Towing Question

jakemartinez7 · October 12, 2009

So I am in the process or buying a toy hauler and what is keeping me from buying certain ones is the towing capacity my truck is capable of!!!! So I think its like 6,800 lbs it can tow??? right? What can I do to increase the towing and power so I dont strugle if I was to get a heavier trailer? Re-gearing???? I have 3.23's now. Well thank you for your help!!!!!!!

oldschool327 · October 12, 2009

Definately 4.10 or 3.73 gears.

700 sportsman · October 12, 2009

gears, and you will definately want some air bags to keep your truck leveled up good, and also a good brake controller if you don't have the factory one

Stevens03 · October 12, 2009

Def. Gears, and 3.73 would be more than enough with the 6-speed transmission.

music · October 12, 2009

Your signature shows a 2009 SLE 5.3 Crew Cab. If that's correct, then you should have the 6L80/3.42 and your tow rating can be quite a bit higher than 6800 lbs. It's more like 9k+ lbs with the tow package w/ the 5.3/6L80/3.42 combo. You also must add a brake controller for the trailer brakes.

Does your truck have the "factory tow pkg"?

Spurshot · October 12, 2009

In addition to all the other recommendations, I'd recommend going to a heavier duty LT tire. Not bigger in diameter (that will reduce towing performance), but just a better construction. Load range D or E. If you're going for a really big trailer, I'd go straight to a load range E. I've seen a few tires come apart, literally disintigrate, one nearly took out my windshield as the truck was just ahead of me and in the lane to the right. You don't want the experience of a blowout when towing a trailer. You might loose the whole rig.

Stevens03 · October 12, 2009

2wd Crew 4.8 motor would have the 3.23 gears, but as mentioned, the 5.3 comes standard with 3.42's. That gives you 6600 lbs towing on a ball hitch. 3.73's would increase your towing capacity to 7600 lbs and 4.10's would take you up to 8400 lbs.

Do you have the 6-speed transmission or the 4-speed? That does make a difference depending on what SL-package you have too.

Spurshot · October 12, 2009

Jake,

I see you're in Lakewood. I work close by in Long Beach at Boeing.

When you put 7000 lbs behind a 1/2 ton truck, it's going to really be a noticable load. You're truck will feel like it's struggling going up the grades to Glamus etc. A re-tune will really help you. Remember to calculate the fully loaded weight of the trailer, with all your gear and vehicles in it.

Is your truck 4wd? If you're planning on going into the dirt with a trailer that heavy, 4wd will save you from getting stuck. Otherwise you should stay on level hardpacked dirt when towing.

I know it's too late now, but for anyone reading this considering a new truck, I would have gone straight to a 2500 4x4 and maybe a Duramax if I were pulling a Toy Hauler every weekend to the desert.

brainpause · October 13, 2009

I have 5.3L & 3.42's, & W4M performance towing tune.

I regularly tow 5K# travel trailer (scale wt) with truck & trlr loaded to the gills.

Here are changes I have made to improve my towing experience:

1. Bilstein shocks

2. Putnam XDR receiver hitch (stiffer than stock)

3. Fine tuned weight distribution hitch.

4. BFG tires, load range E (this has helped as much as anything)

5. Ensure front end aligned

6. Wait4me towing tune

7. Hayden trans cooler

8. Aeroforce Interceptor pillar gauge (these last 2 kept me from worrying about trans)

HAVING SAID ALL THAT, I wish I had 4.10's. I have learned to just cruise in 3rd gear at 65mph, and that this engine is OK to rev to 4-4500 rpm on a hill.

Still wish I had the 4.10's.

I am also considering a 3P hitch: http://www.propridehitch.com

Larry

music · October 13, 2009

I have 5.3L & 3.42's, & W4M performance towing tune.

I regularly tow 5K# travel trailer (scale wt) with truck & trlr loaded to the gills.

Larry: When you say "scale weight", do you mean "empty", or loaded and ready to go?

56kz2slow · October 13, 2009

A lot of Toy Haulers are too heavy for 1500s, especially if you put toys in them.

A couple of things to remember, the towing capacity is based on an empty truck with just a driver and a full tank of gas. Anything you add to the truck must be subtracted from towing capacity.

Don't look at the trailer dry weight as they never include options and your gear. Best to look at the GVWR of the trailer, that way if you know you can haul it full, you know you can haul it with a lighter load.

An important thing to remember is that while it's nice to move the load along, it's not as important as stopping or handling.

rodram · October 14, 2009

this discussion thread has omitted one very important issue related to towing capacity....

yes you can get rear axle gears, and air bags, and push your truck a little if you drive carefully .... but you always have to remember that you have to be able to stop safely...

.. the maximum tow capacity given to your truck is a bit subjective and is estimated by the truck design engineers based on your drivetrain components like rear axle, transmission, cooling system, engine power, and brakes..... (not springs and suspension)

brainpause · October 14, 2009

I have 5.3L & 3.42's, & W4M performance towing tune.

I regularly tow 5K# travel trailer (scale wt) with truck & trlr loaded to the gills.

Larry: When you say "scale weight", do you mean "empty", or loaded and ready to go?

"Almost" loaded, weighed at a truck stop. We don't take much out, and probably less than 200# altogether (fresh food/clothes).

this discussion thread has omitted one very important issue related to towing capacity....

yes you can get rear axle gears, and air bags, and push your truck a little if you drive carefully .... but you always have to remember that you have to be able to stop safely...

.. the maximum tow capacity given to your truck is a bit subjective and is estimated by the truck design engineers based on your drivetrain components like rear axle, transmission, cooling system, engine power, and brakes..... (not springs and suspension)

Agree. Get a good brake controller. One of the best bang-for-the-buck is the Tekonsha Prodigy, or now called the P3. DO NOT get the Tekonsha Voyager.

I wouldn't tow a toy hauler with toys unless it was a very small one (with my 1/2 ton). But I live in a hilly area.