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1500 Crew Cab Towing Question

cymmgarcia

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cymmgarcia Enthusiast

cymmgarcia

Posted
Posted

I am in the process of buying a boat and here are the specs:

 

Boat Weight: 5000

Boat Fuel: 200

Boat Stuff: 200

Trailer Weight: 1600 (dual axle with brakes)

 

Truck Weight: 4950

Truck Topper: 300

Passenger: 450

 

Total: 12700

 

The Truck is a 2004 with a 5.3 (327CID) with 3.73 gears with the Factory Tow Package on 255/70/16 Tires.

 

The Truck has a Tow Rating of 7800 and will be pulling 7000.

The Truck has a GCWR of 13000 and the combo weight is 12700.

 

I will be towing in very flat South Florida. Do you guys think this will be ok?

 

Thanks,

[email protected]

SierraCrewGuy Enthusiast

SierraCrewGuy

Posted
Posted

I would make sure that your truck has a transmission cooler (not sure if that's standard with the towing package) and you should be good to go! If the factory says that you're within specs, your fine. If I didn't have a transmission cooler, I'd DEFINITELY get one installed. Be sure to use your tow / haul button!!! Good luck!!

2004GMC1500CC Enthusiast

2004GMC1500CC

Posted
Posted
I would make sure that your truck has a transmission cooler (not sure if that's standard with the towing package) and you should be good to go!  If the factory says that you're within specs, your fine.  If I didn't have a transmission cooler, I'd DEFINITELY get one installed.  Be sure to use your tow / haul button!!!  Good luck!!

 

 

 

Tow package comes with a tranny cooler.

SierraCrewGuy Enthusiast

SierraCrewGuy

Posted
Posted
I would make sure that your truck has a transmission cooler (not sure if that's standard with the towing package) and you should be good to go!  If the factory says that you're within specs, your fine.  If I didn't have a transmission cooler, I'd DEFINITELY get one installed.  Be sure to use your tow / haul button!!!  Good luck!!

 

 

 

Tow package comes with a tranny cooler.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the tip. I knew my truck had it but wasn't sure it was standard!! :D

2004GMC1500CC Enthusiast

2004GMC1500CC

Posted
Posted
Thanks for the advise. I don't want to hurt the truck or compromise safety. I just sure wish I wasn't so close to the limits....

 

 

 

 

Don't worry about it, those are the limits they tell you, not the limits of the truck. I have had over 2000lbs in the bed of my 91 1/2 ton and it was fine, just rode a little low.

mcreyaufmiller Senior Enthusiast

mcreyaufmiller

Posted
Posted

you should be okay, I would dry test it on a hill before you go to pull it out of the water the first time though. You should be okay, but a dry run may tell you the things you need to know. The truck will handle the weight on the flats well, but you will know it is there and you will not be breaking any land speed records pulling it. I would ask the dealer if you can do a test run with the loaded trailer and your truck on the open road and in a pulling out of the water test before you sign the papers. If they want to sell you the boat, they should be more than happy to let you take it.

campertime Enthusiast

campertime

Posted
Posted

Just remember a weight-distributing hitch with sway control is required with a trailer weight over 5,000-lb. The WDH will keep your rear end from sagging and the sway control will really help with crosswinds and passing semi's when towing thru open flatland. I would recommend the Equal-i-zer Hitch

 

Also keep in mind GM towing capacity includes the driver only, so the weight of other optional equipment, passengers, cargo and the weight of hitch will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow.

 

I think you should be okay, but like others said you may have trouble on the hills or at the boat ramp.

 

I am currently looking at the 1500 Crew to replace my Ram. It is a daily driver that I also use as a tow vehicle about 10 times a year. My trailer weighs in at 4500lbs with a Gross weight of 4850. My local chevy dealer is going to let me bring a truck home and test it with my trailer.

 

Maybe, as suggested above, the boat dealer will let you do the test drive?

cymmgarcia Enthusiast

cymmgarcia

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I am purchasing the boat from a private owner at a very good price and I don't want to bug him too much. It is at a marina and his trailer is in storage at yet another location.

 

Maybe I can give CAMPERTIME a real good deal on my 2004 Crew Cab?!?!?

 

Thanks,

[email protected]

 

Just remember a weight-distributing hitch with sway control is required with a trailer weight over 5,000-lb. The WDH will keep your rear end from sagging and the sway control will really help with crosswinds and passing semi's when towing thru open flatland. I would recommend the Equal-i-zer Hitch

 

Also keep in mind GM towing capacity includes the driver only, so the weight of other optional equipment, passengers, cargo and the weight of hitch will reduce the maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow.

 

I think you should be okay, but like others said you may have trouble on the hills or at the boat ramp.

 

I am currently looking at the 1500 Crew to replace my Ram. It is a daily driver that I also use as a tow vehicle about 10 times a year. My trailer weighs in at 4500lbs with a Gross weight of 4850. My local chevy dealer is going to let me bring a truck home and test it with my trailer.

 

Maybe, as suggested above, the boat dealer will let you do the test drive?

 

 

 

cymmgarcia Enthusiast

cymmgarcia

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I went to a CAT scale last night:

 

Truck Weight: Front 2900 + Rear 2550 = 5450

(Truck with full tank + topper + tool box + hitch)

 

Passenger: 450

(wife, 3 boys and me)

 

I am switching the trailer to aluminum to save 750 pounds:

 

Boat Weight: 5000

Boat Fuel: 300

Boat Stuff: 200

Trailer Weight: 850 (dual axle with brakes)

 

Total: 12250

 

The Truck is a 2004 with a 5.3 (327CID) with 3.73 gears with the full Factory Tow Package on 255/70/16 Tires.

