Set-up questions

[WESTTEXASBANDIT]

Hey all-

I currently have a 2017 GMC Sierra crew cab, short bed 4x4 with the 6.2L engine. We are really interested in buying our first camper and are looking at the 2017 Keystone Bullet 272BHS. I have no camper experience and just getting into it. Will my truck pull this set up okay and safely? I do plan on getting an equalizer set up for towing. Please advise. Thanks in advance.

[bsmith0404]

I'm assuming the truck is a 2500? Easy question to answer if you look at your yellow sticker on the door and tell us what your trucks GCWR and payload are along with the weight specs on the trailer. We could look up some of the info and guess on the rest, but it would be better if you provided actual numbers. If the truck is a 2500 I can say pretty confidently that any bullet TT would not be a concern.

[Tbos]

I had a 1500 with the 5.3 and towed a 2810 that is very similar to the 272. I was within all the numbers when loaded. As mentioned depending on your GCWR and Payload sticker it will tell you the bottom line. My 2014 had a tow thing of 9200 lbs, GCWR of 15,000 lbs and payload of 1792 lbs. I also used an Equalizer 4 point hitch.


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[WESTTEXASBANDIT]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I'm assuming the truck is a 2500? Easy question to answer if you look at your yellow sticker on the door and tell us what your trucks GCWR and payload are along with the weight specs on the trailer. We could look up some of the info and guess on the rest, but it would be better if you provided actual numbers. If the truck is a 2500 I can say pretty confidently that any bullet TT would not be a concern.

The truck is a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 6.2L engine.
GVWR: 7200 lbs
GAWR FRT: 3950 lbs
GAWR RR: 3950 lbs
Payload: 1690 lbs
GCWR: 15000 lbs

The trailer is a 272BHS by Keystone Bullet.
Dry Weight: 5030 lbs
Carrying Capacity: 2510 lbs
Hitch Weight: 540 lbs
Length: 30'9"

[Ken / Claudia]

Those numbers you provided is what you need to use to start thinking about CAN I pull it. So, always look at the GVWR of the trailer, empty weights are not about towing. That would be 7540 lbs. What is real important with any 1/2 ton tow vehicle and that size of trailer is PAYLOAD. That is what the truck can carry as in people, hitch, gear etc. in the truck. They all will not allow much. So, tongue wt dry again is not much help. Use the loaded max. wt. of trailer. Figure high as much as 15% of trailers 7540 lb. to be safe. That is 1100 lbs. Your truck payload minus that shows 590 lbs left over, if my math skills are right. Any 1/2 ton truck and SUV can pull some type of trailer but, none will have much of a higher payload rating because they are a 1/2 vehicle. Some say they would never load a RV to max. my real life experience shows many load over it. After all I am RVing to enjoy camping, travel or hunting using the RV and I load it up with what I need and what I want to use.

[Tbos]

Based on the numbers of the truck and TT, if you load the TT and the truck so you don't exceed any of the limits with some room to spare I think you will be fine. You may still feel some pull from 18 wheelers flying by but if your hitch is set up right even that will be minimum. The only way to know for sure is to take the whole setup as prepared for camping to the scales. I doubt the dealer will let you do that until you have signed the bottom line. FWIW unless you are going to dry camp I'd limit the fresh water you carry in the tank to about a 1/3. That will leave enough for emergencies but not add too much to your tongue weight. Let us know what you decide.


2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2016 F350 CC DRW

[sourdough]

The question was if you could pull this OK and safely. Pull it OK? Yes. Safely? Maybe, maybe not.

You will be very close on your payload for the TV. The only way you will know is to load everything, truck and trailer, as if departing on a trip then take it to a scale to weigh it. Don't leave out stuff because you know you're going to weigh it; put in everything including the kitchen sink.....because that is where you will end up when all is said and done. As a previous post said; you're going camping; the object is to have fun, not constantly "do without" because you don't bring it because you're worried about weight.....been there, done that.

You list a carry capacity of the trailer at 2510. Depending on what you carry you can probably come in under that. You don't mention how many people, how old/large, pets etc. All will have an impact on your payload for the truck.

Be SURE and get a GOOD weight distributing hitch with sway control. It will greatly enhance your towing experience. I use the Equalizer 4 point WDH with sway and I'm very happy.

Good luck with getting it all sorted out and most of all, HAPPY CAMPING!

[ctbruce]

You asked and you've gotten excellent advice. All are reasonable. as Tbos said, be sure to let us know both what you find out and what you decide. It will help someone else down the road.

[warsw]

Originally Posted by WESTTEXASBANDIT

The truck is a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500 with the 6.2L engine.
GVWR: 7200 lbs
GAWR FRT: 3950 lbs
GAWR RR: 3950 lbs
Payload: 1690 lbs
GCWR: 15000 lbs

The trailer is a 272BHS by Keystone Bullet.
Dry Weight: 5030 lbs
Carrying Capacity: 2510 lbs
Hitch Weight: 540 lbs
Length: 30'9"

If your truck is equipped with the tow package it will easily safely pull this trailer. Not sure if your truck came with E rated tires but they really do help to steady out the truck/trailer combo.

I have used many 1/2 ton trucks for towing and have found, if the truck is equipped right, they will do a really good job towing up to a 8000 lb trailer with a tongue weight of 800 to 1000 lbs. Over that a 1/2 ton really start to struggle and is no longer fun. Enjoy.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by warsw

If your truck is equipped with the tow package it will easily safely pull this trailer. Not sure if your truck came with E rated tires but they really do help to steady out the truck/trailer combo.

I have used many 1/2 ton trucks for towing and have found, if the truck is equipped right, they will do a really good job towing up to a 8000 lb trailer with a tongue weight of 800 to 1000 lbs. Over that a 1/2 ton really start to struggle and is no longer fun. Enjoy.

Most 1/2 tons come with P tires, which creates a different issue. If it has P tires, I'd be looking to switch them out to an LT tire.

[Tom N OH]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

Most 1/2 tons come with P tires, which creates a different issue. If it has P tires, I'd be looking to switch them out to an LT tire.

Definitely a must. Junk the P-metric tires on the truck & get LT's. The LT's will have stiffer sidewalls that will greatly improve your handling.