Max Trailer Weight Question

[jdubya]

I know people will think this is a douche bag question but oh well....

 

I found this chart on the site that outlines the specs for the 07 NBS but I bought my truck used and have no idea what my gear ratio is or what model I have is (CKyada,yada,yada).

 

Can anyone help me out?

2007_Chevrolet_Truck_Silverado_1500_Trailering_Specifications.pdf

2007_Chevrolet_Truck_Silverado_1500_Trailering_Specifications.pdf

2007_Chevrolet_Truck_Silverado_1500_Trailering_Specifications.pdf

2007_Chevrolet_Truck_Silverado_1500_Trailering_Specifications.pdf

[Stevens03]

Look in the glove box for the RPO codes. Most of the trucks came with either 3.42's or 3.73's

 

Your looking at

GU6 - 3.42

GT4 - 3.73

GT5 - 4.10

 

That will help you determine your towing limits

[56kz2slow]

I seem to remember from the brochure that all with the 4.8L had a tow capacity of 6400lbs because the 3.42 rear-end is the only one they list for it. I almost bought an 08 Silverado and walked away because of that and held off for one with the 5.3L and 3.73 gears.

[jdubya]

Ok so I found the sticker in the glove box, didn't know what that stuff mean until now (somewhat) It says CK10753 on it which I guess is the model number and GU6 which means it has the 3.42 gears...

 

I guess according to this chart, I am unable to put a gooseneck trailer on this beotch without blowing it up...

 

I will have to admit I a kind of bummed kind of like finding out your junk isn't as big as you thought it was LOL.

 

Well it will give me an excuse if I start towing to trade it in on a duramax....

[Stevens03]

I hope you didn't buy it as a towing machine, the 4.8 isn't known for great torque Having the 3.42's makes it even worse in my opinion. If it had the 6-speed, then it wouldn't of been as bad.

[ken1mod]

Gentlemen,

 

The towing capacity depends on whether you are in flat ohio and know how to drive gently or Colorado and will try to climb 8% grades at 80 mph.

 

If you drive gently and sanely in tough areas, the tow weight can be much higher. 18 wheeler pilots call it soft pedaling. Braking capacity and tire capacity can be much more important.

 

If I am towing 1000 miles, I might not mind going up a short steep hill at 40 mph and 25% throttle, not hurting anything. I will not floor the gas and go up a hill at 6000 rpm anytime.

 

I would never exceed axle capacity or braking capacity but a moderate overload of weight may not be terrible if driven gently in gentle terrain.

 

Thoughts?

 

Ken

[Stevens03]

I don't agree entirely...

 

Of coarse being over capacity on the flat isn't as hard on the vehicle as it is on a 6-8% grade, but towing capacity is calculated on being able to start out, maintaining speeds and also stopping on those grades as well. All those things combined are were the towing capacities come from. Whats factored in to those calc's is the size of the engine/driveline, HP/TQ, size of brakes, axle ratings, spring rates, overal weight of the Tow vehicle, and tire load ratings.

 

JMO... but I'd appreciate it if everyone would follow those ratings, otherwise you/they put me and my family at risk. You say you wouldn't exceed the axle capacity or braking capacity, but you don't mind overloading the vehicle once in a while... but if your overloaded, isn't that exceeding the capacities?!?!

[ken1mod]

I do not think so. Braking and axle capacity are absolute. Period. Exceeding these is never OK. I would never endanger myself or any other by exceeding these numbers.

 

I guess What I am thinking is the 4.8 going a little slower up a steep hill but being within all brake, axle and tire ratings is not a bad thing.

 

I used to drive technically overloaded 454 c30 trucks and trailers with powerful brakes and never had any issues for 25 years.

 

Your driving ability and sanity are perhaps more important than the ratings. Brakes, brakes brakes. More important than liters.

 

ken

[jdubya]

I hope you didn't buy it as a towing machine, the 4.8 isn't known for great torque Having the 3.42's makes it even worse in my opinion. If it had the 6-speed, then it wouldn't of been as bad.

 

No I most likely will never tow anything with this truck. I just wanted to buy a truck. So for a daily drive the 4.8L is a little better on gas than a larger truck would be so in that regard this engine is perfect for me.

 

It's just the thought that I could if I wanted to I guess...

 

Actually, I wanted to hang a set of those plastic cow balls from the trailer hitch but it seems kind of pointless now....

[Stevens03]

I hope you didn't buy it as a towing machine, the 4.8 isn't known for great torque Having the 3.42's makes it even worse in my opinion. If it had the 6-speed, then it wouldn't of been as bad.

 

No I most likely will never tow anything with this truck. I just wanted to buy a truck. So for a daily drive the 4.8L is a little better on gas than a larger truck would be so in that regard this engine is perfect for me.

 

It's just the thought that I could if I wanted to I guess...

 

Actually, I wanted to hang a set of those plastic cow balls from the trailer hitch but it seems kind of pointless now....

 

 

The 4.8 is a good motor.. and some claim it does fine towing... So if you want to hang those balls, go for it

[topdj]

I bought my 07 knowing I was going to be towing so I got the 3.73 posi with the cooling package.

my Boat on the trailer is between 5500 and 5800 depending on how much fuel is onboard

swaping the small block Alpha for a Hp500 Bravo increased the weight on me.

I only have trouble with one steep hill right next to Cornell University

[csheatz]

I do not think so. Braking and axle capacity are absolute. Period. Exceeding these is never OK. I would never endanger myself or any other by exceeding these numbers.

 

I guess What I am thinking is the 4.8 going a little slower up a steep hill but being within all brake, axle and tire ratings is not a bad thing.

 

I used to drive technically overloaded 454 c30 trucks and trailers with powerful brakes and never had any issues for 25 years.

 

Your driving ability and sanity are perhaps more important than the ratings. Brakes, brakes brakes. More important than liters.

 

ken

 

Load ratings are not to be considered guidlines. They are to be followed, not only for your saftey but everyone else on the road. Yes your truck may be able to handle much more then its rating, and you may never have a issue. But the one time you have to make a emergancy stop, lane change, or something like that. You could end up on your roof, over someone else, through there backseat......

 

yes the 4.8 can tow! not as much as the 5.3, 6.0, 6.2, 8.1 but it can still do some towing work even with the 3.42's. I have towed my camper (4800lbs) with a 4.3/3.73's it was harder then hard but we made it, I was not over loaded but that is something I would not choose to do again. I can say that I have never been more drained after driving 400 miles. With the silverado, its more like what trailer? Maybe I need a bigger trailer????

[56kz2slow]

I don't particularly like the argument made by some when they towed over the weight limit that they did it often without problems therefore implying it's safe. If a drunk driver has never been in an accident drunk, does that make him a good drunk driver?

 

I know crashes can happen even if all regulations and guidelines are followed, but going over these will just increase the risk.