Towing with 1/2 ton

[whitedogone]

I'm sure it's been asked a thousand times here. But just checking to make sure everything is correct with my anticipated setup. I think that my TV is rated for #9600.
Although I do pull a trailer with my tractor that is real close to that weight, it is just short/slow trips. I'm thinking of limiting the combined weight for a travel tra
iler to nothing over 6500# because we plan on some long hauls with it. Sound Good? Also, do I have a transmission cooler on my truck....should I plan on adding One?

[whitedogone]

[whitedogone]

[Kidd280]

Originally Posted by whitedogone

I'm sure it's been asked a thousand times here. But just checking to make sure everything is correct with my anticipated setup. I think that my TV is rated for #9600.
Although I do pull a trailer with my tractor that is real close to that weight, it is just short/slow trips. I'm thinking of limiting the combined weight for a travel tra
iler to nothing over 6500# because we plan on some long hauls with it. Sound Good? Also, do I have a transmission cooler on my truck....should I plan on adding One?

What truck?

I have an 11 silverado max trailering half ton i think im rated at 9500 or 9600. I have a 29reks whitehawk which is about 8500 pounds and I can hardly tell I am towing it.

My previous trailer was only 5600 and it was a heavier feel then this Jayco.

[Kidd280]

Originally Posted by whitedogone

You are close to mine.

I am crew cab 4wd 5.3 with same trailering and hd cooling. I say fear not.

[whitedogone]

I also have added a 10,000# hitch. Although the truck is rated at 9600#, they only come with a 5000# hitch. Crazy.

[NVGun40]

With the trailering packing and heavy duty cooling package, I would say yes to the transmission cooling. However, you should have it checked specifically if you are asking this question.

I know someone else will say this as well. Do not trust the owners manual (which you have pictured) for your max weights. Go to the door sticker to find out the information on your specific truck. Many other factors are going to reduce your cargo load and towing capacity (they are two different things). Adding that 10k hitch is going to reduce your cargo load (which effects your allowable tongue weight). That 10k hitch weighs more than the factory 5k.

[Nukeneck]

I think the general rule of thumb without getting all "geeky" about specs is keep your trailer weight at about 75% of max towable which puts you at about 7200#. I have an F150 with ecoboost and power wise I could pull a freight train. It's the chassis you need to worry more about and it's towing capability. With a good weight distribution hitch and maybe some airbags on the truck, you should be golden.

And no disrespect to Kidd280 but don't buy the whole "I can hardly tell I'm towing it" theory, 8500# with a half ton is a lot of weight

[Kidd280]

Originally Posted by Nukeneck

And no disrespect to Kidd280 but don't buy the whole "I can hardly tell I'm towing it" theory, 8500# with a half ton is a lot of weight

None taken! You can tell obviously but braking, starting, handling, etc I am saying are no obstacle. I am a passive driver though naturally so I think that may contribute.

[whitedogone]

Originally Posted by NVGun40

With the trailering packing and heavy duty cooling package, I would say yes to the transmission cooling. However, you should have it checked specifically if you are asking this question.

I know someone else will say this as well. Do not trust the owners manual (which you have pictured) for your max weights. Go to the door sticker to find out the information on your specific truck. Many other factors are going to reduce your cargo load and towing capacity (they are two different things). Adding that 10k hitch is going to reduce your cargo load (which effects your allowable tongue weight). That 10k hitch weighs more than the factory 5k.

The only info on the door stickers or glove box for that matter just tell what the vehicle and tire caps are. It refers to the owners manual for trailing caps. The 10,000# hitch added 20#.... I weighted both.

[TommyAjax]

Check the payload capacity - there should be a sticker on the inside of the drivers door saying that "passengers and cargo should not exceed *** lbs".

