Towing advice GT 25

[Timandbarb]

Hello,
We are new to trailer-ing, and I would appreciate advice from those who actually know what they are doing.

We are planning a long trip, and have purchased a 2021 GT 25, and a 2021 Silverado 2500 (Duramax). Weight distribution is a Fastway E2 trunnion.

Some data that I have collected.

Tongue weight of loaded trailer (Sherline scale)- 910 lbs.
GVRW of AS GT 25 (Airstream website)- 7300 lbs.

Weight of occupants and cargo limit (inside of TV driver door)- 3024 lbs

CAT scale readings.
Truck unloaded with one passenger- Steer axle-4820 lbs. Drive axle-3560 lbs
Trailer axle-0. Total- 8380lbs

Truck loaded for trip, 1 pass. Steer axle-5040 lbs. Drive axle-4340 lbs
Trailer axle- 0. Total- 9380 lbs

Truck/trailer with WD. Steer axle.-4960 lbs. Drive axle-5140 lbs
Trailer axle-5840 lbs. Total- 15,940 lbs

Trailer weight- 4960+5140+5840=15,940lbs - 5040-4340= 6560lbs
Which is under GVRW of 7300.

Truck weight, loaded - 5040+4340= 9380 lbs.
GRVW for truck- 4820+3560+3024= 11,404lbs
Which is good.

Tongue weight 910/6560 x 100 = 13.9%

Any thoughts?
Agree with my calcs?
Any advice?

The trailer does tow nicely. I can’t discern any sway, even when passing tractor-trailers going the opposite direction on a two lane. Which I would think would be a sway-inducing event. Duramax has plenty of power.

Thanks in advance. I’ve educated myself about this stuff, but it’s always better to run it by someone with practical knowledge.

Thanks again

Tim

[djb75]

As far as I can tell, your weights all look pretty good (depending on what your TV hitch rating is - probably at least 10k, so you're most likely good there).

The only advice I would give would be to get a lot of practice in an empty parking lot before you head out on a trip, with emphasis on maneuvering in reverse.

[Kamiak]

Originally Posted by Timandbarb

Hello,

"I can’t discern any sway, even when passing tractor-trailers going the opposite direction on a two lane. Which I would think would be a sway-inducing event."

Tim

In my experience, sway is more likely induced from the rear, i.e., fast-moving, large vehicles approaching from behind on a multi-lane highway, especially if coupled with wind blowing sideways or diagonally toward the trailer, also from the rear.

I hope this helps.

[jondrew55]

Back in the day when ignorance was bliss I towed a similar weight trailer to my GT 25’ FB with a tundra. Great truck and it was a long bed so I had that extra wheelbase. Now I have a similar rig to yours except the RAM 2500 diesel and a PropPride hitch (read those two things cut heavily into my payload). It tows great. Tons of power. Drove 400 miles the other day in gusty storms with big rigs blowing past me. I think you’ve got a good setup.

[pjshier]

Timandbarb, your post is impressively complete and appears well within operating parameters. Well done.

One question arises from your complete data: the over 11K GVWR for your vehicle as calculated. Available payload over 3K lbs in a diesel 3/4 ton pickup is unseen in my experience, unless it is simply the sum of the axle weight ratings minus the vehicle tare weight, which has merit. But the door sticker showing over 3K of payload in a 3/4 ton... wow!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Looks good !!

There should also be a sticker that gives the max weights for the front and rear axles. I can't see any way you would be over, but they are worth taking a look at. They are actually the "real" limits on what you can or can't do.

Remember that all this WD adjustment stuff by weight is just a start. You can move a bit more weight forward or back to improve the handling / ride. That's the advantage of having a TV with some "room" in the numbers.

Bob