I think I have Enough!

[Kamera]

I Have a 2018 GMC Sierra 1500 double cab standard bed
5.3l v8 ecotec3 engine 3:42 Axle
Looking to purchase a ultra lite outback 291UBH. Shipping weight 6601 carry weight 1599 I think I’m ok but would like some experience to see what you think.

[jsb5717]

Welcome aboard! You're smart to ask first. The first place to start is the yellow sticker inside your driver door. That will tell you what your payload is. "Cargo and people not to exceed xxxlbs"

That trailer has a GVWR of about 8200 lbs with a pin weight of 800-900 lbs loaded...maybe more.

The payload of your truck, minus the loaded pin weight of the trailer, minus people, hitch, gear, etc, will tell you if your truck is legally capable of towing that trailer. Take a pic of your yellow sticker and post it here for reference.

After you consider weight, the other potential issue is the overall length of that trailer. At over 33' it's a big sail behind your light truck. When a semi passes you or you experience high winds you may wish for a more substantial truck to manage it.

Just a couple thoughts. Let us know what you find. We're here to help

[Kamera]

Think this is the tag

[jsb5717]

There should be another sticker in their. Looks for yellow

[Kamera]

Ok think this is it

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by Kamera

Ok think this is it

That's the one. You have a payload of 1756 lbs. It's possible you could be OK for weight, depending on how much other weight you load in addition to the trailer pin and the hitch. People, pets, other gear = ???

[Kamera]

Thanks for the help.

[chuckster57]

Never use the shipping(dry) weight. That number only applies to the trailer when it left the factory. The dealer will fill the propane cylinders and add a battery. Even the tongue weight only applies to the unit as if left the assembly line.

Use the GVWR of the trailer, then figure 12-15% for tongue weight. Now take the yellow sticker number and start subtracting. Tongue weight, 50 lbs for the weight distribution, people, fuel, stuff in the bed... 1756 shrinks pretty quick. What tires are on your truck? P rated or LT?

[Northofu1]

You will need, a really good wdh, good LT tires, upgraded shocks, like bilstein's 5100 model. Pray it tracks nice when towing.
If there is any rear end squat, you will need air bags.

[travelin texans]

Assuming you're buying the bunkhouse due to more than 2 adults going along?
With the tongue weight using up 1/2+ of the available payload + the weight of the hitch @ 100lbs you'll right at the truck max if the back seat is full of kiddos & their load of must haves.

[SoonerLT]

I pretty much have this same setup and just took delivery on the 291UBH. Short answer aligns with the other comments. You will have a max of about 500 lbs of capacity remaining for family and cargo in the truck.

I have a 2017 Silverado 1500 Z-71 4WD Crew Cab Short Bed, with two add-ons (steps and hard tonneau) GVWR 7200 / GCWR 16700; WDH is an Equalizer e2.

Here were my weights on the day of pickup (which included me 240# plus 1/2 tank gas):

Truck: 5840
- Steer Axle: 3500
- Drive Axle: 2340

Truck + WDH + Trailer: 12,940
- Steer Axle: 3260
- Drive Axle: 3340
- Trailer Axle: 6340
- Gross: 12940

So the math yields:
Truck Only (with trailer coupled): 6600
Trailer Only (with trailer coupled): 7100
Tongue weight = 760 (11%)

This leaves me 600# for family and gear = not much, but plenty of capacity for trailer cargo. We will be able to work with this because I only have my son and light cargo in the truck. DW, MIL and other kids will drive a second car for their side excursions along the way while I take my time and setup camp.

Truth is while this will work, I will upgrade to 2500/3500 in the spring for peace of mind, extra cargo capacity in the truck and to manage the climbs better.

By the way, the 291UBH is a beautiful camper.

Hope this helps and enjoy!

[Kamera]

Thanks guys. Well well,,,, it will only be two of us in my vehicle. Others will be driving sepero but it sounds like I need to look into a 2500. Guess I learned “can be pulled with a 1/2 ton “ doesn’t really mean what it says. Lol. Who’ld thunk it.

[jsb5717]

Originally Posted by Kamera

Thanks guys. Well well,,,, it will only be two of us in my vehicle. Others will be driving sepero but it sounds like I need to look into a 2500. Guess I learned “can be pulled with a 1/2 ton “ doesn’t really mean what it says. Lol. Who’ld thunk it.

It's pretty easy to get caught up in the marketing hype of both the RV and Truck industries. I wish that the RV industries would be made to provide safer, more accurate claims in the towability of their rigs.

