Canadarago
New member
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2017
- Posts
- 3
I have a 2004 Chevy G1500 Express Van conversion (Hi top) , 5.3 V8 with Tow/ Haul mode.
Specs:
GVWR: 7200
GAWR Front: 3600
GAWR Rear: 4000
It?s towing a 2015 Coachmen Apex Nano 151RB Hybrid with a nominal gross weight of about 3000 lbs. using an Andersen WDH with an 8? rise ? the hitch on the Chevy is really low, about 13? off the ground.
Took it to the local CAT scale. Results:
Just the Van, two adults, full tank, about 200 lbs. of gear:
Front axle: 3400
Drive axle: 3220
Total: 6620
With the trailer attached (empty tanks), WDH connected:
Front axle: 3100
Drive Axle: 3880
Trailer Axle: 2900
Total weight on Van: 6980
If I?m figuring correctly, the total weight of the trailer is 3260, which is OK, as I found some gear the prior owner left under the dinette seat. . Since I?m not going to travel with full RV tanks and maybe another 100 lbs of gear more than I had at the scale, I?m under the max for the van, but not by much. Towing capacity for a 2004 Chevy cargo van 1500 (it?s shipped from Chevy as an empty cargo van to the van conversion company) is about 6400 lbs, but I?m more concerned about the total weight on the van.
Driving experience: No problem accelerating on the flat and maintaining highway speeds, but you can feel the trailer back there. Van seems to be OK on local hilly roads, but the big test will be getting to campgrounds on the Blue Ridge this summer.
Questions:
- Should the WDH be putting more weight on the front axle of the TV?
- If I keep the weights in the TV and trailer to what they are now, do you see any issues? It?s a pretty heavy van to begin with.
- Does anyone know what the GCWR is for this van, and what the rear axle ratio is? Can?t find info on the web.
- Any mods on the TV that you would recommend?
Thanks in advance. FYI, I look at this as my second RV. My first was / is a 1994 Eureka Equinox 6 tent that?s still going after 24 years.
Specs:
GVWR: 7200
GAWR Front: 3600
GAWR Rear: 4000
It?s towing a 2015 Coachmen Apex Nano 151RB Hybrid with a nominal gross weight of about 3000 lbs. using an Andersen WDH with an 8? rise ? the hitch on the Chevy is really low, about 13? off the ground.
Took it to the local CAT scale. Results:
Just the Van, two adults, full tank, about 200 lbs. of gear:
Front axle: 3400
Drive axle: 3220
Total: 6620
With the trailer attached (empty tanks), WDH connected:
Front axle: 3100
Drive Axle: 3880
Trailer Axle: 2900
Total weight on Van: 6980
If I?m figuring correctly, the total weight of the trailer is 3260, which is OK, as I found some gear the prior owner left under the dinette seat. . Since I?m not going to travel with full RV tanks and maybe another 100 lbs of gear more than I had at the scale, I?m under the max for the van, but not by much. Towing capacity for a 2004 Chevy cargo van 1500 (it?s shipped from Chevy as an empty cargo van to the van conversion company) is about 6400 lbs, but I?m more concerned about the total weight on the van.
Driving experience: No problem accelerating on the flat and maintaining highway speeds, but you can feel the trailer back there. Van seems to be OK on local hilly roads, but the big test will be getting to campgrounds on the Blue Ridge this summer.
Questions:
- Should the WDH be putting more weight on the front axle of the TV?
- If I keep the weights in the TV and trailer to what they are now, do you see any issues? It?s a pretty heavy van to begin with.
- Does anyone know what the GCWR is for this van, and what the rear axle ratio is? Can?t find info on the web.
- Any mods on the TV that you would recommend?
Thanks in advance. FYI, I look at this as my second RV. My first was / is a 1994 Eureka Equinox 6 tent that?s still going after 24 years.