Shortbed towing

[YJ Bill]

Does anyone use their regular cab shortbed to tow anything heavy? I'm considering a new 119" wheelbase Silverado for a daily driver and to occasionally tow my jeep on a trailer, about 5500lbs total. How will this work? Is the 4.8 enough motor? Should I go 5sp or auto?

[Jpshostr]

If you are going to buy new I'd consider going with a larger truck for a load such as that, maybe a 1500HD or 2500 so you get the 6.0L.  My uncle towed a trailer to our house from NC two weeks ago with one of his new company trucks, a 1500 ext. cab longbed with the 5.3L.  The trailer was a 15' or so that was hauling a solid surface countertop, no where near 5500lbs.  He was very disappointed with it, had to stop 4 times for gas with a 34 gallon tank, about twice as much as a normal trip took.  It shifted all over the place even when put in tow/haul mode and locked out of OD.  A truck like you described would work, just not that well IMO.

[YJ Bill]

I normally tow with a class c motorhome and will mainly use my pickup unloaded, I know a larger truck will tow more, but I really love those shorties

[ryr8828]

We used to have 4.8's. I was towing a trailer up a hill on the interstate and had to pull over with the semis. Got down to 35 mph. I'd never get one with the intention of pulling anything bigger than an ATV or small boat. Great for just driving tho.

[Stepside Z]

I have exactly the truck you are talking about and here are my thoughts. I like the 4.8 but it is not very good to tow anything bigger then a jet ski. I had a 99 Serria ext cab Z71 and I towed a loaded tandom axle u-haul 700 miles and was not impressed with the performance. The 4.8 is a good daily driver and light work but nothing more. The engine really lacks low end torque. My current truck, 01 Silverado reg cab Z71, has a 4.8 with 3.73 gears and I really wish I had a 5.3 or 4.10 gears. Since I added BFG 285s the rpms are really low on the freeway. With the cc set at 68 the truck down shifts on even the smallest hills. I am considering ordering a new 2500HD D/A the end of the year because I want more power.

To sum it all up if you are going to get a 1500 reg cab short bed then go with the 5.3. The auto will come with this engine choice. Get the 4.10 especially if you are going to put bigger tires on the truck. There is very little difference in gas milage between the two engines and I think the 5.3 would probibly do better while towing a 5500lb trailer.

Sorry to ramble but I hope this helps.

[RyanbabZ71]

get the 5.3 with 4.10 at least

[Guest]

My 5.3 with auto and 3.73's will pull 5500 lbs. OK but I would say that is the limit. It has, in a pinch, pulled a JD skidloader on a HD 2 axle trailer (about 8000 lbs.) and it didn't like it and was dangerous! I sure don't miss my F250 with a 460 gas but that torque was sweet. I bet a 6.0 would make you very happy.

[YJ Bill]

I didn't realize there was that much difference between the 4.8 and 5.3

[Shaners]

CapnDean pulled that tandem axle flatbed with his 4.8L and was very impressed, and got good mpg's while doing it!!!

 

The biggest problem towing with a shorty reg cab is the wheel base is so short, that the trailer will push you around ALOT.  Especially if you have a load on...  The big advantage to the short wheel base is when you have to back up...

 

Here's the thread... CapnDeans milage

[Kansas Kid]

Come on here guys, we are talking about a 5000lb trailer here.  This guy wants a daily driver and occasional tow vehicle.  You don't need a one ton truck to pull a car trailer with, unless you are planning on putting a full size pickup on there.  To be quite honest, I'd pull that car trailer all over the country side with my 89 K1500 without a second thought.  (just might have to if I ever get a race car)  And its a old, under powered, and under braked truck compared to these new ones.  (or so it should be)

 

But IMO I think you would rather have the 5.3 in your truck, with the 4.10 gears.  If you are ever going to be towing with a half ton, get the larger motor.  So I say get you a regcab/shortbed, 5.3, auto, 4.10 gears, all the extra cooling packages and replace the P-rated tires with some LT rated tires of the same size.  (atleast load range C).

[DigUout]

The guys have covered the motor gear combo, and I agree with them, a 5.3 and 4:10's.  To answer your other question, towing with a 5 speed is preferable, and the MPG is better but you'll take a hit for it when you trade in.  Welcome to the forum -

[CapnDean]

The question is:

 

How often do you tow?  How far do you tow?

 

I am VERY pleased with my 4.8L Extended Cab Auto (2wd) as a daily driver.  I tow a 8X16 flatbed on occasion.  As mentioned above I hauled it empty for a long ways last week (hey I burned some oil I think) but the performance was stellar.

 

IMHO:  If you are going to tow OFTEN and/or for long distances....get a bigger set up.  If you're like me, I only tow the flatbed with the tractor on it OCCASIONALLY.  On the 3 times a year I wind up hauling the tractor (@5000 Lbs with bush hog) I just take my time.  Stopping is more of a problem since I don't have trailer brakes.  

 

Do you expect to tow in the mountains?  Or do you need acceleration with a heavy load?  If so...Definitely get the bigger motor and lower gear ratio.   Otherwise you will find the 4.8L is ample.  

 

Towing 5000# with a stubby eh?  You're a lot like the Capn!  Hey work em to the edge.  They can take it!

 

Dean

[YJ Bill]

Thanks for all the input guys, I think I'll see what kind of a deal I can find on a 5.3 auto while GM has the $2002 rebate!