trailering

[snarkee]

I am going to be new to the trailering world and I have a quick question.

My truck is a 2004 Silverado ext cab 4x4 with the 4.8litre and 3.73 gears

 

I am looking at a camper trailer that I will occasionally pull....

 

http://www.crossroadsrv.com/line/fp_large....ype=TT&fp=14021

 

Heres the stats on it...

 

ZT31QB model

Dry Weight: 4680

GVWR: 7665

Carrying Capacity: 2693

Hitch Weight: 665

Hitch Weight Ratio: 14%

Axle Weight: 4015

Tire Size: 205/75D15

Exterior Length: 39' 0"

Exterior Height (With A/C): 10' 10"

 

i only have my truck for 9 more months, then was going to buy a 2007 vmax.

 

Will my truck safety be able to pull this trailer?

thanks

[dogzapper]

After pulling a trailer for the last several years and making ALL of the mistakes that beginners do, I have a few opinions.

 

I believe that you'd be marginal with a 5.3/3.73. Given your 4.8-liter engine, you're going to experience a problems. Be sure that you have a GREAT transmission cooler and avoid anything that vaguely resembles a hill.

 

When you buy the VortecMax (a 6.0 High Output engine and hopefully a 4.10 rear end), you'll be better, but it is still a beefed-up half-ton and would still be marginal with your relatively large trailer. Heck, the cost of the VortecMax is practically as much as my Duramax; why not just get the Duramax and be friggin' done with it?

 

My friend, I've been where you are. Consider your options carefully.

 

I'm personally betting that you will wisely end up with a new Duramax and be a very happy camper.

 

Steve

[pm26]

Be sure that you have a GREAT transmission cooler and avoid anything that vaguely resembles a hill.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

LOL, you may need to get out and push.

[dogzapper]

Be sure that you have a GREAT transmission cooler and avoid anything that vaguely resembles a hill.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

LOL, you may need to get out and push.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

Darn it, I've been there and done that. I had a 2003 Z-71 Silverado with a 5.3/3.73. In order to negotiate our Oregon mountains, in haul-tow and in second, I'd be roaring along at 5,000 to 5,500 RPMs. This was just to tow a 23-foot trailer that weighed 6,000 pounds loaded. My friend, I was killing this truck and it pained me badly.

 

The same truck was simply out of the running when towing our 28-foot Nash trailer that weighs about 8,000 pounds loaded. It was a turd and would crawl up the Warm Springs Grade at barely twenty miles-per-hour.

 

I looked at the VortecMax and, as I said, it IS better for towing and it surely is a fast zooooomy truck. And it features an adjustable suspension, a heavier tranny and heavier drive train, but it is still a half-ton at the core.

 

Then, I looked at the 2500HD with the 6.0. The three-quarter ton HD stuff adds a full one-thousand pounds and, again, the rig could hardly get out of its own way, when trailering.

 

The 8.1 engine held some attraction, but apparantly it is not something Oregon dealers carry and I could not find one. And I remember the 8.1 liter that was in my 2002 - 2500 Avalanche and how it burned a quart of oil every 600 to 800 miles. Power? Yeah. Practical? Not.

 

I was a reluctant Duramax buyer. I hate smelly, rattling diesel engines, but the Duramax is quiet and it smells different. Power it has and if a guy is needful of a sporty, fast rig, the Duramax answers this call, as well. Frankly, I'd be surprised if the Duramax wasn't the fastest standard-issue truck.

 

And you just have to love the 20+ mpg on the road, 15 mpg around town and 14-ish towing.

 

Back to trailering; it is my opinion that the factories "Towing weight" is greatly optomistic and you should multiply the number by about .6 to be a happy camper. In other words, if the factory states that the truck will pull a 10,000 pound trailer, your upper limits of happiness is about 6,000 pounds. On the oter side of it, it has been my experience that trailer companies grossly understate their trailer weight. Added to this is the fact that wives add lots of heavy stuff to the trailer and it doesn't take long to get them really, really heavy.

 

First time towers would be well advised to buy a first-class weight-distributing hitch and a Tekonsha Prodigy trailer brake. These are absolute.

 

Yup, I've made all the mistakes and finally got it right: Duramax.

 

Steve

[FSTDL]

The Vortec Max will easily handle that trailer.

The 4.8 will have a bit of a time with it though.

I went from a HD 1500 to a HD2500 8.1 and now to the Vortec Max and its a lot nicer to drive in every day driving for me. And by the way my 8.1 didn't burn any oil at all.