 

The Truck has a Tow Rating of 7800 - (300 topper + 450 passenger + 200 stuff) = 6850 and will be pulling 6250 so we have 600 to spare.

 

The Truck has a GCWR of 13000 and the combo weight is 12250 so 750 to spare.

 

I will be towing in very flat South Florida. What do you guys think now?

 

Thanks,

[email protected]

rdnkcpa Enthusiast

rdnkcpa

Posted
Posted

That's a very heavy boat with only 200lbs fuel in it. I would suspect you have a much bigger fuel tank in it than that. Gas weighs just over 6 pounds a gallon.

200 lbs of gas is about 32 gallons. Not too much in a rig that weighs 5000lbs. How big of a boat is it? My brothers 21' Proline with a 150 HP o/b weighs in at 2,500lbs dry. He's got a 70 gallon tank. Add another 450 pounds for gas if it is full. BTW, never go out with less than a 1/2 tank. I have a 19' runabout and my 2004 1/2 ton 4x4 pulls it no problem. I have no idea of the weight but full gassed up I would not think more than 2000 lbs another 1200 or so for the trailer.

 

If you fill up in the water at the fuel dock you'll be ok. If want to save 38 cents a gallon and fill your boat up at the gas station then you should factor some more weight in for fuel. I would suspect you have at the very least a 70 gallon tank in your boat.

 

How far are you towing your boat? I have no doubt your truck will be able to tow it, but I would worry about trying to stop it once you get going. Is your trailer equipped with brakes? Even with my little boat you can feel the trailer push when you are slowing down, especially from highway speeds. Thankfully I only have about 1/2 mile to tow mine to put it in.

rdnkcpa Enthusiast

rdnkcpa

Posted
Posted

I forgot to reply for this:

 

I am purchasing the boat from a private owner at a very good price and I don't want to bug him too much. It is at a marina and his trailer is in storage at yet another location.

 

If you are laying your hard earned cash down for this thing, I'd be asking a billion questions and make sure you are not buying a money pit. Are you having it surveyed? when was the last time it was run? Is this your first boat?

cymmgarcia Enthusiast

cymmgarcia

Posted
  • Author
Posted

rdnkcpa,

 

This is my first boat, but I have been around boating for 10 years with friends & family.

 

If you look at the calculations again your will see 300 pounds for fuel not 200 so it should be about 42 gallons. The boat has a 74 gallon tank.

 

The boat is a 1998 Bayliner Cierra Express Cruiser 2452CD measuring 23'6" running a Merc 5.7 Liter I/O. It is immaculate as it has only been used in fresh water up until last year. It is equpped with a Garwin GPS, Trims Tabs, Twin Blowers, Twin Bilge Pumps, Shore Power, Hot Water Heater, Stove, Microwave, Fridge, Dining Table, Head, Anchor, Life Preservers, Two Fire Extinguishers, Bimini Top (which extends from Hard Top to the Stern for full shade). All this for $21,500 from the original owner!

 

What do you think about the deal?

 

I will be towing 15 to 30 miles depending on the Marina. I am in very flat South Florida. The trailer will be a twin axle aluminum with surge brakes on 1 axle.

 

Thanks,

[email protected]

rdnkcpa Enthusiast

rdnkcpa

Posted
Posted

That sounds like a good deal to me. If I were down there I'd snap it up. I'd hunt around and look at other used boats in your area just to make sure the price is a good one. I'm from Maryland and the used boat market here is a good one, I've heard the place to buy a boat is in Florida. Seems like eveybody down there has one or two and they are all for sale! My brother-in-law bought a 23.5' Glastron last season, similar set up to yours, no cabin, open bow. Boat & trailer was 35k.

 

Make sure you have a good water pump in the outdrive, and change the oil in the outdrive. Put it in the water and take it for a cruise, make sure everything works and the engine and out drive are in good shape. Run it at WOT make sure the bottom end of the engine is sound. I'd also have it surveyed. It's like a home inspection, but for your boat. Those guys can tell if the hull has been repaired find damage where you would not until it is too late. Before I dropped 22k I'd spend the few hundred for the survey. Remember the old saying the 2 happiest days of a boat owners life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it.

 

Your truck should have no prob pulling that. My 5.3 pulls strong, but my boat is not even half the weight of your rig. I'd just give your self plenty of room to stop. I've found the most difficult part of boating is other drivers on the road driving like idiots around trailers. Not giving enough room or cutting off etc.

SkyHigh Enthusiast

SkyHigh

Posted
Posted
rdnkcpa,

 

This is my first boat, but I have been around boating for 10 years with friends & family.

 

If you look at the calculations again your will see 300 pounds for fuel not 200 so it should be about 42 gallons. The boat has a 74 gallon tank.

 

The boat is a 1998 Bayliner Cierra Express Cruiser 2452CD measuring 23'6" running a Merc 5.7 Liter I/O. It is immaculate as it has only been used in fresh water up until last year. It is equpped with a Garwin GPS, Trims Tabs, Twin Blowers, Twin Bilge Pumps, Shore Power, Hot Water Heater, Stove, Microwave, Fridge, Dining Table, Head, Anchor, Life Preservers, Two Fire Extinguishers, Bimini Top (which extends from Hard Top to the Stern for full shade). All this for $21,500 from the original owner!

 

What do you think about the deal?

 

I will be towing 15 to 30 miles depending on the Marina. I am in very flat South Florida. The trailer will be a twin axle aluminum with surge brakes on 1 axle.

 

Thanks,

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

I Would get electric brakes if they are available, and on both axles....10x better than surge!!!! and can you really put a price tag on your safety?

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