Towing question

[gbrandt1]

Looking at a 2014 Forest River Coachman 281 RLDS. I want to see if my 2005 4WD Silverado 5.3 Z71 Extended cab short bed can pull this TT safely.

 

[Gronk]

What you need to check is the Cargo Carrying Capacity of your truck. From that number you subtract your and any other passenger(s) weight, the weight of the hitch, and the weight of everything else you plan on putting in the truck. That will give you how much tongue weight you can have. With a TT you can expect about 12% of the GVW to be the tongue weight. It also depends on your tires on the truck also. Most suggest that you only use about 80% of the truck's capacity for safety also. If you are planning on purchasing any RV from a dealer, they only want to give you the dry weight of the trailer. DO NOT use that number since you will never tow it at that weight. Use the GVW.

 

[Horseshoer]

Looking at a 2014 Forest River Coachman 281 RLDS. I want to see if my 2005 4WD Silverado 5.3 Z71 Extended cab short bed can pull this TT safely.

The the trailer is going to be 7500lbs according to specs.. probably more in the real world.. doesn't sound like a fun pull at all.

 

[Horseshoer]

The the trailer is going to be 7500lbs according to specs.. probably more in the real world.. doesn't sound like a fun pull at all.

A

 

[Horseshoer]

That's loaded. So around 6000lbs bone dry with no battery, no propane no nothing. Start adding all of that, gear, people, etc, etc. You are going to get really heavy really quickly. Not trying to be a downer just realistic.

 

[gbrandt1]

That's what I figured. The TT looks huge to me. My truck is a weiny and has highway ratio gearing according to my son. Thanks all

 

[Germanrazor]

Yeah, the payload or cargo carrying capacity is a vital number to consider. Has it been done? Yep, daily thousands of times. Safely......nope! It’s a lawsuit waiting if you have an accident and the other party has a crafty lawyer!

 

[gbrandt1]

Thx for y'alls input. Gonna start looking for a beefier truck. I'm getting too good of a deal on the camper.

 

[Gronk]

That's the spirit!!

 

[Germanrazor]

Well, not necessarily better, just more capable.....?

 

[NavyLCDR]

Most suggest that you only use about 80% of the truck's capacity for safety also.

Why 80%? The rated capacity is the rated capacity. If it was not safe to tow up to the rated capacity, then it would not be rated for that capacity, it would be rated lower. I guarantee for liability reasons there is already a "fudge factor" built into the rated capacity number.

 

[Gronk]

Why 80%? The rated capacity is the rated capacity. If it was not safe to tow up to the rated capacity, then it would not be rated for that capacity, it would be rated lower. I guarantee for liability reasons there is already a "fudge factor" built into the rated capacity number.

Because that gives you some extra margin for safety especially in an emergency situation.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Because that gives you some extra margin for safety especially in an emergency situation.

Well, I suppose that driving 80% of the speed limit probably would too. But I suppose just because some people recommend not going above 80% of capacity is not a requirement, just a recommendation.

 

[Gronk]

EXACTLY.....Some people need as much "help" as they can get. They seem to think towing is just like driving their car to go get a latte..........

 

[NavyLCDR]

EXACTLY.....Some people need as much "help" as they can get. They seem to think towing is just like driving their car to go get a latte..........

Well, I'm in for an adjustment. I sold a single axle 20' trailer and I'm getting a 26' dual axle. Also, I notice there is a lot more trailer behind the wheels on the new trailer compared to the old trailer. So, I'm expecting some fun backing-in experiences the first few times. And with the Dodge Durango I bought just to pull the new trailer with, I will be under 80% weight capacities anyway. I was maxed out on weight pulling the old trailer with a Grand Caravan mini van.

 

[Gronk]

You'll do fine. All you need to do is go slow backing up until you get used to it (but you already knew that!). All it takes is practice.

 

[Germanrazor]

Well, I'm in for an adjustment. I sold a single axle 20' trailer and I'm getting a 26' dual axle. Also, I notice there is a lot more trailer behind the wheels on the new trailer compared to the old trailer. So, I'm expecting some fun backing-in experiences the first few times. And with the Dodge Durango I bought just to pull the new trailer with, I will be under 80% weight capacities anyway. I was maxed out on weight pulling the old trailer with a Grand Caravan mini van.

Maybe get some right and left rear trailer cameras installed to assist. I have a centered rear but that is for how close I am to dead center of something backing. Never hurts to outfit these things to avoid accidents for sure. You will be fine.