All Things Needed for Towing

[JimCost2014]

21 hours ago, Byrds8 said:

Forgot catback lol. Well my last ride was a 2013 Camaro SS. It had the badging changed out to the old script, coil overs and lowered, extremely light weight wheels, full exhaust to include LTs, CAI, Tuned, two 10" subs, sub amp, heritage grill, catch can, tint. Thats what I can think of atm lol.

Great looking car, always been a huge Camaro fan!

[dieselfan1]

Try to contain your enthusiasm byrds.

I wouldn't waste any money until you have something to tow. What you need will depend on what your towing.

Like the 2 5/16 ball. That's for big trailers. Sounds like you won't need that yet.

[Byrds8]

16 hours ago, JimCost2014 said:

Great looking car, always been a huge Camaro fan!

Thanks. She was my 6th and last Camaro I ever will own. After getting accused of racing and having to fix that issue, its just not worth the drama. She was a beauty though. All good now I have my truck and I enjoy driving again lol.

[Byrds8]

16 hours ago, dieselfan1 said:

Try to contain your enthusiasm byrds.

I wouldn't waste any money until you have something to tow. What you need will depend on what your towing.

Like the 2 5/16 ball. That's for big trailers. Sounds like you won't need that yet.

You do have a point. I am just one of those guys that likes to plan ahead if possible.

[newdude]

The most important thing I can think of, over everything else that has been mentioned?

 

WEIGHT.  Know.  Your.  Weights.

 

When you start trailer shopping or whatever towable item, know what it weighs.  Know your truck's payload, dry and wet (if applicable) weight of the trailer, the tongue weight and weight of all your gear.  

[Byrds8]

I have read that part for sure. I also read that even though my truck says it can do 9400 other people do not recommend more than 6K for a smooth not crazy ride. I believe the placard on the truck says max payload is a bit over 1700lbs. Thought it was odd because I thought the Z85 package increased capacity. 

 

I attached images of the new wheels to this thread. They got mounted yesterday.

[dieselfan1]

Byrds

Z85 is the "standard suspension " 

Z71 is "off road"

Z60 is "street performance "

Z83 is "standard suspension " for W/T's

 

https://itstillruns.com/difference-silverado-z60-z71-7385372.html

 

6000lbs is the max I recommend towing with that setup.

Is yours 2wd?

Edited June 17, 2021 by dieselfan1

[Byrds8]

Yes, mine is a 2WD.

[Donstar]

If you have little or no experience towing, it would be advantageous to get some practice before purchase.  Backing up a trailer is counterintuitive at first and It can be extremely difficult if you have to do it under pressure!  Rent a U-Haul and move a couch for a friend!  People are generally understanding and don't expect competency when you have rental signs plastered on your trailer!  A popular form of entertainment in a campground is watching others back their rigs into a campsite. Some drivers can thread their huge trailers through the eye of a needle while others draw many "helpful" spectators.

[Grumpy Bear]

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Grumpy Bear]

17 hours ago, dieselfan1 said:

Byrds

Z85 is the "standard suspension " 

Z71 is "off road"

Z60 is "street performance "

Z83 is "standard suspension " for W/T's

 

https://itstillruns.com/difference-silverado-z60-z71-7385372.html

 

6000lbs is the max I recommend towing with that setup.

Is yours 2wd?

 

My WT1 came with the Z85  That's the RPO in the glove box. 

An exception to every rule, eh?

[Byrds8]

I have towed before just not for a while. As a teen, I've backed up and towed the boat. In the military we have hauled big generators and such around even had training days where we went into the woods to turn them around on dirt trails lol. I am by far no expert and I am sure I am rusty but Its not that I have never done it. I think the last time I ever towed anything was my car behind a Uhaul from FL to TX. 

[poconojoe]

You only need the brake controller if you are pulling a trailer that has either straight out electric brakes or electric over hydraulic brakes. 

 

A lot of trailers have self activating hydraulic surge brakes in which you don't need a brake controller. 

 

You could buy an aftermarket brake controller if you ever need it. I don't know about our trucks, but my daughter's Ram had a jack under the dash by the steering wheel to connect an aftermarket controller. So, it was pretty much plug and play. We did have to order the correct harness to match the truck model. 

[dieselfan1]

Byrds

Thanks for your service

[pokismoki]

I use the Curt Venturer, and the power harness plug and play simple  on Amazon... get the cheaper $40-80 "Timer based Brake controller" , they put out a little more brake power to the trailer VS the newer "Inertia brake" controllers. this puts less loading on the truck durring stop and go traffic conditions... the salesman is gonna want to sell you the $200-500 Inertia system  learn how to set up the timer and gains while empty vs loaded and get a feel for the timer's output function.

 

if you need to buy sway control bars, then your probably over loading the trailer..

Edited June 20, 2021 by pokismoki