gvwr, tow vs trailer

[KTKev]

We have purchased a used 2020 Bullet Premier 24RK with a gvwr of 7500#, our 2021 GMC Canyon is rated at 7700#. The truck is factory equipped with a tow package including tow/haul and trailer brake control. I am concerned about towing up mountains found in VT and NH. What is your opinion on the small 200# margin between the rating? Will I be crawling up hill? Wear out the engine sooner? Thanks

[NH_Bulldog]

The tow rating is actually a largely irrelevant figure. Yes, it’s important in the overall picture, but you have another issue to overcome before that number comes into play.

Payload capacity of the truck. On the driver’s side door pillar there is a yellow and white sticker “Tire and Loading Information” that says “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed” xxxx KG/xxxx LBs. That is THE number you have to worry about first and foremost.

The published tongue weight is 650 lbs. Real tongue weight will be closer to 1,000 lbs. Then add 150 lbs. for the requied weight distribution hitch, then weight of all people, cargo, and accessory added to the truck that wasn’t there from the factory, then add 250 lbs. as a safety margin. Compare that total number to your cargo capacity and report back.

Then we can discuss short wheelbase truck versus long trailer. As a general rule of thumb, the first 110 inches of wheelbase allow for a 20-foot trailer. For each additional four inches of wheelbase length, you get one foot more in trailer length. So your truck needs a minimum wheelbase of at least 142” (the camper “box” may be 24’ but the trailer itself is 28’ 6” long).

Lastly, our prior truck was a well-equipped 1/2 Ton with a max towing package, and power and cargo capacity to spare. However, our trailer was too much for the “squishy” comfort minded suspension. Travel was white knuckle, stressful and exhausting. Our current truck solved the issue and traveling is very enjoyable now. I don’t like saying it, but your truck is woefully inadequate for your trailer.

[JRTJH]

Here's the 2020 Bullet 24RKPR "full specifications" from the brochure:

Weight: 5563 (this is the "shipping weight from the factory with no battery, no optional equipment, no cargo, all holding tanks empty and no propane in the tanks.

Cargo Capacity: 1937
Hitch Weight: 655 (no battery on tongue, no cargo and no propane in tanks)
Fresh Water Tank: 43 gal
Black Water Tank: 30 gal
Gray Water Tanks: 60 Gal (actually two tanks, 30 gal each)
Propane Capacity: 40 pounds
Length: Ball to Bumper 29' 6"
Width: 8'
Height: 11'

Without more information on your Colorado, it appears the only "available 7700 pound max trailer spec is in the CrewCab 5'2" bed, 128" wheelbase 4x4 version. That truck has a curb weight of about 4633 with a GVWR of 6100 and a payload of 1430.

The above specs on your Colorado may not be accurate, but should be somewhere "in the ballpark".

Now, typically, trailer tongue weight is around 10-15% of total trailer weight. So, at GVWR of 7500 pounds, the tongue weight range "should" fall somewhere between 750-1125 pounds. Add 150 pounds for a Weight distribution Hitch and you're up to 900-1275 pounds on the receiver of your truck.

Then add any cargo IN THE TRUCK OR BED, all passengers and anything you've added to the truck (floor mats, running boards, bed cover/tonneau cover, tools, or anything else.

With a "best available" assuming your truck is EMPTY and the trailer is loaded so the tongue is the "lightest", you're looking at 1430 available payload minus 900 pounds, leaving you 530 pounds for "people, pets and cargo".

Looking at the "heaviest tongue" of 1275, you're looking at 155 pounds for "people, pets and cargo".

You'll fall somewhere between those two extremes, probably closer to the heavier tongue/less payload...

Now, the wheelbase on the Colorado 5'2" bed is 128.3". The "old generalized rule" is described above by NH_Bulldog. 110" for the first 20' (leaving 18.3") That gives you around 4.5 additional feet of trailer length, for a total trailer length of 24.5'. The Bullet 24RKPR is 5' longer than the "calculated max length"....


The next "max weight rating" to consider is Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). That is the maximum weight BOTH the truck and trailer can weigh when hitched together. With a truck GVWR of 6100 and a trailer GVWR of 7500, you're looking at a combined weight of 13600, roughly 1600 pounds OVER the maximum rating. Your truck will probably not give you the "best available GCWR, so that overload will be even higher.

