Jump to content

2013 Sierra 1500 towing

CPOWindle

Recommended Posts

CPOWindle New Member

CPOWindle

Posted
Posted

I am thinking about getting my fathers truck for towing a travel trailer. It has the power tech package (?) on the build sheet. It includes 5.3vortec 6spd trans, locking rear diff, trailering package (?), heavy duty cooling, and other non trailering goodies. I am looking at travel trailers around 8k lbs. Can it do the job? I am anticipating a few long trips (7-10 days) a year and a few long weekends. Mainly to the coast and the like. 1000 mile trips I guess. Just want to know if anyone is using this setup to tow with and any info I can get. Thank you.

mj0528 Enthusiast

mj0528

Posted
Posted

Gonna be a struggle most likely. Check the payload for the tounge weight and what you have left after the hitch. That's the biggest factor for 1/2 tons. What rear end do you have? That's also a factor by GMC manual. 3.08 is like 6700 and 3.42 is 9600 or so depending on config. I hear you want to have a 20% buffer but the payload usually runs out first

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Andy Seibel Enthusiast

Andy Seibel

Posted
Posted

8k lbs dry weight trailer is probably going to push you past the safe limits. Can you pull it? probably. And some people do.

 

But with that size trailer, the popular phrase seems to be "tail wagging the dog".

You need the truck to be in charge when you need to stop or quickly maneuver. looks like a HD truck is in your future if you need that size trailer.

arcasey Enthusiast

arcasey

Posted
Posted

All of the trucks in that year model were rated at over 9,000 lbs towing capacity as long as you have the 5.3L coupled with the 3.42 rear end and the heavy duty cooling (which you said it did have so I would assume it probably has the 3.42 rear end also). At 8,000 lbs you are definitely going to know it's back there. I don't know if they have trailer brakes on travel trailers in that size or not but if you can find one that does you will definitely want one with brakes.

dasimmon Enthusiast

dasimmon

Posted
Posted

these guys are spot on, that sierra is gonna be puttin in some work. make sure you are keeping an eye on ur GVWR, 10-15% tongue weight + passengers + gear + fuel = pushing it. most guys on here pulling that kind of weight are in HD's for sure

CPOWindle New Member

CPOWindle

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the input. I kinda knew that I needed an HD but I just didn't want to buy one. I guess the next question is: Do I need the Diesel or can I go with a 6.0 or 6.2 gasoline engine? The diesel is much more expensive and the upkeep is a bit more expensive as well. Diesel fuel has been more per gallon for as long as I can remember, so can I use the gas engine as effectively to pull the trailer? I know the Plymouth diesel trucks are less but I can't handle the nausea while driving one or the embarrassment when seen driving it. Advice??

intheburbs Enthusiast

intheburbs

Posted
Posted

Engine power is important, but less so now with 6 speed transmissions.

 

I'd be more focused on your axles. The half-ton trucks use weak semi-floater axles that are only rated to about 4,000 lbs. The HD trucks use full floaters that can handle much more weight and dissipate heat better.

 

Bottom line - a trailer with an 8,000-lb dry weight is going to be more like 9500 fully loaded for a trip. IMHO, that's too much for a half-ton truck.

redvett Senior Enthusiast

redvett

Posted
Posted

Diesel towing from the RV sites is 30000 miles to even come close to get any savings. 6.0L w/ 6speed will come very close on fuel economy under 30000 miles. Diesel is just not worth it for the occasional towing.

arcasey Enthusiast

arcasey

Posted
Posted

While it's true that diesel fuel is typically higher per gallon these days, you have to factor in the fuel mileage for each type of truck. Unless you want to splurge for the newer model 1500's with the new 8 speed transmission, the diesels are going to get considerably better mileage while towing. And if you willing to spend the money for a newer 1500 with an 8 speed tranny you might as well spend a little bit more and get a truck that was made for towing. Just my two cents worth, but again it just really depends on what you are trying to do.

mj0528 Enthusiast

mj0528

Posted
Posted

Whatever you choose, get the equalizer 4 PT WDH/sway hitch. I pull a 5800 lb travel trailer and wouldn't want anymore than that. I've pulled it with and without the WDH and it made a huge improvement. No "white knuckle" experience but getting up to speed with a 5.3 (3.73 rear ended) took some time. Once you get up to speed, no biggie with the equalizer. The one time I drove it without made me regret my decision to pull it but not now

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,840
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    appletrav
    Newest Member
    appletrav
    Joined

  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 391 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • newdude
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By newdude · Posted

      This is a 1/2 ton thing ONLY.  All HDs 2020-2026 have the two speed transfer case, with Autotrac as an option.     1/2 tons 2019-2026, regular 4x4s come with a single speed case (no 4LO!), and trucks with Z71 ordered, or all Trail Boss trucks come with the 2 speed case.  2 speed case is also an option on WT, and is also standard on High Country.  
    • newdude
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By newdude · Posted

      2013 5.3 still to this day calls for the PF48 filter.  Which as a 15psi bypass pressure.     There is a TSB, 17-NA-157 that talks about the PF-63 and PF-64 filters which have a higher bypass rating of 22psi.    TSB HERE - temp.xml   "Beginning in 2012, the oil pumps began to regulate main gallery feedback instead of pump out pressure. This means that the oil pump now does not begin to regulate until pressure is built up to the main gallery. This change reduces the amount of time it takes to provide oil to the engine bearing and lifters during extreme cold start conditions.  Main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are present on the following engine families which use Spin-on oil filters: Small Gas Engine (SGE), Large Gas Engine (LGE), High Feature (HFV6) Gen2 and Small Block Gen5 gasoline engines. These engines with the main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are factory built with an ACDelco® oil filters"   It also calls out what engines use those filters.  The gen 4 small blocks were not on that list (LMG, LC9, L9H, L92, L94, L20, L96).  Gen 5 small blocks use the higher pressure filter.          That all said...   Your 7045 Napa filter is the PF63 equivalent, with 22psi bypass.  You are already using the higher bypass pressure filter.  You CAN keep using it, you don't technically have to use it though.  
    • Grumpy Bear
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Do you know WHY the filter relief setting was increased to 22 psig?    When the new system goes into the second stage the pump volume ramps up considerably. It was found that the 15 psi filter bypass setting put the filter in bypass on a warm engine when the second stage was activated. Raising the filter bypass setting forced the filter to do what it designed to do. Filter. Preventing debris from circulating during high load, high rpm operation.    So next question is how did GM find this out? VLOM/lifter failures and a deep dive by Melling Corp.    Last question. Is it required? Look at it like this; a motor may be equipped with a rev limiter. But it only works if the set point in reached. That 22 psig setting only matters if the pressure differential across the filter media exceeds 15 psig during normal warm operation. Second stage kicks in around 3000-3500 rpm.    I can't answer your question because I don't know you and how you use the truck. But I think there is enough information here to let you decide for yourself. 😉
    • Coastie05
      give me some tips to make my truck look better

      By Coastie05 · Posted

      Go back to OEM wheels. 
    • newdude
      2020 Trailboss 6.2 replacement

      By newdude · Posted

      Probably not their first rodeo, so it should go as planned most likely.  Typically the service manager or tech doing the swap will put some seat time to shake it down after they get it all put back together.  We usually put 50-100mi before we hand them back so if something happens, its not after you get it.  A coolant leaks, oil leaks, a ground left off or loose, vibration, etc.     The new engines so far have been good?  There's been a couple that have popped out there again (the replacement engine) but most have been okay.  

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...