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!

 

[8ball_99]

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!

Lol, you definitely were on the bump stops. I know the feeling.

 

[GATORB8]

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!

That doesn't look fun, for you or oncoming traffic.

 

[DNZR2]

I would absolutely add bags. The front end of the truck is way light.

 

[GATORB8]

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!

Who set up that WDH?

 

[RMGREYZR2]

Kind of figured it was a Bison. They aren't ideal for towing. ZR2 already has less payload and towing then other trims. Toss that extra steel on there and it's really low for a 1500. What's weird is the newer colorado bison has like 1050 of payload even with factory 35"s. You would think the bigger truck would have a little more. My HD ZR2 has 3,333 of payload. So more then double of my previous 1500 ZR2.

FWIW, I had bags on my 1500 ZR2 and I often exceeded it's payload, lol. I mean you shouldn't. But the big limiting factor is the soft suspension. Motor and trans is the same as other trims. I pulled my mother-N-Laws 37foot camper down to AL from TN with my 1500. Transmission and engine temps stayed normal. Definitely a combo I wouldn't want to own, But it did fine. Just my tractor and the trailer I haul it on is front heavy and put my 1500 completely on the bump stops. Which was why I bagged it to start with. That's why I mentioned that I usually worry more about the RGAWR then payload. I pulled my tractor pretty often and that combo definitely was over my trucks payload and was only possible with the bags aired up. Keep in mind though, Over weight is over weight. Adding bags or springs doesn't change the trucks ratings. So as far as the legal and liability aspect goes. Doesn't matter if the added springs handles the weight. My 1500 had to get bags instantly. On the flip side I'm a year and 12k miles in on my 2500. I haven't added any bags yet. I probably will just cause they do improve handling while towing. But even with the 1500Lb of tongue weight from my toyhauler plus stuff in the bed hasn't made me need them. If I had kept the 1500 would have really limited me on my RV choices. Personally I just had to decide I was trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole with the 1500, lol.

I just had air bags installed on my 25 1500 ZR2 yesterday, it was a must after towing my 30 ft TT, the towing experience was not enjoyable even with the Curt 4P WDH, TT dry weight is listed at 7700, TW 770, it sure squared the rear of my truck.

 

[8ball_99]

I just had air bags installed on my 25 1500 ZR2 yesterday, it was a must after towing my 30 ft TT, the towing experience was not enjoyable even with the Curt 4P WDH, TT dry weight is listed at 7700, TW 770, it sure squared the rear of my truck.

That really surprises me. You might want to adjust your WD hitch or maybe check your tongue weight. My Toyhauler is a very similar size and weight. My HD does good pulling it without airbags. My tongue weight is 1500 pounds. I don't see how 800lb of tongue weight would squat your HD like that. If it does I'd really look at everything and make sure you don't have a problem with the suspension.

I get the bags fixed it, but that amount of weight shouldn't have caused a problem. Mine sits pretty level with WD hitch with almost twice that tongue weight.

 

[AXE]

That really surprises me. You might want to adjust your WD hitch or maybe check your tongue weight. My Toyhauler is a very similar size and weight. My HD does good pulling it without airbags. My tongue weight is 1500 pounds. I don't see how 800lb of tongue weight would squat your HD like that. If it does I'd really look at everything and make sure you don't have a problem with the suspension.

I get the bags fixed it, but that amount of weight shouldn't have caused a problem. Mine sits pretty level with WD hitch with almost twice that tongue weight.

He said 1500, not 2500HD.

I thought my 2500HD ZR2 squatted more than any other 2500HD (Ram or Chevy) without bags. I think the suspension is soft on all ZR2s, that's how they get the great ride quality. They are made more for offroad, with some towing and cargo.

 

[8ball_99]

He said 1500, not 2500HD.

I thought my 2500HD ZR2 squatted more than any other 2500HD (Ram or Chevy) without bags. I think the suspension is soft on all ZR2s, that's how they get the great ride quality. They are made more for offroad, with some towing and cargo.

Lol the 25 1500 zr2 my brain turned it into 2500 zr2 I guess. That makes more sense 1500s squat with a utility trailer on them.

 

[RMGREYZR2]

That really surprises me. You might want to adjust your WD hitch or maybe check your tongue weight. My Toyhauler is a very similar size and weight. My HD does good pulling it without airbags. My tongue weight is 1500 pounds. I don't see how 800lb of tongue weight would squat your HD like that. If it does I'd really look at everything and make sure you don't have a problem with the suspension.

I get the bags fixed it, but that amount of weight shouldn't have caused a problem. Mine sits pretty level with WD hitch with almost twice that tongue weight.

My truck is a 1500, 2025 model.