Community Forums

OswegoLion · 09-20-2014, 09:01 AM

It is advertised for 9600 lb towing capacity.

I'm looking at Travel Trailer with 7450 Dry weight. It is Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8329 SS. Am I ok?

Cumminsfan · 09-20-2014, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OswegoLion

It is advertised for 9600 lb towing capacity.

I'm looking at Travel Trailer with 7450 Dry weight. It is Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8329 SS. Am I ok?

Depends. You'll be near 8500lbs and have a TW near 1020lbs.

Just because they say you can tow 9600lbs doesn't mean you have the payload capacity for the TW+passengers and gear in the truck.
Do you know what the payload capacity of the truck is? It should be located on the door jamb somewhere.

@34'9" and 8500lbs, that's a heck of a load for any 1/2 ton. IMO it's 3/4 ton territory.

FWIW I had a 2010 F150 Max Tow with 1857lbs of payload capacity. I towed a 7300lb loaded TT @31'. That was enough for me. I can't imagine adding almost 4' more and 1200lbs, let alone another 100+lbs to the TW.

OswegoLion · 09-20-2014, 12:39 PM

The maximum payload is 1682 lbs.

wingedone · 09-20-2014, 01:47 PM

Well that leaves you about 650lbs for everything else in the truck, including all passengers. Doable, if a bit tight.

I don't know anything about the 5.3 and it's grunt, but if you keep the truck light and maybe its just the 2 of you, it's doable.

Don't be looking to blowing by anyone up the mountains. Have fun!

Permadirt · 09-20-2014, 05:14 PM

What is the actual gvwr of the vehicle that is on the door?

JIMNLIN · 09-20-2014, 07:11 PM

The Rockwood website shows a 34' 9" long trailer with 3 slides and no GVWR. The trailers CCC is a very low 1450 lbs. I would ask Rockwood for some updated weight info as they can raise CCC with a high GVWR. If the unit is sitting on the dealers lot then check placards for the trailers actual GVWR/CCC and shipping weight.

Its a guess but your going to have a maxed out small block engine and a 34' long trailer. It may pull it and carry the hitch weight but IMO you won't like the performance with the small 5.3 engine.

OswegoLion · 09-21-2014, 06:35 AM

355 HP with 383 torque at 4100 rpm 6 speed transmission with haul tow assist and stability system.

Cumminsfan · 09-21-2014, 10:29 AM

IMO underpowered for 8500lbs. The 5.3 is a great little motor but not a pulling motor. 4100 is a little high for peak tq. My F150 5.4 had peak tq at 3400 rpms. Pretty reasonable. The new 3.5 Eco has 420 ftlbs of tq at 2500 rpms. You're going to be working the 5.3 to death towing 8500lbs. The 5.3 is down on power compared to Fords 3.5, Rams 5.7 and Toyotas 5.7. You can't have good mpg and high HP/TQ in a V8. The 3.5 Eco does both because it has twin turbos.

Smaller trailer or bigger truck. Better yet buy the trailer and come back and ask us what truck would be good to get because you have sway problems and the 5.3 is wound out all the time.

OswegoLion · 09-21-2014, 02:30 PM

I'm getting conflicting reports. I was told this truck would do the job by both GM and TT dealers. Need more homework Truck is brand new so a 3/4 is not an option.

Cumminsfan · 09-21-2014, 04:41 PM

Of course the RV sales guy will tell you that you can. They need a sale. GM says it will tow 9600lbs and is standing by it. They have no clue on what the real payload of the TT and other criteria are. It would seem counter productive for GM to advertise that tow rating and not back it up.
Would you tow 11,300lbs with an F150 cause they say it can? Better yet why not look for a TT that will weight 9600lbs when loaded. After all GM says you can tow it. And I'm sure the RV salesman will find one for you.

You're getting good advice form people that have been there and done that. The majority of posters on here think you're looking at too much TT. They're not purposely lying to you. They're saying you need a smaller TT because from their own personal experience they feel you need a smaller lighter TT.

If you don't think RV sales people aren't trying to make a sale, then next time you go looking at trailers tell them you want a 5th wheel with 2 slides and around 32' long. I guarantee they will find one that will put you over all your ratings.

Don't get me wrong, there are some that are helpful. But the majority are out for a sale. The whole RV industry from top to bottom is a sham.
MSRP prices that have no bearing from one dealer to the next.
Poor quality control through out.
Dealers that don't care about you after a sale.
Warrantee work denied because the shift the blame to the owner.
Dealers that tell you they won't work on your trailer if you don't buy from them.
Etc.

chertz · 09-21-2014, 06:53 PM

For what's it's worth... I used to pull my 30' 7500 lb TT with an 04 chevy 1/2 ton... even with the hitch cranked the trailer pulled terrible.... swayed... foot to The floor... general white knuckle experience. .. I since went to a 3/4 ton and the difference was night and day. Very comfortable towing experience now.

caissiel · 09-22-2014, 03:46 AM

Fellow down the road here tows similar trailer all over Canada and US with similar truck. Just don't overload the rear tires.
5th wheel trailers cannot be compared to TT when towing.

NFlcamper · 09-22-2014, 12:35 PM

I had a 5.3 powered 1/2 ton and my trailer is 9000 or 9400 pounds depending on what toy I have in the garage. I wouldn't dare take it out of Florida because it screamed getting on the freeway on ramps. Top speed at merge lane was 50mph. At 29 ft the sway was a workout to keep to a minimum. The new transmission may help, but I don't see how you won't be over with hitch weight. I bought a used 2500 dodge diesel and my same trailer tows 1000% better.