Jump to content

Tow question


Recommended Posts

This is a repost from the GMC forum. Didn't realize there is a dedicated towing thread.

 

Hello all, have a question about towing. Recently purchased a 2011 Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg in the Crew Cab. I see from the manual that max trailer weight is 9500lb and max tongue weight with weight distribution is 1100. We are getting a camper and the one we like is 31 ft with 5635lb dry weight and GVWR of 7350 (don't imagine ever getting near that). The only issue I possibly see is that the camper has a 800 lb tongue weight and I'm trying to figure out if that's going to be a deal breaker for payload capacity (as in putting family/dog/other stuff in truck bed and cab). Anyone have any insight?

 

I feel like I should be fine towing this but just wanted to see if anyone on here has had experience or knows way more than I do on this and will most definitely be taking it slow and steady on trips watching engine temps. Thanks for any input.

 

Gordon

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Tongue weight counts against the vehicle's carrying capacity.

 

As far as not believing you'll get anywhere near the GTWR, you might be surprised. A couple of bottles of propane and a variety of gear and you'll chew up that 1600lbs quicker than you realize.

 

Keep in mind that many people will move cargo from the truck to the trailer because only a percentage of it ends up getting carried by the tow vehicle (instead of all of it).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Gordon Jacobs said:

This is a repost from the GMC forum. Didn't realize there is a dedicated towing thread.

 

Hello all, have a question about towing. Recently purchased a 2011 Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg in the Crew Cab. I see from the manual that max trailer weight is 9500lb and max tongue weight with weight distribution is 1100. We are getting a camper and the one we like is 31 ft with 5635lb dry weight and GVWR of 7350 (don't imagine ever getting near that). The only issue I possibly see is that the camper has a 800 lb tongue weight and I'm trying to figure out if that's going to be a deal breaker for payload capacity (as in putting family/dog/other stuff in truck bed and cab). Anyone have any insight?

 

I feel like I should be fine towing this but just wanted to see if anyone on here has had experience or knows way more than I do on this and will most definitely be taking it slow and steady on trips watching engine temps. Thanks for any input.

 

Gordon

 

 

Take a look at the tire placard in your driver's door jamb.  It will show you the cargo capacity that you can't exceed for your specific truck.  Take your tongue away from that number and you will know what you've got left for payload.  

 

This is what the label looks like:

 

Tire Tech Information - Tire And Loading Information (Tire Placard)

Edited by newdude
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    245.8k
    Total Topics
    2.6m
    Total Posts
  • Member Statistics

    333,234
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    Donald Dolan
    Newest Member
    Donald Dolan
    Joined
  • Who's Online   3 Members, 1 Anonymous, 864 Guests (See full list)



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.