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07-31-2007, 03:26 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
SUN #360
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What can I tow with my truck.
I have looked on just about every website I can think of, and I still don't understand the weight ratings.
I have a 07 Silverado, with the 5.3 and a 3.73 axle ratio, and also the trailering package. The Chevy site says I can tow 7500 lb. The trailer I want to buy (2363 or 2499) weighs 4200 lb. to 4785 lb. The hitch weight is 520 lb. or 755 lb. Then I come across something called GVWR and it is 7000 lb.
So, my question is, is this a safe combination? There will be only 2 of us travelling in this, and I realize that the trailer weight as stated is dry weight and will actually weigh more than the number stated above.
Any help or guidance would be appreciated.
TX
J.O.
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07-31-2007, 05:07 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,920
SUN #98
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Hi olsejoh
Welcome to the forum.
I would say your truck will have no problem handling either the 2363 or 2499.
The GVWR of the trailers @ 7,000 lbs is below the tow rating of 7,500 lbs of the truck which is always my first gut check (i.e., trailers GVWR < = TV's Tow Rating)
There are other weight ratings that should be looked at also to confirm this, including:
Gross Capacity Weight Rating (GCWR) of the truck, which needs to be:
TV GCWR > Loaded TV + Loaded TT
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the truck, which needs to be:
TV GVWR > Loaded TV + TT Tongue Weight
Tow Rating (TR) of the truck, which needs to be:
TR > Loaded Trailer + load in Truck
And Rear Axle Weight Ratining (RAWR) of the truck, which needs to be:
TV RAWR > Load on TV Rear Axle + TT Tongue Weight
Lets do some estimating:
Estimate Loaded TT as TT Dry Weight + 1,000 lbs, let’s say 6,000 lbs.
Estimate TT Tongue Weight @ 15% of loaded weight = 900 lbs, also a high estimate.
The GCWR & GVWR depends on the configuration of your truck (i.e., cab and 2wd or 4wd, etc.)
I’m going to guess that base on the 7,500 tow rating it’s probably a 1500 extended cab with a
GCWR = 13,000 lbs
GVWR = 7,000 lbs
Curb Weight = 4,800 lbs,
lets add 1,000 lbs to the curb weight to get 5,800 lbs loaded (this is probably a high estimate, which is ok)
Using these estimates, the weight calculations would be:
TV GCWR > Loaded TV + Loaded TT
13,000 > 5,800 + 6,000 = 11,800; you’re ok here
TV GVWR > Loaded TV + TT Tongue Weight
7,000 > 5,800 + 900 = 6,700 lbs; you’re ok here also.
TR > Loaded Trailer + load in Truck
7,500 > 6,000 + 1,000 = 7,000 lbs; you're ok here also.
Couldn’t find the Rear Axle Weight Rating (RAWR), but since it’s a truck I’m sure you’re ok here also.
The end result is your truck’s weight ratings are ok for either of those trailers. You should have no problem.
Hope this helps clarify some of the weight rating issues.
Hutch
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Mary & Tom (aka Hutch)
2015 Jayco Eagle Premier 361REQS
2014 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 CC D/A
Sunlines: 2005 Solaris T-280SR; 1999 Solaris T-2670; 1998 Saturn T-24A
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08-01-2007, 01:57 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 105
SUN #269
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Hutch,
I just gotta say your a huge asset to this forum and thank you!
Billy
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08-01-2007, 02:40 PM
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,920
SUN #98
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Billy,
Thanks for the kinds words.
I'm glade I can help, especially since everyone here has helped me out.
Just playing it forward
Hutch
__________________
Mary & Tom (aka Hutch)
2015 Jayco Eagle Premier 361REQS
2014 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 CC D/A
Sunlines: 2005 Solaris T-280SR; 1999 Solaris T-2670; 1998 Saturn T-24A
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08-02-2007, 05:58 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
SUN #360
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A thank you
Just a quick note to thank you for your reply to my post. I really appreciate it. It's hard when you are just starting out on this venture, as I find there is a lot I don't know. I still have doubts about my ability to propel something this big down the highways, but if others can do it, I guess I can too. Thanks again.
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08-02-2007, 06:11 AM
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#6
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,920
SUN #98
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Hi olsejoh,
You’re welcome.
Just to assure you, Sunlines are excellent towing trailers, they tow very easily.
Get a good weight distribution hitch with anti-sway control, have it setup properly and you’ll have no problem at all.
Probably the 2 most important things to remember when towing are:
1. It takes a lot longer to stop than normal, therefore, keep a lot of room between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
2. Take turns a little wider than normal.
We were all newbies at one time or another. So you’re not alone and we’ve all been there.
Good luck and have fun.
