Towing New Trailer

[Charlie_D_]

We sold our 5th wheel and truck back last September because of health problems wife and I were having along with our Daschund becoming paralyzed. Our health is now better and we decided to buy a travel trailer.
I can kick myself for selling the the Duramax but that is in the past.

I have done the calculations and believe my numbers are correct but seeking confirmation.

Truck is a 2020 Silverado 1500 2 wheel drive LTZ. 5.3L with 3.23 axle. ITC, 8-speed with tow package and tow haul.
Scaled the truck weighs:
Steer axle-2880
Drive axle-2260
for a total of 5140
GVWR-6900
GAWR front-3700
GAWR-rear-3800
Conventional trailer-9800
Max tongue weight-980
Tires are 275/60R20 LT's

TT is a Grand Junction Transcend 240ML
UVW-6265
Hitch-598
Length-29'9"
I know this is close but will change with propane, hitch, battery, etc.
I will replace the Chinese tires with Goodyear Assurance.
Been to 3 dealers asking about WDH hitches. One recommends Blue Ox. Another Equalizer. Another a Fastway E2. Made in China so not an option.
Seems the Equalizer is highly respected and many people use them.

This being my first time pulling a travel trailer so what size weight distribution is your recommendation?

[Charlie_D_]

philh wrote:
when it comes time to replace tires on TV, go with LT "E" tires. Huge improvement on tow experience.

The truck came with 20" LRE "E".

[mkirsch]

blt2ski wrote:
I put E tires after having D rated tires on a SW 3500. I ran the tires no higher in psi than the D's, typically 45-60 unladen vs loaded on the rear. 55-60 on the front due to the deezal engine. I noticed NO difference in handling etc with E rated tires.

Marty

Correct. If you look at the inflation charts for D and E rated tires, you will see that they have the SAME weight ratings at various pressures.

The difference is the E rated tire can be aired up to 80PSI, allowing for more weight carrying capacity.

[Charlie_D_]

Brought it home yesterday and a 30 mile trip from dealer.
Don't know pin weight but ordered a device that slips into truck receiver that has a gauge and gives you weight on ball

Certainly different from 3/4 ton Duramax. I believe hitch needs a little adjustment because there was a tiny bit of up and down on when moving. I will order Bilstein shocks to replace OEM.

RPM's is 2500 at 60 MPH. Equalizer 4-point hitch and I have always used 5th wheel hitches before so there is a learning curve.

Thanks for the comments.

[blt2ski]

philh wrote:
when it comes time to replace tires on TV, go with LT "E" tires. Huge improvement on tow experience.

I put E tires after having D rated tires on a SW 3500. I ran the tires no higher in psi than the D's, typically 45-60 unladen vs loaded on the rear. 55-60 on the front due to the deezal engine. I noticed NO difference in handling etc with E rated tires.
My current 1500, input E's vs XL. Reality, worst performance, altho as noted above, taller, heavier, etc. Again, no difference handling with a 6500 lb trailer I've pulled multiple times. I don't need the tires at 80psi, as that's 16,000 lbs of tire gvw when I'm not over 8000 on the truck. 45-50 lbs is ample psi. So ANY lrC or XL rated tire is plenty of tire. OP will not have much, if at all over 4000 lbs. Stock tires are good to 2500 per side.
I had to go with LR E as that was only option with the 285-65-18 tires I wanted. IF an XL would have been offered, I would have bought them vs the LR E tires.

Marty

[philh]

when it comes time to replace tires on TV, go with LT "E" tires. Huge improvement on tow experience.

[blt2ski]

I would get a Reese dual cam or equalizer wd/sway control system.
I've been pulling upwards of 8000 with no bars, with my 2014 new to me in late February with a V6, 6sp auto and 3.42 gears. The 8000 trailer was a literal small cement mixer with 1.5 yds of concrete in a rotating drum. I pulled a 3%grade in 4th, 1.05 direct equal at 55 doing 3500 rpm. You have another 50 ponies plus, along with at least 50 lb ft of torque than me. First gear is a 4.3 for you vs my 4.10 in trans. I believe gears 1-5 are closer spaced than my 1-4. Top three in both trans I believe are 1.05, .85 & .65.
I recently went to 285-65 tires vs stock 265-65-18 tires, gained 1" diam, reduced effective ratio from a 3.42 to about 3.23 like yours. I'm not going to say no difference. A lot may have to do with the tires being 10 lbs per heavier. I'm sure the effective ratio Change is part of the little slower to get going, lower mpgs.
I would not worry about pulling that trailer with your 1500. I'd pull it with mine.

Marty

[mkirsch]

Lwiddis wrote:
My truck is similar. Your 3,23 read end concerns me. I’m fairly happy with my 3.42 with 5200 pounds of TT.

He's got the 8 speed transmission. That's good for 2 rear end ratios so it will tow at least as well as a 3.73/4-speed, probably better.

The 1st gear is so low on those transmissions that it would be useless with much more than a 3.42. The engine will redline at about 2MPH.

[Lwiddis]

My truck is similar. Your 3,23 read end concerns me. I’m fairly happy with my 3.42 with 5200 pounds of TT.

[valhalla360]

You are going to be right at the limit for hitch weight (don't cheat and lower it).

The truck should do it but it won't be anything comparable to a big diesel.

WDH is more about proper set up than brand.

[APT]

You'll be fine with that combo. Blue Ox SwayPro, Equalizer 4-pt, or Reese Strait Line/Dual Cam will all perform very well for you.

[amxpress]

I had an Equal-i-zer hitch on my first TT.
Now I have a BlueOx Sway Pro hitch on my Airstream. It works well and does what it’s suppose to do, but it can be a ***** to hook up and to un hitch. It came with the trailer. Otherwise I would have gone with an Equal-i-zer.

[Terryallan]

Agree you are really close, and by the time you load it you will probably be over the max tongue weight, or right at it. You need from 10 to 12% tongue weight to make it tow correctly.

IF I were you, I would go with the Reese Dual Cam hitch. with no less than 800lb bars. It has built in sway control.
As for the tires. I have never heard of GY assurance trailer tires. Maybe you meant Endurance, which is a good choice.

enjoy above all else.