Tongue Weight Capacity Using Weight Distribution and a 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500
Question:
I am considering purchasing a travel trailer with an unloaded vehicle weight of 5758 lbs and a dry hitch weight of 967 pounds. I would be towing it with a 2008 Silverado 1500 equipped with a 5.3 l. engine and the HD trilering equipment package. According to the truck manual my max trailer weight is 7500 lbs the maximum tongue weight of the trailer should be 1000 lbs with a weight distributing hitch. I am confused by the 1000 lb max stipulation on the trailer tongue i.e. Is this 1000 lbs with a properly set distributing hitch or the tongue weight of the trailer itself? Thanks for any advice you can give me on this?
asked by: Allan E
Expert Reply:
On your 2008 Chevy Silverado 1500 the tongue weight capacity with or without weight distribution applies to the trailer hitch on the vehicle and not on the trailer. So, on a hitch that is rated for use with weight distribution, and with weight distribution installed on the trailer, the tongue weight of the trailer (on the vehicle) can not exceed 1,000 pounds with the trailer loaded and ready to tow. It sounds as if you will be just under that with the dry weight but might exceed it once the trailer is loaded and ready to tow.
