Experience towing max weight travel trailer

Zeezil · August 30, 2022

Hey all. Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'll give it a shot. I have a 2012 Silverado 5.3L Z71 with 6L80E tranny and KC4, K5L, and KNP RPO codes (transmission cooler, heavy-duty oil cooler, etc.). I have the 3.08 differential (I know...). This gives me relatively low specs of 1,600 lb payload, 7,000 lb GVWR and 12,200 GCWR. In addition, I have a weight-distributing Class III hitch rated for 1,100 tongue weight and 10,500 trailer weight, axles are rated at 3,950 pounds each, and LT tires with 125 load index, so I'm good in all those areas.

I'm shopping for travel trailers for my family of four. Our ideal model (2018 Bullet Crossfire 2200BH, for those interested) comes very close to maxing out my truck's specs. The trailer is 3,975 lbs empty with 425 lb tongue weight. Seems that the rule of thumb for RV folks is to assume a working tongue weight of 10-15% of loaded trailer weight, which includes the propane and battery. Assuming 1,000 lbs of gear in the trailer and using 13%, that's 650 lbs on the tongue. Adding 600 lbs of people and 300 pounds of gear in the truck puts the payload with loaded trailer at 1,550, which is within 50 lbs of the rated max. Also puts the truck and trailer combined weight at 11,925 pounds which is a cushion of only 275 lbs from the 12,200 GCWR.

I'm wondering what peoples' experiences are towing a travel trailer with a load this close to the rated max. I know that the 5.3L and 3.08 gears means it'll be sluggish, especially up long grades. While certainly not ideal, I think the powertrain is probably acceptable. I'm more wondering about safety and stability- the truck getting pushed around at that weight, especially with the wind-catching shape of the travel trailer. Buying a bigger truck is not an option - buying a smaller trailer is. What do you guys think about this?

bubbanbrenda · August 30, 2022

A weight distribution hitch with anti-swat bars and changing the ring pinion to 3.42 or even 3.73 would be even better, to take a lot of the work load off of the driveline including the motor. But you will pay at the pump, but still cheaper than a bigger truck. The 3.08 ring and pinion is going to make the motor and transmission work a lot harder.

Balok1701 · August 30, 2022

53 minutes ago, bubbanbrenda said:

A weight distribution hitch with anti-swat bars and changing the ring pinion to 3.42 or even 3.73 would be even better, to take a lot of the work load off of the driveline including the motor. But you will pay at the pump, but still cheaper than a bigger truck. The 3.08 ring and pinion is going to make the motor and transmission work a lot harder.

I have the same truck, but with 3.42 gears and tow a 9000 lb trailer with no problems. My truck is a crew cab short box with the same axle ratings as yours. I did upgrade to a class IV hitch and added an extra leaf spring to help with squat.

Zeezil · August 31, 2022

2 hours ago, Balok1701 said:

I have the same truck, but with 3.42 gears and tow a 9000 lb trailer with no problems. My truck is a crew cab short box with the same axle ratings as yours. I did upgrade to a class IV hitch and added an extra leaf spring to help with squat.

Is this a 9k travel trailer? What kind of terrain are you hauling over?

Surely you're exceeding your GCWR at that weight. Are you over your payload?

In any event, it's good to know that in the real world, the truck handles fine. I know the 3.08 will put more strain on the engine and transmission but I go slow.

diyer2 · August 31, 2022

Sounds like to me you understand the situation, I would buy a smaller trailer.

Matt2013LT · August 31, 2022

IMG_0840.HEIC

16 hours ago, Zeezil said:

Hey all. Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'll give it a shot. I have a 2012 Silverado 5.3L Z71 with 6L80E tranny and KC4, K5L, and KNP RPO codes (transmission cooler, heavy-duty oil cooler, etc.). I have the 3.08 differential (I know...). This gives me relatively low specs of 1,600 lb payload, 7,000 lb GVWR and 12,200 GCWR. In addition, I have a weight-distributing Class III hitch rated for 1,100 tongue weight and 10,500 trailer weight, axles are rated at 3,950 pounds each, and LT tires with 125 load index, so I'm good in all those areas.

I'm shopping for travel trailers for my family of four. Our ideal model (2018 Bullet Crossfire 2200BH, for those interested) comes very close to maxing out my truck's specs. The trailer is 3,975 lbs empty with 425 lb tongue weight. Seems that the rule of thumb for RV folks is to assume a working tongue weight of 10-15% of loaded trailer weight, which includes the propane and battery. Assuming 1,000 lbs of gear in the trailer and using 13%, that's 650 lbs on the tongue. Adding 600 lbs of people and 300 pounds of gear in the truck puts the payload with loaded trailer at 1,550, which is within 50 lbs of the rated max. Also puts the truck and trailer combined weight at 11,925 pounds which is a cushion of only 275 lbs from the 12,200 GCWR.

