297RSTS with GMC Sierra safe, comfortable setup?

[Jelswick]

First I apologize for another weight post having read so many, but I've now read so many, I'm a bit nervous. I have a 297RSTS coming in that I put the deposit on. My Sierra 1500 has trailering package, max trailer size of 9,200, max GCRW of 15,000 lbs, while 297RSTS empty is 8,054, GVWR is 9,995 lbs. TT empty tounge weight is 795 lbs and Sierra manual says I'm good to 1,250 lbs.

if I'm traveling with little water and only a few hundred lbs added to the trailer, it looks like the numbers would indicate I'll be hundreds under truck max trailer weight, close to a thousand under 297RSTS GVWR and well within limits on tounge weight, sounds safe on the specs, but based on your experience, is this a comfortable setup that's safe, shouldn't have sway or stopping issues with a good weight distributing hitch that keeps tounge weight well within limits?

[CWSWine]

With a 1250 payload sticker on your truck this is what Towing Planner says you can tow.

"You're adding approximately 425 lbs. to the truck. You have 825 lbs. of payload capacity. Travel trailers typically have 10% - 15% tongue weight which gives you a maximum loaded camper weight of 5,500 - 8,250 lbs."

The large number is figuring a 10% pin weight and TT should be closer to 12% to 13% for the best towing without sway. I guessed on weights but this like will let you fine tune the numbers.

http://towingplanner.com/Calculators...50&hw=75&ct=TT

[Jelswick]

Thank you for the quick help CWSWine! Putting in my numbers from the truck, it says max weight of trailer loaded is between 6,540-9,810. With what I'd plan to be added to the trailer when towing for water and cargo would keep me under 9,000 total trailer weight. I wonder if that margin is too slim.

[Second Chance]

A good weight distributing hitch with sway control will be a must, in any case. You also didn't mention what year your Sierra is - payloads and drive trains differ. The older 4-speed transmissions struggled with hills (spacing between gears). The newer 6-speeds do much better. You can still expect downshifting and higher RPMs. On the weight capacities, loading the truck up with fuel, passengers, hitch and junk and taking it to the nearest CAT scale is the only way to truly know how much payload you have left on the rear axle.

Rob