Wife is wanting to get a travel trailer

[07calisilverado]

So I am new to this website but wanted to get on here and start doing my research on the towing capability of the 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3l Quad Cab 2 wheel drive ( new body style). Wanted to see who all have towed with the same kind of truck and let me know what the good and bad is with the 1500 and what my limits are with it. We are getting ready to move from California to Maine within the next year due to a new job up north well she is wanting to live out of a travel trailer for a little bit when we get up there she is looking into the Dutchman Kodiak 264rlsl which has a dry weight of 5560lbs and full capacity of 7760lbs. Would the Silverado be ok with pulling this or would i run into problems trying to pull that kind of weight with it.

[00Silverado4x4]

I don't know what your tow rating is officially but I think that particular trailer is going to be a bit heavy. My previous '06 Crew cab Z71 was rated at 7,400 lbs towing, your rating may be a bit more but not much I don't think.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Your tow rating will probably be in your manual. If your going to use it, put on a trans cooler on it doesnt have one already.

[RyanbabZ71]

moving to the tow section

[Blue2500CC]

Justin,

 

Welcome!

 

Couple things you need to find out about your truck to start is: What gear set do you have? Looking in your glovebox, you will see all the option codes for your truck. Check this post to see what gear ration you have- http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/98313-stock-gear-ratio/?p=874048. Now look in your drivers door jamb to see what your payload is, the yellow sticker will have "Passengers and cargo not to exceed xxxxlbs". That is the available payload for your truck as it was built when it roll off the assembly line. Any extras you have added subtract from this amount, as well as any passengers, cargo, wd (weight distribution) hitch, AND the tt (travel trailer) tw (tongue weight).

 

For a safe and stable tow, on average a tt needs between 12-15% (of the loaded trailer) tw. Some tt's like a little less, some like more tw.

 

When you guys move, just how much will be in the truck bed? Loaded up, or will a moving co. be hauling 99% of your things?

 

Invest in at least a good, middle of the "road" weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control. Reese Dual Cam, Reese SC, and Equal-I-Zer 4 way are some very good for the price systems. There is some newer systems also, Blue Ox which seems to have a growing following, Husky Centerline top model (but you need to be in almost a straight line to hook up/ unhook). Anderson also has a growing following, but it seems to only work well with lower tw's, and there is a few coupler styles the system will not work with.

 

One thing I almost forgot to ask is, do you have the factory tow package?

 

You will also want ot invest in a good electric brake controller.

 

Post back with what you find out on your truck, and what you guys estimate you will have in the truck for the move so we can try to better help!

[07calisilverado]

Justin,

 

Welcome!

 

Couple things you need to find out about your truck to start is: What gear set do you have? Looking in your glovebox, you will see all the option codes for your truck. Check this post to see what gear ration you have- http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/98313-stock-gear-ratio/?p=874048. Now look in your drivers door jamb to see what your payload is, the yellow sticker will have "Passengers and cargo not to exceed xxxxlbs". That is the available payload for your truck as it was built when it roll off the assembly line. Any extras you have added subtract from this amount, as well as any passengers, cargo, wd (weight distribution) hitch, AND the tt (travel trailer) tw (tongue weight).

 

For a safe and stable tow, on average a tt needs between 12-15% (of the loaded trailer) tw. Some tt's like a little less, some like more tw.

 

When you guys move, just how much will be in the truck bed? Loaded up, or will a moving co. be hauling 99% of your things?

 

Invest in at least a good, middle of the "road" weight distribution hitch with integrated sway control. Reese Dual Cam, Reese SC, and Equal-I-Zer 4 way are some very good for the price systems. There is some newer systems also, Blue Ox which seems to have a growing following, Husky Centerline top model (but you need to be in almost a straight line to hook up/ unhook). Anderson also has a growing following, but it seems to only work well with lower tw's, and there is a few coupler styles the system will not work with.

 

One thing I almost forgot to ask is, do you have the factory tow package?

 

You will also want ot invest in a good electric brake controller.

 

Post back with what you find out on your truck, and what you guys estimate you will have in the truck for the move so we can try to better help!

Thank you so much for the great information. It's a 2007 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab 2wheel Drive 5.3L with codes GT4/G80 3.73 Ratio/AXLE REAR, LIMITED SLIP (POSITRACTION) the moving company will be moving all of our stuff except for clothes. and acourse the dogs. As far as the towing package it was the one the dealership installed when we got the truck brand new.

