2016 Chevy Silverado with Air Bags and KYB HD Shocks

[Farthestnorth]

So i purchased a new travel trailer we pick up next week. We purchased the Keystone Cougar 29RLKWE and the dry weight is 7500lbs empty. It would be just me and my wife no pets camping all the time. I understand 11,500lbs is max towing capacity for our truck. Should i be fine towing this with EZ Lift Sway and control bars.

[wiredgeorge]

So i purchased a new travel trailer we pick up next week. We purchased the Keystone Cougar 29RLKWE and the dry weight is 7500lbs empty. It would be just me and my wife no pets camping all the time. I understand 11,500lbs is max towing capacity for our truck. Should i be fine towing this with EZ Lift Sway and control bars.

You probably wanted to ask before making the purchase. Open door on truck. What does your tire spec sticker say your payload is? Your empty weight and towing capacity are not the numbers to look at for pulling with a 1/2 ton. First thing you will run afoul of is your payload. You will likely have close to 2000 lbs payload with that trailer (weight police needed for more specific) but your truck most likely ain't the one to drag that Cougar.

[roadglide]

I have always used air bags it relieves stress off of the springs and much smoother IMO. You mention 2016 Chevy would that 3/4 ton?

[Farthestnorth]

2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3l V8

[Farthestnorth]

All our belongings loaded is only 867 lbs, with me and wife 1200lbs

[Farthestnorth]

9100lbs is whats shown on the sticker

[flybouy]

Post a pic of the sticker on your truck that has the tire pressures and the statement "all cargo and passengers not to exceed xxxxx pounds and then we can help.

[Farthestnorth]

1492lbs with 6 people

[Northofu1]

2016 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3l V8

OUCH!
I was at the limit with my 2017 gmc 1500 and a 2015 Premier 26 RBPR 7450 lbs gvwr. That transmission isn't up to the task. Air bags might level it out, but that tail will wag the dog. JMO

[Gegrad]

1492lbs with 6 people

1492 lbs... that Cougar is 7500 empty, with no propane, batteries, or hitch. The airbags would actually lower your payload even more because they have weight too... Hate to say it, but you done messed up. That trailer isn't going to be fun to tow at all, and may or may not be safe to tow with that truck because your weights will be:
Trailer 7500
propane, battery, hitch: 250
goods: 867
So the trailer will weigh 8617. Properly loaded you should be ~15% tongue, so 1300 lbs, leaving you roughly 150 lbs for the wife and your excess over 150 lbs. Assuming nothing else in the truck or the air bags or any mods you have put on the truck since factory (like boards, cover, etc). You will likely be several hundred lbs past your payload. Can you swap trailers? :lol:

[flybouy]

1492lbs with 6 people

So young weight should be 10-15% of loaded weight. Max weight of trailer is 9,500 lbs. Take the middle of 13% for tongue at and 9500 x 13 = 1,235 lbs.
Weight distributing hitch = 120 lbs.add to the tongue =1,355 lbs. Now subtract that from your load capacity of 1,492 lbs leaves you 137 lbs remaining load capacity. I know you, a companion and fuel will add up to more than that.

The sad news is you will be grossly overloaded and at that length trailer the truck will not be able to handle the forces acting upon it. There are 1/2 ton trucks with the capacity but they are rare. The "1/2 ton towable" is really just a sales gimmick. You will need a 3/4 ton truck to pull that much trailer.

As a note, air bags of not increase load capacity. They actually reduce it because the weight of the air bags and accessories come right off the payload number.

[Farthestnorth]

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap7600, 7200 lbs 7200.0 min 7600.0 max
Gross Combined Wt Rating17700, 15000, 12000 lbs 12000.0 min 17700.0 max
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.5000 lbs 5000.0 min 5000.0 max
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.500 lbs 500.0 min 500.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt.10800, 9100, 6100 lbs 6100.0 min 11700.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt.1080, 910, 610 lbs 610.0 min 1170.0 max
Maximum Trailering Capacity11700 11700.0 min 11700.0 max

[Farthestnorth]

Weight towing posted by Chevrolet

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[Gegrad]

The problem is those are generic numbers for a stripper model. You have reported that your specific truck's payload capacity is 1492 lbs, from the B pillar sticker. Generic towing numbers from the website mean nothing, especially because your limiting factor isn't total trailer weight; it's your payload capacity. If you blow past your payload #, which you will, you will not be safely towing that trailer, even if you are below the published "towing capacity". You have many factors you have to stay below to safely tow a trailer- GVWR (payload), axle weights, tire weights, and least important... towing capacity (weight of trailer).

You actually could possibly tow a trailer that weighed that amount in the table, if it was a flat bed with the bulk of the weight over the wheels with very little tongue weight-- that's how the makers can publish that number. But a TT and a flatbed full of gravel over the wheels are two completely different animals.

