Towing A 29' 7000lb Rv

rworell · February 3, 2011

Ok guys I really need your help on this one...I towed my camper last summer with an F150 XLT 5.4 V8 with 3.55 gears. It struggled...

I want toget back into a GMC truck and I love the Seirra 1500's. I just don't know which model to look at. I know the quick answer would be to look into the 6.2 but can the 5.3 handle it? My total weight would be around 9000 Max (truck-camper-wood-passengers) I also have a brake controller and Sway/Tow bars.

What is your thoughts?? I've tried this truck out and it is AWSOME!!!! just need to hear from the experts.

Thanks

Rich

Stevens03 · February 3, 2011

Why would you want to start out on the down side of a upside struggle. With the right gearing, yes the 5.3 would handle the weight, but when you have the option of getting the 6.2L why wouldn't you. I'd give up an option or 2 before giving up the power since what you want to do is tow.

5.3L 6-speed with 3.73 gears if you can find, but quite frankly the 6.2L 6-speed with 3.73 would handle it alot better. The 6-speed will give you a big advantage over the 4-speed too.

uh6tdrvr · February 3, 2011

6.2/3.73 is definitely the most power full but the 6.2 with 3.42's will probable get it done to. The 5.3 will get it done, just not as well as the 6.2, almost 100 hp/tq is quite a difference with a 9K total. Curiously, why not a 2500 since you are already planning on 9K when it could easily get to 10k? The 2500 would handle that much weight alot better than a half ton would.

cghbuilder86 · February 3, 2011

He probably doesn't want to go with a 2500 because of more initial cost and more wasted gas money. I tow a 5,000 pound bumper pull with my 5.3 3.73 4 spd. It does pretty good, but I don't know about 9-10000 lbs. I would certainly opt for a 6.2 if you can afford the gas. My truck is mu daily driver and it gets driven A LOT. 6.2 not really an option here.

music · February 3, 2011

You're talking about 9k lbs of total weight plus the truck (~14.5k lbs total). If the camper is 7000 lbs fully loaded, but you're estimating 9000 lbs total... what else are you hauling? More importantly, where is the extra 2000 lbs going (truck or camper)? Payload is easier to exceed than power need.

rworell · February 3, 2011

The camper dry is actually 6780 lbs. I really don't put allot into it other than clothes and a full refridgerator. The propane tanks will be full as well but not water. We always go for full hookups. So I'm not sure how much I actually weigh camper wise. If I put an extra 1500 + 6780, I'll be at 8280 or so. Then the truck loaded with some wood, and 4 passengers ( around 550 lbs). I might have over exadurated the initial 9000 but I just wanted to make sure. I figured if it could do that, then I was good...you know what i mean?

This will be an everyday commuter as well. I also only tow 6 times a year. other than that "NOTHING" else .

thanks

Rich

uh6tdrvr · February 3, 2011

"There is no replacement for displacement."

I dont know who said that but it still holds true. The 6.2 will do it and so will the 5.3 just not as fast. When getting around GVWR you should slow down anyway. I have a 5.3/6speed/ 3.42 combo that works well but theres alot on here with the 6.2 with 3.42's and 3.73s, the 6.2 is just a beast. I have towed about 4k and it would do anything i wanted it to through the hills of TN so find one you want with all the options and get it. SO being said, all will do it, some will just do it better!

btw, stock i could get 19-20 mpg on the interstate at 78 with about 1K in the bed keeping my average in the mid 16s mixed driving if that helps your decision any.

ChevyTech77 · February 3, 2011

I would go with nothing less than the Max Trailering Package for any 1500 series truck that is reguarly going to haul over 5000 lbs. Otherwise, I'd be getting a 2500 series on up.

Colorado Hoe II · February 3, 2011

I upgraded my travel trailer from a 22' 4000lb to a 27' 6600lb. My Tahoe pulled the 22'er with ease. I pulled the new trailer once with the Tahoe and went and ordered a Suburban 2500. I didn't want to risk towing safely. Towing a trailer is enough stress without feeling underpowered.

Stevens03 · February 3, 2011

Some people will do what ever they want regardless of what you tell them. Sounds like your minds already made up.

Lets look at it another way. Are you willing to risk the welfare of your family because you want to save a few bucks? I don't care how you slice it, towing close to 9000 lbs is going to push the 5.3 to its max and maybe over. As mentioned, I wouldn't even consider anything less than a truck equipped with the Max trailer package and for less aggravation and frustration, I wouldn't tow that weight with anything less than the 6.0L. That's available in the 1500 series too. But if you want a new truck, then whats available is the 6.2L (which is better).

And I can tell you first hand, that ever trailer tows different. Wind drag plays alot in how well the truck performs. Do you want to tow the trailer comfortable or always feel like your struggling and white knuckled?

I don't believe the 5.3 is up to the task, without the Max trailer package especially. That's my opinion coming from more than 15 years of towing experience.

You can take it or leave it.

rodram · February 3, 2011

I would go with nothing less than the Max Trailering Package for any 1500 series truck that is reguarly going to haul over 5000 lbs. Otherwise, I'd be getting a 2500 series on up.

