RV dealers... I hate them. There like car salesman. "RV dealer said my truck will pull it no problem...."
Good luck with the new camper
2006 Jayco Jay Flight 27 BH.(paid off :-)
2008 toyota tundra 5.7L w/tow Off road Pkg. (not paid off)
Honda Eu2000i
The wife and the dog Loving Camping!
GVW on that camper is right at your tow capacity which is 7800#. Z71s in 05 either had a 3.42 or 4.10 axles so 4.10s would be real nice. It seems a bit long but unless completely loaded down you are within your limits.
I think you're crazy trying to tow the trailer with the TV you have. I speak from personal experience attempting to tow a 30' trailer right at max weights with a Tahoe.
Bryan , Jess, and our Parsons Russell Terrier, Melvin
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe 4D 4WD 5.7L 3.73" Rear End
Reese Strait-Line Dual Cam Weight Distribution Hitch
Tekonsha P3 Brake Controller 2008 Jayco Jay Flight G2 20BH and Mods
new2camping_WI wrote: I bought a 8313SS Rockwood Ultralight, and the guy at the RV dealer said my truck will pull it no problem....I have gone camping with it a few times, but I am worried I maybe doing some damage to my truck. Could anyone with the same trailer I have, please let me know what they tow it with.....
Well, I gotta go with the "too much trailer, too little TV" crowd on this one.
I towed a Trail Cruiser 30QBSS for three years with the Yukon in the sig (5.3L 3.73). Here's a pic...
Now for the specs....
My trailer weighted 4300 lbs (brochure), 4550 lbs w/factory options and 5500lbs loaded and ready to camp (tanks empty). My Yukon's tow capacity is 7800 lbs (according to GM) with a GCVWR of 13,000 lbs.
When fully loaded with our lightish family of four, according to the CAT scale, the Yukon was maxed out at 100% of it's GVWR (forget the number), and the whole rig was 12,300 lbs, or %95 of its GCVWR.
I never had any problems towing (still don't even though our Airstream is a couple of hundred pounds heavier than the Trail Cruiser was) ... BUT your 8313SS is 2000 lbs heavier to start with. Everything else being equal, there's NO WAY you won't be way over your Tahoe's GVWR or GCWVR.
Now, I don't worry too much about the GCVWR because it's more of a "don't exceed or you risk wearing out parts" guide number, but the GVWR is more of a safety issue and not something you want to exceed by a significant amount.
Oh yeah, as for the length, I use a Hensley and wouldn't consider towing using anything less.
I don't consider myself part of the "weight police" as I find too many take the numbers as gospel, but in this case I think you're at risk.
Sorry, JMHO.
Gary
2001 Airstream Safari 25SS tugged by 2001 GMC Yukon 5.3L 3.73
Hensley Arrow • Jordan Ultima • Barker 3000 • Mckesh
camhawg wrote: It towed well, didn't break any time records, a little iffy towing downhill.
camhawg...don't mean to pick on you here...but...
Any setup that is 'iffy'...especially down hill...would not be one that I would classify as a setup that towed 'well'.
Going down hill in curves with semi truck traffic passing and cross winds, etc...is when you need SOLID...not 'iffy'...sorry.
When we tow...we generally have some of the most precious cargo INSIDE that TV with us...also we SHARE the road with others...having an 'iffy' setup on good days you may well get away with it...but on those days where things line up just WRONG...an 'iffy' setup may not cut the mustard for those inside the TV or around the TV...I'm sorry but towing is a big responsibility and having the right tool for the job is the responsibility of the DRIVER...not the RV salesman or anyone else...personal responibility is paramount in this hobby...
Don't feel bad Crappie_fisherman, I feel the same way. The original poster asked for advise and he probably got advise he did not want to hear. Sure there will be a couple people saying "don't worry" or "take it easy". I have noticed most of THOSE posters are "new members" And believe they tow for small distance and only a few times a year. I replied on this topic a few times only because I have the exact same TV and thought I would be of help to a guy who obviously did NOT do his homework. And clearly has a trailer that is a little bit big for his Vehicle Notice how he has not chimed in here in a while. I'm not the only one in this thread with the same TV in question telling the OP he is towing too much.
Oh well.
92DakotaHD wrote: GVW on that camper is right at your tow capacity which is 7800#. Z71s in 05 either had a 3.42 or 4.10 axles so 4.10s would be real nice.
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, Jess
, and our Parsons Russell Terrier, 
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