Silverrodo / Premier 31BHPR

[rfryza]

I am looking at buying a new TT Premier 31BHPR and I think maybe my new truck will struggle or be unsafe for my family. The dealer says it will be no problem however they are selling it to me. I love the TT just concerned the truck is not enough.

just looking some friendly advice.

2013 Silverrodo1500 Crew Cab Short Box 2WD
Vortec 5.3 V8
Horse PWR 326 @ 5300Rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 348 @ 4400
3.42 Ratio
Ball Hitch max tow 9600lbs

Equal-i-zer Sway control hitch


TT Premier 31BHPR
35.4 FT long
6440 dry
8,000lbs loaded

Thanks

[f6bits]

I have an Equalizer and like it, but for *that* long of a trailer, you should go with a Hensley or ProPride. Rule of thumb is 110" wheel base can tow a 20' trailer. Each 4" of additional wheel base gets you one more foot of trailer. If yours is 143", then that puts you at about a 28' trailer. A good hitch gets you an extra 5 feet. The Hensley/Propride might get you close to the 35 feet. Someone here had a Denali pickup with a monster trailer similar to the 31BHPR and he upgraded to a ¾ ton truck and is much happier.

Weight-wise, it's a little iffy with that 3.42 ratio. Hitch could very well approach 1000 lbs. What's the cargo capacity of the truck, according to the drivers door sticker?

[jljfstar]

I have a 2012 pickup with the same engine and gears. Also have HD trailering package and 4 wheel drive and a factory brake control. I just bought a premier RE30PR. Its about 6 in shorter than your trailer and dry weight is 6420. hitch weight 745. I took the truck to cat scales and weight is 6040 for the truck. TT and truck weight is 13,420 loaded for camping. I have a blue ox sway-pro hitch. All my numbers are within limits. I have a tool that I can measure hitch weight and it is 852. I cannot haul hardly anything in the pickup and cannot haul much water to and from campground. The truck pulls just fine so far but have only went about 600 miles. I made the mistake of buying truck a year before the TT and a 3/4 is not in sight although I think it would do a lot better. If you do get the TT by all means take everything over to the cat scales and have everything weighed. Better yet take you pickup over now and just see where your weight is at. Everything cannot be over 15,000 lbs. Hitch weight cannot make your total truck weight over 7000 lbs. It looks like you may be a little closer to your limits than I. If you can get a 3/4 pickup try to do it or get just a little smaller trailer. I hope I have not messed you up to bad with my numbers. keep us posted John

[ewkearns]

just looking some friendly advice.

2013 Silverrodo1500 Crew Cab Short Box 2WD
Vortec 5.3 V8
Horse PWR 326 @ 5300Rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 348 @ 4400
3.42 Ratio
Ball Hitch max tow 9600lbs

Equal-i-zer Sway control hitch


TT Premier 31BHPR
35.4 FT long
6440 dry
8,000lbs loaded

Thanks

IMHO.... I had a 2010 Silverado set up much as yours is, now.... and I wouldn't want to pull that much weight. Not that it won't, but you are going to spent most of your time in 4th, not 5th or 6th gear. The wheelbase is likely a little short, but I don't think that is a deal breaker.

I, now, have a 2013 CC with short box, towing option, and the 6.2L engine.... it tows 8,000# ..... just adequately.

Is it worth the added expense of a 3/4T or better yet, a dually? Maybe.

[Kristi]

The sales rep told us when we walked up " yep, that 6.0L you have will pull anything on the lot". He was way wrong.

Definitely crunch your own numbers, after we did we discovered our tongue weight could not exceed 750lbs (we had to leave extra room to load down the truck). The equalizer hitch makes a huge difference, but personally I wouldn't want to go bigger then we have.

We found a good towing numbers example in our owners manual, maybe the 2013s still have one that makes sense?

[GaryWT]

I tow that trailer with my F150 5.4 liter and all has been fine for the 1st 3 trips. I know I am close but the tanks are always empty and the back of the truck is pretty empty as well. The tow rating of the truck is 8,600# and the payload is 1,700#. Not sure if I could do it is the payload was 1,300-1,400# like many 1/2 tons. In the future I might look at 250's but that is down the road. Good luck and you will love the trailer.

