Towing with 05 Z71

I towed a 2001 Cougar 26' with a 99 Z71 with a 5.7, and it did ok on flat land, but I soon got a 2500 with the 6.0 engine, and 4:10 gears.

Most 1500 trucks that age would not have enough payload available to carry the hitch/pin weight of that size FW. With the FW loaded up, ready to camp, the weight you add to the trucks rear axle will put you over the RAWR of truck, and likely over the tire ratings as well.

You still have to add people, pets, gear, to the truck. When truck and trailer are loaded, hooked up to go camping, put truck rear wheels on scale. Compare that number to RAWR of truck.

Will the truck tow it? Sure, for a while. You need a truck with a 6,000 lb or more RAWR, rather than the 3,500-3,900 RAWR that your truck will have.

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with your new adventure!

Jerry

Get a 2500 and have no worries.

any tow sheet does not recommend towing a 5th wheel with that year 1500 truck AFAIK. I have an 06 with long bed trailer package and I sure wouldnt hook a 5th wheel to it.

Z71 has to be a ext cab at least I assume?

Although chevy tow rates do state somewhere that 6800 lb GVW 5th wheel trailer would be max... I dont think you can find one that light. Standard trailer tow rating is 7500 with that truck

Payload will be your issue IMO. As I only have a 1420 payload left with full tank of fuel and me 200lbs..

Plus I am only towing 5000 lbs and its a lot of weight IMO.

But I modded my truck with bilsteins and a huge trans cooler.. My truck also has only 85K miles on it...Also I have the 7000 gvw option opposed to the standard 6400 gvw option..

Ill find the tow rates for 5th wheel for your truck..

Can you tell us exact truck you have with rear ratio and such?
Also more on the 27 ft trailer your talking about?

First thing to do IMO is take the truck to the scale, full tank of fuel and you in the truck..That will tell you more about your capability