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Old 07-22-2015, 08:16 PM   #1
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Default Can my Sierra 1500 tow a F-242BDS?

Love the floorplan of the F-242BDS but it weighs in at about 5400 lbs. Does anyone pull one of these with a GMC or Chevy 1500 (axle ratio 3.42)? I was wondering if this was a bit too much for my truck. It's just my husband and I with a small dog. Occasionally family will join us and drive themselves. Any input would be appreciated!
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Old 07-23-2015, 07:31 AM   #2
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If you look up the max tow capacity/rating for your particular vehicle (or contact the stealership) you will get the tow rating.

Then, look at the GVW rating of the camper which must be less than the max tow rating for your pickup.
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Old 07-23-2015, 07:38 AM   #3
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Thanks so much for your reply. I do know that it says my truck can pull 9400 lbs. I was really wondering if anyone had actually pulled one and how it REALLY pulls. The dealer of course told me no problem. We like to travel to the mountains and I am just concerned about how it will really pull when I get there.
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Old 07-23-2015, 07:51 AM   #4
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Well, to be honest, seems to me with your current 3.42 axle ration it could be a struggle on hills. I wish the axle ratio was lower on mine when in hilly area.
But maybe some with a GMC or Chevy will chime in.
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Old 07-23-2015, 11:33 AM   #5
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That 3.42 axle ratio is for good daily fuel mileage not for working a truck towing large weights. Will it do it, yes but it won't be enjoyable with that ratio. A 3.73 ratio would be much better. That probably can be chsnged out of the truck at a reasonable cost to you. If you do stick with the 3.42 ratio I wouldn't run in over drive at all in hilly sections and be hesitant even in flat sections. The transmission will probably be hunting up and down quite a bit which will lead to heat build up and eventually transmission issues on down the road.

My rigs in between 7300-7800 loaded but my truck comes with a 4.30 rear axle gear ratio and even then at times I have to lock it out of the 2 overdrive gears and run 4th gear especially if its real windy head on.
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Old 07-23-2015, 07:43 PM   #6
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You didn't mention what year 1500 you have. But I have a 2011 1500 silverado. For mine it is a 5000lb weight carrying hitch and 9000lb with a wdh. With a cvwr of 15000lbs. I have a 189fbd and I don't even know it's back there but it's roughly 2500 to 3000lbs. If you have the factory towing package you should have a higher gear ratio. If you bring you vin number to a Chevy dealer parts department they could look up what you have. IMO I wouldn't want to be the near the max weight rating for the truck. More wear on the truck and more of a chance for losing control. If the gvwr for the camper is 5000lbs I'd give it a go with a wdh.
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Old 07-24-2015, 10:51 AM   #7
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As you can see by my signature below, I tow a larger Fun Finder with an older GMC but I also have the 3.73 gears. Mine is rated to tow 8800 lbs and 13000 lbs GCVWR and the trailer has a GVWR of 7400. It tows well even up some mountains but at elevations over around 6000 ft the power loss with a gas engine can be a big factor.
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Old 07-24-2015, 10:52 AM   #8
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As you can see by my signature below, I tow a larger Fun Finder with an older GMC but I also have the 3.73 gears. Mine is rated to tow 8800 lbs and 13000 lbs GCVWR and the trailer has a GVWR of 7400. It tows well even up some mountains but at elevations over around 6000 ft the power loss with a gas engine can be a big factor.
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Old 07-24-2015, 09:54 PM   #9
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Default towing capacity

As you can see by our signature, we tow with a Silverado 1500 with 3.42 gears. Our camper is smaller than what you are looking at. It pulls pretty well on the flatlands and in good conditions, but struggles on steeper grades and higher altitudes. On one really steep grade, we were down crawling along in first gear.
My brother in law also pulls with a Silverado 1500 with 3.42 gears and his trailer is about the size you are looking at. He thinks it pulls pretty well, but I don't think he has been in the mountains with it.
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