Max towing vs comfortable towing

[gern]

I have a 2020 Silverado Custom with the 4.3l engine. I'm looking into buying a travel trailer and wanted some opinions on weight. Specs say 7900 but wouldn't go near that weight. I'm looking at trailers 5,000 lbs and under. What would be a good weight that doesn't overly strain the truck? I have not pulled anything with this truck yet and don't want to make a purchase and as soon as I leave out realize I made a mistake. My other option is to look for a V8 but right now are pretty hard to come by at a decent price.

Thanks for any advice

[newdude]

I'd shop by GVWR, so a trailer that has a GVWR of say 6000lbs or less.  So dry weight of 3000-5000lbs tops.  Any big hills where you live?  The V6 is gonna work for it, so the lighter you go while still having the features you want, the better.  

 

The other things I'd do is get the new lower temperature transmission thermostat that GM offers for your truck and upgrade to it.  85563685 is the thermostat, and you need x2 of 12650609 seal and 23135703 gasket.  This will lower the operating temps of your transmission for the better.  Oh and turn tow/haul mode on.  

 

Another suggestion too is see if a dealer or a friend of yours has a trailer you can test tow with your truck.  Even if its a dump trailer or an equipment trailer.  Get it loaded to about 5000lbs and see how it pulls.  This would give you a good idea as to how it will perform when towing.  

[newdude]

Not that you want to replace the truck necessarily, you could always upgrade to a refreshed 2022 Custom with the 2.7 Turbo.  The refresh trucks have the 2.7T HO which is 310hp and 430tq.  Those are rated for 9200lbs on 2wd double and crew cabs.  

[gern]

Thanks for the info. I do have a few hills leaving house. I didn't even think about dry vs loaded weight, was just looking at the trailer weight in general. So a 3000 - 3500 dry weight trailers I've seen would do fine. So you think going that route, the truck could handle that without issues? Long story short, son is transferring from Washington State to University of Nevada Reno and this will be his living quarters. One option is to buy it there and bring it home afterwards however the prices here in Texas on trailers appears to be quite a bit better than Reno

[RandyRck]

I would strongly recommend you go to fifthwheelstreet.com and read through the information.  Tremendous amount of information on this site that will help you make a safe decision.  I just want to add that it has been my experience, having been towing for 45+ Years, that you also want to carefully consider what a pickup will safely stop!  Whatever you do, make a well informed decision, based on facts!

Edited March 8, 2022 by RandyRck
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[redwngr]

Also consider how far, how fast and how often you plan to tow.

 

Big difference between an interstate trip across the country and a leisurely 2 lane backroad trip to where the trailer gets parked for the season / picked up from for the off-season.

[EddDe]

Check the tag on bottom of pillar inside driver's door. Tag has max towing weight as truck was configured from factory. The "conventional" weight is for hitch towing, such as, travel trailer.

[gern]

Thanks for the info. I do have a few hills leaving house. I didn't even think about dry vs loaded weight, was just looking at the trailer weight in general. So a 3000 - 3500 dry weight trailers I've seen would do fine. So you think going that route, the truck could handle that without issues? Long story short, son is transferring from Washington State to University of Nevada Reno and this will be his living quarters. One option is to buy it there and bring it home afterwards however the prices here in Texas on trailers appears to be quite a bit better than Reno

[gern]

Thank you all for the feedback. I told my wife I was asking about it on the forum and she replied, just get a bigger truck! What? Wow, OK

So think I'll try that first and see what's out there.

[Dthissen]

One thing you must consider is payload capacity. Make sure you look on the inside of the door for your truck’s info. Tongue weight has to be calculated into total payload as well as occupants and cargo. 

[KARNUT]

I hauled equipment and campers for 50 years with fifth wheel or gooseneck. During most of towing years the trucks were always over capacity. But my trailers weren’t. There isn’t a tractor trailer on the road that can stop it’s load that burden falls to the trailer. I wouldn’t buy a trailer or camper that couldn’t stop it’s load. My trucks were pullers not stoppers. The next step is how you position your load. Again that burden falls to the trailer or camper. 

[Epsilon Plus]

I don't think there's such a thing as comfortable towing with a 4.3L in the Sierras. At the weight you are talking about the truck chassis will handle it but the engine is going to be getting it's arse handed to it, especially with a good head wind on a travel trailer.

 

Thing is, it's a once or twice trip. It won't hurt it long term and it will just be annoying while on the trip. Doesn't sound worth it to go and buy a new rig, in these times, just for a smoother pull over a collective 30 or so hours both ways.

[TxTruckMan]

I wouldn't buy a new truck for towing once a year.  Just drive slow and be mindful of how much gear you put into the trailer.  Water adds a lot of weight - 8 pounds a gallon.  Make sure you have a strong trailer brake.