Towing A Trailer

nut2424 · July 8, 2008

I have a 2005 gmc sierra with a 4.8l engine and im thinking about buying a toyhauler and im wondering if a 21ft will be too heavy since the dry wieght is around 4600lbs. is it too much for my truck?

wlvrn1215 · July 8, 2008

Shouldn't be.....you max tow rating is like around 7000lbs I think

tnord · July 8, 2008

too much for the chassis to handle? or too much to tow comfortably?

i tow about 4000lb of car/trailer somewhat regularly with my 5.3, and i don't really want anything bigger behind it. difference is my trailer is open, not enclosed like your toy hauler. assuming your going to be towing some distance (100's of miles) with that thing behind you, i wouldn't want to do it with anything less than a 6.0.

if you do try it, i'd expect to struggle to stay at 65mph even in 3rd, and get about 7-8mpg. as long as i don't have wind to deal with, i could hold 70-75mph, but no more in my 5.3 in 4th before i really started racking up the miles and tiring the motor out.

slimjim2525 · July 8, 2008

I'm thinking under 5k weight should be good, even if you load it up.

C & A s Dad · July 8, 2008

Sean, there are a lot of variables to consider but the length you are talking about is ok for a LWB or an ECSB truck. The weight will depend a lot on your gears. If your truck has 3.42s you will not be happy, if it has 3.73s you will be in pretty good shape if you have 4.10s you are good to go.

It is not the weight that is going to load you up, it is the wind resistance that a camper style trailer causes. I have never driven a 4.8 much less towed with one so I am really no expert on your engine. However, I do tow a 6500 lb camper with my Yuk XL with a 5.3 and it does very well. The 4.10 gears make a lot of difference and combined with towing in 3rd, keep the 5.3 right in it's "sweet spot" at 50 to 60 MPH.

Check your gears, see if you have an Aux Trans cooler and let us know.

nbscanuck · July 8, 2008

4600 lbs dry weight is usually without any options (stereo, matteresses, etc). Ask dealer if you can weigh the trailer. Take it to an elevator or truck stop to get a TRUE weight. My trailers dry weight says 4600lbs too. As I tow it with water, gear, food, etc. its over 6400. If you are going to tow, look into air bags, it REALLY stabilized the ride. A tranny cooler is almost essential too.

Outbacker · July 8, 2008

Since you are asking, I am going to say to ignore the dry weight. This is an estimated number and is not to be used when determining if you can tow it or not. First, take the tow rating of your truck. You can get this from Tow Ratings from Trailer Life at www.trailerlife.com/towratings. Once you have this number, you need to realize that this number is the tow rating of your truck NOT including people or gear. Subtract all the people weight and gear weight from this number. For example, my truck rating is 7500 pounds. Our 3 dogs, my wife and I, plus all the firewood and gear I carry weigh about 400 pounds. So now my tow rating is 7100 pounds. Now, look at the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the trailer and ensure that this number is less then the tow rating. My GVWR of my trailer is 6000 pounds. Normally, I like to see a safety margin there of about 20%, so your trailer GVWR should be less then 80% of the tow rating.

By following this information, you can safely tow your trailer. There are other number to look at, but these are the two that I stress to people when they ask "How much can my truck tow"? Again, just my opinion.

Cheers.

tnord · July 8, 2008

Sean, there are a lot of variables to consider but the length you are talking about is ok for a LWB or an ECSB truck. The weight will depend a lot on your gears. If your truck has 3.42s you will not be happy, if it has 3.73s you will be in pretty good shape if you have 4.10s you are good to go.

It is not the weight that is going to load you up, it is the wind resistance that a camper style trailer causes. I have never driven a 4.8 much less towed with one so I am really no expert on your engine. However, I do tow a 6500 lb camper with my Yuk XL with a 5.3 and it does very well. The 4.10 gears make a lot of difference and combined with towing in 3rd, keep the 5.3 right in it's "sweet spot" at 50 to 60 MPH.

