09 Silverado Looking For Towing Info.

[7th_GM]

I have an 09 Silverado Crew Cab with a 5.3 6-speed and a 3.42 rear.

I have a 4-place enclosed snowmobile trailer, that when loaded weighs about 5000lbs and has a tongue weight of around 500lbs.

How well will my truck tow this trailer? I am looking to tow from southern WI, to the UP of Michigan, probably 600+ miles round trip.

Can I maintain a 65mph+ highway speed, how bad will sway be when trucks pass?

I am coming from an 06 Dodge Mega Cab diesel, so I expect there to be a big difference towing, I am just wondering how big the difference will be.

[MS3DALE]

I assume the trucks 4wd? If so its rated for 9,500 lbs. towing capacity as long as you have the H.D. cooling pkg. (RPO code K5L)

I don't think the truck will have any issues at all towing 5,000 lbs.

A guy at work also has a 4-place snowmobile trailer,and he also goes to the UP of Michigan,He says he never even knows the trailer is back there,Of course he also has a 2500HD with the DMAX!

[music]

I believe the 5.3/6-spd/3.42 combo is "rated" to over 9k lbs w/ the tow/cooling pkg... although that's a bit much for a 5.3 IMHO. Pulling-wise, it will handle the load very well. Depending on how well the trailer tracks, you may need sway control. 500 lbs of tongue may be a tad light for a 5k lb trailer.

[MS3DALE]

I believe the 5.3/6-spd/3.42 combo is "rated" to over 9k lbs w/ the tow/cooling pkg... although that's a bit much for a 5.3 IMHO. Pulling-wise, it will handle the load very well. Depending on how well the trailer tracks, you may need sway control. 500 lbs of tongue may be a tad light for a 5k lb trailer.

 

Yeah,Your correct Robert,I was looking at the chart again and trying to understand the ratings,The way they have them listed its a little confusing Like you said...you must have the H.D. Cooling pkg. (RPO code K5L) and your good up to 9,500 lbs.

I'll edit my earlier post.

[7th_GM]

Thanks for the responses so far. It is a 4wd and I do have the HD cooling and towing package.

It is a tandem axle trailer that tows very well.

[khancock]

I regularly tow my v-nose 3 place snowmobile trailer. Its a fully enclosed dual axel drive on / off trailer with breaks on both axels. If you plan to tow one of these trailers often you defiantly want to invest in two things: Rear air bags and the GM towing mirrors. i consistently load three sleds in the trailer, fill the bed with gear and have 3 guys comfortably in the cab. It tows fine, a few other guys pull similar trailers with F-350's and obviously my truck won't pass like theirs but on the other hand I have no reason to drive a F-350 or 2500HD Diesel every day.

[7th_GM]

I regularly tow my v-nose 3 place snowmobile trailer. Its a fully enclosed dual axel drive on / off trailer with breaks on both axels. If you plan to tow one of these trailers often you defiantly want to invest in two things: Rear air bags and the GM towing mirrors. i consistently load three sleds in the trailer, fill the bed with gear and have 3 guys comfortably in the cab. It tows fine, a few other guys pull similar trailers with F-350's and obviously my truck won't pass like theirs but on the other hand I have no reason to drive a F-350 or 2500HD Diesel every day.

 

I was thinking of adding air bags. What do you recommend ?

[nbscanuck]

I've got Firestone. I like them.

[khancock]

I've got Firestone. I like them.

I went with ride rite bags but i think the firestone are comparable. I've had them for about a year with out the compressor but filling them is getting a bit old so I am probably gong to add a compressor soon so i can be lazy and inflate / deflate from in the cab.

[c4cruiser]

I regularly tow my v-nose 3 place snowmobile trailer. Its a fully enclosed dual axel drive on / off trailer with breaks on both axels. If you plan to tow one of these trailers often you defiantly want to invest in two things: Rear air bags and the GM towing mirrors. i consistently load three sleds in the trailer, fill the bed with gear and have 3 guys comfortably in the cab. It tows fine, a few other guys pull similar trailers with F-350's and obviously my truck won't pass like theirs but on the other hand I have no reason to drive a F-350 or 2500HD Diesel every day.

 

I was thinking of adding air bags. What do you recommend ?

 

Air bags will help to level the truck especially if you are going to be adding cargo to the bed. You should also figure out the total amount of weight that is going into the truck too. Passengers, luggage, the dog, tools, gas, and whatever else are going to add to the GCWR of the truck. That 500lbs of tongue weight has to be added to the truck's cargo weight.

 

I added AirLift bags to my old 99 Silverado. Got them from Summit Racing after seeing the Firestone bags and was not really impressed by them. I didn't get a compressor as I only towed my car to events so they were day trips or overnight and mostly freeway use. Install was only a couple hours (took my time) with beer breaks. I ran the valves up to the inside of the gas filler door so they were concealed and easy to get to.

 

If you are worried about sway, then add a good anti-sway bar or use a weight distribution hitch (or both!) Enclosed trailer are like towing bricks and they are affected by side winds and passing trucks.

 

Of course the engine won't have the pulling power of a diesel so expect to be slower going up long hills. Did your truck come with the integral trailer brake controller? My 08 has it and it works fine and is easy to adjust.

[7th_GM]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. I only tow heavy a couple times a year, but when I do its for long distances. Which is why I want to get things set up as best a possible.

I bought a set of Firestone Ride Rite bags today. Hopefully they will help a little.