We have got to be a salesperson's dream... After digesting all the opinions (which we REALLY appreciated!!!), we tried to convince ourselves that we would be o.k. with our truck.
Over the last couple of days, we decided to browse some ads just for fun, went to one of the dealerships this morning, took a truck out for a test drive, and... you guessed it... we pick it up on Tuesday... a Chev y Silverado V8. It really is a beautiful truck - a 2005 with 68000 km (about 42000 miles) on it. We decided for an extra $45/month, it was worth the peace of mind. We will probably spend the next 20 years paying for these new toys, but we are so excited about our adventures to come!
Thanks, again, everyone!
* This post was
edited 05/17/08 12:34pm by amdoucette01 *
amdoucette01 wrote: We have got to be a salesperson's dream... After digesting all the opinions (which we REALLY appreciated!!!), we tried to convince ourselves that we would be o.k. with our truck.
Over the last couple of days, we decided to browse some ads just for fun, went to one of the dealerships this morning, took a truck out for a test drive, and... you guessed it... we pick it up on Tuesday... a Chev y Silverado V8. It really is a beautiful truck - a 2005 with 68000 km (about 42000 miles) on it. We decided for an extra $45/month, it was worth the peace of mind. We will probably spend the next 20 years paying for these new toys, but we are so excited about our adventures to come!Thanks, again, everyone!
Well there you go.....you officially have RV'itis.
Bigger truck, then a bigger trailer, then on to the MH's.
Welcome to the RV club.
Happy Camping!
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
amdoucette01 wrote: We have got to be a salesperson's dream... After digesting all the opinions (which we REALLY appreciated!!!), we tried to convince ourselves that we would be o.k. with our truck.
Over the last couple of days, we decided to browse some ads just for fun, went to one of the dealerships this morning, took a truck out for a test drive, and... you guessed it... we pick it up on Tuesday... a Chev y Silverado V8. It really is a beautiful truck - a 2005 with 68000 km (about 42000 miles) on it. We decided for an extra $45/month, it was worth the peace of mind. We will probably spend the next 20 years paying for these new toys, but we are so excited about our adventures to come!
Thanks, again, everyone!
Congrats on the new truck, I'm sure you'll love both the truck and your TT.
Make a few short weekend trips and have fun...
303 Keystone Zeppelin
180RX Stingray
2006 Dodge Ram Mega 1500 (yeah its got a Hemi)
2006 Dodge Durango (yeah its got a Hemi)
..Some folks say that I've got the perfect life
Three swell kids, lots of toys and a lovely wife...
Well I hear your pain! We made a similar purchase 2 years ago. We were pulling our Jayco 213 (4200# UVW) with our '04 Chevy Trailblazer (3:42, 4.2l straight 6, 5100# max towing cap) and we were VERY close to maxing GCVWR. So for the first year we stayed close to home for the camping season, packed light and had a blast. To tell you the truth IMHO the trailblazers suspension made if the most unnerving thing; way too squishy and soft. Your truck should be much more stable. When we could afford a new TV (07 F150) it made the towing experience MUCH better. Now when we head out I can't wait to pull that box around.
Get out and some fun and take your time...
Jim
2007 Ford F-150, 5.4 Triton, 3:73 gears, 4x4
2007 Jayco 213
Reese Weight Distribution Kit
2 boys and my wife
I don't know what year your truck is or the body style but below are the 2003 Tow Ratings from Trailer Life... As you can see your rating may be anywhere from #3900 to #5900 depending on body style and equipment...
If in fact your in the #5500 area and your TT UVW (unloaded vehicle weight) is #3465, there is a good possibility you can pull this trailer if you load lightly...
If you look on the driver's side B pillar (where the door latch is) there should be a sticker showing GVWR... Truck GVWR is the maximum the truck can weigh with all passengers and cargo, hitch, and TT tongue weight... Your truck's GCWR should be in the owners manual and that is the combined maximum weight of truck and trailer fully loaded including all passengers, fuel, cargo, etc...
I don't think you'll win any races pulling the trailer but to me, it looks possible... Make sure your truck has a trans cooler if it's an automatic transmission... If it's a standard transmission, the tow rating will be considerable lower...
Most weekend campers will load from #500-#1500 of cargo into their TT... If you load light and don't carry any water, I think it's doable...
You'll need to find out the trucks rear axle ratio - should be contained within the VIN number in the glovebox... Others here can help you with that as I don't own a GM truck so I'm unfamiliar with that procedure...
If you need additional help drop me a PM and we'll see what we can do for you... Oh, don't forget the weight distributing hitch with some form of sway control and a good brake controller...
Yes... we are so happy with the new truck and feel much more confident getting out on the road with the extra power. Our first weekend out will be June 27. I just hope we can get the thing parked without an argument... since I'm not doing the driving, I'm thinking I better hold off on offering instructions!!!
We owned a 2001 ZR2 with a tow rating of 5k. The RV salesman assured us we could tow a 22' Jayco w/o a problem. I did a quick gut check and I was not so sure. I knew our s10 had a soft suspension, and lousy brakes.
Could it do it? Yes. Would I be happy? No. Would I be a nervous wreck the whole time? Absolutely!
We remained RV-less for 2-3 years, looked at ultralights (too expensive), etc. Then we fell into a used Excursion a friend was selling. Sold the s-10 (for 2k less than the Excursion) and then went trailer shopping. Was nice to know we could pull anything we wanted except a fifth wheel, or park model.
We ultimately decided on a 25' Jayco, about what we wanted to start with. We could have gone bigger, but that is not what we wanted. We knew we could pull more trailer, but it was our money, and we got what we wanted.
So, you are not alone. We did the same thing, but backwards. The important thing is that you got what you(pl) wanted, because you have to enjoy it. In the end, you have to be comfortable in what you are doing. Sounds like you are. Don't worry about the payments, we have to work anyway, right?
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