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Old 03-19-2014, 06:07 AM   #1
Hercules1978
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Towing Cougar 31SQB with 1/2 Silverado

I'm starting to wonder if we've put a deposit on too much trailer for our truck.

We have a 2011 Silverado CC/SB, 3.42 rear axle, rated for 9600# towing. The tire loading sticker shows total payload of 1493#

My fear is that with the 1000# tongue weight, there's not enough overhead with my 1000# of family and dog.

What are your opinions on this purchase?

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Old 03-19-2014, 06:14 AM   #2
dwyleecoyote
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You are right. It's not enough truck, or too much trailer. I am sure others will chime in and be more technical about it, but it sounds like you already know there is a problem.
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Old 03-19-2014, 07:30 AM   #3
JRTJH
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1493 lbs of available payload, minus 1000 lbs of "family" equals 493 lbs of remaining payload, minus 100 lbs of equalizer hitch equals 393 lbs of remaining payload, minus 1000 lbs of trailer tongue equals 607 lbs of "too much payload"

That's about 40% overloaded.

When looking at the specs on that trailer, it shows a "empty" tongue weight of 925 lbs. Add 60 lbs of propane and 50 lbs for one battery and you're really looking at a empty tongue weight of about 1030. If you do some "estimated weights" using roughly 1000 lbs of personal goods, water and other camping "stuff", you're looking at a trailer close to 8200-8300 lbs. If we use 8200 lbs and do a estimated tongue weight of 11-15%, the tongue load estimate would be somewhere between 902 and 1230 lbs. In either situation, you're going to be at least 500 lbs overloaded and possibly closer to 837 lbs overloaded.

I'd look at lighter trailers or, if you've got your heart set on this one, a heavier truck to tow it.

Good luck,
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Old 03-19-2014, 08:50 AM   #4
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I think any thing weighing more than 7500 lbs gvwr , you are getting to close to all your weight limits, on a half ton truck.
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Old 03-19-2014, 09:37 AM   #5
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Hercules1978,

Just for "giggles and grins," what did your dealer/salesman have to say about towing it?
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Old 03-19-2014, 10:55 AM   #6
Hercules1978
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JRTJH just the typical "you have what truck?... Oh, you'll be plenty good there"

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Old 03-19-2014, 12:40 PM   #7
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His lips were moving so it must be........... Hmmmmm

Gotta luv a salesman with a mission.....
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Old 03-19-2014, 01:00 PM   #8
Hercules1978
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It's going to kill me to cancel this purchase because this trailer is everything we've wanted. I just don't want to jeopardize the safety of my truck and family just to have a nice trailer.

Can't upgrade to 3/4 ton at this time :-(

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Old 03-19-2014, 01:09 PM   #9
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FYI there are plenty of really nice 3/4 tons out there with low miles. At great used prices. Shop around some you might be surprised. A friend recently purchased a 2011 gmc sierra 2500 gas with 41k for 23k. Are I have seen some diesels for around 25/30k with 100k on them. That's no miles for one of them.


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Old 03-19-2014, 01:42 PM   #10
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Sorry, but way too much trailer for a 1/2 ton. You will regret doing it unless you upgrade to 3/4 ton. I hope you can maybe work out a deal on a bigger truck so you can still pursue the trailer. Keep us posted.
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Old 03-19-2014, 02:04 PM   #11
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If you can't find a trailer closer to your weight range and have your heart set on this one, maybe delaying the purchase for one more camping season will give you the extra cash to upgrade the truck. And, at the end of the model year, you should be able to get a better deal on the trailer making the purchase a little easier.

I'm sure you're disappointed, but like you said, the family's safety and not overloading the truck to the point of damaging it is the right way to go.

Good luck.
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Old 03-19-2014, 02:38 PM   #12
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Probably not what you want but you could have the trailer placed on a seasonal site for a season or two until you can upgrade the truck.
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Old 03-19-2014, 06:18 PM   #13
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Have you looked at the passports? 3220bh or 2920bh are close in floor plan but lighter. Also, have you checked the wheelbase of your truck versus the 35 foot TT? I know it's hard, but it's good that you are looking at all the safety issues before the final purchase.


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Old 03-19-2014, 08:08 PM   #14
Hercules1978
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Well, the plan is to transport.to and store it at our local Outdoor Adventures. There we can leave it stocked and when we need it, just call and they will move to the site we want.

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Old 03-23-2014, 04:27 AM   #15
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I'm a half-ton tower, and I wouldn't tow this. The dry weight isn't terrible, but the tounge weight is pretty high. My general rule of thumb is that the hitch weight should be less than 700lbs, and dry weight less than 7k. That's assuming you have a tow-package, and a weight distribution hitch.
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Old 04-08-2014, 10:56 AM   #16
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Probably a noob question. Does the WD hitch not take some of the weight off of the hitch and transfer it back to the RV?
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Old 04-08-2014, 11:28 AM   #17
Hercules1978
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lrdchaos View Post
Probably a noob question. Does the WD hitch not take some of the weight off of the hitch and transfer it back to the RV?
Not really.
It transfers weight to the front of the tow vehicle and a small amount back to the trailer.

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Old 04-08-2014, 07:52 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hercules1978 View Post
Well, the plan is to transport.to and store it at our local Outdoor Adventures. There we can leave it stocked and when we need it, just call and they will move to the site we want.

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Is this the new plan or the plan all along? I am sure the dealer or someone can help you get it there and if the campground gets it out for you, all is good.
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Old 04-12-2014, 05:38 PM   #19
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What about Towing a ....

Buying a 2014 RIPR 30, pulling it with a 03 F150 Supercrew, 5.4 4x4.
Its rated at 7700pds. Issues ?? and will I soon be...
Steve/Teresa
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Old 04-13-2014, 12:19 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smarkley18 View Post
Buying a 2014 RIPR 30, pulling it with a 03 F150 Supercrew, 5.4 4x4.
Its rated at 7700pds. Issues ?? and will I soon be...
Steve/Teresa
Steve,
If you already purchased it then disregard this post and carry on, if not search
A 1/2 ton towing story
Here on the forum. It is my experience with my 03' F150 extended cab 4X4 with a 5.4 triton and 3.55 axle and a 25ft Cougar weighing quite a bit less than your choice.
So you know this is a rather touchy subject here and I am not interested in starting a 1/2 ton vs 3/4 ton debate but my 03' is not nearly advanced as the newer F150's.
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