Towing with 2014 GMC Sierra Denali with 5.3L engine

[APollard]

Hi All,

 

I bought a 2014 GMC Sierra Denali 1500 with the 5.3 L engine with the idea that I was going to get a travel trailer. The more research I do, the more I realize that I don't know what I'm doing.

 

Before I bought my truck, I researched the towing capacity and my owners manual says its a 9,500 pounds, the tow hitch is rated for 12,500, but the ball joints that are available at GM are only rated for 5000 pounds.

 

I am looking at Trailers that are around 4000 - 5000 pounds dry weight so it seems that my truck is more than capable, I guess the only thing that is throwing me off is the 5000 pound rating on the ball joints from GM. I am worried that once the trailer is loaded and will probably be more than 5000 pounds that it will cause a safety issue.

 

Any insight is helpful here, I am worried that I should have bought a bigger truck. Will the GM ball joint rated at 5000 pounds be safe to use? Also I need trailer brakes, from what I've seen online they look pretty easy to install on my truck, if anyone has experience with that, I would appreciate your feedback.

 

Thank you!

[smcgillis10]

You're going to want a weight distribution hitch for your RV. That takes care of the ball situation. And as far as the trailer brake I went online to etrailer and got a letter brake controller and harness. (you need to harness.) It's plug and play.

 

 

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[Nathan79]

Are you sure of your tow capacity? What rear end gears do you have and do you have all the options for the higher towing capacity?

[BIGBRD7]

Remember, you aren't carrying the trailer (5000#) you are pulling, with a hitch weight around 600#s. With a good brake controller and wieght distribution hitch with sway control you'll be fine.

[ata3001]

You're not putting the entire weight of the trailer on 1 single ball joint. Firstly, the only weight being applied to the truck is the hitch weight. Secondly, with a weight distribution hitch, that weight is spread out evenly to all 4 wheels. It's not like you have a 5k trailer up in the air with 5k lbs of weight on it.

[ShawnR]

The limiting factor with 1/2 ton trucks is usually payload capacity (loaded truck plus tongue weight). While you should have no problems with the trailer weight you're considering, you might be overloading if you load dirt bikes, generators, fuel, etc in the truck bed. When shopping for a trailer use 15% of the gross to calculate tongue weight, add that to your truck actual loaded weight, and compare that number to your payload capacity.

[APollard]

Thank you all for your help!

 

I am picking up a trailer tomorrow from a private seller who is nice enough to include the weight distributing hitch, anti sway, and trailer brakes. Now my only question is the wiring adapter, He drives a Nissan Titan, will it be a different adapter for my truck that I should get before I pick up the trailer?

[smcgillis10]

Thank you all for your help!

 

I am picking up a trailer tomorrow from a private seller who is nice enough to include the weight distributing hitch, anti sway, and trailer brakes. Now my only question is the wiring adapter, He drives a Nissan Titan, will it be a different adapter for my truck that I should get before I pick up the trailer?

Probably already know but yes it's a Different connector on the truck side.

 

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