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Towing With A Half Ton

Buddy67Lincoln

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Buddy67Lincoln Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

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I have an 06 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton. I wanted to know what this truck can legally haul. I read the door sticker and it says 6700 lbs. Is that total? I thought these half tons could haul 12,000 including the truck and trailer and whatever is on it. Maybe I was wrong? I wanted to haul a 56 Buick from IL to Pittsburgh, PA with a U-HAUL car carrier...the one that the car is completely on the trailer. The Buick probably weighs aroudn 4,000 or a little more. My truck has to weigh around 4,300 lbs since its an extended cab 4x4 with 6 1/2 ft. bed. I have the tow package and 3.73s in it too. Any advice or thoughts on this being a good or bad idea with a half ton. Never had to tow a car before. I know it can haul it, but it may not be legal if I can only have a comdined weight of 6700 lbs.? Thanks

ajcain79 Enthusiast

ajcain79

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Maybe the 6700 lbs is what I can haul including trailer and car combined max load...That plus the truck weight is about 12,000 lbs

 

 

That sounds about right.

jrrod2004 Senior Enthusiast

jrrod2004

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usually pull the U-Haul trailer with a class 4 hitch, should be find (depending on your rear end)

Daniel T Enthusiast

Daniel T

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your tow rating for your truck is probably your 6700#s. the 12000#s you are talking about is the GCWR (Gross combined weight rating)

that is the total you are carrying, including your truck, you and anyone else in the truck, whatever you have in the bed + the trailer you are towing.

If you have a 1/2 tonner figure your truck weighs in the 5000-5500# area, plus you and passenger (say 350+ #s) anything in the bed?

plus the uhaul of over 1,000#s, plus your Buick...of 4,000#s.

you are conservatively pushing 11,000#s total weight. and this estimate is probably on the low side since most folks underestimate the weights of things they put in their trucks and trailers.

any truck I find with a 6,700# tow rating is a extended cab 2wd with 3:42 gears. and the GCWR is 12000#s, are you sure you have 3:73s?

Buddy67Lincoln Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

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your tow rating for your truck is probably your 6700#s. the 12000#s you are talking about is the GCWR (Gross combined weight rating)

that is the total you are carrying, including your truck, you and anyone else in the truck, whatever you have in the bed + the trailer you are towing.

If you have a 1/2 tonner figure your truck weighs in the 5000-5500# area, plus you and passenger (say 350+ #s) anything in the bed?

plus the uhaul of over 1,000#s, plus your Buick...of 4,000#s.

you are conservatively pushing 11,000#s total weight. and this estimate is probably on the low side since most folks underestimate the weights of things they put in their trucks and trailers.

any truck I find with a 6,700# tow rating is a extended cab 2wd with 3:42 gears. and the GCWR is 12000#s, are you sure you have 3:73s?

 

Positive. I have the light duty power package and performance package or whatever they call it with a high performance suspension, locking rear, 3.73s, towing package. Its a special edition Sierra with the 315hp 5.3 so its kinda the perfect half ton aside from having a 6.0 on the 1500 HD. Thanks

hodo78 Enthusiast

hodo78

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Here is a post I posted about my towing experience 2 weeks ago from RI to Arkansas (1477 miles) It was roughly the same setup you are looking to tow. Only real difference is that my tow rating is 7,500 pounds and yours being a little lower at 6,700 pounds.

 

The Uhaul trailer is 2,000 pounds dry. So add your car weight that you are towing plus any accessories and fuel left in the tank.

 

Take a look at this link for more details. I hope it helps!

 

My earlier post on 1/2 ton towing

solarjustin Enthusiast

solarjustin

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I find with a 6,700# tow rating is a extended cab 2wd with 3:42 gears. and the GCWR is 12000#s, are you sure you have 3:73s?

 

 

Yeah sounds right, I have a 4.8L Extended cab 2wd with 3.42 and rated at 6700lbs

Buddy67Lincoln Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

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Here is a post I posted about my towing experience 2 weeks ago from RI to Arkansas (1477 miles) It was roughly the same setup you are looking to tow. Only real difference is that my tow rating is 7,500 pounds and yours being a little lower at 6,700 pounds.

 

The Uhaul trailer is 2,000 pounds dry. So add your car weight that you are towing plus any accessories and fuel left in the tank.

 

Take a look at this link for more details. I hope it helps!

 

My earlier post on 1/2 ton towing

 

Great post! I still wonder why my truck has the tow package and 3.73s but only a 6700 lb capacity? I do have the factory 20" wheels as well, but I bought some Denali 17" wheels and stock size 32" tires for it so the load range on them is a little higher than the 20's from what I remember. The psi and all that is a good thing to keep in mind and I know I wont be going over 65mph, I almost never do since gas prices suck. I learned than on my '84 Sierra 4x4 with 39" tires...slower is better at 8-9mpg on the highway! Thanks again for the help.

sbodi4d Enthusiast

sbodi4d

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Look at the sticker on your hitch, it should tell you how much you can carry with a weight carrying max and a weight distributing max. I was very disappointed to learn my truck couldn't pull the travel trailer I plan on getting, but someone on RV.Net pointed out the sticker on the hitch to me. With a weight distributing hitch my max went from 6,600lbs to 10,500lbs and a tonque weight of 600lbs to 1,100lbs. It should say that on the sticker on the hitch. All you have to do is buy a weight distributing hitch that attaches to your tow hitch and you're all set.

Buddy67Lincoln Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

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My hitch said that the truck can have a max load of 6,000 (or 5,000) and a tongue rating of 600lbs. With a weight distributing hitch it would be 10,000 and 1,500 lbs respectively. I think thats what I read. I prices those weight distributing hitches..kinda pricey for me now since I can barely afford to buy the car plus go get it! I will look for a used one on craigslist. Thanks again for the help. I dont want to mess anything up towing this car back. I'd be out 2 vehicles then.

C & A s Dad Senior Enthusiast

C & A s Dad

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Buddy67lincoln.

 

I would think you would be on the outside edge of what would be comfortable but your truck should be ok as long as you have trailer brakes.

 

I tow a 6500 lb camper with my 1500 Yuk XL 5.3 but I have 4.10 gears. Towing a car is not nearly as taxing on your truck as a camper due to much less wind resistance.

 

I will make 2 recommendations. Make sure you have an aux trans cooler. You should with the tow package but check in your grille and make sure you see the cooler. 2nd, I would recommend towing in 3rd and keeping your speeds around 55. You and your truck will be much happier.

nbscanuck Enthusiast

nbscanuck

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I'd check on a 56 Buick only wieghing 4000lbs. They were REAL cars back then. Translation, TANK. I don't think you'd have a big problem any way. Use Tow/Haul mode (if you got it). D3, NOT OD and take your time. Watch your temps (transmission and engine). And remember "Be careful out there"

Buddy67Lincoln Enthusiast

Buddy67Lincoln

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You bet! Thanks guys. I still have to check on a trailer. I have a friend with one but if its a heavy trailer, then I am back to renting a uhaul and that costs $360 for a one way tow...ouch! Thanks again

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