[Blue2500CC]

YW!!!

 

The dealer installed the receiver hitch? Did they install a trans cooler? You will want one if not!

 

While you have the gearing with the 3.73, look to see if you have the option code listed in the glovebox, Z82, and Z85. One is the factory tow package which it doesn't sound like you have (just dealer added), and the HD suspension package (Z85).

 

Did you look in the door jamb to see what you payload is?

[gmckenzie]

Buried in this chart http://www.47westtrailers.com/fckimages/Trailer-Life-Towing-Guide-2007.pdf

 

2wd Crew Cab short box with 3.73 and trailer package has a max towing of 7,600 lbs. You will be close, if not over that rating assuming you have the trailering package. No idea the rating with just the 3.73 and no trailering package.

 

But check the door stickers as suggested.

[07calisilverado]

YW!!!

 

The dealer installed the receiver hitch? Did they install a trans cooler? You will want one if not!

 

While you have the gearing with the 3.73, look to see if you have the option code listed in the glovebox, Z82, and Z85. One is the factory tow package which it doesn't sound like you have (just dealer added), and the HD suspension package (Z85).

 

Did you look in the door jamb to see what you payload is?

Here is my list from my glove compartment & and I just replaced all the shocks and struts on the truck about a month ago with Monroe performance struts and shocks. It has the transmission cooler also I actually replaced the cooler when I replaced the radiator.

[Blue2500CC]

Z82= tow package- Good! Lol

Z60= not sure how this suspension is for towing. Probably ok since it is a stiffer suspension than the stock one is for 2wds.

 

Still need the payload amount listed on the yellow sticker in the driver door jamb. Also post the rear axle rating.

 

As mentioned, it sounds like that trailer is possible, BUT... you will be close to the rating: tow, possibly payload, maybe rear axle also.

 

Have you added anything else to the truck: fiberglass topper/cap, tnneau cover, step bars, etc? Any added accessories count toward the max payload.

[07calisilverado]

Z82= tow package- Good! Lol

Z60= not sure how this suspension is for towing. Probably ok since it is a stiffer suspension than the stock one is for 2wds.

 

Still need the payload amount listed on the yellow sticker in the driver door jamb. Also post the rear axle rating.

 

As mentioned, it sounds like that trailer is possible, BUT... you will be close to the rating: tow, possibly payload, maybe rear axle also.

 

Have you added anything else to the truck: fiberglass topper/cap, tnneau cover, step bars, etc? Any added accessories count toward the max payload.

The only thing i have added to the truck is a throttlebody spacer, intake, exhaust. Thats it no other after market parts as for what the door says....

 

GVWR3085KG(6800LBS) GAWR FRT1656(3650LBS) GAWR 1792KG(3950LBS)

MODEL C10543

TIRE SIZE SPEED RTG RIM

FRT P275/55R20 S 20X8.5J

RR P275/55R20 S 20X8.5J

SPA P265/70R17 S 17x7.5J

 

VIN: 2GCEC130171715172

Silverado/Sierra 1500 Crew Cab

2WD Shortbed 5.3L V-8 7,600 (s,z)

S-3.73.1 Ratio

Z- Towing Package

[cev103]

Wow, San Diego to Maine.....talk about polar opposites.

[07calisilverado]

Wow, San Diego to Maine.....talk about polar opposites.

Have you ever been to the Colbourn gore area. That is where her job is taking her for Customs

[cev103]

Have you ever been to the Colbourn gore area. That is where her job is taking her for Customs

I've never been there but I've heard of it before, it's actually called Coburn Gore. My guess is your wife must be a CBP officer because other than the boarder crossing there is not a whole lot out there, besides good hunting and fishing.

[Blue2500CC]

Just watch what you load in the truck, putting most of it in the trailer and you should be ok. Won't be supper fast up the grades, but should be doable. This is based on an estimate of your Yellow Payload sticker in the drivers door jamb of about 1500lbs. Air the tires up to max cold psi, if not possibly looking into a set of LT tires. With p rated tires, it is possible to have a little "wiggle" due to the softer sidewall when towing with a fair amount of tw.

 

Both the Prodigy P2 or P3 have very good reviews for inertia based brake controllers. If at all possible, do not by a time based unit. They work, but the inertia based are definitely better!!!

 

At least you guys have a fair amount of notice of the move!!!