Who's towing a travel trailer?

[Alec DiAstra]

Ok so I bought a 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 5.3 6 speed with the 3.43 axles.

My max towing number is therefore 9200 pounds 

I have and Equalizer WD Hitch.

 

I have a Grand Design  21BHE
https://www.granddesignrv.com/showroom/2020/travel-trailer/imagine-xls/floorplans/21bhe

UVW1	4497 lbs
Hitch Weight1	456 lbs
GVWR	5895 lbs
Length2	24' 11"

 

 

I was towing it with a  Colorado (7000 max towing) and it was just OK but bucked noticeably.  I was in a car accident and some kid turned left in front of me.. Well its totaled. So I bought the Sierra. 

 

I would like to hear from anyone with experience towing a travel trailer with this truck especially if you have towed with both a Sierra and a Colorado.  Any model specific tips. I know I am well within my limits which is good because I live in Colorado and want to be able to tow in the mountains. 

 

Here is the new truck. 

 

 

 

Here is the OLD setup and the camper I will be towing

Edited August 12, 2019 by Alec DiAstra

[diyer2]

Not quite sure what your looking for.

Assuming your Colorado was a V6 or diesel.

The Sierra V8 will help. Bigger brakes to I think.

A definite upgrade IMO.

 

You won't go over Eisenhower at record speeds.

 

 

[shane.lawrence.311]

Highland Ridge Open Range

Square Feet325

UVW8,370

Hitch Weight974

GVWR10,400

Cargo (Gross)2,030

Exterior Length (Pin to Rear)35'

Exterior Height140"

2015 Silverado 1500 with 3.73 and a max tow of 10800

 

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

[Alec DiAstra]

Yes the Colorado was a 2015-V6-crew-long

 

[John K.]

I tow a 21ft/ 24ft overall https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/flagstaff-micro-lite/21DS/893#Main 

I started off with a 2017 Colorado CC V6 4x4 with 8 speed.  2 months after purchase the wife talked me into the travel trailer.  We made 2 trips with it and it did the job, but was like the "tail wagging the dog", just not enough truck.

I now have a 2018 Silverado DC Z71 5.3L 6 speed and have no problems.

 

Edited August 12, 2019 by John K.

[Donstar]

2 hours ago, Alec DiAstra said:

Ok so I bought a 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 5.3 6 speed with the 3.43 axles.

My max towing number is therefore 9200 pounds 

I have and Equalizer WD Hitch.

 

I pull a similar trailer with a similar truck.  I have the 4.3 V6 and the combination is very comfortable to drive.  Speed, power and mountains are not a concern except when it comes to fuel economy.  I can drive aggressively while pulling the trailer but will pay for it at the pump.  If I keep to the speed limits and/or travel with the flow of traffic, I sometimes get surprised when I see my trailer in the rear view mirror!

[diyer2]

Big difference towing in the mountains.

Here in Colorado it's the norm to deal with grades of all degrees.

Not to mention the affects of altitude.

 

[YEGbluesilverado]

Towing a Lance 2015.5 1995 7"lift 23ft. 5700lbs gvwr about 650lbs hitch weight.  Used to use a 2007 Envoy Denali with a 6000lbs rating with just the Wife and I.  Last spring we got the 2016 Silverado crew cab 6.5 bed 4x4 5.3 1620lbs payload 3.42 gears and love it.  No issues with towing.  added sumosprings in the rear so theres no swat even when the bed is loaded up.  Been over the mountains from Alberta to Vancouver Island a few times and out to Tofino with the 18% grade coming home.  Would have gotten a max tow but they are hard to find.  highest transmission temp ive seen was 98C 208F  this was summer heat with AC blasting going up mountain passes.  keep fresh fluid in the transmission and thinking about deleting the transmission thermostat next.

[Alec DiAstra]

20 minutes ago, YEGbluesilverado said:

 keep fresh fluid in the transmission and thinking about deleting the transmission thermostat next.

 

Sounds like you and I are pulling similar rigs with similar trucks. Glad to hear I should not worry at all. Can you tell me more about how/why to remove the tranny thermostat? 

[YEGbluesilverado]

12 minutes ago, Alec DiAstra said:

Sounds like you and I are pulling similar rigs with similar trucks. Glad to hear I should not worry at all. Can you tell me more about how/why to remove the tranny thermostat? 

The transmission thermostat reduces flow to the cooler till around 75C i think and by that time id rather have better cooling flow.  on the Envoy i installed a big trans cooler and never had an issue with transmission temps with a 5.3l and 4 speed.  basically id just like to keep the temps lower to prolong the fluid life as once its goes over 205-210f your are reducing the life of the fluid to my knowledge. 

[Roscopcoletrain]

5 hours ago, shane.lawrence.311 said:

Highland Ridge Open Range

Square Feet325

UVW8,370

Hitch Weight974

GVWR10,400

Cargo (Gross)2,030

Exterior Length (Pin to Rear)35'

Exterior Height140"

2015 Silverado 1500 with 3.73 and a max tow of 10800

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

 

 

 

 

that a Equalizer 4 point hitch? 

[dieselfan1]

If you want know if the Sierra will be a step up from the Colorado, it will be night and day. Just don't expect to be towing your trailer up a 6% grade at 70 mph.

[shane.lawrence.311]

that a Equalizer 4 point hitch? 

Yes sir it is...14k lb bars on it

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

[UnlimitedMatt]

I fall into your group.  I had a 2015 Canyon to pull my 5200 lb camper.  I modified my Canyon heavily to make it the best I could (supercharger, external transmission cooler, etc) but it was not happy when towing.  I traded the Canyon in on my 2018 Silverado.  The Silverado towed my old camper so much easier.  I then traded my old camper in for my new 7200 lb camper.  I should have gotten a 2500 or 3500, but I didn't need it when I bought my Silverado.  I have modified my Silverado, it has the GM cold air intake, a tune, transmission thermostat delete, an external trans filter, rear air bags and LT tires.  The Silverado does ok towing this 32' camper.

Edited August 12, 2019 by UnlimitedMatt

[Roscopcoletrain]

15 Sierra NHT 6.2

16 Springdale 270LE