Towing a TT with a 5.3

[jlgarza15]

I have a 2015 Silverado Crew Cab Short Box 5.3 3.42. I also have a travel trailer that I keep at the beach. It's about 33 feet tip to tip and has a dry weight just under 5900lbs. We do full hook up camping water tanks will always be empty. It will just have clothes and food. I want to bring it home instead of storing it there and its about 130 miles each way including one 7% grade.Will probably tow it about 8 times a year. Is it safe to do so?

[SGI2015]

Weight wise u you should be fine as long as the tires and brakes are in good shape.

[wurgs]

Take it easy and you will have no problem

[SouthpawHD]

In windy conditions the trailer will sway somewhat causing an uneasy feeling in the truck. Just keep that in mind when you head out and slow down and you should be OK.

[treesovertexas]

I think a lot of people of skipping over an important part, your gear ratio. With that said, I think you will still be alright, if you were talking about daily, it would call for some major modifications. Not for a few times a year. I towed 6k daily for three straight years with the 5.3, however I installed 4.10's. In my honest opinion, 3.42's are not low enough for the 5.3 and 6k, daily towing. But again, a few times a year, you're okay. I would look into trailer brakes for sure, add a leaf to the rear, and gears when you start hauling more, you'll be happy. I had to get rid of the 5.3, while it was a great engine. The 4l60 it used to be paired up with wasn't, it was an enemy when towing.

[jlgarza15]

Thanks for all the info, the travel trailer does have brakes and the truck has a built in brake controller. I'll be looking to get a a decent WD hitch.

[ShawnR]

I use an E2 weight distributing hitch. It's relatively inexpensive and does the job. Consider the Equil-i-zer if you want top of the line. I pull a 26' 7500 lb TT with my 2004 5.3l Silverado.

[tvrsq51]

I recently bought a TT 30' nose to tail/tire and it seems at times to be struggling. I have all the trailering package(WD hitch and anti-sway bar) which helps a lot. I can't see using anything less than 3.73 to get it moving. Am I missing something? I think I need to start a thread due to me having trailering questions.

[GsBowtie]

I use an E2 weight distributing hitch. It's relatively inexpensive and does the job. Consider the Equil-i-zer if you want top of the line. I pull a 26' 7500 lb TT with my 2004 5.3l Silverado.

Equalizer is good. But top of the line to me is Hensley arrow. Great, but very expensive. With a rig that long, may be worth considering. Just my opinion

[nekkidhillbilly]

I think a lot of people of skipping over an important part, your gear ratio. With that said, I think you will still be alright, if you were talking about daily, it would call for some major modifications. Not for a few times a year. I towed 6k daily for three straight years with the 5.3, however I installed 4.10's. In my honest opinion, 3.42's are not low enough for the 5.3 and 6k, daily towing. But again, a few times a year, you're okay. I would look into trailer brakes for sure, add a leaf to the rear, and gears when you start hauling more, you'll be happy. I had to get rid of the 5.3, while it was a great engine. The 4l60 it used to be paired up with wasn't, it was an enemy when towing.

big difference in a 6l80e and a 4l60e with 342 gears.

[s5ierr3a]

I pulled a 34' @ 5990lbs empty with a 13 sierra 5.3. Probably 7-7.5 loaded maybe. Had a equilzer hitch. I had a bunch of stuff in the bed including a bunch of firewood. It was overloaded payload wise no doubt but it really surprised me. Got some pretty big grades here in east KY going through VA and TN. She liked to wind up hard but that's a small blocks nature. Trans never got over 210 and I could hold 55-60 (although screaming haha). As far as sway and being in control that wasn't a problem. I traded for a 3/4 last week actually simply for payload reasons. But if I didn't have all the crap in the bed I would have been pleased with the 5.3. My new 6.0 ain't much faster really. Just more hefty.

[nekkidhillbilly]

a neighbor

[shane06fl]

Your weight is not the problem, you will snatch it down the road just fine as many times a year as you want too. The length however is about my max for a regular wheelbase half ton truck. You don't want the tail wagging the dog. With a good WD hitch set up and a even better sway control system you will be fine. Tow at proper speeds of 60-65 and watch for cross winds. I don't know the specs for the 2015 but my 13 with the same gears and tow package has a tow rating of 9500lbs, I imagine yours is similar. You are ell below your limits.

 

BTW I tow 30ft hitch to bumper TT that weighs 7600lbs loaded down for a long trip. Tows just fine.

[06trdrew]

Hi Guys,

 

Let me know if I should start another topic.

 

I have a similar truck 2016 Sierra 2x4, SWB (143"), 5.3L, 3.42 gears. We are researching TT options to buy soon.

 

The trailers we are looking at are between 31'-33' in length, around 6'000Lbs to 6'800lbs dry weight. We would defiantly have a WDH added for stability. I don’t think this would be an issue with all the information I have read online and in forums.

 

The main question I have today.

 

Do you think looking at a 8080lbs Dry weight TT 34' long (probably around 8'500) loaded is completely out of the question. We probably use it 4-5 times per year. Elevation in Southern California and areas around us can vary from sea level to mountains.

 

Do you think considering this option of a trailer is not safe or is it possible with this tow vehicle?

 

Thanks again

 

 

Link to trailer

 

[BigBadSierra]

With this 8080lbs Dry weight TT 34' long (probably around 8'500).

 

You should defiantly look at the Max tow package 12,000lbs as it's real close to maxing out the standard package.

 

8,500 plus people and anything you toss in the bed IE firewood you can easily go over the max vehicle weight.

 

I've pulled weights of 6'000Lbs to 6'800lbs dry weight with no issues in my truck with the 3.42 and 5.3L