The fact is you CAN tow that trailer. It will, in fact, pull it down the road. But is it safe? Will the payload work? The RV OEM's should be held accountable to help their customers SAFELY select a towable.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by Kamera

Thanks guys. Well well,,,, it will only be two of us in my vehicle. Others will be driving sepero but it sounds like I need to look into a 2500. Guess I learned “can be pulled with a 1/2 ton “ doesn’t really mean what it says. Lol. Who’ld thunk it.

When you start looking at trucks, 3/4 ton and 1 ton are not far off in price. Also keep in mind the things that reduce your capability. While a diesel will have more torque/pulling power, the heavier diesel cuts into payload. 4x4 cuts into payload so 2 WD gives you more payload. A crew cab, while very convenient, cuts payload. A short wheel base looks cool but may cause issues with hitch to camper clearance issues. Do you use the truck as a commuter or mainly pulling your camper? I guess many folks want all the bells and whistles. I have a Ford and that company offers the XL model at the bottom and XLT, King Ranch and Lariat (I think) at the top. The more gee-gaws and creature comforts, well down goes the payload. Anything that makes your truck heavier (you add stuff on top of what came from the factory) eats your payload. Your next truck will certainly be a compromise based on your wants and needs and use but do take a look at the white/yellow sticker that gives you PAYLOAD in the door frame. Most super duty trucks dealers order in will either be work trucks or jazzed up with a ton of options.

[ewbldavis]

Our previous TT was 34ft and about same dry weight (6800#). I towed it a handful with my 2015 Sierra 1500. When lease was up, I bought a Chevy 2500 and now have a Sierra 2500.

Even if numbers check out, the 1500 has a Cadillac ride. It shows when towing a TT that heavy. If you can do it, you will be MUCH happier/comfy towing it with a 2500. Also, even with a 2500, Equalizer 4-point sway WD hitch is awesome.

[ewbldavis]

Originally Posted by jsb5717

The RV OEM's should be held accountable to help their customers SAFELY select a towable.

I agree. The fact that Keystone put "Half Ton" on the front of my 36ft. 5er I think is a liability. If it were much heavier, even be pushing it for my 2500.

[wiredgeorge]

We see a LOT of 3/4 ton trucks on this forum with less than 2000 lbs of payload. I know that there is a trade off between cushy ride and truck performance so which truck you own should reflect how it will be used.

[GMcKenzie]

Glad to see you ask the question. Loaded you will be 8200 lbs (assume you load to the max). Same as I am, but I have the max trailer version and ~2,000 lbs payload. Also just 2 of us, but I hit my GVWR and then a little (was 75 lbs over when I last weighed). I'm okay with what I have, but won't tow more, don't carry water etc. I also have a good 4 pt hitch and Sumo Springs.

Like you, I'm thinking a bigger truck. I'd be looking new and gas so am torn between the GM 6.6L gas and the Ford 7.3L gas (don't want diesel), but am passing on 3/4 ton as both GM and Ford they are the same truck except for a leaf. Pricing is under $1K difference (Cdn), so may as well get the 800 lbs or so more payload.

Make sure to check the payload of any 2500 you look at. Especially if you are looking diesel. You may not be gaining much.

[JohnnyP]

From all the posts on weight allowed and what a 1/2 ton truck of any make offers, I have come to the conclusion that only thing a half ton should be used for is a tent or a pop up camper. Is this a safe assumption unless you are pulling an unloaded camper and no passengers in vehicle. My half ton has plenty of power and I have an X-lite camper but I should be limited to 100lbs in truck.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by JohnnyP

From all the posts on weight allowed and what a 1/2 ton truck of any make offers, I have come to the conclusion that only thing a half ton should be used for is a tent or a pop up camper. Is this a safe assumption unless you are pulling an unloaded camper and no passengers in vehicle. My half ton has plenty of power and I have an X-lite camper but I should be limited to 100lbs in truck.

The numbers will dictate what can carry what in every case. I suppose it would be a "safe assumption" to say a 1/2 ton could only be used for a pop up or unloaded trailer but the "numbers" vary wildly. The new 1/2 tons have all kinds of towing packages that allow much larger payloads than in earlier years thereby increasing what they can "carry", not "pull". Realize too that as those 1/2 tons start reaching toward a 3/4 ton payload they then start exhibiting some of the undesirable (by some) traits of a HD truck like rough ride etc. due to the heavier suspensions and tires. So, in the end every combination is unique and has to be evaluated.