[warsw]

I am looking at buying a new TT Premier 31BHPR and I think maybe my new truck will struggle or be unsafe for my family. The dealer says it will be no problem however they are selling it to me. I love the TT just concerned the truck is not enough.

just looking some friendly advice.

2013 Silverrodo1500 Crew Cab Short Box 2WD
Vortec 5.3 V8
Horse PWR 326 @ 5300Rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 348 @ 4400
3.42 Ratio
Ball Hitch max tow 9600lbs

Equal-i-zer Sway control hitch


TT Premier 31BHPR
35.4 FT long
6440 dry
8,000lbs loaded

ThanksYour truck won't be unsafe pulling that trailer but I think you will probably be wishing for more motor. The 5.3 with the 3.42 gears will be struggling pulling that much weight IMHO.

[therink]

The truck will pull it. You will likely be at other exceed the truck payload rating. The 3:43 axle is the killer in my opinion.
I recommend at minimum 3/4 ton truck with at least 3:73 axle and at least 6.0 gasser.
Steve

[rfryza]

OK here are my new thoughts based on your feedback however I am still fighting my wants of the 31BHPR

New Idea let me know what you all think, if this is a better option or about the same?

Outback 250RS
Dry 5955
Cargo Cap 1595
Total 7550 only less by 500lbs
Hitch 640 compared to the 795
length 27' 6" compared to the 35' 4"

I welcome all friendly advice.

Thanks

[roadrider10]

I have a 2012 GMC Sierra 5.3 w/3.42 axle and power tech tow package. I am towing a 2013 Laredo 240MK. The trailer is 5300 lbs. dry and 6300 travel ready with just the 2 of us. The truck weighs in at 6200 with full fuel,passengers,hitch and travel gear. We tow long distances with this combo. The truck handles it well but I would not go any heavier. I am only 120 lbs. below my max GVWR of 7000 lbs. when hooked to the trailer. I think you would be ok if you keep the loaded trailer under 6500 and carry minimal passengers and cargo in the truck. The tow haul mode with the 6 speed trans. helps with the power delivery. The 3.42 axle is fine with the 6 speed. We tow from New York to Florida and I generally use the cruise control set at 60-62 in 5th gear @ 2000 rpm's. It will drop to 4th on hills.
If I was towing heavier I would want more payload capacity and a bump in power.

[nwfla]

We just bought a 31bhpr. Picking it up in the morning.
I had a 2010 Sierra cc/5.3/3.42 tow package. Traded it in on a 2500 gasser, 3.73/icb
I just thought I needed more truck, was not real comfortable with the 1/2 ton and such a big trailer.

[jqp_ptc]

FYI

I pull that trailer with a 2004 F-250 Crewcab V-10 (6.8 l) with a 3.73 rear.
It handles it just fine.... no sway issues whatsoever.

But ..... I still wish I had more motor on the hills.

IMO, you will not be happy pulling it any real distances with a half ton. It will get old fast.

JQP

[x96mnn]

Where do you plan on hauling too?

Makes a big difference. The 1500 will haul it but it's not going to be a pleasure to drive with out heavy investment in one of the premier trips. As well the truck will be working to haul it and not the best on it.

With that said if you were not going to put a ton of miles on it a year it would be an ok combination. I have a Sprinter 266 that is shorter and weighs the same. My hauls are no more then 3 hours and put on a few thousand a year and No more then 600km round trip. Now I am thinking of a US trip and will not even attempt it with out a 2500. I am legal and have the papers to prove it but it's not an enjoyable ride.

[Festus2]

rfryza -

We haven't heard from you since June 22 and we're wondering if you have made any decision yet about a tow vehicle - 1/2T? 3/4T? or 1T? :confused:

[GaryWT]

I have looked at the outback 250 but side by side to the 31bhpr you will be wishing you did not settle. As I said earlier in this, I tow with a F150 and it tows like a dream. I forget the trailer is there half the time. We have taken it on 12 or so trips this year and it has been great. Actually rethinking getting a 250 and might just keep what I have.