Need advice on towing light 5 er with 1/2 ton

[Shotgunjim]

I looked at a 2010 Surveyor fifth wheel model svf260bh with uvw 6400 lbs. I will be towing with a 5.3 Z71 crew cab with 3.73 rear end. It will be ocassional use and little mountains (Louisiana) and no long trips. Question is this too much trailer for my truck which has K&N air and dual exhaust. thanks jim w.

[TXiceman]

First, forget the UVW on the trailer and look at the GVWR unless you never plan to put anything in the trailer for your supplies. With the added options and then your supplies it is easy to add 500# plus to the trailer weight.

Figure the pin weight at about 20% of the trailer GVWR.

Then get the truck weighed in travel load, full passengers, cargo and full fuel.

Truck GVWR is loaded truck = max loaded trailer pin weight.

GCWR - loaded truck = max loaded trailer weight.

Forget the manufacturers factious "tow rating" as it is based on a base model truck with a 150# driver.

It will need LT series tires instead of the P series., HD shocks and a transmission cooler added to help the factory one.

Just my gut feel is that it will pull the trailer, but I do not think you will be a "happy camper" towing that much trailer.

Ken