Christl
Southern Ontario
New Member
Joined: 07/27/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have a 2009 5.3 GMC Seirra 1/2 ton extended cab 4x4 with the off-road and heavy duty trailoring package and 4 ply tires. I purchased Palomino Bronco 1251SB the other day (private sale) and had it delievered. I have not had it loaded yet (read newbie). The Bronco weights 1711 lbs wet (includes 220 lbs water in tanks + 35 lbs ice in fridge + 16 lbs LP gas) and 1456 lbs (dry with LP Gas). I will likely hit 2000 lbs fully loaded including dog, generator and cloths etc. with water tanks empty) The previous Ford 150 owner did not need additional suspension but I have been reading that GMC have a softer ride. Will I need helper springs or air bags and if so what are the pros and cons for which is the best to go with? I am heading to Newfoundland in a couple of weeks and time is getting short. Any advise is apprieciated.
Hi everyone and thanks for responses. I have a little better understanding now with more information. Based on the sticker on the door of my vehicle, it indicates weight of cargo & passengers should not exceed 1530 lbs with the present tires, suspension etc. It appears I may be overweight by up to 500 lbs when travelling dry. The gross front and rear axle vehicle weight rating is 3950 lbs each. The gross vehicle weight rating is 7000lbs. Sticker in the glove compartment indicates a truck camper capacity to be CWR of 631 lbs (I interpreted this to be the recomended weight of camper with 5 passengers and full tank of gas). I need to ensure the the centre of gravity "COG" of the camper is ahead of the COG for the bed of the truck but I will not have full appreciation of how I am overloaded without taking it on a scale and getting the front and rear axle weights. To help compensate for the overload condition, I intend to install a rear Timbren support rubber bumper kit and upgrade to 6 ply tires. It is understood good driving practices will require more frequent stops and slower speeds where long steep grades or rough roads are inticipated with no unnecessary weight on board. If I have missinterpreted anything in the advice kindly provided or someone has more information or clarity to add, please comment. Thank you everyone.
* This post was
last
edited 08/17/12 09:27am by Christl *
View edit history
|
NavigatorC130A
Western NY
Full Member
Joined: 06/08/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I too recently purchased a 1/2 ton though mine is a 2010 RAM 1500. We have a Jayco pop-up TC that when we put it on the new truck made the coil suspension sag pretty good even though the TC is less that the hauling weight of the truck.
After a lot of reading on line and talking to some users of air bags & HD springs, I decided to try the Timbren Suspension System. Basically heavy duty rubber springs that don't effect your ride at all when riding empty but add a perceived additional load capacity of #6000.
I put them on - install took maybe 1/2 hour and not tools for me - and yesterday put the camper back on the truck. The truck now sits level (Ram usually sits about 2-3 inches high in the rear) and after a test ride, I am very impressed with the loaded ride quality. Highly recommend this product.
The Bradford's
Western NY
24'Class C TIoga Montera
1996 Jayco pop-up TC
|
Mopar madman
Roseville
New Member
Joined: 03/19/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
X2 on the Timbrens. No air pressure to fiddle with just hook up and go! I tow a 7700# 5ver with a Ram 1500. No issues. I highly recommend also!
Jeff Barsotti
|
The Rock
Lindsay
Senior Member
Joined: 02/16/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Greetings and for what it's worth..a few years ago I had a 1/2 ton GMC when we moved up to a bigger fifth wheel..I forget all the numbers now but the pin weight was about the same as the load weight of the truck..I had an extra leaf installed on the rear springs which made the truck a 5/8th ton and never had any problems. Drive Safe.
The Four B's
Bob..Barb..B B..Beauty
|
JIMNLIN
out here
Senior Member
Joined: 09/14/2003
View Profile
|
I wouldn't add a thing till I made a trip or two and decided for myself if the trucks needs help.
The 4x4 with the off road package shouldn't need any spring help with that small trailer.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
|
|
|
NavigatorC130A
Western NY
Full Member
Joined: 06/08/2009
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Well, it isn't a trailer, it is a slide in that he is asking about, so the whole weight (he estimates #1900 loaded)is part of his load capacity. Simple Google search found this:
The 1500's standard payloads, which includes the cab's occupants and the goods hauled in the cargo box, range from 1,705 lbs. to 1,937 lbs. for the two-wheel drive models and from 1,693 lbs. to 1,733 lbs. for four-wheel drives. Payload and towing capacities also depend on whether the pickup is equipped with a 3.08, 3.23, 3.73, 3.42 or 4.10:1 rear axle ratio.
So even without any people in the truck, he is likely to exceed his load capacity and will very likely need some suspension help.
|
~DJ~
Boise, Idaho
Senior Member
Joined: 05/10/2005
View Profile
|
Steel springs all the way!!! Until we can get the same quality of air suspension that are on semi's I have bought my LAST stinking air bag!!!
I went to a local spring shop and had 3000# frame mount overloads put on. Just under $500 but they will last as long as the truck with no muss/fuss.
As you can see they do not come into play until the truck has a load not affecting the stock ride.
|
Aussiecowdog
Fairview, Texas
Full Member
Joined: 07/26/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
Not a GMC 0.5 ton, but we went with both; ride rites and 2500
# helper springs (Hellwig progressive). Unloaded, unaired, and springs set to minimum 'help', the F250 rides super. This might be overdoing a 0.5 ton, but just another option to consider.
|
mkirsch
Rochester, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 04/09/2004
View Profile
|
Load it up and see what you need. No sense in guessing, and potentially wasting money.
1251 is a LOT of camper for a 1500-series truck. It's going to be at least 2000lbs by the time all is said and done, plus if you've got passengers...
Best of luck to you. You might need it.
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
|
ecoast
NW NJ's Highlands
Senior Member
Joined: 06/01/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
~DJ~ wrote:
I went to a local spring shop and had 3000# frame mount overloads put on. Just under $500 but they will last as long as the truck with no muss/fuss.
Is that a kit?
What is on the sticker on the leaf?
07 5.9 CTD & 2000 Northstar Laredo TC towing 87 Samurai ORV on dual axle trailer
|
|
|
