1500HD Towing Questions?

04Chevy2500HD · May 14, 2003

I own a 2002 1500HD 4WD with a 4:10 in the rear end. I am looking at purchasing a Toy Hauler type trailer for my ATV's. Looking mainly at the Artic Fox 28". It has a curb weight of 7415LBS. Throw on top of that 3-4 Quads, 100 gallons of water and 3-4 peoples stuff I am sure weight will be approaching over 9500LBS. I am pretty sure I can keep the weight under the max towing capacity of the truck of 9900LBS. But would I be stupid pushing it that much? Does anyone have any experience in this area to offer some good advice. I am not real concerned at pulling the trailer at 90MPH but am I going to be able to pull at 65-70 down the freeway?

Guess I am kind of questioning the might of my pickup?

John R · May 14, 2003

Might try asking this question in the light duty

1500, 2500 section.

Hope This Helps

Shaners · May 14, 2003

I tow a 32 foot travel trailer with my 2500HD 6.0L 4x4 crewcab with 4.10 gears. I have more problems with wind drag than the weight (8500-9000 lbs loaded). Climbing some hills on the Interstate I have seen 2nd gear and highRPM's but it still pulls strong at cruising speeds. I never tow with the cruise on and always try to get a run at the hills. On the flat I can easily tow at 70+ MPH in OD with no problems.

You will definatly be working the truck, but it should be able to do it. I don't think I would want to pull in the mountains often, especially if fully loaded. I think if you would be staying relatively close to home, it would be fine... heading across the country is a whole different story.

Since my trailer has a slide-out it is taller than most, so that is part of my wind drag problem... I think the "toy haulers" are pretty tall too, so a head wind will drag you down a bit...

I get about 8 MPG's fully loaded, which isn't much fun with the puny 26 gallon tank...

GM GIMP · May 15, 2003

I pull a 24' car hauler that weighs about 4,000# empty loaded with a 3400# race car, tool box, and other misc. items totaling about 9500#. This is no problem for my '02 1500HD 2wd. with a weight distributing hitch and factory recommended tire inflation of 80# per rear tire. The General is very conservative with their load ratings and anything below max. tow capacity is ok for these trucks. Have fun!!

04Chevy2500HD · May 15, 2003

I may get the trailer try it for the summer and if I am not to impressed, replace the pickup with a 2500HD 04 at the end of the year. Like I said I just want to be able to stop and tow the trailer at highway speeds. I only drive about 180 miles to the dunes and it is all pretty flat except for the one climb over the Hills between the Valley and the coast, that is only like 30 miles of hills. SO I THINK I CAN I THINK I CAN.

Thanks for all the information. If anyone can provide anymore insight thanks in advance.

maggot · May 15, 2003

I Tow about 8500# fifth wheel with my 1500HD I have 3.73s in the rear end. I am guessing but it is a 26 Ft MIDprofile 5th with a super slide. Never weight it don't care truck does fine. My big thing is wind drag with the mid profile 5th wheel. I get between 4 and 6 MPG. I run it in 3rd gear which is 1to1. I bogg down on some big mountains in KY and TN, WV, does real good on the flats of Al, SC, OH etc... The braking and tranny is fine. In fact awesome. The truck CAN handle the weight. Here is a story. My dad has a F250 with the 7.3. His rig is a tag-along, which has a 9200# of weight , when he sets it on his truck without the weight bars it sinks the rear end 3 3/4to 4 inches. He was riding me about the springs on mine,his has a funky overload sping, just for grins we dropped it on my truck..the drop was only 2 inches. He and I were both shocked the the 1500HD had more in the springs than the Ford.

The braking on the 1500Hd is the same as a 2500HD. The Springs are the same, Front and rear ends are the same. The frame is bigger than a 2500LD and dang near identical to the 2500HD. The 2500HD uses a full 8 inch frame the 150HD uses the 2500HD right to the point where the rear wheels meet and then they use the 2500LD which is 6 inches. It is how they got it to sit 2 inches lower. Torshion bars are cranked way out also, plenty of adjustment if you like.

You should be fine. May need to use your right foot a little more but everthing other on the truck will do the job. Don't let that 1500 fool you it is not a 1500. I like mine alot, does a good job. I have around 18,000 miles of which atleast 10,000 are pulling miles mostly in the hills and mountains. No problems at all. None Zip Nada. Love the truck and would not give it up for anything less than a 3500, not even for a 2500HD. I love it the price I paid, the options, the ride, brakes everything. Don't under estimate it. It's a heck of a truck.

I would not have one fear of going anywhere in this setup. Next year 04 I am hoping to go to Alaska in this setup. My only fear is 5 weeks may not be enough time. Not sure will see as time gets closer. But don't stress your truck it should do you good.

LARSONEM · May 15, 2003

I don't think you would gain anything going from a 1500HD with 4.10 gears into a 2500HD unless you go with the 8.1L big block or the 6.6L Duramax. That's because the 2500HD comes standard with the 4.10 gears instead of the standard 3.73 that are in the 1500HD. So basically the optional powertrain in your rig as you stated it, is what the standard powertrain is in the 2500HD.

I had a 2001 1500 Silverado Ext-Cab that was a really great truck. Fun to drive, quick and a overall good looking rig. It had the 5.3L with 3.73 axle. That gave it a tow rating of 8000 pounds. Then I bought a 32 foot travel trailer. At 5100 pounds empty, water, gas, camping supplies, bicycles, firewood, plus 4 passengers, I figured we were in the neighborhood of 6500 - 7000 pounds or roughly 80 percent plus of capacity. I had to run in 3rd gear. At 65 mph that about 2700 rpm. It would pull in 3rd ok, but in a hill at about 3000 rpm, it would take 2nd gear and run the tach to about 4400 rpm. It pretty much maintained forward speed without a problem, but I wasn't happy with that. But we were able to move the trailer fine, but I wanted more power. My uncle has a 2500HD Crew with 6.0L gas and is towing a 5th wheel about 1000 pounds heavier empty than mine. He indicated that in long grades, he was running about 4400 rpms, which indicates to me that even the 2500HD with 4.10 & 6.0L needs to go to 2nd gear sometimes.

I ended up opting for a 2500HD CC D/A combination this year. I've pulled the trailer twice with it so far. It works GREAT. 70 mph and in overdrive (5th gear). No hunting for gears. This combination is expensive, but let me tell you, it really does the job.

Shotgun · May 15, 2003

I pull basicly the same trailer as Shaners with my 1500HD and if your driving 70 on the interstate watch your rear view mirror because I'll be coming by you...lol :thumb:

BDBWTE · May 15, 2003

You'll be fine just realize your not driving a Corvette with that kind of weight you will no it's back there and if your trailer brakes aren't up to snuff the trailer will push the truck. Even a 3500 Diesel would be pushed. Make sure your brakes and brake controller are up to the job. And realize you won't be going 70mph up hills and you'll be fine. I pull loads 3 to 5 times a week over 10,000lbs just because that's the nature of our buisness and my HD is doing well.