I have a 1500 Ram and it is advertised a being able to tow 10,000 lbs - the door sticker says that I have 1254 lbs of available payload, but I have added an after-market hard tonneau cover and carry some "stuff" in the truck (ie. jumper cables, kids car seats, tools, etc) so after weighing at a CAT scale, I actually have 900 lbs of available payload (this is the difference of my actual truck weight at 6,000 lbs and the GVWR at 6,900 lbs). This 900 lbs get taken up by my wife, kids, and trailer tongue weight. I do not tow with anything in the bed of the truck.

Lots of people say it is okay to go over the payload capacity, but in my mind it puts added stress on the tires (more likely to get a blowout), and more wear and tear on the suspension. If you check the truck brochures, they will say that towing capacity and payload are mutually exclusive. End of the day, you make the call...

This is the excerpt from the 2017 F150 brochure:
"Trailer tongue load weight should be 10-15% of total loaded trailer weight. Make sure that the vehicle payload (reduced by option weight) will accommodate trailer tongue load weight, and the weight of passengers and cargo added to the towing vehicle. The addition of trailer tongue load weight, and the weight of passengers and cargo, cannot cause vehicle weights to exceed the rear GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) or GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). These ratings can be found on the vehicle Safety Compliance Certification Label. Maximum capabilities shown are for properly equipped vehicles with required equipment and a 150-lb. (68-kg) driver. Weight of additional options, equipment, passengers and cargo must be deducted from this weight"

[Kidd280]

See if you can find a brochure like this for your truck.

http://assets.cobaltnitra.com/teams/repository/export/v/1/e36/e298044c910058bb900146efa6b30/e36e298044c910058bb900146efa6b30.pdf

[whitedogone]

The door stickers say

7000# GVWR
And
The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed 1580#

[whitedogone]

So, if I'm Figuring things correctly:

Passengers 380
Generator in bed 100
Load of fuel 200
Some other stuff 100
Tongue wt. (Est) 500

Equals 1280

[bearcat77]

Originally Posted by whitedogone

So, if I'm Figuring things correctly:

Passengers 380
Generator in bed 100
Load of fuel 200
Some other stuff 100
Tongue wt. (Est) 500

Equals 1280

Won't your tongue weight be a lot more than 500lbs if your trailer is going to 6500lbs?


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[Crabman]

Originally Posted by bearcat77

Won't your tongue weight be a lot more than 500lbs if your trailer is going to 6500lbs?


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It should be 10-15 % and supposedly ideal is 13% so yes it would be considerably more then 500 lbs. I might also add a tongue light trailer is more prone to handling issues and sway.

[whitedogone]

Uvw. 4888
Hitch wt. 580
Ccc. 2690

Don't think I could stuff 2700# in it even with full tanks. So let's just say hitch weight loaded was 750. Still OK?

[NVGun40]

Originally Posted by whitedogone

Uvw. 4888
Hitch wt. 580
Ccc. 2690

Don't think I could stuff 2700# in it even with full tanks. So let's just say hitch weight loaded was 750. Still OK?

Based on your new weight of 750 That brings your weight total to 1530, so according to your 1580 "not to exceed" sticker, you are ok, but you are close to maximum.

To help out, just like your truck having that sticker in the door, your trailer should have a yellow sticker on the side and often on the screen door as well which lists max weights for the trailer as well. This is helpful in narrowing down the information.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Kidd280

snip...... I have a 29reks whitehawk which is about 8500 pounds and I can hardly tell I am towing it.......snip

I assume the 8,500lbs is the 29REKS's GVWR...., not necessarily your actual loaded weight (?)....., just clarifying for the OP.

My Eagle's "scaled" loaded weight is about 8,500lbs (9,000 GVWR) and has a 1,300lb (15%) loaded tongue weight which is ideal for my 2500HD set-up. But, a 1,300lb loaded tongue weight for most loaded 1/2 tons would not be desirable (TV payload capacity issues).

Bob

[Hohenwald48]

Originally Posted by whitedogone

Uvw. 4888
Hitch wt. 580
Ccc. 2690

Don't think I could stuff 2700# in it even with full tanks. So let's just say hitch weight loaded was 750. Still OK?

You'd be surprised how much junk (I mean necessary stuff) you can jam in there.