Max trailer weight u wud comfortably pull....

camshaft · December 21, 2005

My father is planning on buying a newer travel trailer to leave on a piece of property he has recently purchased, and my question is as follows:

what would be the max weight (fully loaded) of trailer u guys would feel comfortable pulling with the truck set-up mentioned above. I dont have my manual handy. He obviosly wants to get the biggest that my truck would handle (probably around 28ft max). Of course this is only a pipe dream at this point, and I realize the difference in weight among manufacters can be substantial, but I am only asking as a general concensus.

I would be pulling this trailer probably only once (as it would permenantly be left on site) and the actual pulling time would be an hour and a half at most.

What size trailers (weight and length) are u folks pulling behind your 1/2 tons?

Just curious

thx

ProSport Tim · December 21, 2005

I can't give you an honest answer. I'm just jealous you got an 05' Z71 w/ 4.10's.

redvett · December 21, 2005

Follow the GVW sticker in the door and dont exceed it to be safe.

builderpaul · December 21, 2005

There is no set weight you can tow. There is a maximum combination weight that you should not exceed. This is the combined weight of the truck/passengers/cargo and loaded trailer. For the 05 with 5.3 and 4:10 you should not exceed 14000 lbs.

so if your truck weighs 6500 and you throw in 1500 worth of passengers and cargo you could tow a 6000 trailer.

Wingnut · December 21, 2005

Yeah, I've towed 6k with mine (3:73's though) and while it pulled it fine, I really would have liked an HD. I knew that 6k was back there every second.

I towed the same boat with a 2500 Avalanche, and you'd forget that sucker was back there.

4:10's would probably help quite a bit, but I was more concerned about the "wagging the dog" effect anything over 6k would produce...Especially a wind-sail like a travel trailer.

redvett · December 21, 2005

There is no set weight you can tow.

No true. Look at the tag on the hitch or the trailer outlet. The tag on mine with 3:73 gears says not to exceed 600# tongue weight & 5000# towed weight.

camshaft · December 21, 2005

so it sounds like about 6000lbs is around max. Thats good to know. Like I said, I'm just looking for a general ballpark figure to help narrow down the search for a trailer at this point.

thx

Ben · December 21, 2005

Use this formula to figure out any vehicles "actual" towing capacity/rating:

GCWR >= TV GVW + TT GVW

Where they both (TV & TT) includes all options and "stuff" loaded into, onto.

Best to actually weigh both vehicles axle by axle, both empty and fully loaded in order to truely know where you are in reference to the ratings.

Most get into trouble with their rear GAWR and GVWR way before they get into GCWR trouble and these are mostly half ton. Those who get into GCWR are usually 3/4 ton or above. Unless the truck is a "HD", which is the "next" class up.....1500HD is a 3/4 ton truck for those who "need" an 3/4 ton, but will only buy a half ton truck (I call these "fake" half ton trucks).

Here's the GM Trailering and Towing guide for model years 2001/2002 and you should get the one for your truck model year.

Careful, as most make the jump (assumption) that it's only diff ratio, engine size and tranny type. That is all there is on the chart, but there are hidden attributes. Like brake size. Frame size. ETC. Plus make sure to be comparing apples to apples. Someone with a 4.56 diff can pull more than the exact same truck, but with 3.42's. Also, over sized tires changes the "effective" diff ratio, so reduces pulling capacity. As does suspensino lifts.

redvett · December 21, 2005

so it sounds like about 6000lbs is around max. Thats good to know. Like I said, I'm just looking for a general ballpark figure to help narrow down the search for a trailer at this point.

thx

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Yes that would be a good ballpark number. The hitch is rated by it self and if you use a goose neck (fifhwheel) the rating is higher.

pm26 · December 28, 2005

According to GM towing guide, you should be able to tow about 8400 lbs with your truck. Of course, this assumes very light loading of the truck itself (probably just a driver and passenger, no cargo).

geobar5 · December 28, 2005

I have the 4.8 in an 03 ext cab, long bed, with 4.10. On a two lane curvy road, I had to go down a steep hill then up the other side with a 7K# equipment trailer. She would not go over 20mph and never got out of 1st gear until I crested the hill. But I did pull a 32ft TT on interstates without too much trouble. When I bought the truck I never thought that I would be pulling trailers like this, and after next year I'll never have to again so I'll stick with my 4.8.

Mr. Don · December 30, 2005

My 99 Z71, 5.3, 3.73 extended cab tows an airstream 4,000 lb. ok. It's rated to tow about 8000, but out on the highway and in hills I wouldn,t dare go any heavier.

I've always found that whatever the towing capacity is rated at, just cut it in half and that's what it will tow COMFORTABLY. Don't get me wrong, it will tow the limit and beyond, but you'll be wore out when you get there. I used to have a land clearing buisiness and towed 19,000 lbs everyday with a truck only rated to tow 14,000 lbs. and believe me your nerves were shot when you got out of the truck.

pm26 · December 30, 2005

The 4 speed automatic transmission does not help when towing. When in the tow mode, it will not shift into the overdrive 4th gear, so your fuel economy will suffer. Is GM going to replace the existing 4 speed automatics with 5 or 6 speeds in the future? I like the fact that they finally went to a 6 speed Allison on heavy duty trucks. The more gears, the better for towing, as proper gear can be selected to maximize the engine power under given conditions.

Buggle_96 · December 30, 2005

The 4 speed automatic transmission does not help when towing. When in the tow mode, it will not shift into the overdrive 4th gear, so your fuel economy will suffer. Is GM going to replace the existing 4 speed automatics with 5 or 6 speeds in the future? I like the fact that they finally went to a 6 speed Allison on heavy duty trucks. The more gears, the better for towing, as proper gear can be selected to maximize the engine power under given conditions.

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Mine goes into Overdrive(4th gear). It does raise the shift points and does not lock up the torque converter as much.

You should keep it in Drive (3rd gear) when towing.