I'm wondering what peoples' experiences are towing a travel trailer with a load this close to the rated max. I know that the 5.3L and 3.08 gears means it'll be sluggish, especially up long grades. While certainly not ideal, I think the powertrain is probably acceptable. I'm more wondering about safety and stability- the truck getting pushed around at that weight, especially with the wind-catching shape of the travel trailer. Buying a bigger truck is not an option - buying a smaller trailer is. What do you guys think about this?

Honestly, not sure if this is going to help your case but may give you more confidence! I have a 2013 Silverado CCSB Z71 2wd, it too has the wimpy 3.08 in the back! Even worse I have a 6.5in lift and 35 inch Nitto Trail Grapplers! I have hauled a 4,000lb trailer with it before! It can do it, but it'll definitely like to hold gears! Even for stock size wheels, the 3.08 still lacks in my opinion! If you really like the truck and you have the money, you could regear it to something more optimal like a 3.73+ if ur towing!

Edited August 31, 2022 by Matt2013LT
Wrong link

asilverblazer · August 31, 2022

23 hours ago, Zeezil said:

Hey all. Not sure if this is the right forum for this, but I'll give it a shot. I have a 2012 Silverado 5.3L Z71 with 6L80E tranny and KC4, K5L, and KNP RPO codes (transmission cooler, heavy-duty oil cooler, etc.). I have the 3.08 differential (I know...). This gives me relatively low specs of 1,600 lb payload, 7,000 lb GVWR and 12,200 GCWR. In addition, I have a weight-distributing Class III hitch rated for 1,100 tongue weight and 10,500 trailer weight, axles are rated at 3,950 pounds each, and LT tires with 125 load index, so I'm good in all those areas.

I'm shopping for travel trailers for my family of four. Our ideal model (2018 Bullet Crossfire 2200BH, for those interested) comes very close to maxing out my truck's specs. The trailer is 3,975 lbs empty with 425 lb tongue weight. Seems that the rule of thumb for RV folks is to assume a working tongue weight of 10-15% of loaded trailer weight, which includes the propane and battery. Assuming 1,000 lbs of gear in the trailer and using 13%, that's 650 lbs on the tongue. Adding 600 lbs of people and 300 pounds of gear in the truck puts the payload with loaded trailer at 1,550, which is within 50 lbs of the rated max. Also puts the truck and trailer combined weight at 11,925 pounds which is a cushion of only 275 lbs from the 12,200 GCWR.

I'm wondering what peoples' experiences are towing a travel trailer with a load this close to the rated max. I know that the 5.3L and 3.08 gears means it'll be sluggish, especially up long grades. While certainly not ideal, I think the powertrain is probably acceptable. I'm more wondering about safety and stability- the truck getting pushed around at that weight, especially with the wind-catching shape of the travel trailer. Buying a bigger truck is not an option - buying a smaller trailer is. What do you guys think about this?

I think you'll be fine, anecdotally, I'm pulling a much bigger trailer both size and weight without issue.

Ratings aside, the truck will be fine. If you are worried about the ratings - you're under them - send it. Properly set up the weight distribution and trailer brake controller and travel on.

Of course, you'll find people that say not to exceed 50% of of some rating too. ({})

Zeezil · August 31, 2022

9 hours ago, Matt2013LT said:

Honestly, not sure if this is going to help your case but may give you more confidence! I have a 2013 Silverado CCSB Z71 2wd, it too has the wimpy 3.08 in the back! Even worse I have a 6.5in lift and 35 inch Nitto Trail Grapplers! I have hauled a 4,000lb trailer with it before! It can do it, but it'll definitely like to hold gears!

Well, I didn't mention in my post that I have 33" LT tires (25 lb more per tire than the stock 31.5" P) and a 1.75" level via Bilstein 5100s. Which is also part of the reason I'm concerned with that trailer for this truck.

swathdiver · September 4, 2022

It'll tow it, even modded. 4.10 gears will make up for the taller tire and smaller engine won't have to work so hard anymore.

7milesout · September 6, 2022

On 8/31/2022 at 7:34 PM, Zeezil said:

Well, I didn't mention in my post that I have 33" LT tires (25 lb more per tire than the stock 31.5" P) and a 1.75" level via Bilstein 5100s. Which is also part of the reason I'm concerned with that trailer for this truck.

Zeezil - You had me until the unleveling kit. I suppose that's what the 1.75" deal is. I'm just kidding. I don't think the unleveling kit would effect you too much. But the tires and resulting gearing will.

I don't have nearly the same truck (with either my GMC or my Dodge), but I just got through pulling probably 6,000 pounds with the GMC. It seemed to handle it ok. But, I didn't go a long distance, nor did I get on the interstate. And my GMC has 3.73's, and a 4.8L.

I'm still teetering barely to the side of the fence that I think you'll be ok. Because you are within specs, and you seem to have a keen grasp on the whole situation. Including, going slow. The only excitement you're going to get from that tow is the excitement you don't want. Ha!