BenK
SF BayArea
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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sparty831 wrote:travel trailer
what about adding air bags or springs to aid the suspension.... not wanting to go to a 2500 as this will be my everyday vehicle as well. I'm a teacher and live 7 min from my HS. budget budget budget 
Well if a teacher, then 'learn' how the metrics work and how the dealer
is able to give you the run around...because they are quoting numbers/ratings
out of context
Says so of you too when you quote the 7.8K as the 'dry' and then later you say
it is the GVWR. World of difference if you know what those two mean
(dry and GVWR)....think of the 'dry' as a bucket aprox 70%-80% full and the
GVWR is the size of that bucket filled up 100%. Same bucket, just
different points of reference (context)
Again a 'dry' 7,800 lb trailer will normally actually weigh in around
+1.x K pounds more.
The Silverado you list only the bells, whistles and marketing
blurbs...almost no specifications or ratings.
Back to the bucket analogy Ratings of the bucket is what we/you need
to provide or look up. You list the shiny handle made of stainless,
the embellishment on the bucket rim, the polished sides, the sound
deadening material underneath the bucket bottom, etc...but...noting
on it's ratings (how much will it carry and how much can it's handle
be able to carry when another bucket is hooked up to that handle)
Suggest you go back and view/read that image so that you 'understand'
how it all works in concert...and...what the nomenclature (anagrams)
mean and/or represent
If you are just looking for 'you are good for it', or 'have been doing
it for decades with no problems'...you will get many from the herd, but
it's not their money, nor potential issues.
Also, 10 ton helper springs will NOT make that axle assembly's ratings
go any higher. Just reduce the amount of sag and reduce the ride quality
7 minutes !?!...how long would it take to walk or bicycle? Yes, see
that you live in a harsh weather area, but again, 7 minutes !?!
Good luck...you need it if you continue to listen to the dealers... 
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jerem0621
SE Tennessee
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Joined: 05/17/2009
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IMHO if 7 min commute kills the budget after a new TT and truck then there are other circumstances that we are not privy too.
Jerem
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, , 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch with Reese Dual-Cam sway control
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troll3193
SouthWest, MI USA
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Joined: 07/07/2004
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and to the OP, please please please do not be disheartened or put off by this discussion & guidance. I really wish i had gone through this before buying too much TT for my TV...
Byran
2006 RAM 3500 MegaCab w/Cummins Turbo Diesel
Mopar Exhaust Brake
2004 Dutchemen 31BK
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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Joined: 08/23/2005
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troll3193 wrote:and to the OP, please please please do not be disheartened or put off by this discussion & guidance. I really wish i had gone through this before buying too much TT for my TV...
Byran
Good Point. Many don't realize that the info is designed to help them avoid the angst,heartache and headache that many have experienced already by choosing enduring wrong combo
07 Duramax Crew Cab Dually
2012 Open Range 399BHS
Trailersaver BD3,Blue Ox Bedsaver
air bags w/compressor
Prodigy,Splendide W/D,TomTom
Arvika pin box bike rack
14'Porta Bote w/9.9 Johnson outboard
5500 Onan Propane genset,Vu Cube 2000
Retrax tonneau cover
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Gman22
Burlington, Ontario
Senior Member
Joined: 07/03/2008
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sparty831 wrote:travel trailer
what about adding air bags or springs to aid the suspension.... not wanting to go to a 2500 as this will be my everyday vehicle as well. I'm a teacher and live 7 min from my HS. budget budget budget
Air bags don't increase capacity, they only mask an overload and make a truck look level when it does not want to be.
I live 10 minutes from work as well. Don't know your circumstances but you're not a heavy commuter with a 7 minute drive. When I bought our 2500 it was primarily intended as a tow vehicle so I often walk to work. Not to mention the 3 minute drive is not enough to even start to warm the diesel on a Canadian morning. The walking is good for me, good for the environment and good for the budget. If I need to travel somewhere after work the truck comes with me, if not, a brisk morning walk it is.
2012 KZ Spree LX 240BHS
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 QC Laramie, 4x4, 5.9 L Cummins Turbo Diesel
Equal-i-zer/Prodigy
"I6 Cummins guys keep it straight, those other guys go BOTH ways".
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JIMNLIN
out here
Senior Member
Joined: 09/14/2003
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this from a previous post.
Quote:yes the GVWR is 7800 and the truck I'm currently looking at is a 2012 silverado with a rear gear ration of 3.4 engine 5.3 v8 crew cab
I tow a 7640 lb actual weight trailer with a '06 1500 crew cab 4x4 chevy 3.73 gears.
First the 3.42 axle is as high as GM offers for the 6L80E tranny. A higher 3.73 or 4.10 gear is simply not needed with the new 6L80E tranny gear splits that are closer to a 3.9/4.xx gears depending on tranny gear selection.
Looking at GM online ordering guide shows a loaded crew cab 4x4 LTZ has a 1700 lb payload. GM also says the same truck has a 9500 lb tow rating.
Apparantly your trailer has a 7800 GVWR which means it probably weigh less after loading. Now if the trailer is 7800 lb dry weight then towing in the hills will be slow with lots of RPMs.
You mentiond using the trailer 4-6 times a year in your home state. By all means the truck will work fine and you certainly don't need a 2500 truck for that 7800 GVWR trailer.
I have lots of horror stories towing experiences using 1500/2500 and several 3500 DRW trucks but why bore everyone with BS that has no revelance to a 7800 GVWR trailer and a '12 1500 chevy truck.
I wouldn't add air bags till you make a couple of trips and then make a informed decission if anything is needed.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach
'97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 gvwr two slides
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BenK
SF BayArea
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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It's all assumptions till the OP posts the specifications
There is a crew cab 1500 and it does NOT have a 8.6K GVWR automatic, or that is
what I've read in the brochures normally read during the new model year releases
It said a 6L60E automatic
Also, the 5.3L does come with a 3.08 diff ratio for conventional trailering
and it is a 3.42 for Fifth Wheel towing
Bottom line is that this is a newbie, not a seasoned RV'er who has enough experience
to understand what the heck these acronyms and ratings mean and work to make
up their risk management decisions
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BenK
SF BayArea
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Joined: 04/18/2002
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Oh, here are the links to the 2012 Silverado 7.6K and up GVWR's
Still say the OP needs to post which one from the below so that we can provide
some information/opinions to answer his questions
US News generic review
GM launch site to the below links
GM Silverado towing guide for 2012
GM Sales/Marketing Brochure for Silverado
GM Silverado owners manual
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lbrjet
Liberty, IN
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Joined: 09/20/2010
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Jayco doesn't make a 32BH anywhere close to a 7800lb GVWR. That would be the dry weight folks.
2010 F250 4X4 5.4L 3.73 LS
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equalizer E4 1200/12000
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JIMNLIN
out here
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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The 1500 truck in question has the Z82 package so it comes with the RPO code MYC which is the 6L80E tranny.
The 6L80E six speed tranny is rated up to a 8600 lb GVWR vehicle and has a 14000 GCWR rating and can handle up to 430 ft lbs of engine torque according to '11 specs. The 1500 truck crew cab truck has a 7000 GVWR.
All truck owners regardless of percieved towing experience should be given his trucks full towing/hauling specs that he paid for.
Now its up to the OP to decide if the trailer has a 7800 GVWR or is 7800 lb dry weight. Big difference.
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