Posted 2011-05-16 3:16 AM (#134148) Subject: 2004 Sundowner 8010 Sierra
New User
Posts: 1
Location: Derry, PA
Hello I am looking at this trailer to buy. It is a 5 horse with a 10' living quarter. Does anyone know if this is steel or aluminum? Also, did they have any problems in this model or year? I was told it weighs 11,350 pounds. I am looking at pulling it with a 2007 chevy duramax with the allison transmission one ton. I was told by Chevy this truck could pull around 16,000. Does anyone think this is too heavy for this truck? I live in PA but we often show in WV and OH as well. The mountains in WV are pretty long meaning a couple mile of an incline (4-5) and somewhat steep. I don't want to overtax the truck and break down.
The trailer is pretty loaded with the LQ stuff and a 3' midtack. I believe in total it is 40' from nose to end.
Posted 2011-05-16 7:26 AM (#134149 - in reply to #134148) Subject: RE: 2004 Sundowner 8010 Sierra
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Welcome to HTW...!!
Is your truck a 3500 SRW or 3500 DRW? The GCVWR for a 2007 3500 DRW truck is 23500#. The GVWR for the truck is 11400#. Your truck will weigh around 7400#. That leaves 16100# for trailer, horses, all your gear and the water in the tanks (water 8.33# per gallon).... What will the pin weight be for that trailer loaded? Your got enough truck for no more than 4000# on the hitch..... If you got a 3500 SRW, then keep looking, it won't handle it empty, too heavy on the pin.... I wouldn't want to tackle that trailer with anything less that a class 4 or 5 truck (4500/450, 5500/550 truck), specially in the hills, but that's just me.
Posted 2011-05-17 12:26 PM (#134184 - in reply to #134148) Subject: RE: 2004 Sundowner 8010 Sierra
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399 Location: Ottawa, Illinois 61350
In regards to the question if your trailer is aluminum framed or steel framed; look at the VIN tag. If it has the letters LA as the 5th and 6th spaces from the end of the VIN, than the trailer has an aluminum frame. If it would have an HA or ZA, in the same sequence as mentioned, than your trailer has a steel frame. You can also tell by the model numbers of 720 or 725, which designates it as an aluminum frame trailer. If it is a 727 model, it would be a steel framed trailer. The steel framed Sundowner LQ's were somewhat heavier than the aluminum framed models. I agree with Retento, if you don't have a dual wheeled one ton; don't even attempt pulling it.
Posted 2011-05-18 9:38 PM (#134210 - in reply to #134148) Subject: RE: 2004 Sundowner 8010 Sierra
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by kswank on 2011-05-16 3:16 AM
Hello I am looking at this trailer to buy. It is a 5 horse with a 10' living quarter. Does anyone know if this is steel or aluminum? Also, did they have any problems in this model or year? I was told it weighs 11,350 pounds. I am looking at pulling it with a 2007 chevy duramax with the allison transmission one ton. I was told by Chevy this truck could pull around 16,000. Does anyone think this is too heavy for this truck? I live in PA but we often show in WV and OH as well. The mountains in WV are pretty long meaning a couple mile of an incline (4-5) and somewhat steep. I don't want to overtax the truck and break down.
The trailer is pretty loaded with the LQ stuff and a 3' midtack. I believe in total it is 40' from nose to end.
Any info would be helpful.
Bases on the weight you listed you do have a 727 which is a steel frame trailer. I have the same type trailer in a 3 horse with no midtack. Some issues with these trailers in the northern parts of the country is rust on the frame and more so on the right rear corner of the frame from lack of maintance.As far as towing, your truck will pull this trailer BUT you will be MAXED out on weight for sure(11-k plus 5 lite weight horse your at 16-k before everything else). Not to mention pulling is only half the job, the other half is trying to stop it!I would say if you are buying this trailer be looking for a truck too.
2004 Sundowner 8010 Sierra
