New camper w/ S10 ext cab

[Spoon]

Okay, I am looking at a 12ft Camplite PU that is fairly basic, 10 gal water tank, single axle, w/ a empty weight of 1950lbs. I know that once I pack all of our gear, 2 adults 1 child, it will jump up quite a bit. But being on a budget and having to tow w/ our S10 4.3 V6 with a class III hitch I should do okay right? I am looking at buying a larger TV but it isn't in the picture right now.

Thanks!

Spoon

[hoppy]

Shouldn't be a problem.

  I towed a 1978 Palomino (approx 2,250 loaded) with my 91' GMC-Sonoma for seven years with the 2.8 L  V-6  (160 hp if I remember correctly). This didn't include all the stuff that I placed in the back bed which included firewood, coolers, filled water jugs, etc.

[Recumbentman]

sounds like you will have no problems pulling the PUP with your S10.
also the camplite brand is no more, so make sure everything is in good condition. Most major items on a PU can be still be found at other RV stores or Ebay

[tlhdoc]

Spoon welcome to PUT!  Do you know what the tow rating for your vehicle is?  I would think you would be fine, but knowing the tow capacity is the only way to know for sure.  Where do you like to camp?

[Spoon]

Thanks everyone that is a relief!

I grew up camping many places. The most notable is Douthat State Park in the Blueridge of Va. My wife is an experienced camper from way back. She peaks highly of Table Rock in SC.

Recently during the end of Feb. my wife, son, and I camped at Jordan Lake outside Raleigh, Nc w/ our tent. It was great but a little chilly @ 34F for a low. But is was lovely. We were to meet friends but they had gotten delayed so we broke camp and met them in SC at Cheraw State Park. It too was great and had a marvelous time despite it rained all day and poured during dinner hahaha but we had a great time.
One will be amazed with what one can do w/ a roll of poly!

Our 4 year old has having the time of his life. He is so excited that we went camping.

[flyfisherman]

Okay, I am looking at a 12ft Camplite PU that is fairly basic, 10 gal water tank, single axle, w/ a empty weight of 1950lbs. I know that once I pack all of our gear, 2 adults 1 child, it will jump up quite a bit. But being on a budget and having to tow w/ our S10 4.3 V6 with a class III hitch I should do okay right? I am looking at buying a larger TV but it isn't in the picture right now.

Thanks!

Spoon

My previous tow vehicle was an extended cab '00 GMC Sonoma, V-6 automatic, with a 3.42 rear axle ratio and a heavy duty suspension. The vehicle listed a whopping 6400 lb tow capacity; and it was a great little tow vehicle! However, manaufacturer's sometimes tend to somewhat exaggerate certain things without giving all the fine details up front. In the case of this 6400 lb tow rating, that was for the regular cab ... had to subtract 400 lbs for the extended cab. - O.K., now that now meant 6000 lbs ... but what's this ... more fine print! In the GMC Trailering Guide, which gives much better detail, it seems that my GMC Sonoma tow rating of 6000 lbs  was not valid with a class III hitch ... that high tow rating was for only when using a  weight-distrubting hitch.  When using a class III hitch, it was rated only for 3500 lbs!

But that was alright ... I was towing a '96 Coleman Yukon which was on a 12' frame - it was a 10' box with the front storage compartment. Think the GVWR for that camper was 2500 lbs ... and the Sonoma handled the camper easily using the class III hitch.

Based on my experience with the Sonoma, I'm inclined to think you have a 3500 lb tow rating for that S-10, using the class III hitch.


Fly

[Spoon]

My previous tow vehicle was an extended cab '00 GMC Sonoma, V-6 automatic, with a 3.42 rear axle ratio and a heavy duty suspension. The vehicle listed a whopping 6400 lb tow capacity; and it was a great little tow vehicle! However, manaufacturer's sometimes tend to somewhat exaggerate certain things without giving all the fine details up front. In the case of this 6400 lb tow rating, that was for the regular cab ... had to subtract 400 lbs for the extended cab. - O.K., now that now meant 6000 lbs ... but what's this ... more fine print! In the GMC Trailering Guide, which gives much better detail, it seems that my GMC Sonoma tow rating of 6000 lbs  was not valid with a class III hitch ... that high tow rating was for only when using a  weight-distrubting hitch.  When using a class III hitch, it was rated only for 3500 lbs!

But that was alright ... I was towing a '96 Coleman Yukon which was on a 12' frame - it was a 10' box with the front storage compartment. Think the GVWR for that camper was 2500 lbs ... and the Sonoma handled the camper easily using the class III hitch.

Based on my experience with the Sonoma, I'm inclined to think you have a 3500 lb tow rating for that S-10, using the class III hitch.


Fly

That is what I found out re:3500 TR. I have a manual 5-spd tranny w/ the same suspension as you. So I am pretty set, I guess. I am buying some good LT tires for it next month.

Ive babied this truck the whole time I have owned it w/ regular maintenance and had taken it to the dealer for all the major mileage intervals. Now it is time to have it do some work. It has 135k on it now and runs and drives like the day I bought it.

I hope to pull another 100k out of it too!

Thanks alot everyone!!
Spoon

[hoppy]

I have a manual 5-spd tranny w/ the same suspension as you. So I am pretty set, I guess.

 I also had the 5-spd manual transmission, but never used 5-th gear while towing the PU.
 My little 2.8 L  V-6 would bog down too often when towing in 5-th, so I would only go as high as 4-th gear.