Silverado 1500 Towing

dodge guy wrote:
The only issue I see is the low percentage tongue weight 640lbs (maybe a bit as some weight is transferred to the TT axles). on a 6900lb TT, less than 10% you need to be around 13% of ready to travel weight.

How did you figure the tongue weight?

I had an rv friend set the hitch up, maybe he could tweak this a little. Might also settle the truck down a bit.

The only issue I see is the low percentage tongue weight 640lbs (maybe a bit as some weight is transferred to the TT axles). on a 6900lb TT, less than 10% you need to be around 13% of ready to travel weight.

Okay, i got it weighed at a Cat Scale. I followed the instructions that I found on another web site. Big heads up was to bring a yardstick so you could reach the call button. Glad that I did.

A trucker was going by and I asked him about the call button, he jumped up and hit the button. OH to be about 40 years younger. :)

I weighed the tow vehicle and tt following the posters instructions

Weigh one The Truck Front Axle 3320 Rear Axle 2580 Gross 5900 ( A little lighter than I had thought)

Weigh Two Truck and Trailer with WDH engaged.

Front Axle 3200 Rear Axle 3340 Gross 12760 (Max is 15000)

Weigh Three Truck and Trailer with WDH disengaged

Front Axle 3060 Rear Axle 3580 Gross 12760

Sticker on the truck says Front axle 3650 Rear Axle 3950

Any problems with these weights? I was surprised to see that the weight of the trailer was less than 7000. 12760 minus 5900 equals 6860 if I did that right.

Can you figure what the tongue weight is and how much more can I put in the truck?

Thanks and again thanks for the previous comments.

Oh, I really haven't driven that far with the truck and trailer except to the Cat scale 20 miles round trip.

Truck did not seem to be working that hard. Most of the time it was between 2000 and 2500 rpm. Definetely did not ride like the 2500. Ride was much softer and lighter. Going to take a bit of getting use too. Wife did not care for it. Overall, similar handling as I had with the 02 Silvderado 1500 and the 23B.

I think the truck will do the job but it will not be a speed demon and I don't think the gas mileage will be any better or worse that with the 2500.

Again, your comments are appreciate.

Just another bit of info. My wife and I were both in the cab and we threw in some stuff that we normally carry with us. I do have one of those silver tool boxes in the bed and I put in a ladder, chairs and some other items. Also in the trailer, we put some suitcases with about 200 pounds of stuff to allow for clothing and food. Otherwise, the trailer was as we would tow it.

For more real world towing experiences,I have a 2012 GMC Sierra 5.3 cc w/power tech tow pkg. 6spd/3.42 axle. We just returned from Florida towing about 3500 miles. Finally weighed everything loaded with full gas in the truck and all trailer tanks empty but all our gear loaded for a 3+ month stay. We are using a Reese dual cam hitch with sway control.

Trailer and truck 12,480 lbs. 15,000 GCWR
Truck loaded unhitched 6180 lbs. W/gear and 2 on board
Trailer loaded 6300 lbs. Dry wt. 5300 lbs.
Hitch 700lbs.

Truck payload rating is 7000 lbs.

Most towing was fairly flat through the south but did go up some significant hills in PA. and NY. The truck performed well and generally towed at about 2000rpm in overdrive at 60-62mph on flat ground. I did see 3500-4000 rpm on the worst hills when trying to hold 55-60mph. I am quite impressed with the new 6 spd trans. vs the old 4spd. I always used tow haul mode which did a great job keeping the engine in the sweet spot and automatically downshifting on descents. The 5.3 engine is not a torque monster but the 6 spd. makes the combination much better.
Towing mileage was 9.5-12.0 depending on terrain and wind. Non towing highway is generally 19.5-20 mpg. The 20"P tires do feel a bit squishy and I will eventually look for something with less flex. The shock dampening is also somewhat weak.
Would I use a heavier trailer with this combo. Probably not. I am pleased with my current arrangement and like having a little in reserve. I would feel comfortable towing long distances if you keep the weight at or below mine. After 14,000 miles I have had 0 issues so I am happy about that. The truck is very comfortable on trips but rather large/cumbersome when doing local errands. Try to use my wifes car more for local duties. Hope this helps.

Good luck !!!!!!!!!!!!

