Towing a Trailer Questions

My wife and I have a '94 GMC Sierra 1500, all stock with the 350 engine. The suspension is stock as well except new shock absorbers all around.

We are thinking of buying a "95 Skyline pull along camper which is 21' long and has a 4100 lbs. dry weight rating. I am asking do you think that our truck is capable of pulling a load such as this camper we are thinking of buying? My truck runs excellent as far as engine and tranny goes, I am just concerned of the weight that the stock suspension is capable of pulling safely. Is there some sort of chart somewhere that can explain what a vehicle is capable of pulling?

Any suggestions or help is appreciated. My wife likes the little camper, and if I have to, is there a suspension upgrade that I can install if that is going to be necessary?

Joe

Does your truck have the HD chasiss package? If so it would more rear leaf springs and a bigger rear differential. Mine has all that and a class 5 hitch and has no problem pulling a 29ft. camper that i dont even know how much it would weigh, prolly close 8000lbs. If your truck doesnt have that, you could just simply buy a beefier set of leaf springs for the rear. Just make sure your hitch is rated to carry the weight.

Hi Silverado, thanks for the reply. My truck does not have any HD leaf springs that I can see. It might have 4 leaf springs total. We have a Reese hitch that is rated to pull 10,000 lbs, but I dont think my truck could pull that weight.

What about the Firestone airbags to add to my rear suspension? would that help out the leaf springs? We do not want to buy a big pull behind T/T, just a smaller one about 20 to 22 foot in length. and not over 5,000 lbs.

Joe

My wife and I have a '94 GMC Sierra 1500, all stock with the 350 engine. The suspension is stock as well except new shock absorbers all around.

We are thinking of buying a "95 Skyline pull along camper which is 21' long and has a 4100 lbs. dry weight rating. I am asking do you think that our truck is capable of pulling a load such as this camper we are thinking of buying? My truck runs excellent as far as engine and tranny goes, I am just concerned of the weight that the stock suspension is capable of pulling safely. Is there some sort of chart somewhere that can explain what a vehicle is capable of pulling?

Any suggestions or help is appreciated. My wife likes the little camper, and if I have to, is there a suspension upgrade that I can install if that is going to be necessary?

Joe
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Hi Joe,
I have a 97 K1500 with the 5.7 (350)
We pull a fifth wheel trailer that weighs 7000.
The K1500 is 4wd and has Bilstein shocks. I thought the springs were heavier, but the opinions here looks like they are standard 1/2 ton.
I never use overdrive when towing.(automatic tranny)
My only problems have been slow going up the long mountain grades in Central Nevada. 6-7 %$ grades. It makes it but slow.
Fine on the open highway.

I think you would be more than fine pulling a smaller trailer if it weighs less than 5,000lbs.

Sherman, I dont know what the opinions are here on the forum, but it sure looks like the 4x4 1500 sit way higher than my truck. My stock leaf springs look still in good shape, have a nice arch, and after reading your reply, it seems like my truck should be able to pull a 4100 lb. camper. But I have to look some more, because I did make up my mine to go get it, but the people sold it already. But thats ok, I am sure we can find another nice camper in the lb rating I mention.

Sherman, is there a web site that explains all the weight rating and related topics concerning what a vehicle can actulaly pull? I also found out that I need to buy a weight distributing hitch for my reese hitch. The people that had the camper told me this, and they said it helps with preventing swaying down the highway.

Well thanks for the reply, it was helpful.

Joe

Silverado, I just read the details on your truck. Sounds like it ought to pull for sure. One day I would like to get headers on out, with true duall exhaust. Right now the only option as for as a little performance goes is I have one of those Airraid intake systems or whatever you call it. All I have is a 2 barrel throttle body injection unit. No where near like your vortec engine. But I think I agree, if I stick under the 5,000 lb on a camper I should be ok. I missed out on the Skyliner, they sold it. So have to look around somemore.
Thanks

Joe

I looked on my door tag and it says 6200 lbs. GVWR. So I took it to a weigh station with just me in it, and the way it sits with nothing in it except a full tank of gas, and it weighs at 4800 lbs.

So I think my difference is 1400 lbs. Now my question is, when I hook a camper to it, does the tongue weight become part of the weight that I add to my 4800 lbs, plus passengers, camping gear and etc.? If I am on the right track, the most I can load in my truck, or pull would be 4800 lbs. plus the 1400 lbs.

What I cant figure out is how to calculate what is called the gross combined weight.

Joe

Look in your owners manual. It will have all the towing information stated in it.

Here's everything you could ever want to know about GVRW. http://www.pc.gov.bc.ca/cmg/newweb/GVW.htm

Kyle thanks for the link, it has lots of info and explains a lot. I must have a cheap owners manual, it does have a secton about towing, but sure does not go into detail like your link does. The manual does not say how much my truck weighs, or what it can pull, basically not much on it except how to pull and load the truck safely.

Thanks Joe

Truck shouldn't have any problems pulling that weight. I don't know what your tongue weight is, but air bags in the rear help eliminate sag and the unstable feeling. www.airliftcompany.com.

If your truck is a 2wd, the correct Super Duty kit (5,000 pounds) is #57128, depending on frame to axle distance. 4wd models use kit #57216. Or both models also can use the Ride Control kit (2,000 pounds). I prefer the heavier ones. Had them on three of my own trucks, and no sag even when heaped full of dirt. If you want some more information, email me at [email protected].

I've got the normal Airlift bags on my C1500 with a 4/6 drop and they work great when I'm hauling or pulling anything.

I've got the normal Airlift bags on my C1500 with a 4/6 drop and they work great when I'm hauling or pulling anything.

Great. They rock!

'Course I'm partial...I work there.