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We have a 2007 Silveradoo 5.3 L with towing package, 2 wheel drive, club cab. At present we are pulling a 28.9 travel trailer Toy Hauler (2009) KZ, weighing in at approx. 6300 lbs. . It handles pretty good. An old back injury has flared up and it looks like my biking days are over. We are now looking at a 5th Wheel Ever Lite 2011, 30RLS-5 , with a dry weight 7334 lbs. The hitch weight is 1223 lbs. Of course the dealer says we have enough truck - what do you think? Has anyone pulled an Ever Lite trailer made by Evergreen?
We would appreciate any help
-- Edited by pitbull on Friday 19th of February 2010 03:39:27 PM
-- Edited by pitbull on Friday 19th of February 2010 03:51:34 PM
Trailer Life Towing Guide for 2007 http://www.trailerlife.com/images/towratings/07towratings.pdf doesn't list a club cab, but either the extended cab or the crew cab are only listed to about 7500, and that is with either the 3:73 or 4:11 rear end.
Either way, you are at the top of your limit without any liquids or cargo. So it's looking like a bigger truck or lighter trailer are in your future.
Answering a “is my truck big enough” question is like opening up a large can of worms and here comes the “flames” no matter what is said. But here goes anyway:J
If you were talking about the “dealer” who is selling you the rig, I wouldn’t begin to take his opinion as valid.They do want to make a sale as was said.If you’re speaking about the Chevy truck dealer that is a little bit different.
The Trailer Life book may not have the exact combination of equipment, like rear axle ratio, that your truck has.I looked at the current one and wasn’t too comfortable making a specific response to your question based on that “generic” Trailer Life data; especially due to the relatively small 5.3L V-8.
May I suggest you first determine the fully loaded weight of the trailer you’re looking at purchasing.You can put 1,500 lbs of your gear on a rig in a heat beat.You’d be surprised how quick it adds up.You also need to consider the hitch weight you specified is probably empty weight. Not sure. But I’ll bet the actual weight will go up quite a bit once you’re loaded for travel.
Once you have those rig weight numbers, and make an allowance for weight in the truck itself, I suggest you take those numbers to a Chevy dealer and have them look in the truck book that shows exactly what your truck is rated to handle; pin weight, towing and gross combined towing weight.The dealer can also verify your truck equipment including rear end ratio.That rear end ratio has a lot to do with towing performance.
It’s all about the numbers, not us “guys” on a forum that say “sure, its fine;” or “no way.” As was indicated, you’ll need to do a little digging to be best informed.
I do suggest that if you plan to travel in the mountains that a marginal small gas engine will not be as pleasant an experience as a larger one.Where you plan to travel, and how much you’re going to travel, has a lot to do with this as well.
There are a lot of very knowledgeable people on this forum and we’ll be glad to help.But I suggest getting some specific numbers, checking with Chevy dealer to verify your truck’s capability and then couple all that data with your travel area, travel frequency and budget. I suggest you make him show you the numbers in the book so you understand them. That way you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision.
Bill gave you very good advise. Forget dry weights, what you want to know is gross weight rating because you will be there.I'm assuming your truck is a 1/2 ton by the engine size so IMO you don't have enough truck to pull anything bigger than what you have now.Research all weight considerations and don't believe anything any dealer tells you.They could give rat's patoot if you are overweight or not. I would say at the least a 3/4 ton with a diesel would serve you well.
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RVing probably not a reality any more.It was a good time while it lasted.
Thanks to everyone for your help. The 3/4 with a diesel would be the ticket. I didn"t want to go to that until we were full time in 4 years. The tow vehicle is hardly used now and I have been told that the worse thing for a diesel is to sit. Can I ask if there is any advice on that?
Thanks to everyone for your help. The 3/4 with a diesel would be the ticket. I didn"t want to go to that until we were full time in 4 years. The tow vehicle is hardly used now and I have been told that the worse thing for a diesel is to sit. Can I ask if there is any advice on that?
Well, here I go again.J
I have both a Chevy 3500 DRW Duramax / Allison Diesel and a 1500 with the same engine (5.3L V-8) and probably the same rear end you have.So I know a little about the 1500’s towing capability.
First to answer your question about letting a Diesel “sit”:It won’t.If you get a Chevy Duramax / Allision you’ll drive it for fun from time to time - trust me.It is a serious “boy toy” in addition to an outstanding tow vehicle.(For you Ford or Dodge guys, they’re great too, so let’s not get into the Ford / Chevy / Dodge thing.J)
My Diesel is 4 years old and it still got driven every two weeks or sometimes more often just to keep it happy until we could travel a lot more as we are now. (Has 47,000 miles on it.) It will not be damaged as such if you just drive it occasionally and get the engine temps up to normal.Don’t just start it and let it idle, go for a bit of a drive and enjoy.
I must agree with George about the ½ ton being a bit too small. But we really don’t have all the data nor do we know your exact situation. I always hate to say anything off-hand as it is “all about the numbers” as I said before.But if the budget will allow (I always say that) and you get a ¾ ton (2500) truck with a diesel and a 6 speed automatic, the first time you tow there will be a huge smile on your face and much better fuel economy.I say that from experience having towed with both a 1500 5.3L and the “bigger diesel truck.” (I’ve had a range of trucks in the last 35+ years: 1500 gas’ers to the 3500 DRW diesel; that’s my experience not counting a Peterbilt or two.)
Not a lot of specific facts in this post, but I hope it gives some perspective based on our experience. But as I say: “You’re Mileage May Very.”
All above are good friends with caring advice. My only 2 cents worth is that if you buy an Ever-Lite you are going to be in love. (based on my experience) Please go to the "community chat" and look at my review of our new ever-lite. While I have a pull behind and not a fiver, the fifth wheels seem to only be better if that is possible. If you do go with that brand, please write a good review after your fist trip or two!
Thanks again Bill and also McPiper. You guys can save someone a lot of grief and legwork. One note to tell you guys is that the trailor salesman called me at home and we reviewed my 1/2 ton Silverodo. He agreed with you guys that I would be on the bubble and he would not want to see me on the road unsafe for the sake of a sale. They have a family business for the past 50 years.
