Towing with the 6.2 V8

[full_throttle]

Looking for advice if this trailer is ok or too heavy for my new 6.2L, max tow package with 6.5 ft bed, 4x4.

 

Fifth wheel dry weight of 7850lbs

Dry hitch weight 1428 lbs

GVWR 9350 lbs

[captras]

Probably so. You have the same setup as me. If you consider you, family, dog, you are probably at 5800 to 5900 lbs. Add 100 lbs for a 5th wheel hitch, that only leave you 1200-1300 lbs for hitch weight. Then you have to calculate your hitch weight loaded. If you add 1000 lbs, and load it to maintain about 15% of total weight on your hitch, that puts your hitch weight at 1600#.... you are exceeding you 7200# vehicle gross weight by at least 300#. I figured I need a 5th wheel with a dry hitch weight of not more than about 1100#. They are out there but not very large and are hard to find. On the other hand, TT can be found easily with 600 to 700# hitch weight. Max hitch weight for a bumper pull I believe is around 1100# with a WD hitch.

 

Just realized you have a 4x4. That will reduce you payload since 4x4 is heavier than 2wd which is what I have.

[full_throttle]

The way I have it figured is my truck is rated for 9600 lbs for a loaded fifth wheel. 20% of that give me a loaded hitch weight of 1900lbs. 15% is 1440lbs. So I think that I am right in their. Maybe add a set of air bags for ride quality, but should be good.

 

[PDF]2014 chevrolet trAIlerING GUIDe

www.chevrolet.com/.../Chevrolet/.../MY14%20Trailering%20Guide_1113....

10 SILVErADo fIfTH-WHEEL/GooSENECK TrAILEr WEIGHT rATINGS ... Silverado 1500 ... fIfTH-WHeel HITcH anD GoosenecK HITcH These are designed.

[Cliff14Denali]

I'll be picking up my crew cab 6.2L with max tow package Monday or Tuesday, and after I get a few miles on it and tow a little bit, I'll give you my impression. I will be towing a race car trailer at about 7,000 lbs, or my travel trailer at about 5,000 lbs. Not sure which will be first. It all depends on how soon I get my truck broken in and the race schedule at that time. I'm going either racing or camping soon!

I am purchasing my Denali 6.2L for towing my 20' enclosed trailer and Corvette....trailer is #3500 empty and the Corvette is right around #3400. I have used my TrailBlazer SS to pull which it does as long as I'm not going up and down hills. I borrowed a friends 2013 2500HD with the 6.0L gas motor with 3.73's and it pulled it fine up and down hills. This is the reason I went with a 1500 truck over a 2500HD plus the 2500HD rode like crap when it was empty. I can get the nice ride from a 1500 and tow power from a gas motor of the 1500. I only really pull the trailer no more than 4-5X a year so a diesel was out of the question. When I get my truck I will have the rear airbags installed to assist with the weight, cold air kit, exhaust, tune and if the truck doesn't feel right with 3.42's, I will most likely change to 3.73's.

[bills]

I am purchasing my Denali 6.2L for towing my 20' enclosed trailer and Corvette....trailer is #3500 empty and the Corvette is right around #3400. I have used my TrailBlazer SS to pull which it does as long as I'm not going up and down hills. I borrowed a friends 2013 2500HD with the 6.0L gas motor with 3.73's and it pulled it fine up and down hills. This is the reason I went with a 1500 truck over a 2500HD plus the 2500HD rode like crap when it was empty. I can get the nice ride from a 1500 and tow power from a gas motor of the 1500. I only really pull the trailer no more than 4-5X a year so a diesel was out of the question. When I get my truck I will have the rear airbags installed to assist with the weight, cold air kit, exhaust, tune and if the truck doesn't feel right with 3.42's, I will most likely change to 3.73's.

 

Well, it looks like I'm going racing before I go camping. I'll be towing my race car to the track this weekend. I'll be back on Sunday night and I'll let you guys know my impressions next week.

 

Bill

[firedab]

Ok, had a short towing trip, about 70 miles, 95% highway... I have the 6.2 with max tow, 4x4 crew standard bed. I towed a camper with a weight of approx 8500-9000 lbs. Average MPG while towing was 9.2... That was with the tow button on, and in 5th gear most of the time... Cruise set at 66mph... I was hoping for 10-11 but still better that the 6.5mpg I used to get with my 2012 Yukon Denali... In flat terrain also...

[captras]

Good to know....thanks for the post.

[redwngr]

Looking for advice if this trailer is ok or too heavy for my new 6.2L, max tow package with 6.5 ft bed, 4x4.

 

Fifth wheel dry weight of 7850lbs

Dry hitch weight 1428 lbs

GVWR 9350 lbs

http://www.gmfleetorderguide.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2014&addOptions=true&regionID=1&divisionID=2&vehicleID=14683&section=trailer_specs&pagenum=2&butID=8

[full_throttle]

Thanks, makes me feel confident

[jrpriest]

i have 2014 Denali with the 6.2L motor and 3:42 rear end. I have pulled my 16' tandem axle utility trailer load down with atv's and coolers if you know what i saying. I pulled the trailer about 2000 miles round trip. the truck has tons of power. No problem draging it down the road. The only problem is the MPG. I averaged 8 mpg driving 75 to 80 mph. Even 8 mpg doesn't not kill me, the 26 gallon fuel tank does. I wish GM offered a 36 gallon tank like ford. Atleast you would not have to stop every 200 miles for fuel.

 

I don't know if the 3:73 rear on the tow max will make a differance. Maybe it will.

[Cliff14Denali]

i have 2014 Denali with the 6.2L motor and 3:42 rear end. I have pulled my 16' tandem axle utility trailer load down with atv's and coolers if you know what i saying. I pulled the trailer about 2000 miles round trip. the truck has tons of power. No problem draging it down the road. The only problem is the MPG. I averaged 8 mpg driving 75 to 80 mph. Even 8 mpg doesn't not kill me, the 26 gallon fuel tank does. I wish GM offered a 36 gallon tank like ford. Atleast you would not have to stop every 200 miles for fuel.

 

I don't know if the 3:73 rear on the tow max will make a differance. Maybe it will.

 

Changing to 3.73's would help on acceleration and going up hills etc keeping the RPM's in the peak range without having the trans to downshift. I am sure MPG's would suffer just a small bit but that should save more wear and tear on motor/trans in the long run. Just waiting on a manufacturer to come out with gears for these trucks and I will be one of the guys in line to buy them.

[full_throttle]

Anyone else been pulling lately? Reviews?

[PMattras]

Here is a review on the 2014 Silverado 6.2 on towing.

 

 

[Jon A]

Yeah, I wish they would have kept it in manual mode when going up the hill. They could have easily kept it above 60 MPH the whole way.

 

Anyway, the best part of that test is probably going down--10,000 lb trailer, one of the steepest passes in the country, and they didn't need to even touch the brake pedal. The brakes were basically cold at the bottom of the hill. That's impressive.

[PMattras]

I agree with the brakes but do you feel and eight plus speed transmission would do better on this test under the same circumstances? They also mention they felt Chevy geared the transmission to get better gas mileage.