[Wingnut]

I've towed 6k on a regular basis in a 1/2 ton with the 5.3 (and another with a 5.7), and while it pulled it fine, this state is mighty flat, I wouldn't win in a race with a 53 Bug, and the mileage was about as bad as it gets.

 

In my opinion, you need AT LEAST the 8.1. Duramax would be my choice, UNLESS it's also your daily driver and you only drive a couple of miles to work...Then I'd say the 8.1 would be best.

 

But that's me.

[FSTDL]

My vortec max pulled my 6,500 lb trailer nearly as well as my 8.1,alison 4.10 did and it is now towing 7,400 with a 450lb quad and small generator in the bed with ease.

I put an extra leaf in the rear tightened the front bars 8 turns (aligned afterwards) and put 285 70 17 BFGs on her and its rock steady and can pull 7% grades at 60mph+ with no prob at all.

[snarkee]

thanks for the advice

 

THe reason why I am trying to avoid the d-max is because between the 800 2007 DMAX and a 900 2007 1500 VMAX there is a $9000 Canadian price difference with the options that I want. I really only want a hybrid 23 foot trailer, but the price is soo good on this 31footer that it will be hard to pass.

 

I figured my 4.8 wouldn't fo the job, I was just hoping that i could get away with it for 8 more months till my lease was up

[dogzapper]

Snarkee,

 

I totally understand, my friend. The larger trailer is sooo very nice, once you get there. And the prices are fine, as well.

 

The VortecMax will probably do you well. She's a gorgeous lady, for sure. You'll have to make a few allowances for her half-ton heritage, but you'll come out OK.

 

Please pay attention to the small things, like tires. I've forgotten what the stock tires are on the VortecMax, but would be surprised if GM covered you in this regard. For safety, you should tow with LT tires (not P) and nothing lower than Load Range-D. Even Load Range-Es, like I run, are not particularly overkill.

 

The comments about the Tekonsha Prodigy and the weight-distributing hitch are the voice of experience and you'll be years ahead if you heed them.

 

Good luck and please show us photos of your new rig and trailer.

 

Steve

[asilverblazer]

I pulled 5000lbs with the 4.8 I had just fine. As long as I wasn't in a hurry.

[FSTDL]

Snarkee,

 

I totally understand, my friend.  The larger trailer is sooo very nice, once you get there.  And the prices are fine, as well.

 

The VortecMax will probably do you well.  She's a gorgeous lady, for sure.  You'll have to make a few allowances for her half-ton heritage, but you'll come out OK.

 

Please pay attention to the small things, like tires.  I've forgotten what the stock tires are on the VortecMax, but would be surprised if GM covered you in this regard.  For safety, you should tow with LT tires (not P) and nothing lower than Load Range-D.  Even Load Range-Es, like I run, are not particularly overkill.

 

The comments about the Tekonsha Prodigy and the weight-distributing hitch are the voice of experience and you'll be years ahead if you heed them.

 

Good luck and please show us photos of your new rig and trailer.

 

Steve

 

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I agree with Steve here.Correct set up is the key.Adding a leaf and the LT tire on mine made it feel like much beefier truck and for ssure you want the best possible brake controller along with (my choice)the Reese dual cam weight distribution system.These things are nearly as important as the truck its self.

Good luck

[pm26]

Can somebody supply a few clear pictures how to wire a Prodigy brake controller using the GM supplied pigtail harness and what does the connector plug into? I would like to add a brake controller to my truck in case I need to pull a trailer with electric brakes some day. What is the approximate cost on the Prodigy controller and who has the best price? Thanks in advance for any reponses.

[C & A s Dad]

Mark, you have recieved some great advise here. I pull a 6500lb (loaded) camper with the veh in my signature, (factory rated at 8,400lbs tow capacity)but you will see the 5.3L and the 4.10s. The gears make a great deal of diff. I am using the Prodigy and an Equal i zer brand WD hitch and love both of them. I certainly could win no races but do not want to while towing. Not sure about the hills where you are, but whatever you do, be sure you have a nice "stacked plate" designed trans cooler. I am using a 11 x 11 cooler and in some parts of the world, this could possibly over cool the trans but in Mississippi, I do not have to worry about this.

 

Even if you trade to the V Max, just remember, you cannot win any races with this camper behind you, so don't even try.

[asilverblazer]

I think a D-Max wil be overkill for 7600 lbs. The new Vortec Maxx is rated at 10,500 lbs that seems plenty capable of handling that trailer, plus get a decent daily driver to boot.