How Much Can I Realistically Tow

[Logan Lanfear]

We tow a 7200 dry weight camper - 2011 Outback 312BH to Maine from Vermont twice a year. There are some pretty good grades on the way there but nothing compared to what you'll see in the rockies. Its only a 4 and a half hour trip but I am usually wiped and ready for a beer after it. 
Its stressful, even with a weight distribution hitch and sway bar. The wind is going to push you around and you will be running 50-55 on any kind of long grade. 

With a half ton, I would shoot for a total weight under 6500 lbs for your kind of trip. 

 

The lighter you go the better, itll be easier on you and on the truck. 

 

MPG was roughly 6 maybe 7. About a 250 mile trip and we would make it about 3/4 of the way before filling up. 

[It's Tim]

14 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

Good way to look at it, take 1.5 to 2.0 times your own body weight, then walk 3000 miles, going up and down hills, and at times running as fast as you can.

With the obesity rate in the USA well over 50% most are unable to walk 50' down hill with a stiff tailwind without busting a sweat.

I guess the answer is a person could realisticity tow as much as they wanted. But... they should be prepared if found negligent after a crash to personally pick up the tab for all involved because more than likely the insurance company will cancel the policy lickity split. Jury awards can get kinda expensive.

[Amcguy1970]

You can tow what your truck says and then some, period. These trucks are tested well beyond their max to failure. The numbers listed by the manufacturer show what they would allow a truck to tow regularly and still make their durability tests. Now with that said what they say and what you feel comfortable towing are two different things. A car that can run a track in X amount of time can be done with that car, just not that driver. Same applies here, the truck can, are you comfortable and capable enough. For a once trip I personally would, though I am comfortable towing. If this was a regular yearly trip with other longer side trips each year I would upgrade trucks. That is on you to decide. As others have said pay attention to the payload, that is most likely what will run out first. 

 

Who ever said a good indicator is carrying your own 1.5 times body weight is absurd. Towing half the capacity is no big thing, carrying half your body weight as a human is a big deal. It is a machine versus a human body, zero similarities for comparison...

 

Tyler

[jawest79]

Thanks all for the replies.  If I was to undertake this towing I would opt for a more southerly route through NM and Vegas instead of Denver and direct through the Rockies.

[dieselfan1]

11 hours ago, diyer2 said:

dieselfan1 is spot on. We have very similar responses. 

We know how to keep it real.

[garagerog]

1 hour ago, jawest79 said:

Thanks all for the replies.  If I was to undertake this towing I would opt for a more southerly route through NM and Vegas instead of Denver and direct through the Rockies.

 

New Mexico is in the southern Rockies, a high plateau state with an average elevation of nearly 4000 feet and a mean elevation of 5700 feet so no matter how you configure your route you're in store for some steep climbs.

[JimCost2014]

11 hours ago, Amcguy1970 said:

You can tow what your truck says and then some, period. These trucks are tested well beyond their max to failure. The numbers listed by the manufacturer show what they would allow a truck to tow regularly and still make their durability tests. Now with that said what they say and what you feel comfortable towing are two different things. A car that can run a track in X amount of time can be done with that car, just not that driver. Same applies here, the truck can, are you comfortable and capable enough. For a once trip I personally would, though I am comfortable towing. If this was a regular yearly trip with other longer side trips each year I would upgrade trucks. That is on you to decide. As others have said pay attention to the payload, that is most likely what will run out first. 

 

Who ever said a good indicator is carrying your own 1.5 times body weight is absurd. Towing half the capacity is no big thing, carrying half your body weight as a human is a big deal. It is a machine versus a human body, zero similarities for comparison...

 

Tyler

You are a new member again?

 

AMX?

[swathdiver]

On 5/18/2021 at 7:01 PM, jawest79 said:

Looking for a no nonsense answer to how much I can realistically tow?

 

The Vehicle:

2016 Silverado Crewcab, short bed

5.3L V8, 6-Speed

3.42 Axle

 

Specs say my max tow is 9100lbs.  I’m looking to tow an RV across the United States from Michigan to California.  The trailers I’m looking at are 7500lbs UVW with a GVW of 8500lbs.  I don’t expect the tow weight to exceed 8000lbs.

 

Can I tow something of that size across the country?  Will be using a weight distribution hitch with sway control.

 

Thanks for the input.

You can realistically tow 9100 pounds under the J2807 towing standard.  If you are towing across flat ground with no hills or high winds you could pull more easily.  She won't be going fast on the grades and don't feel bad about letting the motor sing in 4th gear going up a grade.  4th gear allows for maximum cooling efficiency.

[BlaineBug]

I'm in agreement here with posters here that say that so as long as you are within the ratings of your truck you'll be fine, and also that these trucks have a very conservative towing rating in our era of "safety safety safety" and OSHA safety meetings for every small cut and bruise at the workplace.