Would you tow it?

[RVNoob101]

Hello All, I'm looking at a new trailer and want to see here opinions from other people.

My vehicle is a 2020 Silverado 1500 with a max towing package (Max Tow Capacity of 12,000 with a payload of 2060). The wife wouldn't allow a bigger truck before anyone asks!

Anyways, I'm looking at a trailer that is 34'3" with a dry weight of 7544 (GVWR 9645).

While I know I will be within my trucks tow and payload capacity I want to know if there's anything else I need to think of to ensure I'm not getting too much trailer.

Would you tow this combo?

[aether_one]

Dry weight is an imaginary number. Unless you have weighed the trailer loaded for camping you don't know what you're working with so use the GVWR of the trailer.

[RVNoob101]

Originally Posted by tfryman

Dry weight is an imaginary number. Unless you have weighed the trailer loaded for camping you don't know what you're working with so use the GVWR of the trailer.

GVWR is 9645

[aether_one]

As long as you don't pile a bunch of people and gear in the truck you should be withing numbers. Remember 15% of the trailer weight will be on the truck if loaded properly. You should also have a good WDH with integrated sway control for that trailer: friction sway control is useless.

[scrapperjohn]

I don't pay attention to dry weight.
Look at GVWR of trailer.
Most people ,when loaded are clove to max.

[aether_one]

Originally Posted by tfryman

Dry weight is an imaginary number. Unless you have weighed the trailer loaded for camping you don't know what you're working with so use the GVWR of the trailer.

Originally Posted by scrapperjohn

I don't pay attention to dry weight.
Look at GVWR of trailer.
Most people ,when loaded are clove to max.

[winniman]

Too much trailer, not enough truck in my opinion. For local pulls, not so bad. Cross country would be another story. The trailer would weigh double what the truck does. 12k towing is meant for a flatbed trailer. With this in mind, you would be at max with a big billboard behind you. Your heart is telling you its too much trailer, that's why you are asking, no?

[keymastr]

I agree, too much trailer for a 1500. And a 2500 is the same physical size. The length of that trailer is going to be a problem when it gets windy or trucks pass you from behind.

[Spdracr39]

Around the area locally, maybe. Cross country, Nope. I would look for something closer to 8000 GVWR and 7000 would be even better. It isn't as much about whether it will tow it as it is about how unenjoyable the experience is. You can always drive 40 mph on back roads and get away with towing just about anything but who wants to do that for even a couple of hundred miles.

[RVNoob101]

OK dumb guy question. Whats the big difference between a half ton and a 3/4 ton when I'm looking at this? I've looked at several 3/4 tons (much to my wives disapproval).On the older one's I'm looking at they have the same or lower towing capacity as this new truck.

I'm just trying to see understand the difference. I know alot of people are of the never use a half ton pickup for travel trailers, but I want to know if this just old school logic/bias or if there's other functional reasons behind that logic.

IMO a half ton with more towing capacity is better than a older 3/4 ton with less capacity. The max towing package on the truck gives it the improved suspension as well over the base half ton. Also it has a 6.2L V8 with 3.43 gear ratio.

BTW Thank you all for your opinions while I review this info.

[JpalmerCass]

I too wonder by what means a 3/4 ton is superior to a 1/2 ton working within its limits. Just what is physically going on? For instance it's often asserted a 3/4 ton is more stable. Why would that be?

[NRR]

My first thought is brakes. I am sure there are other things.

[crb478]

Originally Posted by JpalmerCass

I too wonder by what means a 3/4 ton is superior to a 1/2 ton working within its limits. Just what is physically going on? For instance it's often asserted a 3/4 ton is more stable. Why would that be?

Usually, but not always it is bigger brakes, heavier springs, thicker frames, and heavier/bigger axles. My f250 has 8 lug wheels, a F150 would have 5 or at best 6 lugs.
I am not sure what a F150 weighs, but my F250 fully loaded is just under 9000 lbs. They are also usually geared differently.

This is not always true for all brands, but is true as a general rule.

[LanceKeys]

The older trucks will still handle the weight better than the half ton. Have your wife pull the trailer with your half ton, then have her pull it with a one ton. I bet she wouldn’t mind you looking so much at that point. Even better if she does it on a day with a heavy cross wind and semi trailers passing.