Towing Package Silverado 1500

ejarmbrister · March 28, 2011

I am planning to buy a GM 1500 crew cab 4x4 to pull a 7000 # 5th wheel. Will pull only 1000 miles per year. I would like to buy a 5.3 engine with the towing package. Will that work for me?

HawkScot · March 28, 2011

I don't know for sure, but I think you can only get the short box (5'8") on the 1500 Crew Cab. I am not sure that gives you enough room to have a 5th wheel trailer..

ejarmbrister · March 28, 2011

I don't know for sure, but I think you can only get the short box (5'8") on the 1500 Crew Cab. I am not sure that gives you enough room to have a 5th wheel trailer..

I have checked.....with a slider 5th wheel I will be OK??

jro909 · March 28, 2011

go to a 2500...its better to have too much then not enough

tyhuck · March 28, 2011

go to a 2500...its better to have too much then not enough

Ditto.

Plus, the shorter the bed, the more risk of clipping the cab when making tight turns. And, last time I checked, the 1/2 tons arent rated or recomended for 5th wheel towing. Maybe they changed with the new body styles.

cghbuilder86 · March 28, 2011

7,000 might be starting to push the limits a little bit. It is probably within the tow rating if you have 3.73 or taller gears. But it might be starting to push it on how well it will actually handle it. How many trips is that 1,000 miles a year? And is it going to be very hilly? I assume you are wanting the 5.3 for better gas mileage while driving around and not towing. That is certainly understandable. If I didn't care a about mileage hands down pay a little extra and get a 2500. If you are like me and you DO care about mileage, just keep pondering it. It's a tough call.

pwall · March 28, 2011

It will work, but you will need a sliding hitch.

Stevens03 · March 28, 2011

It will pull it but you'll be in the slow lane and always pushing the max limits of the truck. Personally I wouldn't tow more than 6000 lbs dry weight with a 5.3L. Gear and supplies can really add up in weight and thats before people. And.. if you do decide to do it, make dang sure you get 3.73 gears

I'd consider a 6.2L with the max trailer package. If your going for mileage, it's not much different than the 5.3L and you get a whole lot more motor. My mileage is averaging 13-14mpg around town and 17highway. For the mileage difference, you get alot more truck.

ejarmbrister · March 28, 2011

7,000 might be starting to push the limits a little bit. It is probably within the tow rating if you have 3.73 or taller gears. But it might be starting to push it on how well it will actually handle it. How many trips is that 1,000 miles a year? And is it going to be very hilly? I assume you are wanting the 5.3 for better gas mileage while driving around and not towing. That is certainly understandable. If I didn't care a about mileage hands down pay a little extra and get a 2500. If you are like me and you DO care about mileage, just keep pondering it. It's a tough call.

Thanks for your thoughts on this issue........I'll ponder for a while longer!

ejarmbrister · March 28, 2011

It will pull it but you'll be in the slow lane and always pushing the max limits of the truck. Personally I wouldn't tow more than 6000 lbs dry weight with a 5.3L. Gear and supplies can really add up in weight and thats before people. And.. if you do decide to do it, make dang sure you get 3.73 gears

I'd consider a 6.2L with the max trailer package. If your going for mileage, it's not much different than the 5.3L and you get a whole lot more motor. My mileage is averaging 13-14mpg around town and 17highway. For the mileage difference, you get alot more truck.

Thanks, I take it you have the 6.2L with the Max trailer package. Wondering if I just shouldn't go for the 2500HD and suffer fuel economy??

timdan94 · March 28, 2011

I have a 2011 extended cab reg box silverado 1500 with the 5.3, 3.42 gears with towing package. it is rated at 9600 lbs max.

ejarmbrister · March 28, 2011

go to a 2500...its better to have too much then not enough

Ditto.

Plus, the shorter the bed, the more risk of clipping the cab when making tight turns. And, last time I checked, the 1/2 tons arent rated or recomended for 5th wheel towing. Maybe they changed with the new body styles.

Thanks, I'll check into that issue!

Stevens03 · March 28, 2011

I've had the 5.3L 4-speed with 4.10 gears... 6.0L 4-speed with 4.10 gears and now I have the 6.2L 6-speed with 3.73 gears. I've towed 5 different campers with all weighing in under 6000 lbs unloaded, so I believe I have a decent opinion on the capabilities of the truck 1500s and motors. Tires also play a good roll in how stable the truck feels under load while towing a fair amount of weight. The cheap P-rated tires that come stock are terrible for towing but will get the job done when necessary. The NHT max trailer package isn't that much difference over stock, but I believe it makes a difference in how stable the truck feels while towing.

My opinion would be this. If you want the 5.3L and your sold on the idea of towing a 5th wheel with it, then it will tow it, based on rating but I personally wouldn't enjoy it. You also need to consider the pin weight. How heavy is the pin weight on the 5th wheel. Above, it was mentioned the truck with 3.42's is rated for 9600lbs with 3.42's. I'd love to see that kind of weight going down the road 60-65 mph with traffic and not leave the driver completely white knuckled. I'm not saying you have to have the 2500, but if you want a comfortable towing experience, I'd consider the 6.2L with the max trailer or the 2500 to get the job done.

JMO