Towing capacity

[bandbtraining]

My husband has a 2006 GMC Sierra Ext cab long bed with the 5.3 in it. My husband and I are arguing over whether or not it can comfortably pull our 7000 lb horse trailer with 2-3000 worth or horses and crap in it. This is a gooseneck trailer. Is it worth having the hitch put in and towing with it or should I keep the 1-ton beast for trailer hauling! Thanks so much! Becki

[C & A s Dad]

I am assuming by 7,000 lb trailer you mean loaded?? If you mean 7,000 lbs + the horses you are way out of range with this truck. In fact, just the 7,000 lb trailer would be at the very limits of your truck. If it was a 4.10 gear and you were towing in only flat country and had upgraded your rear springs with some air bags, had a good trans cooler, etc etc, you could possible get by. However, the truck would not "be happy" with this weight and you would have to take other precautions as well concerning speed and braking.

 

Simply put, a 1500 series truck was not desinged for this type of load.

[Schmids5.3l]

Yeah 7,000lbs is pushing it for a regular half ton (But not the new Toyota Tundra!!!!Its got huge rotors with less braking surface!!!) You could with a 1500HD with the Vortec Max 6.0l, but still thats only the empty trailer.

 

In the manual, my truck is rated to tow something crazy like 8300lbs, but theres no way in hell Id just rig up that much and go cross country. Hitch isnt rated for near that amount, brakes wouldnt do, tranny would fry, and thats almost twice of what my truck weighs. Plus the suspension would go to hell in a hand bag. I dont think ride control is THAT badass...even though it worked like a dream when I towed 4500lbs.

[C & A s Dad]

Sam, just curious about the Tundra statment. Don't get me wrong, I am not taking up for Toyota and am not a Toyota sort of guy, but if it has bigger rotors wouldn't it have more braking surface? I guess the only way it would have less braking surface would be if the pads were smaller, this would mean less contact space.

 

Can you clarify what you were saying?

[Schmids5.3l]

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=62302

 

#2 on the list!!

[wages999]

Chevy's website shows the max towing capacity with a fifth-wheel as 7,600 for a 1500 Ext. Cab 5.3 long bed. I'd keep the one-ton to avoid messing-up your new truck.