100% agree with this statement ... nothing less than the Max Trailering Package for your trailer

a 5.3 might have enough power... but you need the stability of the extra payload capacity that the Max gives you

.. and I just checked the gm website to build a new truck and the Max Trailiering package gives you the 6.2L/6-sp with 3.73 gears with GVW 7,100 lbs ...

.. and the REAL BONUS is that the 6.2L is NOT an AFM engine

.. or go to a 2500 HD ...

If you want to use your truck to pull a big trailer... then get a truck! ... don't compromise, you will regret it if you do.

music · February 3, 2011

So you're looking at ~14.5k lbs total combined weight. I have a total combined weight of ~13k lbs with the camper connected and everyone on board for a trip. I'm right at GVWR on the truck, but a comfortable few hundred pounds under axle ratings. I'm guessing you may be over a tad. I'm guessing the 6-spd will pull the 14.5k lbs similar to my 4-spd with 13k lbs, and that you'll cruise in 4th in mild terrain, 5th when flat, and climb in 3rd (2nd when really steep or going slower). The 6.2/3.73 setup (NHT pkg) would allow you to run 1 higher gear under more circumstances (i.e., stay in 5th rather than 4th in rolling terrain), but you'll pay some premium in economy for daily driving, and get the same or worse economy towing. The benefits of the NHT would be: easier climbing/acceleration, 300 lbs higher payload rating, little heavier rear axle/differential/rear-brakes.

So, if you want to be first to the top of the mountain: 6.2/NHT. If you don't mind slowing down up a grade and want an extra 2 mpg for daily economy (on 87 octane): 5.3. For the most stable towing experience, but the harshest empty ride: 2500HD (6.0 for this weight). Basically, you're right at the upper end of the "gray zone" between a 1500 and 2500HD... tough call.

Remember too... this is just a "post on the internet"... only you get to write a check.

Stevens03 · February 3, 2011

So you're looking at ~14.5k lbs total combined weight. I have a total combined weight of ~13k lbs with the camper connected and everyone on board for a trip. I'm right at GVWR on the truck, but a comfortable few hundred pounds under axle ratings. I'm guessing you may be over a tad. I'm guessing the 6-spd will pull the 14.5k lbs similar to my 4-spd with 13k lbs, and that you'll cruise in 4th in mild terrain, 5th when flat, and climb in 3rd (2nd when really steep or going slower). The 6.2/3.73 setup (NHT pkg) would allow you to run 1 higher gear under more circumstances (i.e., stay in 5th rather than 4th in rolling terrain), but you'll pay some premium in economy for daily driving, and get the same or worse economy towing. The benefits of the NHT would be: easier climbing/acceleration, 300 lbs higher payload rating, little heavier rear axle/differential/rear-brakes.

So, if you want to be first to the top of the mountain: 6.2/NHT. If you don't mind slowing down up a grade and every other incline and want an extra 2 mpg for daily economy (on 87 octane): 5.3. For the most stable towing experience, but the harshest empty ride: 2500HD (6.0 for this weight). Basically, you're right at the upper end of the "gray zone" between a 1500 and 2500HD... tough call.

Remember too... this is just a "post on the internet"... only you get to write a check.

You must be a patient man.. I personally don't like holding up traffic or having people cut me off when I'm towing...

music · February 3, 2011

a 5.3 might have enough power... but you need the stability of the extra payload capacity that the Max gives you

Does the NHT package add anything special for handling, other than a little stiffer rear spring? Same frame, front suspension, etc... I thought? I ask, only because an "add a leaf" would accomplish the same on a 1500/5.3.

temmert1 · February 3, 2011

Wel I can give you some insight from personal experience. First of all I have a 2008 Wilderness 31ft TT dry weight of 6,300lbs. So I have about the same weight. When I bought it I had a 05 silverado crew z71 wtih 5.3 and 3.42's. It was rated to pull 7.500 lbs and let me tell you the 3.42's with the 4 speed was not a good combination. I traded it on a 09 Silverado wtih 5.3 and 3.42's, but 6 speed and heavy duty trailering. It was rated to pull 9,500lbs. This combination worked ok. The truck definately knew it was back there but it handled it. I also added Firestone ride rite air bags. Wow they made a huge difference. Great stability, no bounce,,Highly recommended......Anyway we were going to get a bigger RV which was 2k heavier. So told wife we should upgrade to a 2500 with the 6.0, well didnt want the 4.10's becaseu of fuel, then realized I could get a 6.2 with Max trailering in the sierra, 3.73's..........Im here to tell yah that 6.2 is a beast! It pulls like crazy and along with the 6 speed. Very happy.. Fuel mileage difference between my 09 and 10,,,,very little difference. about 1 to 1.5 mpg.... So to answer your question. The 5.3 will handle it fine with the 6 speed as mine did.....BUT>>>>> the 6.2 rocks.... Hope this helps.......

And for the record my wife changed her mind on getting the bigger camper so now Im stuck with this AWESOME 6.2!!!!!! yee haa!!!!