Broke down a bought one

[Bubba777]

Me the wife and 2 girls. Bought the outback 298re camper. So for it is what we expect pretty awesome . Now for a question. Couldn't seem to find any bad reviews. Also I have a half ton gmc 1500 4x4 with 5.3. 6 speed auto trans with 3.23 Rear end. And the camper weights 7400 do y'all think it to much load for the truck ? Just need a little input I do have a weight hitch and sway bar. Thanks bubba777. From Lafayette Louisiana

[JRTJH]

Bubba, First of all :wlcm: to the forum. Next, I'm sure you're and your family will enjoy seeing the southeast in your new Outback. It's a great trailer and you chose a very spacious floorplan.

Now, to answer your question. That is one of Outback's largest models. It weighs in at almost 8000 lbs empty, by the time you add supplies, camping gear, clothing, food, entertainment equipment, bedding and the "tools and toys" we all find we need to travel, you're going to add at least a thousand pounds or even more. Remember that the 7440 shipping weight does not include propane, batteries or the weight of the hitch.

In 1993, we bought a Holiday Rambler 34 CBFK. At the time I had a 1987 F150 with a 5L engine, 4 speed automatic transmission and about the same rear end gearing that you've got. In fact, we bought it from Cenla Camping Center in Alexandria. When we picked up the trailer, we headed down MacArthur drive to I49 south just to see how the trailer towed (remember it was empty and brand new). We were really unable to get above 60 MPH and the truck was really struggling. The first exit off I49 south of Alexandria is LeCompte, and back then, Ken Brady Ford sat just north of town. They had a 1993 F250 with a 7.3L diesel and HD automatic transmission on the lot. It fortunately matched the trailer color.... After some quick negotiations, they installed the brake controller and we towed back to Alexandria with our "new truck and trailer"

The reason I added my experiences is because I'm thinking that once you get that much trailer behind your pick up, you're going to see very much the same performance. You may be able to tow fairly well on flat ground, but every overpass you climb is going to put you in a downshifted, high rev climb. I'm thinking that you're not going to be able to tow with any satisfaction with your current truck.

Now, also remember that they 800 lbs tongue weight is the empty weight, you should be between 10 and 15% of the total trailer weight. That means you're really going to be much closer to 1000-1200 lb tongue weight. With your wife, the two girls and yourself in the cab, you are most likely going to be over your truck's payload as well. And that's before you put any cargo like firewood, generator, fuel, bikes, etc in the bed of your truck.

I'm inclined to think you should seriously look at a bigger truck (in the 3/4 ton range) for a trailer like that.

Again, welcome to the forum, look around, you'll see that we've got pages of documentation discussing exactly what you're trying to do. Look around, see what other's have found about their towing limitations and hopefully you'll benefit from their experiences.....

[ewkearns]

Me the wife and 2 girls. Bought the outback 298re camper. So for it is what we expect pretty awesome . Now for a question. Couldn't seem to find any bad reviews. Also I have a half ton gmc 1500 4x4 with 5.3. 6 speed auto trans with 3.23 Rear end. And the camper weights 7400 do y'all think it to much load for the truck ? Just need a little input I do have a weight hitch and sway bar. Thanks bubba777. From Lafayette Louisiana

In a word, "yes.":(

The combination of the small engine and the high gearing is going to make it a miserable (and likely dangerous) TV for that much weight. Without looking, I'm sure you are over the manufacturers weight restrictions, too..... so "not legal" comes to mind, as well.....:eek:

[tomsws6]

Welcome and congratulations!!! Your going to love it! Now on hee I tend to stick up for 1500's alot as I have one and tow heavy with it. But...Im gonna have to agree with what was said above. That small engine and gearing is going to be to much of a load and If you get above 55-60 and stay there I would be impressed. With my springdale and denali Im close to the 15k mark and with a 6.0 max v8(345hp) and 410 gears its deffinatly not setting any speed records. I am also upgrading to a diesel here soon. If you arent in a position to get another truck I would first and foremost upgrade your front brakes. You could hook up a 40ft toy hauler to your truck and get it moving but stopping is another story. Theres alot of good info on here and alot of smart people. Just be safe and :wlcm:

I jsut reread your post. You have a 6sp trans so its the newer GMC? What does your door sticker say for GVRW?

[TAZ23]

Bubba777, 1st congrats on the new trailer from a fellow Outback owner.
As for the trailer weight there is a yellow sticker (probaly on the door) that has the weight of your trailer as completed at the factory. As others have said that is dry weight with out battery and propane and each trailer will vary in weight from the brochure.
You dont say what year your truck is, but the online gm brochures only show the 323 gears available in the 6 cylinder and 4.8L V8. The 5.3 has the 308 and 342 gears available. If you have the 308 then there is no way I would tow that camper with that truck, because towing capacity is less than the weight of the camper. More likely you have the 342 gears
If you have the 5.3L V8 with the heavy duty towing package, then depending on your truck model, towing capacity will be between 9500 and 10000 lbs. The 6 speed tranny makes a world of differance over the 4speed when towing. If your truck doesn't have a trans. temp. guage then I would highly recomend getting one installed.
So if you have the 5.3L V8 with the heavy duty towing package and the 342 gears and 6 speed transmission it would be possible to pull that trailer but you may need to be creative in how you load it to keep from going over your max payload. The only way to know is to take it to a scale and actually have it weighed.
P.S. I would would not try to tackle the rockies with that truck/trailer combo but you should be ok in LA.

[Bubba777]

Well fellas I broke down. On the safety issue with the gmc 5.3. I upgraded to a 6.7 ford. Couldn't pass on the price. No def should not have problems thanks for y'all input.

[Bubba777]

244624472448

[JRTJH]

Bubba,

When you said you got a truck, you got a TRUCK LOL Congratulations, I'm sure you'll find towing to be much easier now.....:D

[Bubba777]

Bubba,

When you said you got a truck, you got a TRUCK LOL Congratulations, I'm sure you'll find towing to be much easier now.....:D

Thanks bud. When it came. To it. What I thought is. Family and safety

[wincrasher]

You were wise to get a bigger truck. I had a 2012 298RE and it was over 9000lbs fully loaded with a hitch weight of well over 1000 lbs. I bought a 2500 HD to pull mine. It's rated for 1500 lbs tongue weight max. Your Ford is probably the same. If it's only 1000lbs, then you may need to do something to improve that.

The Outback was a great pulling trailer provided your sway control is set up - I used a single friction bar and was generally OK, but an Equalizer would be better.

[JRTJH]

You are so right, Bubba. Family and safety is the cornerstone to happy RVing.

Is the RV place still on the NE corner of the I10/I49 exchange? We looked at several fifth wheels there when we bought our motorhome. They had NuWay and a couple other brands. Just wondering if when all the RV manufacturers went bellyup if that RV dealer did as well.

[Bubba777]

2508ready to roll Friday afternoon chicot bound