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Trailer_Newbie's avatar
Trailer_Newbie
Explorer
Feb 15, 2016

Help with weight

Hi, We're in the planning stages of getting a TT for an extended trip. My wife wants plenty of room, but I'm concerned about the safe towing weight. The models she typically likes would end up weighing almost 6000 lbs. loaded.

We have a 2002 Chevy Avalanche 1500 2WD with the factory trailering package with the following stats:

GVW: 6800
GCVW 13,000
Dry Wt: 5437
Max Tow wt (via owner's manual) 7300
Rear axle ratio: 3.73

I've looked at several formulas that yield max values from 3750 to 5570. Given that they are all different, some (or all) of them must not be correct.

Can anybody give me an accurate max towing weight that will be safe and not destroy my transmission?

Also, are there cost-effective things I can do to the truck to increase it's safe towing ability?

Thanks so much for any help you can offer.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Feb 15, 2016
    Can anybody give me an accurate max towing weight that will be safe and not destroy my transmission?

    Also, are there cost-effective things I can do to the truck to increase it's safe towing ability?

    The vehicle is 14 years old so much depends on engine size/has it been abused or serviced per GM schedule/high millage/etc.

    The wife just sold her '06 1500 crew cab chevy Z71 5.3 3.73 axle/295 hp. It had a 7400 lb tow rating but I sure wouldn't want to pull a 7000 lb RV trailer with it.
    I used it to pull a 10k car hauler/tractor which grossed around the 6800-7000 lb range with the loader and box blade removed.
    It did ok on the flats but I sure wouldn't want to pull a tall 6k-7k boxy RV in the hills or mountains or into high heads winds like we have out here.

    For a tow vehicle that old/low hp engine I would stay under 5k-6k actual wet weight.
  • mikeh449's avatar
    mikeh449
    Explorer
    Feb 15, 2016
    you want the truth you would be better off trading it in on a 3/4 ton not much that you can do to yours to help it

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