Travel Trailer Weight Suggestions

[flint350]

Having read the 1500/2500 towing thread, I am interested in opinions. Since I already bought my 1500 and am now interested in possibly acquiring a travel trailer (or renting one occasionally), what weight would most consider safe/good?

I want to use the 75/80% limit idea, but on what do you base this? For example, given that this is approx 5300-5700 on the Avalanche, would it be best to consider only trailers that can't exceed this in GVWR - or could I safely consider trailers that are around 6200 GVWR, but I don't intend to max them out? My idea is to get a somewhat larger (say 27' vs. 24') trailer that is more comfortable. This size usually shows a max wt. in the low 6000 area. Still under the Av limit, but over the 80% IF loaded down. I guess I'm trying to walk a fine line and have it all while remaining safe. (considering the Starcraft and Fleetwood Lite and Ultralite series, but open to any others.)

Opinions welcome, nomex on, sensitivity off. Thanks for any help.

 

[gstreak]

There are two factors: weight and wind resistance. If you are not going to travel faster than about 60 mph then you can go heavier. Travel trailors are nutorious for their high wind resistance which limits top speed, especially when towing into the wind. I don't believe that length makes any difference here.
Weight primarily affects acceleration and towing up grades. Even small grades will have a signifficant impact when the trailor is heavy. I currently tow a 8000# loaded toy hauler travel trailor up to the mountains with a 5.7 liter PU and it is so stressfull that I am avoiding trips till I get my 2500 Avalanche.
You will not notice few hundred pounds so if you want to go from 5700# to 6200# then go ahead. I would not go any higher if you want to enjoy the trips.

 

[Big_Block_Driver]

There is another standard rule many RV'ers use. No half-ton, NONE, should be used to tow more than 5000 pounds.

Another often stated tome is that 1/2T are good for only up to 24' of trailer, regardless of weight. Another good idea due to longer trailers catching more crosswind and stressing the truck frame more.

If you're doing a one time thing like moving grandma into a rest home fine; but if you're doing it often (ie you own something over 5000#) get a 3/4 truck.

This has been often stated in boat mags that 1/2T = ~5000 lbs. I wouldn't push it for a TT which has waay more drag than a boat.

Since you indicate you're somewhat serious about wanting a TT, maybe you should try this. Buy and install a brake controller. As you mentioned, rent a 24' TT for a trip and try it out. If you want, try renting a bigger trailer and taking another trip. Maybe try a smaller one. In any event you will try out trailering and have a brake controller to use in this or your next tow vehicle. And you won't be out nearly as much money as you could be by making a wrong decision. Plus you get a vacation trip out of the deal!

A word of warning. Don't assume all trailers weigh about the same for a given length. I pick up my new 26' on Saturday. It's GVWR is 10,820. Thats a BIG load even for my 3/4T. The 27' Terry we looked at had a GVWR of 7600. Thats a 42% increase in GVWR for a trailer whose model number shows it to be a foot shorter (in real life it is not quite a foot longer).

Good luck and think about the renting option.

 

[marc_w]

Our 22' trailer is 3500lbs according to the title.

My stock 1500 w/4.10 gears, loaded with four other passengers and gear for a week, pulled the little 22-footer easily at 75mph when I let it. ?I'm guessing we had about an extra 1500lbs on top of the trailer weight.

I pulled it up two steep grades to see how it would handle it. ?I don't know the grade rating, but these hills climbed ~200 feet in about 1/2 a mile.

It lugged along in second with a heavy pedal, at about 40mph pretty well. ?Of course it's ALWAYS good to have more power, but I felt as though it was sufficient for my needs.

If was looking at more weight, I would start to think of ways around these hills. ?Of course I'd give it at least one try to see how things go.

For flat land towing (ie: not in New England), I think more weight would not be an issue at all.

 

[Shelbyt]

I have a 1500 Avalanche with 4.10 gears. I also have a 30' Timberlodge TT which weighs approximately 7000 lbs loaded. I have no problem pulling this trailer. I also checked with the dealer as I was getting close to the load limit of the AV. No problem as long as I use T/H. Naturally, I have the electric brake controller installed. AV performs very well with this.

 

[flint350]

Appreciate all the sound advice and experience. IF I buy a trailer, I will most likely rent first and try it out. I'll probably try to stay at 5000 or so.

On a side note, I found it interesting that the Consumer Rpts article said they "easily towed" a 6100 lb. travel trailer. For the normally ultra-conservative CR, this borders on downright "risk taking". It also gives implied credibility to towing such a load with a stock 3.73 Av1500. They might want to rethink that implied advice.