Hutch
__________________
Mary & Tom (aka Hutch)
2015 Jayco Eagle Premier 361REQS
2014 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 CC D/A
Sunlines: 2005 Solaris T-280SR; 1999 Solaris T-2670; 1998 Saturn T-24A
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08-12-2007, 06:54 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
SUN #360
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Another question
We went and did it yesterday when we purchased a new 2363 in northern NY state. We pick it up on Thursday. This now means I have to go and get towing equipment for my truck.
In the previous post you mentioned a "good weight distribution hitch with sway control". Is any one brand any better than another, or is a matter of who installs it? It sure is not going to be me. The other thing is a brake controller. I guess the same questions apply.
Any info would be appreciated. I thank you for your time.
By the way, the name is John.
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08-12-2007, 09:05 AM
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,920
SUN #98
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Hi olsejoh
Congratulations on your new Sunline, you’ll love it and get a lot of years of enjoyment out of it.
To answer your questions:
Wrt a Hitch:
I lot of members here have the Reese Dual Cam system or the Equal-I-zer. Both are excellent hitches.
I probably would recommend the Reese DC. They're a very good hitch and people that have these hitches here love them.
If you buy the Reese DC through the dealership you bought your trailer from, they should be able to install it and set it up for you.
JohnB is our local expert on the Reese DC System. He can answer any and all your questions on installing and setting up the Reese DC system.
I have a Hensley Arrow, but those are about 2x – 3x the price of a Reese DC system.
Wrt a Brake Controller:
Get a proportional brake controller (not a time based). Tekonsha make very good proportional brake controllers. I would recommend either the Prodigy or the Voyager.
I have the Prodigy and love it. I think you’ll find a lot of other members here have the Prodigy also.
Plus there’s a $20 mail-in rebate offer going on now for the Prodigy.
The dealership should also be able to install the Prodigy for you.
Camping World sells the Prodigy Brake Controller for $129 / $79 installation and the Reese DC for $400 / $178 installation (without the ball & shank) to give you a price to compare to.
Hope this helps
Hutch
__________________
Mary & Tom (aka Hutch)
2015 Jayco Eagle Premier 361REQS
2014 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 CC D/A
Sunlines: 2005 Solaris T-280SR; 1999 Solaris T-2670; 1998 Saturn T-24A
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08-13-2007, 05:19 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
SUN #360
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Another thank you.
Thanks so much for the timely reply and information. Now I can go looking for this stuff. At least I have brands and some idea what to look for now.
I would like to have it installed at the dealer, but we live near Ottawa so I'll have to check if they can do it all in one day. I'll tell you, this is an experience. I am so glad people such as yourself are on this forum. Thanks again.
J.O.
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08-13-2007, 10:38 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 945
SUN #258
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FYI, I had the hitch mounted to the frame (the weight distribution and sway bar are accessories) and the brake control as well as the lights hooked up in a day at the dealer and the cost was included with the cost of the trailer. They will probably need some advance notice so that they have what they need for your vehicle. The most time was spent on the hitch.
The weight distribution and sway bar accessories should be purchased or at least installed at the dealer because there are attachments to your "A" frame and some adjustments will have to be specific to your trailer.
I would recommend that you have at least lights, brake controller, and the weight dist and sway bar installed at the dealer (unless he's way out of line in pricing). That way you know you'll leave with everything in working order. If, for example, you had the lights or brake controller installed someplace else and something didn't work, you'll be paying the dealer to fix them if he had time the day you pick it up. Having the hitch mounted to the frame someplace else shouldn't be a problem I wouldn't think and certainly would save a lot of time the day you pick your Sunline up.
Any thoughts on this anyone?
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Paul & Sheri - Upstate New York - SUN-0258
Amateur Radio KD2KCY - VHF 146.520 MHz
2012 F150 F/X 4, 6cyl EcoBoost, Max Tow pkg
2013 Rockwood 8280WS 5th wheel
2006 Sunline Solaris T-1950
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08-13-2007, 11:44 AM
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#11
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Posts: 1,920
SUN #98
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I agree with Paul. If you have time and the cost is reasonable, have everything installed at the dealer. They may be able to do a lot of the work while you’re doing your PDI and walk-through.
I would also recommend, before heading home with your new Sunline, that you take a test drive to make sure everything is setup right and working.
Good luck.
Hutch
__________________
Mary & Tom (aka Hutch)
2015 Jayco Eagle Premier 361REQS
2014 GMC Sierra 3500HD 4x4 CC D/A
Sunlines: 2005 Solaris T-280SR; 1999 Solaris T-2670; 1998 Saturn T-24A
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08-14-2007, 06:08 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 9
SUN #360
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towing equipment
I took the advice of both you gentlemen, and we are having the dealer do the install of the hitch and brake controller. We pick it up Friday afternoon, and off we go, I hope. After that, Kitchener or Ottawa.
Thanks again.
John
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