2021 Sierra 1500 3.0L towing without the max trailering package

[steve841]

My 2020 towed my 8800lbs boat+trailer  with NO issues whatsoever.

 

Your problem is your trailer.  You've got too much tongue weight.

 

Buy a tongue weight scale or maybe someone can loan you one to test.   10% max weight should be on the tongue. Based on your numbers, 500lbs.

 

Do not waste money on adding suspension gimmicks. They are not needed. Fix where your boat sits on the trailer and you'll be good to go.

[12milesout]

Steve841 is right. It's not just a matter of weight on the trailer, but also where that weight is positioned. It's tough to tell from a single photo, and without knowing the center of gravity of your boat, but it looks like most of the load is forward of the trailer's axles. This will cause the excess tongue weight. The fix could be as simple as extending the bow block assembly, resulting in the boat sitting farther back on the trailer. 

[redwngr]

After getting the tongue weight is correct, it may be necessary to get a ball mount with a different offset to suit the ride height of the correctly loaded truck while pulling the trailer at the desired/correct level.  

[Silverado4x4]

I agree with everyone else, that trailer is not set-up right for that boat but you have some options on the trailer (1) is move the tandem axles forward as most trailers allow for this adjustment from the picture maybe 10" or (2) get a longer bow roller bracket to allow you to move the boat towards the rear of the trailer as it looks like the winch mount is already moved back as far as it can.  

[Jacob D]

On 6/25/2021 at 1:57 PM, calgator73 said:

Definitely hit the scales.  Even if it was 15% you're only looking at a tongue of 825 based on your 5500 lb estimate.  IMO Bags in this case are the way to go to completely level up.

 

I ended up getting AirLift 5000 bags installed (and level kit). With the bags completely deflated the boat dropped the rear end 2.75" which I assume is how much it was doing prior to the bags. With the bags it is no longer an issue and drives much better.

I do think the design of the trailer and the boat seems like it could put a lot of weight on the tongue still. I want an adjustable receiver hitch and I found one that has a tongue weight gauge on it that I am thinking about getting.

[SVG]

I just took my truck/boat/trailer to the nearest truck stop scales yesterday and here are the results.

 

Steering Axle Weight: 3,300#

Drive Axle Weight: 2,940#

Tongue Weight: 707#

Trailer Axle (2) Weight: 4,120#

Total Combined Weight: 11,067#

 

Someday I will measure the rear sag loaded vs. unloaded but visually the truck looks level. The truck tows this load easily.

 

OP, good to hear bags are working. Seems like a much less expensive solution vs. having a new trailer built.

[Jacob D]

On 7/13/2021 at 8:27 AM, SVG said:

I just took my truck/boat/trailer to the nearest truck stop scales yesterday and here are the results.

 

Steering Axle Weight: 3,300#

Drive Axle Weight: 2,940#

Tongue Weight: 707#

Trailer Axle (2) Weight: 4,120#

Total Combined Weight: 11,067#

 

Someday I will measure the rear sag loaded vs. unloaded but visually the truck looks level. The truck tows this load easily.

 

OP, good to hear bags are working. Seems like a much less expensive solution vs. having a new trailer built.

 

Bags are working good but having other issues with the truck. I am currently trying to get out of it and move to a F250