Then, when you consider that you'll be towing a "flat sidewall that catches all the wind" (think sailboat sail) that is 11' tall and 29' long, you're approaching a "sail effect of around 300 square feet". That may not be accurate, but when you consider a 225 sqft sail propels a 26' sailboat through the water, imagine what that kind of sail will do to "push your rig into the next lane (or off the road) when towing in crosswinds and gusty wind conditions".....

As NH_Bulldog said, you're looking at a trailer much longer, much heavier than your payload can tow.

[RollaMo]

Originally Posted by KTKev

Will I be crawling up hill? Wear out the engine sooner? Thanks

You will very likely run that truck into the ground pulling that much trailer.

Look for a smaller trailer, or a bigger truck.

[TXiceman]

I am of the opinion you need a bigger horse or a smaller cart. If you do tow that that trailer with the Colorado, it will be an uncomfortable tow and tiring.

For a real-world tongue weight, use 12% of the trailers GVWR. How does this compare with the cargo capacity stamped on the trucks weight sticker inside the driver's door? To the tongue weight of the trailer, add added cargo in the truck, passengers beyond the 150# driver and the hitch. All total this has to be less than the cargo capacity.

Ken

[RickV]

Not wanting to pile on but, besides killing your truck pulling it. If you happen to get in an accident some Blood Sucker AKA a Lawyer will do the math and claim your were running overloaded contributing to the accident.

[KTKev]

thanks to all for the replys. Looks like i need to get out the calculator and go truck shopping.

[RickV]

Originally Posted by KTKev

thanks to all for the replys. Looks like i need to get out the calculator and go truck shopping.

I have learned to buy more truck than you need because in a couple of years you will purchase something that will need more truck.

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by RickV

I have learned to buy more truck than you need because in a couple of years you will purchase something that will need more truck.

As a new person to RVing, go up two truck sizes for the future. That trailer needs a 3/4 ton truck and I would go ahead and get the SRW 1 ton for the little added cost.

Ken

[KTKev]

ok, the truck GVWR is 6000 lb, passenger and cargo 1415 lb, 6' bed 140.5" wheelbase. V-5 GM hitch 7700 lb tow 900 lb tounge. estimated cargo and passenger 1250 lb. Trailer unloaded 5720 with cargo 1740 with our "stuff" maybe another 800 lb. the math on length makes me 1.5" short on the wheel base. Looks like I still need a bigger truck! Thanks for the education all.

[govols380]

I pulled a 6400 pound 19' camper with a short wheel base ram 1500 for a couple of years. Wheel base was the biggest obstacle. Being willing to pull in second gear, uphill, at 5k or so rpm was the next biggest.

[GlasNav]

Wowzers Batman, you really worked for it, even though inclines were at 5000 RPM, keeping that puppy behind you on the downgrade must have been a challenge?

[govols380]

2nd gear down the grades and just a few brief hard brakes to cool momentum from time to time. Southern Appalachia ain't quite the same as those out west.

[GlasNav]

Well at least it wasn't as bad as C. W. McAll and Wolf Creek Pass!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6LzWZYWpOU

[govols380]

Nope, not at all like all that.

I had totally forgotten that one....

[mhs4771]

I wouldn't worry about crawling up the hills/mountains. I would be extremely worried coming down the other side, remember what goes up, must come down.

[KTKev]

going to look at a GMC Sierra 2500 today, there goes another chunk of the kids inheritance!

[TXiceman]

Originally Posted by KTKev

going to look at a GMC Sierra 2500 today, there goes another chunk of the kids inheritance!

Look at it this way.....you earned it, they didn't. Spend your money.

Ken

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by KTKev

going to look at a GMC Sierra 2500 today, there goes another chunk of the kids inheritance!

Good luck on finding the perfect truck. As for the inheritance - don't worry about it. One of my financial guys asked me during a planning meeting what I wanted to set aside for everyone as my "legacy". Legacy, I said? Our plots and headstone will be paid for - that should be good enough. If it's there when we are gone fine but I'm not "setting aside" anything - I made it and my intent is to spend it if I want to.....be sure the truck is tricked out!!

[chuckster57]

Family tradition- got left nothing, leaving nothing