Hitch weight and payload

[Wampa]

An idea for you, I’d throw on rear support first, then see if you can get your dealer to let you do a test run in an equivalent TT. Or, I’m not sure the availability in your area, but Outdoorsy is like Turo for campers. Try a couple out and see what works best for your family’s comfort in towing and in camping. If you can’t find both in one, you are wasting your money and won’t use it enough.

Thanks, I may look into that. A TT is a pretty big purchase, so it takes a lot of planning (and prayer) to get the right one.

 

[8ball_99]

I agree with Axe about the bags. If you put bags on it I wouldn't be worried about a 5-6k GVWR trailer at all. With 1k payload, you likely will be a few lbs over payload when loaded for a trip. If you were trying to get a 11k trailer for a 1/2 ton it would be different story. With the weights your talking about really the only limiting factor is the suspension. That truck will pull 6k pretty easily besides the soft suspension. IMHO, You Definitely don't want to end up with a trailer you don't like just because of a couple hundred lbs of payload.

 

[GATORB8]

Thanks, I may look into that. A TT is a pretty big purchase, so it takes a lot of planning (and prayer) to get the right one.

Amen.

 

[Bud]

2024 1500 ZR2 Baby Duramax towing a 30' travel trailer with a max trailer weight around 8k. My max cargo capacity is a little over 1,500 pounds on the truck and max trailer weight is 8,700. Pulled it home from the dealer in Mesa (about 100 miles) on I-10 and it did fine but I didn't like the squat on the truck. Semis blowing by me (I set the cruise on 65) did suck me over a bit but it wasn't terrible. Engine power was fine and tranny handled the load great. Sucks a lot of DEF while towing as others have posted. I've owned many full size Duramax, Power Strokes and Cummins over the years and the mileage on this 1500 is fantastic (which is the reason I bought it).

I bought a set of Sumo Springs from etrailer and had to get an extra 1" spacer from Sumo (Super Springs) which they sent me free of charge. This set the unloaded gap from the bump stop at about 3/4" on my truck. I had to buy the longer bolts to accommodate the extra spacer. I used an Anderson WDH and it's great.

I'll post here when I tow with it. I may end up going back to an HD but I'm going to see how this 1/2 ton does first. I'll put up a couple pictures with it hooked up to the trailer at the dealer (with the Anderson WDH on it) so you can see the squat on the truck.

 

[TJBZR2]

I’ve been unable to find anyone’s experience with trailering and hitch weight. I know (based on my truck’s label) my ZR2 can tow up to 8800lbs with a (max) hitch weight of 880, and max payload of 1036lbs. I also know the rear is gonna sag, so helper springs or ‘bags are pretty much a necessity (I’m looking at prolly going w/ the RAS helper springs mentioned in various other threads).

The travel trailers I’m looking into range from ~4500-7500lbs, with hitch weights ~400-700. My real concern with the higher hitch weights are the commensurate reduction in payload capacity in the truck. As I understand weight distribution, a hitch weight of 700lbs leaves me only 336lbs for cargo. Add my wife and me to that (~285 lbs total—me 170, wife 115), and we barely have 50lbs for gear in the cab and bed, which is not much at all. It also makes having the truck bed pointless, imo.

I’m new to a travel trailer and any real towing, so any insight is welcome! (I’ve only really ever towed a single-axle flatbed trailer w/ snow machines or quads on it, so nothing super heavy, maybe 2000lbs total.)

Here is what a 7500# trailer looks behind my 2025. Tongue weight in campers is nowhere near what the camper dealer or sticker will say no matter how you load it. Propane tanks, batteries that are on the front don’t count towards the sticker. I only had to pull 10 miles, but sags like a mofo!