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Can I tow a 6000lbs travel trailer (2009 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab)


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Posted

GM makes an accessory trans oil cooler package that basically gives you the same factory installed pieces. It's relatively cheap as well.

 

Please stop going to that dealer. Your truck is not rated for 9500 lbs if it did not come with the Z85/Z82 combo package and if they don't know that then they need to stop selling vehicles because they could cause some serious damage giving people the incorrect tow ratings on their vehicles.

 

 

I do have the Z85 but not the Z82 , it's written in the dash but I am more confused that anything now...I towed this trailer with my 2004 Chevy Avalanche and had no trouble so I thought by going to this truck it would be better for me but it seems I made the wrong choice....

 

There was on a 2500 on the lot with about 120000KM or maybe more on but I chose the 1500 because it had less mileage and they told me I would have no problem hauling my trailer...I thought I was getting a better deal...

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Posted

Probably because they're making more off selling you the 1/2 ton.

 

Sorry, lieing dealership salemen should all be strung up by the, you know what's, imo.

Posted

I dont know about the avalance but i would think that its rated the same as your 1500

 

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Posted

I dont know about the avalance but i would think that its rated the same as your 1500

 

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I would kind of agree with you but I'm not sure who I should believe now...the Silverado suspension has to be sturdier than the Avalanche and they have the same motor expect the Avlanche had a lower gear ratio and was not a 6 speed transmission..but according to comments it seems my choice wasn't right...

Posted

Dont get me wrong, i am not saying its a good idea, just saying it would the same as u had before probbly, u didnt say how far or how often u plan on pulling it or where to. Would i go pulling it around the mountains? No. 100 miles twice i year? Probbly.

Many people use there trucks diffrent, some as a everday car to and from work, and some as a work truck. 2500 would do a better job and more suited for it. But if 5% of your miles your pulling and 95% your not you would look at it diffrent. Then if you pulled the trailer 95% of the time.

 

For me, i would go to the 2500 for peace of mind

 

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Posted

Dont get me wrong, i am not saying its a good idea, just saying it would the same as u had before probbly, u didnt say how far or how often u plan on pulling it or where to. Would i go pulling it around the mountains? No. 100 miles twice i year? Probbly.

Many people use there trucks diffrent, some as a everday car to and from work, and some as a work truck. 2500 would do a better job and more suited for it. But if 5% of your miles your pulling and 95% your not you would look at it diffrent. Then if you pulled the trailer 95% of the time.

 

For me, i would go to the 2500 for peace of mind

 

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I understand we go out almost every weekend and trailer sometimes for a few hours drive from home or sometimes less... it depends on where we go I guess...and I practicly don't drive it to work as we have 2 other cars...I will look into the 2500 series and see what I can get out of this salesman...I still have a bit of time before i decide if I will return it...

 

My frustration now is the dealer says 9500lbs and every else is saying 6000lbs ...which is a big difference...

 

thanks for your help..

Posted

Dont get me wrong, i am not saying its a good idea, just saying it would the same as u had before probbly, u didnt say how far or how often u plan on pulling it or where to. Would i go pulling it around the mountains? No. 100 miles twice i year? Probbly.

Many people use there trucks diffrent, some as a everday car to and from work, and some as a work truck. 2500 would do a better job and more suited for it. But if 5% of your miles your pulling and 95% your not you would look at it diffrent. Then if you pulled the trailer 95% of the time.

 

For me, i would go to the 2500 for peace of mind

 

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

 

 

I understand we go out almost every weekend and trailer sometimes for a few hours drive from home or sometimes less... it depends on where we go I guess...and I practicly don't drive it to work as we have 2 other cars...I will look into the 2500 series and see what I can get out of this salesman...I still have a bit of time before i decide if I will return it...

 

My frustration now is the dealer says 9500lbs and every else is saying 6000lbs ...which is a big difference...

 

thanks for your help..

alot of things to think about, is that dry weight? Have u filled it up like u were camping and gotten it weighed? Then u gotta look at whats in the truck and its weight, your gross weight adds up fast

 

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Posted

I feel like an idiot for not asking sooner but what is your truck, a crew cab, extended cab, etc? 2WD or 4WD?

This can all easily be looked up and honestly, I'm not seeing any differences listed in the GM info for with or without Z85/Z82/Z71 for an '09.

Posted

I feel like an idiot for not asking sooner but what is your truck, a crew cab, extended cab, etc? 2WD or 4WD?

This can all easily be looked up and honestly, I'm not seeing any differences listed in the GM info for with or without Z85/Z82/Z71 for an '09.

 

It's a Crew cab, 4wd and the only code i can find is the Z85...don't feel like an idiot because i feel like one for buying a truck that I might not be able to haul my TT.....

Posted

OK so yes, if you don't have Z82 or K5L then you are limited to 6,000 lbs according to the build data that I find. K5L is the heavy duty cooling package consisting of the trans AND engine oil coolers. K5L is ONLY availabe WITH the Z82 package.

Posted

you made the right choice! your going to get better mileage with the 1/2 ton. just get the GM transmission cooler and HD hitch thats in the Z82 package! like i mentioned before, the firestone airbags will also help a ton with ride control!

Posted

I wouldn't second guess not getting a 2500HD for that size camper, but I would second guess using that dealer/salesman. We're all different, but I really don't like driving the HD's unloaded, even w/ the Dmax. They're very capable, but for only 6k to 7k lbs loaded, I'd have to tow most of the time to put up w/ the HD handling/ride/mpg every day. What's frustrating, is that *most* GM 1500's come w/ the HD tow package, and most owners never use it. You really needed it, yet the dealer didn't help you in the right direction.

Posted

you made the right choice! your going to get better mileage with the 1/2 ton. just get the GM transmission cooler and HD hitch thats in the Z82 package! like i mentioned before, the firestone airbags will also help a ton with ride control!

 

 

I just got back from the dealer and GM does not have a transmission coolant that is compatible the 6 speeds transmission for the 2009 is what they are telling so I'm getting an after market installed and this should bring the towing capacity up 3000lbs.. the gear ratio is bigger than what I had on my Avalanche also...

 

I called a transmission specialist locally and they said that a transmission coolant with bring the towing capacity to 9000lbs..it's already equipped with the hitch so i'm gonna go with this for now...

 

I still 2 years warranty on Powertrain so....

Posted

Your warranty might be in jeopardy when you add aftermarket parts and tow over what GM rates it for.

 

Personally I'd give that thing back in a heartbeat and get something that'll work for you. Oh and from a different dealer!

Posted

you made the right choice! your going to get better mileage with the 1/2 ton. just get the GM transmission cooler and HD hitch thats in the Z82 package! like i mentioned before, the firestone airbags will also help a ton with ride control!

 

 

I just got back from the dealer and GM does not have a transmission coolant that is compatible the 6 speeds transmission for the 2009 is what they are telling so I'm getting an after market installed and this should bring the towing capacity up 3000lbs.. the gear ratio is bigger than what I had on my Avalanche also...

 

I called a transmission specialist locally and they said that a transmission coolant with bring the towing capacity to 9000lbs..it's already equipped with the hitch so i'm gonna go with this for now...

 

I still 2 years warranty on Powertrain so....

 

Installing after market stuff or things after wont legally let you tow more . You have to get it certified by a engineer . Example I could put a bigger engine in my truck and tranny and better frame and suspension but it would not be legal to tow more weight with my truck

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