My experience is with older 1/2 T pickups, from '89 til '03. The heaviest trailer I towed was 5000 lbs dry and 6550 lbs GVWR with a truck rated for 8500 lbs. I was never disappointed in the performance, especially with the latest 1/2 T, even towing up to 9000 ft. elevation, and I was towing right at the truck's GCVWR of 12,500 lbs.
Even though today's 1/2 T models are rated to tow more, I personally would not tow as much as they are rated for. But my real point is that I certainly wouldn't tow a heavy TT because they lack the stability of a fiver. Yes, the problem with a 1/2 T and a fiver is keeping the pin weight from exceeding the truck's GVWR. Wear and tear on the truck is a real concern. But there is also a plus side to that problem, you end up with the truck weighing more than the trailer. Add in the inherent stability of the fiver setup and it is a reasonably safe setup.
With a 1/2 T and a TT, while the hitch weight is lower, driver fatigue and overall safety would be my concern. I suspect if you calculate the numbers, you will find that the ready-to-roll weights for your proposed setup has the trailer weighting more that the 1/2 T tow vehicle. Plus the trailer has more surface area than the truck for sensitivity to wind gusts and the hitch point puts significant leverage on the tow vehicle.
I think your better choice is a 3/4 T, you are more likely to be satisfied with the towing characteristics and if not, you can opt for a fiver down the road. Finally, you need to look closely at the GMC 1500 you are considering, is it a true 1500 or the 1500HD (really the old 2500 series)? What is it's dry wt. and GVWR? What engine?
__________________
Larry Day
Texas Baptist Men-Retiree Builders member since '01
13 Silverado 3500HD D/A, 2wd CCSB srw, custom RKI bed
11 Cruiser CF32MK
https://www.picturetrail.com/dayle1
|