Post back on how it goes so that we can learn too

CKNSLS wrote:
To the OP-
I am actually doing some real towing with my 2011-Silveraddo Crew Cab with the 5.3 -so here goes from someone who has some experience-

The DW and I left St. George Utah and have pulled my 29 foot 4,500 pound (weight is DRY) travel trailer through 19 states and 4,000 miles thus far. We have "toured" an adiitonal 7,000 miles for a total of 11,000 miles.

We are currently in the Northeast. The truck IS COMPLETELY STOCK w/the factory tow pkg. It has 31,000 miles on it. The Goodyear LS tires are getting a little thin on tread and the factory shocks are marginal. I will probably replace both in Ohio for the return trip to Utah and to be safe in the heat of the summer.

The 5.3 will "rev" all day long. The "tow haul" mode works great. The towing mpg is between 10 and 13mpg.

I didn't want to spend 50 big ones for a monster truck. The Silverado was discounted 10,000 dollars ($26,000 sales price) and the Ultra Light travel trailer was 15,000 dollars (Eclipse Milan). The trailer is Filon with Aluminum frame and has been flawless. I had to replace the China tires in Florida (due to dryrot). I picked up a set of the new Carlisle RH tires (better heat resistance with a nylon cap).

So there you have it from somebody who has some experience.

Thanks for the info. I think I may be heading back to when I had an 02 Silverado with the 4.8 pulling a Jayco 23B. Yep it did rev up some hills and slowed down a lot but 98% of the time I was happy with the rig.

If I can get the same performance out of this one, I will be happy. My major concern is staying within the weight limits and I do think it will be close especially if I underestimate the weight of the trailer.

I am getting the hitch put on tomorrow and hopefully I will be able to get it weighed tomorrow.

Wish me luck, Guys

To the OP-
I am actually doing some real towing with my 2011-Silveraddo Crew Cab with the 5.3 -so here goes from someone who has some experience-

The DW and I left St. George Utah and have pulled my 29 foot 4,500 pound (weight is DRY) travel trailer through 19 states and 4,000 miles thus far. We have "toured" an adiitonal 7,000 miles for a total of 11,000 miles.

We are currently in the Northeast. The truck IS COMPLETELY STOCK w/the factory tow pkg. It has 31,000 miles on it. The Goodyear LS tires are getting a little thin on tread and the factory shocks are marginal. I will probably replace both in Ohio for the return trip to Utah and to be safe in the heat of the summer.

The 5.3 will "rev" all day long. The "tow haul" mode works great. The towing mpg is between 10 and 13mpg.

I didn't want to spend 50 big ones for a monster truck. The Silverado was discounted 10,000 dollars ($26,000 sales price) and the Ultra Light travel trailer was 15,000 dollars (Eclipse Milan). The trailer is Filon with Aluminum frame and has been flawless. I had to replace the China tires in Florida (due to dryrot). I picked up a set of the new Carlisle RH tires (better heat resistance with a nylon cap).

So there you have it from somebody who has some experience.

OP I have a similar set up to yours, but with the old 4-spd tranny but with 3.73 rear. My trailer is 5400lbs unloaded and around 6500lbs loaded. My payload is 1523. I have no sway(have new spread axles) and no issues towing this at all. You will hit 4K RPM going up hills but it's no problem. Can manage most inclines by just hitting the torque converter. If you won't be in the mountains all the time go for it.

Is that "6800 actual gross weight" the GVWR of the truck, or what it actually weighs?

Because, the GVWR on that model truck is typically 6200, 6800, or 7100. If you've loaded the truck up to where it weighs 6800, that trailer is way too much.

Wow Guys, that is a bunch of info for me to infuse into this old head but thanks.

Some of the weights were in my thinking, so thanks for verifying those for me.

If the salesman had said Yes, 9600 and then subtract for, I don't think I would have bought the truck

If he had told me that the cgwr was 15000 I would not have bought the truck. Truck is 6800 actual gross weight on the trailer is 8500. I figure I am closer to 7000 lbs. If not, then off to Trailer Weight Watchers.


I didn't realize the payload for the truck was so small.

Lot's of "ifs" but I relied on the salesman. Should have known better.

I am trying to get a guy to hook up my wdh. Has to be adjusted to the new truck. Once that is done, I plan on getting the whole rig weighed (as suggested).

I don't mind towing at low speed. I generally tow between 60 and 65. Getting too old for the fast stuff. besides, I am retired and in no hurry.


Again, thanks all and as soon as I get it weighed I will be back.