Can I tow this?

[BradGalloway]

I have a 2017 1500 silverado. The max tow rating is 9,300lbs and GCWR is 15,000. I just put a deposit down on a 2019 Forest River Vibe 288RLS. They dealer said I could pull it no problem. Its dry weight is 7157lbs and tongue weight is 753lbs. Ive tried to calculate this myself following everyones instructions. I come up good on some, bad on others. Think I could pull this safely? Mostly 2 adults and a dog with not a whole lot of gear other than food / clothes. We also are at sea level and stay close to home when we camp. It's only 2k more weight than my last TT that I pulled with no troubles. Thanks for any help!

[samsontdog]

I towed a TT about the weight that you posted with a half ton Chev with the 5.7 eng. It towed it ok but stopping it was a slight problem. At about 21.000 miles
the trans blew up. Had the trans rebuilt then sold the truck and bought a 3/4
Ford with the V10 eng. What a difference, like night and day. IMHO I would buy a smaller , lighter weight TT

[Gulfcoast]

I like a 3/4 ton for that trailer.

[Walaby]

I had a 2011 GMC Sierra 1500. Towed a trailer that loaded was ~6800 lbs.

I didn't want to go any heavier than that.

Mike

[BradGalloway]

Thanks for everyone's help. I really appreciate it. I'm feeling like I 'might' not kill the truck if I get this TT, but feeling like I shouldn't. We were also interested int the Vibe 268RKS, but losing one slide only drops the dry weight to 6540lbs, 617lbs less than the 288RLS. Not sure what to do now!

[TURK2500]

Brad,

BradGalloway wrote:
snip...... Ive tried to calculate this myself following everyones instructions. I come up good on some, bad on others. Think I could pull this safely? Mostly 2 adults and a dog with not a whole lot of gear other than food / clothes......snip........It's only 2k more weight than my last TT that I pulled with no troubles. Thanks for any help!

You may be fine with the 1/2 ton Silervado...., but an additional 2,000lb base TT weight in some cases may compromise a TV's weight limits and/or the 3:42 rear axle gear may disappoint one's personal towing expectations.

To reduce some of the guesswork, take your TV under loaded conditions (full fuel, passengers, cargo) to a CAT scale ($9 & 3 minutes). Subtract the CAT weight from your TV's specified GVWR..., the remaining weight is your "available " payload capacity for a TT's loaded tongue weight, WDH weight, and any other weight not accounted for at the CAT. Also note the delta between the CAT scaled weight on your TV's rear axle and your TV's specified rear GAWR. Great factual data to have when shopping for a new TT.

A 2019 Vibe 288RLS published UVW of 7,157lb (assume as-shipped UVW) and a published 9,024lb GVWR.

Moderately loaded: (7,157lbs UVW) + (50lbs dealer battery, etc.) + (700lbs cargo, no fluids) = 7,907lbs gross weight........; 1,028lbs (13%) - 1,186lbs (15%) loaded tongue weight.

Worst case scenario loaded to 9,024lbs GVWR: 1,173lbs (13%) - 1,354lbs (15%) loaded tongue weight.

Obviously everyones loading requirements/habits are different.

Just food for thought.

Turk2500 🙂

[BradGalloway]

Kids are grown and will bring their stuff and meet us if they ever go camping and take their stuff with them when they leave. No extra weight from family, just the 2 of us. We never dry camp. I've had 2 campers already and have never filled up the water tanks, so no extra weight there. I still work and I usually can't get away for more than 5 days, so 2 people's gear isn't going to be a lot.

[SouthpawHD]

You can tow it, but you’ll quickly run out of payload on a weekend trip with the family.

Take your tongue weight of around 750 pounds dry. Add propane tanks, battery, W/D hitch and now you’ll be north of 900 pounds. And that does not include water if you need to fill your tank.

Add food, beverages, gear, humans, you’ll quickly approach or exceed your 1500-1600 pounds of payload.

I’ve towed with a 1500, 1500 max tow, and a 2500. Both 1500s tow just fine - except in windy conditions or on major highway systems when semis go by. No fun. The 2500 towed so much better, especially if camping frequently.

I sold my 2500 last summer (I regret that a little bit), but I only twice a year now, so I got the truck the better suited me 95% of the time.

[Lwiddis]

“They dealer said I could pull it no problem.“ Sure, down a gentle hill.

[blt2ski]

You're probably not going to notice much difference. Maybe an extra 5-10hp on a level needed, and per 1% of grade. Also assuming equal frontal areas. If not, then you will need an additional 5-10 per 5 square ft or so.
With 350 HP in the front engine bay, let it rip on the rpm, i.e. 4000-5000 if needed on grades, enjoy the new rig.
Marty

[BradGalloway]

I do have a transmission cooler. I do not have the 'MAX' trailer package. If I did, that would taken the GCWR to 16,700. I can't get a new 2500 ATM. I only have a deposit on this TT. Should I look for a different TT?

[theoldwizard1]

BradGalloway wrote:
Thanks for the reply. I have a 5.3 EcoTec3 V8 (L83) 2WD Crew Cab with 3.42 rear end.

I plan on mostly flat. Wind is regular, but not terrible here. Just didn't want an unsafe load or really kill the truck.

Did Chevy offer an optional HD Trailer Tow Package on that truck ? Usually that would include a large radiator, an auxiliary transmission cooler and a higher (3.73) rear axle ration plus a 7 pin trailer connector. 15,000 GCWR sounds high for the "base" model.

Even with the HD Trailer Tow Package, those numbers are very close to your maximum. Your would be happier with a 3/4 ton truck or an under 6,500 lb dry weight trailer.

[BradGalloway]

Thanks for the reply. I have a 5.3 EcoTec3 V8 (L83) 2WD Crew Cab with 3.42 rear end.

I plan on mostly flat. Wind is regular, but not terrible here. Just didn't want an unsafe load or really kill the truck.

[ib516]

Can you pull it? Yes. That trailer has a GVWR of about 9000#. It will be "ok" unless you tow in windy, hilly, or mountainous conditions. Then I think you'll really be wanting more truck & more power.

That said, even on the flats in good conditions I think that little 5.3L (assuming it's a 5.3L, you didn't specify) is going to be working pretty hard.