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Old 03-13-2019, 07:21 AM   #1
KPW
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Towing 23’ Flying Cloud with Silverado 1500

Was hoping to get some intel through searching this forum but can’t seem to drill down to these specifics.

Would like to purchase a 23’ FC (GVWR 6,000) and tow with our 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 (GVWR 7,000) but am nervous about approaching that 7,000 maximum once hitch and passengers are added. I know that once we would get the rig, getting it weighed once full will give us data. But we certainly don’t want to purchase a trailer that’s fundamentally too heavy for our TV.

Anyone out there towing a 23’ with a similar TV scenario?
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Old 03-13-2019, 08:21 AM   #2
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KPW,
we have a 23CB and have towed one all over the states with an Armada, replaced the Armada (and trailer) due to an accident with a Titan. A half ton P/U works very well with the 23s. Ours have been on some very steep high passes in the Rockies and does very well. What engine and rear gears do you have? If you have the V-6 high altitude step grades will be a real challenge, with the V-8 you should be fine. Get a good WD hitch and plan your loading to get the weight where you want it and have fun.
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Old 03-13-2019, 08:32 AM   #3
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The first number you need is the payload rating which is GVWR minus actual gross vehicle weight. My guess is it's probably in the 1500 lb. range and you are fine as long as you don't overload the truck or front of the trailer. Next is max trailer weight. That will give you an idea how the truck is equipped as far as engine, axle ratio and hitch go. That one really depends on the exact model, engine, axle ratio, factory hitch, etc.
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Old 03-13-2019, 10:21 AM   #4
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The gvwr is just for that vehicle. You want to look for the gcwr which is the max allowable combined weight of the tow vehicle plus the trailer.
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Old 03-13-2019, 10:21 AM   #5
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You will be just fine pulling a 23’ with a 1500
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Old 03-13-2019, 03:01 PM   #6
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2019 25' Flying Cloud
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Silverado towing

Yep, you should be OK. Couple items to check. Does your truck have factory tow package? Just because it has a hitch from factory does not mean it has tow package (trans cooler, oil cooler, high capacity radiator, higher amp alternator, brake controller). What axle ratio? (3.42 is OK, 3.73 is better). What are your tires rated at? Load range D is OK, load range E is better (higher capacity rating and stiffer sidewall for less sway possibility). Once you pick up your 23FB head to the CAT scales fully loaded with everything you are going to travel. That will give you the real picture. Happy travels.
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Old 03-13-2019, 03:06 PM   #7
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I did it for years. We did however move up to a 2500 last year for increased payload.
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Old 03-13-2019, 04:14 PM   #8
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We tow our 2018 23CB with a Ford F-150 ecoboost with tow package. Have been all up and down the US and Canadian Rockies, and the Tetons. All good. But, we are also at maximum payload on the truck. That’s with 2 adults, 1 50# dog, 2 mountain bikes. Surprising how quickly the payload adds up.
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Old 03-14-2019, 09:31 AM   #9
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Our "Rule of thumb", right or wrong, has been to provide and extra 20% towing capacity to your tow vehicle based on max weight to be towed. This has always worked well, especially in the Rocky Mountains from the top of BC to lower NM.
Happy trails.
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Old 03-14-2019, 10:00 AM   #10
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Basically, you'll be OK.
Ideally - be sure to get the factory tow package, AND the built in Brake Controller.
On my GMC 1500, once the brake controller is calibrated to the trailer, stopping with trailer will feel much the same as without. Most folks worry about "pulling." Reality is many vehicles will get the trailer rolling, but stopping can become exciting if the trailer brakes aren't doing their share of the work. As said before, don't get the V-6. It's fine with an empty truck around town, but once you climb a hill with the trailer, you'll be trading trucks again. The 5.3 is OK for the medium trailers, especially if you have the 3.42 or 3.73 axle ratio. I'm using the 6.2 with a 27 ft AS, and I LOVE the torque and tow/haul mode. Good luck!
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Old 03-14-2019, 10:20 AM   #11
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I’m pulling a 27FB with my 2009 Silverado 1500.
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Old 03-14-2019, 01:43 PM   #12
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For years I pulled another camper that was rated at 5,500 LBS with a 1/2 ton Chev P-U that was rated at 9,000+ and it did pull it but . . . there were times with step hills you'd be happy with 45 MPH.
So that being said last year when we purchased our 30 Classic and we were going full time we bought a 1 ton Chev diesel so we would not ever experience that again.
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Old 03-14-2019, 01:57 PM   #13
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I’m pulling a 23 with 1/2 ton denali 6.2. It goes faster up mountains than I need to.
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Old 03-15-2019, 06:24 AM   #14
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Tv 1500

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPW View Post
Was hoping to get some intel through searching this forum but can’t seem to drill down to these specifics.

Would like to purchase a 23’ FC (GVWR 6,000) and tow with our 2013 Chevy Silverado 1500 (GVWR 7,000) but am nervous about approaching that 7,000 maximum once hitch and passengers are added. I know that once we would get the rig, getting it weighed once full will give us data. But we certainly don’t want to purchase a trailer that’s fundamentally too heavy for our TV.

Anyone out there towing a 23’ with a similar TV scenario?
I have towed our 23 FB Flying Cloud all over the country from Florida to Canada and everywhere in between with my 2008 Tundra TRD. Zero problems. Proper hitch and stabilizer you're good to go!
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Old 03-15-2019, 08:13 AM   #15
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As usual, there are lots of I've done this for years types of testimonials. DO pay attention to your payload ratings and check your tire ratings.

That said, I have a 23 FT Serenity FB that I tow with a 2014 Silverado High Country, with 5.3L engine. It does fine on most slopes. I use a WD hitch and have it pretty well balanced front to rear. The FB Serenity is one of the lightest in terms of tongue weight, which factored into my decision to go with a 1500. I have stock Bridgestone tires on 20 inch rims which reduces sway quite a bit but am looking to upgrade to Michelins with higher load ratings (approx 150 lbs more per tire). That extra margin will make me feel a whole lot safer. I tow without sway bars (another weight reduction) but the truck has built in sway control (yours may not.) Anything I can do to reduce payload is game, including removing the rear seat which saves up to 200 lbs or so. I also use a Leer trifold tonneau cover to keep weight down. Rarely carry a generator but I do have a Yamaha 2400 that weighs 72 lbs dry. Position everything I can forward of the rear axle.


I have towed a Safari 23 L lounge model with a Cadillac Escalade EXT with 6.2L and it was quite capable, but it was pushing the payload limits with its higher tongue weight. My daughter now uses a Diesel Excursion for the same.
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