What size/weight TT or TH can I tow?

[speedyjp]

Hello all! Wet behind the ears here.

 

Got my new truck last month! Now thinking about getting a camper trailer or toy hauler. I'm leaning toward a toy hauler because they seem to have more interior space for people after you unload bicycles or motorcycles. I'd like to tow a trailer that'll be way below the maximum, truck doesn't struggle, and can comfortably sleep 2 adults and 3 munchkins. I believe my truck has a max GVW of 7000lbs and max GCVW of 14000lbs. So this means I should be able to tow a loaded trailer weighing 7000lbs right? But I'd probably rather tow a trailer around 5000 to 6000 fully loaded.

 

My vehicle:

2005 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

4x4 Z71 with 4.10 rear axle

Heavy Duty Tow Pkg

 

So any recommendations? Love to hear from ya.

[Wingnut]

Yeah...I wouldn't want to to much over 7k lbs in a 1/2 ton.

 

It can be done, but I wouldn't want to do it.

 

Not sure how much those toy haulers weigh though. I'd sure like to have one.

[speedyjp]

Wingnut,

Thanks for the reply. I'll let you know what I end up getting. But I need to do more research.

 

John

[c4cruiser]

IF you are going to tow something around 6000 pounds, I would definitely get a sway bar setup and a weight distribution hitch. The truck probably came with a Class III hitch and those are good for up to 5000 pounds. You can fit a Class IV hitch as an upgrade.

 

Get a good brake controller installed. Did the truck come with LT truck tires? My 99 Z71 with the trailer towing package had the P-series passenger car tires on it. I would go with a Load Range D or E if you were doing a lot of towing miles.

 

Remember that the total GVWR includes anything that is in the truck. So stuff in the bed will impact not only the weight but the weight on the rear axle. The tongue weight should be about 10% of the trailer weight so factor that in to what goes in the bed for tire weight-carrying capacity.

[speedyjp]

Thanks for the recommendations c4cruiser!

 

I'm looking into the swaybar setups from Equalizer(?) and brake controllers. I was told my hitch is a weight distribution type and a class IV. But I better verify that before I purchase anything. My truck has the passenger tires but they should be okay for shorter mile tows as long as I pump them higher and keep an I on them. I'll upgrade to real truck tires when they start to show some stress.

 

Since we're going on a ski trip this month, I am going to pack the truck for a 5 to 7 day trip with ski and camping gear. Then I'm going to throw the kids and wife in and go get weighed. Figure this will give a rough estimate on the weight of my fully loaded truck. Then I can figure out how much trailer I can tow. I'm sure I'll have to get the trailer weighed also to get the real weight. I hear those that sell trailers may only give me their unloaded weight without options/features and any gear I may pack in to it.

[teamjnz]

Hello speedyjp..

 

Here is a link for Tow Vehicle discussion . I found it to be very helpful for me. I have a '99 1500 Suburban and bought a 29' travel trailer (5600lbs dry weight) before I did my reserch about 2 years ago. I trusted the salesman at the RV lot. My Suburban is factory rated to tow 6000lbs. After I did my research and getting weighed I have calculated my real world tow capacity is 4500lbs. If I knew what I know now I would have bought a different, lighter, trailer. I haven't taken the trailer anywhere since my family won't fit in my 2500 Silverado. We do use and enjoy the trailer on our 10 acres of land. I brought it there and it sits there until we upgrade the Suburban. It will be awhile since we are in the beginning stages of building our home on the land.

 

Yes.. Get weighed with the family and a full tank of fuel. Do your research and don't trust what the salesman says about tow ratings. Watch your rear axle weight with your truck since you probably have a 4000lbs capacity rear axle.

 

teamjnz

[catiaeng]

I have a 27BH (27 foot Bunkhous) travel trailer about 7500GVWR. Used to tow with a 97 Tahoe, now have 2500HD. Anyway, to get to your question.....

 

1) Glad to see you have the 4:10 in the rear, this will help more than you know.

2) Get a good break controller...the Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller is the best, I don't own onw, but I have a co-worker who switched from a Envoy to the Prodigy, and would never go back. I have a Tekonsha Envoy and it is great (paid about $80) the Prodigy is about $130.

3) Make sure you have at least "D" load range tires, E would be best. This helps with the added weight on the axle and with sway.

4) Torsion bars/weight distribution is a must.

 

Now, as far as size. Had the 27foot with the Tahoe, it did well, lacked in power (3:42 rear) Other than that it was fine. The in-laws have 04 Z-71 pulling a 30foot trailer, he has no problems getting where he needs to go but that takes me to this...

 

Where are you going, and how often? Long trips in the hills and mountians, you will have a tough time. 150miles from home, not to bad, you have a good setup for a 30foot trailer.

 

BJ

[speedyjp]

teamjnz, Thanks for the great link and info! Sorry to hear about your TT purchase. But that can be fixed eventually by upgrading your burb. At least you found a use for the TT for now.

 

BJ, I greatly appreciate your recommendations since they're based on experiences. For sure I will get the Prodigy and Equalizer. Since I really don't want to tow near the max, I'll shop by weight. Our longest "vacation" trip would be almost 500 miles from home. We also plan numerous 100 to 300 mile road trips to attend our kids' various competitions and tournaments. I'd have to guess that mountain grades will be encountered 30% of the time (thus my reason to keep the weight down). Mountains and hills shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as we plan well and don't get rushed. Right?

[teamjnz]

teamjnz, Thanks for the great link and info!  Sorry to hear about your TT purchase. But that can be fixed eventually by upgrading your burb. At least you found a use for the TT for now.

 

BJ, I greatly appreciate your recommendations since they're based on experiences.  For sure I will get the Prodigy and Equalizer.  Since I really don't want to tow near the max, I'll shop by weight. Our longest "vacation" trip would be almost 500 miles from home.  We also plan numerous 100 to 300 mile road trips to attend our kids' various competitions and tournaments.  I'd have to guess that mountain grades will be encountered 30% of the time (thus my reason to keep the weight down).  Mountains and hills shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as we plan well and don't get rushed.  Right?

 

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Since you will be towing up hill this will really give your rear differential a workout and get SUPER HOT. I would suggest getting a large capacity diff cover to replace the stock one. This link is for Fords but they make them for us Gm owners too. High Capacity Differential Covers

 

teamjnz