Towing, And What I Should Do Before?

Jengland · July 5, 2010

Hey guys,

I tow regularly with our 08 F350 Powerstroke but we have to take to trailers on our next trip. We are gunna use my 2008 1500 5.3L with 4.10 gears and towing packedge.

The book says I Should be able to tow 10,500lbs, And the trailer im taking is 8,200lbs.

I am going to install a break controller as my truck did not come with one, but is there anything else i should be looking into?

Maybe Air Bags in the back?

We are gunna be traveling through the hills here in B.C through the rockies, and it will be about a 1,700km trip, and the truck has 50,000kms on it now, Should I change the coolant and trans fluid before I go?

Thanks in advance guys,

Jon

peterarch · July 5, 2010

Definately make sure you have a weight distribution hitch

grayghost7 · July 5, 2010

Hey guys,

I tow regularly with our 08 F350 Powerstroke but we have to take to trailers on our next trip. We are gunna use my 2008 1500 5.3L with 4.10 gears and towing packedge.

The book says I Should be able to tow 10,500lbs, And the trailer im taking is 8,200lbs.

I am going to install a break controller as my truck did not come with one, but is there anything else i should be looking into?

Maybe Air Bags in the back?

We are gunna be traveling through the hills here in B.C through the rockies, and it will be about a 1,700km trip, and the truck has 50,000kms on it now, Should I change the coolant and trans fluid before I go?

Thanks in advance guys,

Jon

Yeah, I'd check/change all the fluids and get the weight distribution hitch and your planned brake controller. That's a lot of weight up and down mountains.

slapshot · July 5, 2010

I think some rear air bags would help alot. I just ordered some for my new Sierra. I tow my boat (24' Pathfinder that's around 5000 lbs) and it squats the rear suspension a little more than I like. I think the bags would keep the rear end from squating down as much and probably would help with the ride also. A weight distributing hitch would help and a brake controller isn't a bad idea either.

r1byker · July 5, 2010

I think some rear air bags would help alot. I just ordered some for my new Sierra. I tow my boat (24' Pathfinder that's around 5000 lbs) and it squats the rear suspension a little more than I like. I think the bags would keep the rear end from squating down as much and probably would help with the ride also. A weight distributing hitch would help and a brake controller isn't a bad idea either.

And change the trans fluid when you get back.

dogzapper · July 5, 2010

Jon,

I agree, it's a bit much, wut you'll be OK.

Yes to the W/D hitch and trailer brake controller. The Tokensha Prodigy is a great one.

There is a "happiness factor" that trailer folks use. Basically, it's a factor of .66. If your truck is rated for a trailer weight of 10,000 pounds, you will be a fairly happy camper pulling a trailer that weighs 6,600 pounds ... and each couple of hundred pounds more simply adds to the "unhappiness factor."

And your trailer quite probably will be considerably heavier than the 8,200 pounds. The dry weight that the trailer companies quote is usually low. Add water, propane and Mamma's dishes and you're prolly gonna be knocking on the door of 9,000++ pounds.

Hey, just take it slow, use your tow/haul mode and remember that the 5.3 engine SIMPLY LOVES TO REV. You'll be just fine.

All the best,

Steve

PS. I recently downgraded from a 2006 2500HD Duramax. I simply did not need it for the trailer towing that I do. Your half-ton will do GREAT!!!

dlstewart01 · July 6, 2010

Remember the towing weight is for the driver in the truck. Any passenger, gear, stuff in the bed and the tongue weight will have to be deducted from the tow weight. A weight distributing hitch with sway control is a must.

A trailer that weights that much will have a tongue weight of 1000 to 1300 lbs. That 1/2 ton will need all the help it can get.

Jengland · July 6, 2010

The trailer itself is 3,000lbs and the car that will be in it is 4,300 pounds. Add gear and a couple people im just over the 8,000 range.

I feel that it should do just fine,I will add the bags and brake controller as the company is paying for it:)

fraiolib · July 6, 2010

well if the companys paying for it i think you need a supercharger to make the trip

dogzapper · July 6, 2010

well if the companys paying for it i think you need a supercharger to make the trip

+10,000,000

Steve

jblakeney · July 6, 2010

Hey guys,

I tow regularly with our 08 F350 Powerstroke but we have to take to trailers on our next trip. We are gunna use my 2008 1500 5.3L with 4.10 gears and towing packedge.

The book says I Should be able to tow 10,500lbs, And the trailer im taking is 8,200lbs.

I am going to install a break controller as my truck did not come with one, but is there anything else i should be looking into?

Maybe Air Bags in the back?

We are gunna be traveling through the hills here in B.C through the rockies, and it will be about a 1,700km trip, and the truck has 50,000kms on it now, Should I change the coolant and trans fluid before I go?

Thanks in advance guys,

Jon

If your bumper pulling that distance.... Weight Distributing hitch would be nice. As well as some sort of helper spring or bag.... Get a good Brake Controller Tekonsha P3 is the best thing on the market. I have been selling brake controllers for around 10 years.... I have been using them many more years than that however...... I have used several different brands and flavors......... I have a P3 in both my GMT800's..... All I am going to say is Rave reviews...

What are you towing????? Special tie downs maybe needed..

Jbo

androgelrx · July 6, 2010

When I had the Tundra and was regularly on the Tundra forum, there were many folks there that tow 8-10k lbs without much issues. The tow ratings on these trucks are fairly similar. Why are there so many guys on here afraid to tow that much? I have never tow anywhere near that amount. I figures the 6.2l would tow as much if not more than the Tundra since the Silverado does have a better frame. Am I wrong?

imollison · July 6, 2010

Get the airbags.....and brake controller. I drive a 2008 2500HD 6.0 and with my small 28 5th my tail drops 2 and 1/2 inches from stock height. Real b&tch when driving at night.And you can not adjust your headllights....the bags will help you see and give you a much better ride.

I have travelled the hill in lower BC close to the Alberta border in the South East and some of them will be a challenge. 5 miles uphill on a slow incline or worse going down. Check your brakes before you go and watch them during your travels.

music · July 6, 2010

When I had the Tundra and was regularly on the Tundra forum, there were many folks there that tow 8-10k lbs without much issues. The tow ratings on these trucks are fairly similar. Why are there so many guys on here afraid to tow that much? I have never tow anywhere near that amount. I figures the 6.2l would tow as much if not more than the Tundra since the Silverado does have a better frame. Am I wrong?

I don't think you're wrong, except that a 5.3/4-spd isn't going to pull as strong as a 6.2/6-spd (or the Toyota 5.7/6-spd). That said, some Tundra owners push way past the ratings on the truck and then brag about it, almost as if they're trying to make a point. Doesn't make it smart. I tow a 7k lb camper (loaded weight) plus the family w/ truck in sig, and feel that it's a fair match. I won't win any races and use 2nd on longer/steeper pulls at hwy speeds, but it's a solid/stable setup. The 6.2/6-spd or Tundra 5.7/6-spd would definitely add power/torque, but neither would improve stability/safety. I care far more about the latter than 0-60 times. I have looked very closely at the Tundra 5.7 in the past as an option for towing the camper, so I've driven a few.