Check your gears, see if you have an Aux Trans cooler and let us know.

this is a great illustration of how two people define "acceptable" differently. to me, i would consider my towing setup great if i can cruise at 70-75mph, up mild hills, or into a 10mph wind without leaving 4th gear.

this guy on the other hand says his Yuk XL does very well. but he considers good performance to be 50-60mph with a 4.10 in 3rd. to me, that is completely unacceptable. so to the original poster, you'll have to consider how you expect to tow before we can better answer your question.

nbscanuck · July 8, 2008

Sean, there are a lot of variables to consider but the length you are talking about is ok for a LWB or an ECSB truck. The weight will depend a lot on your gears. If your truck has 3.42s you will not be happy, if it has 3.73s you will be in pretty good shape if you have 4.10s you are good to go.

It is not the weight that is going to load you up, it is the wind resistance that a camper style trailer causes. I have never driven a 4.8 much less towed with one so I am really no expert on your engine. However, I do tow a 6500 lb camper with my Yuk XL with a 5.3 and it does very well. The 4.10 gears make a lot of difference and combined with towing in 3rd, keep the 5.3 right in it's "sweet spot" at 50 to 60 MPH.

Check your gears, see if you have an Aux Trans cooler and let us know.

this is a great illustration of how two people define "acceptable" differently. to me, i would consider my towing setup great if i can cruise at 70-75mph, up mild hills, or into a 10mph wind without leaving 4th gear.

this guy on the other hand says his Yuk XL does very well. but he considers good performance to be 50-60mph with a 4.10 in 3rd. to me, that is completely unacceptable. so to the original poster, you'll have to consider how you expect to tow before we can better answer your question.

Two things that are unsafe about your situation, 70-75 MPH and 4th gear. Have you every stopped from 70-75 mph? Do you have any idea the distance needed? Have you ever had your trailer swing in ruts on the highway at 75 mph? I drive tractor trailer units for a living and speed does kill when you are loaded, because you CAN'T STOP. A truck and trailer handle VERY differently from an empty truck. Let me know when you have a wreck at that speed and how bad it is. NEVER tow in OD. That is a GREAT way to burn up your transmission. I know what you are going to say, "at that speed, I'm in the best RPMs". You may be for the MOTOR, but in OD the transmission doesn't move enough fluid to keep itself cool and heat is what kills transmissions.

Towing your trailer isn't about how fast can I get there, its should about safety. Is the ride stable? Can I avoid accidents? Is the vehicle I'm towing with made for this job? What does it take to do the above things? I see way too many people on the side of the road with smoking wheels and bearing (speed) and smoking trucks (tranny) than there should be. A properly equipped truck CAN pull a trailer safely. A smart driver will get it there in one piece.

Could you do me a favor TNORD, post up here where you are going so I can avoid the wreck and I don't have to stop to lend you a hand for the blown up tranny? Thanks.

tnord · July 8, 2008

this is a great illustration of how two people define "acceptable" differently. to me, i would consider my towing setup great if i can cruise at 70-75mph, up mild hills, or into a 10mph wind without leaving 4th gear.

this guy on the other hand says his Yuk XL does very well. but he considers good performance to be 50-60mph with a 4.10 in 3rd. to me, that is completely unacceptable. so to the original poster, you'll have to consider how you expect to tow before we can better answer your question.

Two things that are unsafe about your situation, 70-75 MPH and 4th gear. Have you every stopped from 70-75 mph? Do you have any idea the distance needed? Have you ever had your trailer swing in ruts on the highway at 75 mph? I drive tractor trailer units for a living and speed does kill when you are loaded, because you CAN'T STOP. A truck and trailer handle VERY differently from an empty truck. Let me know when you have a wreck at that speed and how bad it is. NEVER tow in OD. That is a GREAT way to burn up your transmission. I know what you are going to say, "at that speed, I'm in the best RPMs". You may be for the MOTOR, but in OD the transmission doesn't move enough fluid to keep itself cool and heat is what kills transmissions.

Towing your trailer isn't about how fast can I get there, its should about safety. Is the ride stable? Can I avoid accidents? Is the vehicle I'm towing with made for this job? What does it take to do the above things? I see way too many people on the side of the road with smoking wheels and bearing (speed) and smoking trucks (tranny) than there should be. A properly equipped truck CAN pull a trailer safely. A smart driver will get it there in one piece.

