Towing question

jorge1958 · December 9, 2017

Hi folks I am new to this forum. I had a question about towing with my 2015 Silverado 1500. My truck came with the factory tow package. It has the 5.3 V8 with 3.21 gears. My camp trailer is 26ft and weighs about 5200lbs dry. I had a 2014 Ram 1500 Hemi with 3.55 gears that I traded in for this Silverado. Do any of you have the same set up as I have on my truck. If you do how does it tow. My Ram didn't seem to have any problems towing this trailer but I am a little concerned with the gear ratio in my new truck. I just hope it doesn't labor to much to tow my trailer. Let me know your thoughts and experiences. Thanks

diyer2 · December 9, 2017

I think you have 3.42 gears.

Six speed trans?

No problem IMO.

Waaazooo · December 9, 2017

No issues.

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jorge1958 · December 9, 2017

You are right. My local Chevy dealer gave me a copy of the build sheet. It does have 3.42 gears. It does have the 6spd trans. It is the double cab not crew cab but it works for me very well. I have only had the truck for a month now and I really like it. Much nicer drive then the Ram was. Glad I bought it. Thanks for the input.

garagerog · December 9, 2017

To the OP, only thing I can add is to familiarize yourself with the tow/haul mode if you haven't already. Owners manual is your friend there.

RP53 · December 9, 2017

my camper weighs about a 1000 lb less than yours but you shouldn't have a problem, just get a GOOD weight distribution hitch and set it up correctly. i would also invest a good elc. brake setup

jorge1958 · December 9, 2017

I have a Reese weight distribution hitch and have learned thru the years on setting it up correctly. My major concern is the engine runs at 210 degrees if you go by the gauge in the dash and I worry about a possible overheating issue in the summer months. My Ram had the factory tow package as well and it worked real well. The engine torque of the Ram was also a little higher.

sdeeter19555 · December 9, 2017

I have a Reese weight distribution hitch and have learned thru the years on setting it up correctly. My major concern is the engine runs at 210 degrees if you go by the gauge in the dash and I worry about a possible overheating issue in the summer months. My Ram had the factory tow package as well and it worked real well. The engine torque of the Ram was also a little higher.

Mine (2012 2500hd) reads 210 on the dash and actually runs 195ish. They dampen the gauge to prevent customer complaints regarding the needle moving around (it's not where it normally is").

Even when towing hard when it's hot outside, I rarely get above 205.

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jorge1958 · December 9, 2017

Cool. Good to know. Thanks

Waaazooo · December 9, 2017

I have a Reese weight distribution hitch and have learned thru the years on setting it up correctly. My major concern is the engine runs at 210 degrees if you go by the gauge in the dash and I worry about a possible overheating issue in the summer months. My Ram had the factory tow package as well and it worked real well. The engine torque of the Ram was also a little higher.

Also keep in mind that it’s running at the thermostat temp. You can make it run cooler. My 34’ trailer/1500 ran at same temps. No issues.

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RP53 · December 9, 2017

good i wouldn't think of towing without a WDH, as for the temp gauge every chevy i have ever owned except the old Detroit diesel read 210 on the temp gauge, and the newer ones seem to have in my eyes to hot of trans fluid mine will read as high a 205 when towing but the dealer and others on this forum say that normal

jorge1958 · December 9, 2017

Yah I worry about trans temps to. It has an engine oil cooler but I don't see a trans cooler.

Grumpy Bear · December 9, 2017

1 hour ago, jorge1958 said:

I have a Reese weight distribution hitch and have learned thru the years on setting it up correctly. My major concern is the engine runs at 210 degrees if you go by the gauge in the dash and I worry about a possible overheating issue in the summer months. My Ram had the factory tow package as well and it worked real well. The engine torque of the Ram was also a little higher.

All Ecotect3 motors have 207 F thermostats (+/- 3) Jet Performance has a 170F and a 180F replacement. FYI

20 minutes ago, jorge1958 said:

Yah I worry about trans temps to. It has an engine oil cooler but I don't see a trans cooler.

Has two. First is in the passenger side tank of the radiator and the other is the top third of the AC condenser. Transmission is equipped with a 190 F internal thermostat. You can access your trans temperature with a Scan Gauge II from Linear Logic and some others.