Trailer Towing With My 08 Silverado Crew Cab

[barrickd]

The chevy web site and brochure state the following....

****quote****

1500 MODELS weight-carrying hitch limit: 5,000-lb. trailer with 600-lb. tongue weight. Z85 Handling/Trailering suspension or Z71 Off-Road Package and a weight-distributing hitch with sway control required over 5,000-lb. trailer weight

****end quote***

 

So, am I reading this right that if I don't have the z85 or z71 suspension, I can't pull a trailer over 5,000 lbs with my truck? Mine is equipped with the z60 suspension package. If I am limited to only 5,000 lbs with my z60 suspension, what can I do to gain the extra trailer weight capability? (replace rear springs, shocks, ???)

 

Also, what exactly is the difference in the z85, z71, and z60 suspensions? (besides what is stated in the brochure about shock/sway bar sizes) What EXACTLY makes up a z71 or z85 or z60 suspension? Different leaf springs, shocks, axles?

[99silverado1500]

I think the body configuration and weight is what limits it, but the factory hitch might be rated for only 5000 with those packages thats the only thing I can think would be the weak link.

[Outbacker]

What does your owners manual say? Mine has a series of tables in it with different body styles, engines and rear end rations. match this up to your vehicle and it will tell you what you can tow, or go to the Trailer Life web site and look for the tow ratings for your truck.

[solarjustin]

Go the the website again and look here

http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/

under the trailering tap it should clear it up for you by truck/cab/bed size and gear ratio.

[barrickd]

I think the body configuration and weight is what limits it, but the factory hitch might be rated for only 5000 with those packages thats the only thing I can think would be the weak link.

 

I looked at the plackard on the receiver and it it states it is capable of 10,000 lbs with WD. But the small print reads that the tow vehicle limits may be less. So I know the receiver is capabable of more.

[barrickd]

What does your owners manual say? Mine has a series of tables in it with different body styles, engines and rear end rations. match this up to your vehicle and it will tell you what you can tow, or go to the Trailer Life web site and look for the tow ratings for your truck.

 

 

I'll check this tonight and report back...

[barrickd]

Go the the website again and look here

http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/

under the trailering tap it should clear it up for you by truck/cab/bed size and gear ratio.

 

That page is actually where I cut and pasted the quote in my original message. If you look at the top of the page it states the 5,000 limit, unless you have z85 or z71 suspension. Further down in the page, my truck is capable of 7500 lbs, but what I don't know is if I can only do 7500 lbs with z85 or z71?

[asilverblazer]

Also, what exactly is the difference in the z85, z71, and z60 suspensions? (besides what is stated in the brochure about shock/sway bar sizes) What EXACTLY makes up a z71 or z85 or z60 suspension? Different leaf springs, shocks, axles?

 

What is stated in the brochure about shock/sway bar sizes is the only difference.

[barrickd]

Checked my manual, and it basically contains the same info that is found on the web site, and silverado brochure.

If shocks are the only difference in those suspensions (and swaybar), how does that increase the towability limits? I'm looking to get a new travel trailer, but want to sort out the trailer weight limits first. If I'm limited to the 5,000 lb due to not having z85 or z71, then I'm gonna have to pony up for one of those light-weight travel trailers. But if I have the 7500 lbs capacity per those charts, for my cab style and axle, then I have more to choose from.

 

Any GM engineers or parts experts that can chime in?

[mi.bowtie]

Have You opened your drivers side door and read the the sticker there. That should tell you alot.

[barrickd]

Have You opened your drivers side door and read the the sticker there. That should tell you alot.

 

 

Yep, gives me overall cargo capacity as well as F and R axle capacity. Does not make my question regarding suspension packages and trailer capacity any clearer.

[Outbacker]

I recommend that you go to the http://www.trailerlife.com/glb/tlford/index.cfm site, and in the page there is a link called 2008 Guide to towing. It is a PDF file that can be downloaded. In this guide is a list of all trucks, and under the Chevy/GMC lists the 1500 series according to truck style. Under the crew cab are all the various engines, rear end ratios and box sizes. Check out and see which truck is yours and that will give you the tow rating. There are tow ratings from 4600 pounds up to over 10,000 pounds, depending on what configuration you have. Do this, and your question will be answered.