[Farthestnorth]

So the dealer said i have a 9100 towing capacity Z71 & Z82, i also Have heavy duty KYB shocks and Air Bags, so according to all of this i would only have 1640lbs below limits correct?

[Gegrad]

So the dealer said i have a 9100 towing capacity Z71 & Z82, i also Have heavy duty KYB shocks and Air Bags, so according to all of this i would only have 1640lbs below limits correct?

Yes, purely of trailer towing. But you will be past your payload number of 1492 lbs by a lot. See the posts above regarding your tongue weight of the trailer. You have to meet the trailer towing number, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME staying below your payload number, and you will not achieve both with that trailer. You will meet your towing capacity, but you will also NOT meet your payload number (again, see above posts regarding that). Here is wonderful 15 minute explanation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwFLOBrADBs

Those air bags also reduce your payload, so you will actually have EVEN LESS than your sticker of 1492 lbs.

[sourdough]

Thanks to those replying to OP. Just hated to be another "weight police" commenter. You are spot on and...OP we are trying to help so please heed the advice.

[wiredgeorge]

Thanks to those replying to OP. Just hated to be another "weight police" commenter. You are spot on and...OP we are trying to help so please heed the advice.

I warned him the weight police would be out in force on this one. :lol: If the dealer that sold him this trailer knew what his TV was they should be ashamed. Why not just tell someone that they need to look at lighter trailers or a bigger truck? Would it hurt their long term success as a business to be straight with a customer? If that had happened to me with that dealer I doubt I would darken their door in the future.

[Farthestnorth]

Can you folks see this attachment?

28217

[flybouy]

Let's try this again. The weights that are in advertisements, brochures, on line, etc. are meaningless. The weight on the sticker IN your truck is for YOUR TRUCK. All trucks sold on a particular chassis is rated to a maximum number LESS the weight of the optional equipment installed into YOUR TRUCK.

Add leather seats, more weight, add power seats, more weight, add a second blower motor for zone temp control yep add more weight to the truck, subtract from the available payload. Also add up anything YOU put in the truck i.e. Bedliner, mats, the staff in the center console, tools, tool box, etc.

Now the trailer. The EMPTY WEIGHT is useless. That's what the trailer weighed when it was built at the factory. The dealer supplies the propane tanks, the battery, the spare tire. YOU add your cloths, drinks, water, food, bed linens, cooking utensils, coffee maker, toaster, pot & pans, towels, cleaning supplies, and EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CARRY INTO THE CAMPER AND LEAVE THERE. The weight of the trailer will be close to the max weight.

This is the reality. No one's trying to spoil your fun, most of us have been down this path and chased the trailer with an appropriate truck. The bottom line is if you want to be reasonably safe and responsible you need a larger truck or a smaller trailer.

[Farthestnorth]

Let's try this again. The weights that are in advertisements, brochures, on line, etc. are meaningless. The weight on the sticker IN your truck is for YOUR TRUCK. All trucks sold on a particular chassis is rated to a maximum number LESS the weight of the optional equipment installed into YOUR TRUCK.

Add leather seats, more weight, add power seats, more weight, add a second blower motor for zone temp control yep add more weight to the truck, subtract from the available payload. Also add up anything YOU put in the truck i.e. Bedliner, mats, the staff in the center console, tools, tool box, etc.

Now the trailer. The EMPTY WEIGHT is useless. That's what the trailer weighed when it was built at the factory. The dealer supplies the propane tanks, the battery, the spare tire. YOU add your cloths, drinks, water, food, bed linens, cooking utensils, coffee maker, toaster, pot & pans, towels, cleaning supplies, and EVERYTHING ELSE YOU CARRY INTO THE CAMPER AND LEAVE THERE. The weight of the trailer will be close to the max weight.

This is the reality. No one's trying to spoil your fun, most of us have been down this path and chased the trailer with an appropriate truck. The bottom line is if you want to be reasonably safe and responsible you need a larger truck or a smaller trailer.

All the weights I input into this Excel spreadsheet is off the actual truck! With 1000lbs loaded into the Trailer and it says im just below the max?

[tech740]

the payload number in your excel document should match the number on your door, not the brochure. Plus the hitch weight should be around 1100lbs.

[Northofu1]

The GVWR of the trailer is 9500 lbs, the approximate tongue weight at 13.5% would be 1282.5 lbs. It could be more or less.
The GCVWR of that combination is 16,700 lbs.
Weighing everything at different stages combined with inputting the weights from door stickers into spreadsheet will put everything weight wise into perspective.

Personally, I think the one thing that you can't measure (Einstein could) are predicting the effects of weather, the condition of roads and road construction. You can't instantly measure a 30 mile per hour crosswind hitting you and that big sail your towing and react instantly while navigating potholes, other drivers, or rain. Most importantly is everything your relying on to keep you safe is based on maximum ratings. If your basing everything on this, then every part of the equation should be top quality and in perfect shape.
I will tell you, Keystone is not looking at it from that standpoint.

