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Towing w/ GMC 1500 5.3L Crewcab

Looch403
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Looch403 Enthusiast

Looch403

Posted
Posted

Im looking at getting a 3,380 LBS travel trailer, its not a goose neck, with a GVWR of 4,300 in the brochure.

Ive looked at the sticker in my Door jam but cant seem to figure what numbers are important to consider. 

im a complete noob to towing so go easy on me lol

 

the sticker on my truck says GVWR 7100 lbs, GCWR 15000, RGAWR 3800, Curb Weight 5312, Max Payload 1788, Conventional TWR 9400Lbs, Max  Tongue  weight 940lbs

 

thanks in advance. 

diyer2 Senior Enthusiast

diyer2

Posted
Posted

This has been discussed a lot. IMO 6 K pounds max for a half ton. This will work. 

Amcguy1970 Enthusiast

Amcguy1970

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, diyer2 said:

This has been discussed a lot. IMO 6 K pounds max for a half ton. This will work. 

But his sticker says 9400, and the engineers and those who designed and tested the truck (above what the sticker shows) say 9400 is well with in the capacity for this truck. So what brought you to the 6k rating? Does that also apply to the 6.2's? What about the 4.3's that have a 6500lb rating, should they also be 6k or should they be only 2 tons? Curious minds would like to know! To me it sounds like if he wants to tow 4 tons he should get a 2500? The 3500's, can they town their full weight or are they also limited to 2/3rds of their towing capacity? Not much above their class that is reasonable to upgrade to that they can tow the full weight rating. Does this also apply to semi trucks and they shouldn't tow the 80k they are rated for? 

 

Tyler

BossTaco2020 Enthusiast

BossTaco2020

Posted
Posted
51 minutes ago, Amcguy1970 said:

But his sticker says 9400, and the engineers and those who designed and tested the truck (above what the sticker shows) say 9400 is well with in the capacity for this truck. So what brought you to the 6k rating? Does that also apply to the 6.2's? What about the 4.3's that have a 6500lb rating, should they also be 6k or should they be only 2 tons? Curious minds would like to know! To me it sounds like if he wants to tow 4 tons he should get a 2500? The 3500's, can they town their full weight or are they also limited to 2/3rds of their towing capacity? Not much above their class that is reasonable to upgrade to that they can tow the full weight rating. Does this also apply to semi trucks and they shouldn't tow the 80k they are rated for? 

 

Tyler

Sticker says 9400 and the truck is structurally capable of towing that much. That being said, most people with experience in towing recommend not going up to the max capable as driver skill may not be equal and any cross-wind or elevation changes will make it more difficult. It's recommended to stay around 80% of your max-tow (~7500 lbs) and your truck and driver should be able to handle it safely.

BossTaco2020 Enthusiast

BossTaco2020

Posted
Posted
12 hours ago, Looch403 said:

Im looking at getting a 3,380 LBS travel trailer, its not a goose neck, with a GVWR of 4,300 in the brochure.

Ive looked at the sticker in my Door jam but cant seem to figure what numbers are important to consider. 

im a complete noob to towing so go easy on me lol

 

the sticker on my truck says GVWR 7100 lbs, GCWR 15000, RGAWR 3800, Curb Weight 5312, Max Payload 1788, Conventional TWR 9400Lbs, Max  Tongue  weight 940lbs

 

thanks in advance. 

You need to look at the 9400lbs and then combine that with the GVWR (truck weight + passengers/cargo) and make sure it does not exceed your GCWR. Your travel trailer is well within the capabilities of your truck. This website has more info https://www.curtmfg.com/towing-capacity

Transient Senior Enthusiast

Transient

Posted
Posted
14 hours ago, Looch403 said:

Im looking at getting a 3,380 LBS travel trailer, its not a goose neck, with a GVWR of 4,300 in the brochure.

Ive looked at the sticker in my Door jam but cant seem to figure what numbers are important to consider. 

im a complete noob to towing so go easy on me lol

 

the sticker on my truck says GVWR 7100 lbs, GCWR 15000, RGAWR 3800, Curb Weight 5312, Max Payload 1788, Conventional TWR 9400Lbs, Max  Tongue  weight 940lbs

 

thanks in advance. 

Yes, you can tow that trailer with your truck.  The loaded weight of your trailer being 4300 lbs is far below your max conventional trailer weight of 9400 lbs.  Your trailers tongue weight will likely be between 430 lbs to 645 lbs, which is less than the 940 lbs max tongue weight your truck is rated for.  However, when figuring your numbers, you need to take the tongue weight when your trailer is connected and subtract it from your max payload of 1788 lbs.  This means you'll only be able to load into your truck a maximum of 1,143 lbs to 1,358 lbs.  That applies to all people, pets, equipment, etc.  I hope this info helps you with your question. 

  • 2 weeks later...
GreatWhiteMexican Enthusiast

GreatWhiteMexican

Posted
Posted (edited)

In my opinion you’ll be fine. I have the 5.3L 6spd Custom Tail Boss and it pulled our trailer without any issues. Granted we took it camping the first time this Memorial Day weekend and only went an hour and a half away. Our trailer is a 2021 Starcraft Autumn Ridge that has a GVWR of 6500lbs. It went up hills with barely any struggles. I would recommend looking into a Weight Distribution Hitch, it makes a huge difference. I could be wrong but I think your trailer might be light enough where it doesn’t need one but I think it’s close to the cut off limit. What you’re looking into getting your truck will be more than enough to handle it. Here is a screenshot of the specs. I’ll post a pic of the truck and trailer once I get home so I can edit the size of the pic. 

C92094FC-0B9B-46E4-8104-CF0ACD1790B4.jpeg
 

156EBAAB-68E5-4D76-88EE-84436C48E520.jpeg
 

ACB298BC-E834-47C3-ACDE-2C5B848278C1.jpeg

Edited by GreatWhiteMexican
Added pics
Jack D Enthusiast

Jack D

Posted
Posted

It sounds like your truck will do the job based on the weights you are displaying, but never rely on the travel trailer's manufacturer's posted specs, since they can often be misleading. The best/safest thing to do is take your rig to CAT (truck) scales while fully loaded for camping and follow the instructions for weighing a travel trailer. Instructions can be found on the CAT website. Get yourself a good weight distributing hitch with sway control.

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY CAMPING!

 

 

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