Could you do me a favor TNORD, post up here where you are going so I can avoid the wreck and I don't have to stop to lend you a hand for the blown up tranny? Thanks.

as predictable as the sunrise, somebody would throw stones about how horribly unsafe and irresponsible i'm being.

1) yes i have stopped from towing at 70-75mph. successfully. multiple times. even in emergency situations.

2) yes i have had it get caught in the ruts. just don't panic, no biggie.

3) you drive tractor trailers? good for you.

4) if the truck can't handle towing in 4th, with an air-oil cooler, with a TOW button to change the shift points, timing, alter how the truck uses the torque converter, and who knows what else in the ECU. then the truck is junk. sorry, it is.

5) yes the ride is stable. dual 5000lb axles with suspension, with the load properly distributed over the axles, and the proper tongue weight. thanks for asking though.

6) yes i can avoid accidents. haven't even been close to one, including the aforementioned emergency stops.

7) yes the vehicle is made for this job. i'm pulling HALF the weight it's rated for. but just to enhance the ability, i've added synthetic trans fluid, upgraded front brake pads, and a brake controller for my dual axle electric trailer brakes.

yes, please avoid me, you'll only be in the way.

ZZ327 · July 9, 2008

youll be alright. get yourself trailer brakes!

smattei14 · July 9, 2008

tnord....let me shake your hand...your one hell of a "man".

You took a perfectly ADULT convo and turned it into a personal attack. C and A's Dad posted a perfectly fine blog, and then you go and trash it. FINE...you have a different opinion...no big deal...just state that you have a different opinion in an ADULT WAY.

NO need to trash other people's opinion or type of driving. I tend to have a lead foot as well but nbscancuck is right 70-75 is really pushing the limit of "safe" towing. Anything over 75 is like driving while over the limit...you are just endangering your life and worse of all the INNOCENT people that share the road with you.

As for towing in 4th gear...Your local trans shop guy will be in business for life as long as you tow like that. Hell...the local auto part store will be in business for how hard you treat your rig.

I am afraid to ask you this question...God knows your answer...but have you ever loaded up a wheel barrel? Let me state the obvious...when its empty it is easy to push, and when its full, it's hard...the same thing that you are experiencing (how tired you are) is what your truck is going through. The more loads you take the more worn out you are (let along how hard you push and how fast you push)...same thing for you truck.

Look...I am 25 years old and I pull a 6000lbs (dry weight) boat with my Denali...I would love to fly at 75-80 mph on the highway..but its not safe.

Now...I know...there is steam coming out of you ears right now...relax...I am going to tell you something your parents prob forgot to say (or maybe you just didn't listen to them, which is prob the case)....

IF YOU DON'T HAVE SOMETHING NICE TO SAY...DON'T SAY IT

TALK LIKE AN ADULT....OR DON'T POST IT...

Thanks...and SAFE towing!

99silverado1500 · July 9, 2008

I think it depends on the load. We cruise at 75-80 with our Dmax/Allison with 4500 Lbs with ATVs and a trailer, with brakes, and the trans temp doesnt even go above normal but it has torque unlike my truck and doesnt downshift on hills and just pulls no matter what, so it wont roast out the trans like a gas engine that has to struggle to pull anything and shift like crazy. If you have a gas like me, dont tow in OD, you will roast your trans no matter what the load, if it downshifts more then 2 times within 5 minutes get it out of OD and keep it in 1-3 and you will b e fine. Waste gas, not a 3000 dollar trans. Gas is way cheaper then a brand new trans and maybe other things.

tobias · July 9, 2008

I think it depends on the load. We cruise at 75-80 with our Dmax/Allison with 4500 Lbs with ATVs and a trailer, with brakes, and the trans temp doesnt even go above normal but it has torque unlike my truck and doesnt downshift on hills and just pulls no matter what, so it wont roast out the trans like a gas engine that has to struggle to pull anything and shift like crazy. If you have a gas like me, dont tow in OD, you will roast your trans no matter what the load, if it downshifts more then 2 times within 5 minutes get it out of OD and keep it in 1-3 and you will b e fine. Waste gas, not a 3000 dollar trans. Gas is way cheaper then a brand new trans and maybe other things.

Where is the -2 gear?