Take a look at the Trailer king tires that are most likely on your trailer, garbage, no matter how new they are. Springs, shackles, and axles are at the minimum of acceptable tolerance of what you're about to put your rig to task on.

I just got this 5th wheel May 27th, have towed it twice. Had a blowout on the way to get new tires from dealership. Second tow was to drain and flush all waste water tanks. I have new bearings and a HD shackle/ wet bolt kit to install, not to mention brakes, I haven't even gone camping yet.

I know what my truck weighs ready to camp including hitch, next week I take it to weigh with somewhat empty camper, then I will weigh it when I put my junk in it and alter it accordingly if needed.
Tons of threads in here of mods and upgrades trying to be safe and comfortable.

A big question is how safe do you feel towing near maximum rating everywhere you go.

All the best. :cool:

[Farthestnorth]

the payload number in your excel document should match the number on your door, not the brochure. Plus the hitch weight should be around 1100lbs.

1442lbs, numbers match and still safe but closer to Max...

28219

[Farthestnorth]

The new setup has MoRyde setup for the trailer

[flybouy]

You asked for advice about being "OK to tow this with sway bars". You have been given sound advice from several people that know what they are talking about from experience, have no motive to profit from you, and just want to help. Looks to me like your mind is made up and you are rationalizing the purchase of the "new bright shiny thing".

Good luck. This is my last response on the question as you obviously are glossing over facts and seem to be convinced in your decision. It has been explained over and over by several people but you insist on defending a decision based on anything other than facts.

I sincerely hope you will see the err in this before Murphy exercises his law at a most inappropriate time that results in a catastrophic event.

[Gegrad]

1442lbs, numbers match and still safe but closer to Max...

28219

Your trailer's GVWR is 9500, not 8500....
https://www.keystonerv.com/travel-trailers/cougar-half-ton/floorplans/29rlkwe-travel-trailer/

Put it this way... I used to have a 1/2 ton truck. My trailer weighs 1200 lbs less than yours does dry and my truck's payload was 100 lbs more than yours (1590). When I towed I was within 150 lbs of my GVWR limit. So your truck, having LESS payload than my old truck and your trailer weighing 1200 lbs more dry simply ain't gonna cut it.

[travelin texans]

Simple answer, TOO MUCH RV-TOO LITTLE TRUCK!!!!!!
SORRY! You can calculate everyway from Sunday & the above is still the sad truth.
I along with others on here I've have been there done this.
If you have disappointment from this blame your RV dealer for feeding you false information that he knew absolutely NOTHING about but did sell a RV.

[meaz93*]

All good sound advice. You really need to crunch the weight numbers for your truck & trailer.
I will tell you that I dont see many 1/2 ton 5.3's towing at max limit ....and honestly not a lot of 6.2's.
I do see a lot of F150 Ecoboosts and some Tundras. Again some of these trucks are not set up to max tow because of the lower payload #'s.
My `14 F150 Boost has the Payload Package/Off Road Pack, which is 1 ring down from the heavy duty package.
I've towed with 1/2 tons for quite a few years now and I have never had a "white knuckle" situation, but I also have a lot of performance towing upgrades and yes those can also subtract from your payload .
Look at your truck & trailer weights very carefully.
Be safe and have .
Just got back from a camp trip to Holbrook AZ via Flagstaff detoured to Winslow because of the Brush Fires[emoji849]
My truck averaged 9mpg up to 7k above sea level; than 10.9 on flats to Happy Jack Lodge. Stored trailer there, than drove back to Phoenix and got 22mpg's.
Again my truck is tuned as well but man is it a blast to tow with!
Good luck to you.2822228223

[tech740]

1442lbs, numbers match and still safe but closer to Max...

28219


1442lbs, numbers match and still safe but closer to Max...

28219


Now make your hitch weight 1250 and make sure you add the weight of the hitch itself to cargo weight.

[CaptnJohn]

OP doe NOT want advice, he wants someone to say he is in good shape even though he knows he is not. He has a grocery getter he wants to be a truck. Not going to talk him out of it, just hope he doe not kill anyone else or himself.

[BeckyMax]

As a woman, who tows our camper when my husband isn't with me or when he needs a break from driving, there is no way I would be comfortable with this setup. Just seeing the length of your camper with the half ton Silverado I didn't even need to run these numbers. You're on your way to crazy town if you're going to tow that on anyting but flat land for anything longer than your driveway. Even if your wife never intends to tow, ask her to read over this thread and see how comfortable she is going to be riding in the truck with you. Your salesman oversold you, that's the gist of it. You haven't taken delivery there still time to get out. if that doesn't work he probably has a friend at a Chevy dealer who can set you up with a new truck. Oh, and g give his car to the truck dealer so that he can get a referral fee on it too.

Becky

[busterbrown]

He hasn't been back in a couple of days. Reality scared him away. He'll get some good "pseudo" advice on one of the FB groups. They're known for the typical "I've got the same rig, I don't even know it's back there".