Towing Question

MillerTimeGMC · March 25, 2009

I have a 2008 GMC Sierra 4x4 Extended Cab with the 5.3 and 3.73 rear end..... I bought a 24' boat that weighs approx. 4800lbs on a tandem axle trailer, which probably weighs 1500-2000 lbs and was wondering how bad this may squat the truck or how much the truck may work to move it down the road. If someone could share their towing experience with a similarly sized load or have some other insight to my concern, I would appreciate it. I have not picked the boat up yet and until then, I will be wondering what to expect.

97SierraGMC · March 25, 2009

My parents have a 23 1/2 Foot Maxum with a tandem axle trailer.

Although we have only pulled it with 1 ton Duallys. When my parents first bought the boat my dad pulled it with a 98 GMC 3500 with a 454, now he pulls it with a 2005 F350 with a 6.0 Diesel.

your truck should have no problem pulling it, I would be careful on the ramp though, i would suggest putting it into 4x4 low.

cowboy21 · March 25, 2009

MillerTime, I have towed my tandom axle flat bed and friends enclosed trailer both loaded near the 7000 lbs range on both trailers. Our trucks are rated to tow 7000 lbs so you are near our weight limit, also dont forget about the passengers and gear in the bed. You can diffently tow the load, just be sure to keep it in 3rd and out of OD, I would keep it 70 or below and watch the tranny temps. If you have a leveling kit like I do it will diffently squat your truck. Before I put the leveling kit on, the truck would sit about level or just a little lower in the rear. With the level kit and a load it looked like godzilla took a giant dump in the bed of the truck. I put on firestone air bags and that solved the problem, I would really suggest the airbags if you have a level kit and tow or hual a load.

Stevens03 · March 25, 2009

Most likely the truck will sit almost level, not squatted at all if you have stock suspension and not leveled. The weight will be a perfect combo for the 5.3 and 3.73 gears, so it will tow it pretty well.

I towed 6500 lbs with 4.10s in my 03 5.3 and it towed pretty well at that weight.

No worries

Steven

FargoZ71 · March 25, 2009

depending on the terrain, hilly or not ect.. i would put in a tranny temp gauge.. just watch the temps.. the truck wont really have a problem.. look into a equalizer hitch.. my dad pulls his 30foot camper with a 1997 1/2ton no problems..

Outbacker · March 25, 2009

I have the exact same truck as you, and I tow a 5000 pound trailer. Mind you, I use a weight distribution hitch, but you should be fine. If you are low in the back end from the trailer, then you can look at options to beef up the rear suspension.

cowboy21 · March 25, 2009

Also don't forget about good air pressure in your rear tires, and keep an eye on them. The tires GM puts on our trucks are a joke. Whoever thought of putting "P" passenger car tires on a truck. I would suggest some good "LT" tires which come in load range E if you keep the factory tire size which I would do since you tow.

MillerTimeGMC · March 25, 2009

Thanks for all of the great advise and personal experiences. That was exactly what I was looking for. I live in NW Ohio, so it is pretty flat here. The suspension is stock, no leveling kit or bags. I will keep in the front of my mind the advise of using 4 Low to pull the boat out of the water, also.... Thanks Everyone!!

Ryan00TJ · March 25, 2009

My boat and trailer are 24' tandem axle with trailer brakes. Boat is 3,000lbs loaded and trailer is 1,500lbs. So 4,500-5,000lbs. It tows very very nicely with this setup. 5.3L and 3.73s. I live in a hilly terrain, Northern WV and I usually tow in 3rd T/H on. I pulled my cousins 18' Mastercraft from Columbus back to Morgantown and I didn't know it was back there thru that flat country.

You have the perfect towing setup for that boat. My truck is also stock and sits virtually level when hooked up. I have LT tires so not much squat with the Z71 suspension.

khancock · March 25, 2009

I have the same truck as you but have it leveled. I tow a 16' enclosed snowmobile trailer with 3 sleds, 3 guys and a ton of gear pretty regularly in the winter. I'm guessing all together its 5000lbs, maybe more? Anyway even before the truck was leveled it squatted with the trailer alone on a bit. With the leveling kit it pretty much felt like the front end wasn't there. I installed airbags and have to say that it was by far the best upgrade I have done to the truck. The truck drives a million times better and for about $200 it was a cheap upgrade with a huge payback.

Also GM towing mirrors are amazing if you have any problems seeing around your boat, but about double the cost of the airbags.

K9Blitz · March 25, 2009

I tow a 24' Essex Valor with my NBS 07 5.3 Crew Cab without incident. I have the factory 4:10's which help. The dry weight of the boat is about 4500lbs and the trailer is a Zeiman tandem axle.

You should have not problems. The tow/haul button works great. The only thing I'd recommend is some load leveling air bags. The back can get pretty heavy after you load it full of beer and gear then hook up the boat.

KDertz21 · March 25, 2009

I don't think you'll have much of a problem at all. I've towed my car to the dragstrip plenty of times and I've also pulled a 4500lb. bobcat to a few jobsites. Just keep an eye on the trans temp and you'll be fine. The tow/haul mode works great I was pretty impressed.

Griptruk · March 25, 2009

If you are planning to go anywhere far I'd make sure you get the whole rig weighed to make sure you're not over the GCVWR.

You could also add it up and figure it out but the scales don't lie.

That trailer's a little on the heavy side for the engine/axle but not undoable,

The firestone ride rite air bags will help the truck stay level, but I would put a lot of focus on making sure your tongue weight is proper, and again, as someone else mentioned a weight distributing hitch with sway control would help a lot. If you just plan to go from your home to a local boat ramp and won't see highway use then you don't have to go so crazy but when you're gonna hit the highway this becomes very important for a trailer of that size.

-Jer

smattei14 · March 25, 2009

You will be fine...I two a 26 foot boat...6000 lbs dry weight...and I am fine....

you will know its back there..but you won't have any trouble at all...just two in the T/H mode and two in 3rd and OD on the down hills...

07max · March 25, 2009

You will be fine...I two a 26 foot boat...6000 lbs dry weight...and I am fine....

you will know its back there..but you won't have any trouble at all...just two in the T/H mode and two in 3rd and OD on the down hills...

Agreed....I have a Regal 2400 which is around 7,000 lbs with the trailer dry and the truck sits perfectly level. The only thing I've noticed (and many postings here confirm) is the minute trans cooler does not cool the tranny well in hot areas with heavy loads. I'm going for the Hayden upgrade this summer.

I too love the tow/haul programming. Especially after Justin fixed it for me ;-)

-Steve