Anyone towing with a '08 GM 1500?

mikenem wrote:
Thanks for all the feed back. Picked up the trailer Saturday and couldn't believe how low my truck sat! Ran it across the cat scale, trailer weighed in at 6940# with 780# at the tounge. Engine and trans did great on flat ground, All the trouble was in the suspension. Stopped and looked at a 2500 on the way to get the trailer just in case...should be picking that up by the end of the week, haha.

Was that 6940# empty? If so you'll be up to 8000# loaded with close to 1000# on the tongue. I'd be shopping for that 2500 too if that was the case!

I'm not new to towing or leveling loads. The truck is being just about put to its towing, payload limits, and is well over it GCWR. And the weight I got was without food, coolers of ice, water in tanks or the bikes and kayaks in the truck. My 1500 will do it, but its time for something to do it safely...

OP wrote, "Picked up the trailer Saturday and couldn't believe how low my truck sat! Ran it across the cat scale, trailer weighed in at 6940# with 780# at the tongue."

"If" you are serious about a 2500HD, you will discover that Chevrolet does not require a WD hitch with your trailer. Mine is about the same weight, and they are correct.

Your WDH should be adjusted such that the rear settles in the 1.5"-2" lower than unhitched height, or about level. Adjust such that the TT is level to slightly nose down and the front axle weight/height is the same with WD as unhitched. Start learning how to adjust because a new truck will force you to readjust too!

Thanks for all the feed back. Picked up the trailer Saturday and couldn't believe how low my truck sat! Ran it across the cat scale, trailer weighed in at 6940# with 780# at the tounge. Engine and trans did great on flat ground, All the trouble was in the suspension. Stopped and looked at a 2500 on the way to get the trailer just in case...should be picking that up by the end of the week, haha.

I believe you about the shocks. My 2011 Suburban OEM shocks were underdamped when new too.

APT wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

I am towing a 5,500-29 foot pound travel trailer around the country, over 4,000 miles thus far, with my 2011-5.3 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. Truck is completely stock....The stock shocks at 33,000 are sagging

You have two more usable towing gears with the 6-spd over his 4-spd. You tow 1500 pounds lower weight. Shocks do not sag or hold the vehicle up, springs do.

The shocks are not doing their job. It's not the springs. Maybe "sagging" was a bad word to use.

CKNSLS wrote:

I am towing a 5,500-29 foot pound travel trailer around the country, over 4,000 miles thus far, with my 2011-5.3 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. Truck is completely stock....The stock shocks at 33,000 are sagging

You have two more usable towing gears with the 6-spd over his 4-spd. You tow 1500 pounds lower weight. Shocks do not sag or hold the vehicle up, springs do.

CKNSLS wrote:
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I am towing a 5,500-29 foot pound travel trailer around the country, over 4,000 miles thus far, with my 2011-5.3 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. Truck is completely stock. I just replaced OEM tires with NITTO Cross Terrains (275/55/20 XL) and have nothing bad to say about them. The stock shocks at 33,000 are sagging and will be replaced for the trip back which we have started on. Total towing will be a little over 8,000 miles in 9 months.

The 5.3 will tow your trailer but since it is heavier than mine you will know it's back there. PM me if you have any questions.

My tongue weigt is 750 pounds.

The OP's trailer is probably going to be 2,000 pounds heavier than your 5,500 pound model, which will change his towing experience from yours. Even if only 10% (200 pounds) are added to the tongue weight, he will be affected by it. Everybody is different in their performance expectations. I tow a similar amount and went back to a 2500HD because I appreciate the added capability, and I am not just talking about power.

TomG2 wrote:

mikenem wrote:
3.73 rear, a 2500 is planned to be my next truck, maybe sooner than planned. We'll see how we make out

Make sure your first trip in not an important one, because I don't think you are going to like what you feel. Tires, Timbrens, and Tension (0n the hitch) will all be suggested.

I am towing a 5,500-29 foot pound travel trailer around the country, over 4,000 miles thus far, with my 2011-5.3 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. Truck is completely stock. I just replaced OEM tires with NITTO Cross Terrains (275/55/20 XL) and have nothing bad to say about them. The stock shocks at 33,000 are sagging and will be replaced for the trip back which we have started on. Total towing will be a little over 8,000 miles in 9 months.

The 5.3 will tow your trailer but since it is heavier than mine you will know it's back there. PM me if you have any questions.

My tongue weigt is 750 pounds.