited July 30, 2020 by amxguy1970

AlaskaErik · July 30, 2020

You'll run out of payload capacity long before you ever reach the meaningless and irrelevant max tow number. So keep an eye on that payload capacity listed on the yellow sticker on your B pillar. If you added any accessories after you bought the truck, those also reduce payload capacity. You'll be at the upper limit of your payload capacity, but you'll probably be OK.

f8l vnm · July 30, 2020

Your AT4 weighs 5185?

Nanotech Environmental · July 30, 2020

6 hours ago, Back in Black AT4 said:

We're considering purchasing a Jayco Jay Feather 25RB travel trailer with a gross trailer weight of 7,000lbs.

https://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2020-jay-feather/25rb/

Our 2020 AT4 6.2L has a tow rating of 9,200lbs., a GCWR of 15,000lbs. (which is key) and a as-spec'ed curb weight of 5,185lbs.

The way I see this is (I'm new to this whole towing thing):

15,000lb. Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) minus 7,000lb. Gross Trailer Weight minus 5,185lb. Curb Weight = 2,815lbs. remaining for passengers and equipment....is this correct?

Anything else I should consider?

IMO, you shouldn't exceed about roughly ~75% of the rated tow capacity of the vehicle. Also, keep in mind that the tow ratings are assigned using just the driver and no payload.