Avalanche 1500 pulling 5300 lb trailer

kevden wrote:
We had a 2005 av 5.3/ 4l60 trans 3.42 axle. Towed a 22ft trailer that was around 4500 to 5k dry. I thought it towed the camper well, but the trans failed at around 25k miles. After some online research I found that it is not recommended to tow with that trans in overdrive. When the torque converter is not locked it builds too much heat.

This is good advice. Lock in 3rd gear and use tow/haul mode. Gear hunting will kill that trans. Take it slow, and make sure to use a good W/D with sway control. Been there and done that with same setup on Tahoe's and Yukons. Not optimal but will work with care and caution.

We had a 2005 av 5.3/ 4l60 trans 3.42 axle. Towed a 22ft trailer that was around 4500 to 5k dry. I thought it towed the camper well, but the trans failed at around 25k miles. After some online research I found that it is not recommended to tow with that trans in overdrive. When the torque converter is not locked it builds too much heat.

rbtglove wrote:
Had a 2005 AV with the 5 sp tranny and towed a 5000lb scale weight loaded to go TT for several years without issues. The 2007 has the 7 sp tranny (I think) which should be a better tower but still think you would be pushing the limit. You might try the on line AV towing forum form some of their expertise.

Nope, the 2007 Avy has the 4 spd tranny.
so did your 2005.

Had a 2005 AV with the 5 sp tranny and towed a 5000lb scale weight loaded to go TT for several years without issues. The 2007 has the 7 sp tranny (I think) which should be a better tower but still think you would be pushing the limit. You might try the on line AV towing forum form some of their expertise.

Luminajd wrote:
I lurk here a lot so I should know, but all the math discussed on here makes my head spin.
Can my 1500 Avalanche pull my 5300 pound dry weight trailer safely? In the cab is 2 adults, 3 kids ages 10 and under, normal amount of **** people carry. In Iowa, so it is flat, usually only go about 10 times per year, always 2 hours or less round trip each time.
Without having to dig deep into numbers, is this doable?
Thanks

i have a 2007 Avy LT with the same 5.3 and 3.73 ratio.
Avys have poor payload capacities, compared to their truck cousins.

my LT has a payload capacity of 1357lbs.
your LTZ will likely have a lower number, due to all the extra bling the LTZ has.

so, your family of 5, cargo in the truck and tongue weight CAN'T exceed that payload capacity number.

we tow a 24' HTT, that weighs loaded, a little over 5000lbs.

your dry weight of 5300lbs., will likely going to weigh over 6000lbs. loaded.

it would be more helpful if you posted the yellow drivers door sticker's payload capacity and the year/make/model of trailer you're talking about.
or the trailer's specs, especially hitch weight.

As others have stated, find out your payload first.

I towed a 27' TT around 6,000 pounds with a 2015 5.3L and had ZERO concerns over the motor. Yes these are slightly different gen motors, but I'm thinking you'd be fine.

Make sure you have a good WD hitch and your trailer brakes are in good working order.

had a 24ft TT 6600 loaded.
gmc 1/2 5.3 373 gears.
pulled it all over CA and Oregon, and AZ
I could also know it was back there. had sway a few times. we just took our time, and never expected to go up hill fast. we always made it where we were going.
now we have a Ram 3500. night and day difference.
do check your gear ratio and engine size. if not the 5.3 and 3.73, could have problems going up mountains.

We had a 5300lb dry TT that weighed in approx. 6500lbs loaded for a trip! I towed it with a 1/2 ton 97 Dodge conv. van. 2 adults, 2 kids 4 and 5, a gandpa and a 100lb shepherd! never had an issue towing with it.

I`m sure you`ll be about 6500lbs loaded for a trip. no reason you couldn't do it!

Somewhere on your vehicle, maybe the drivers door post, there is a sticker that shows a curb weight and a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). You might also find it in the owner's manual, or as a last resort get a dealer to find the infor for you.

The difference in the 2 numbers is your cargo capacity.

Then weigh your vehicle with the trailer hooked up, and without. The difference in those numbers is the amount of weight transferred to the vehicle, and it takes up part of the cargo capacity.

Add in your family, stuff, etc that would normally be in the vehicle. The total of all that plus the trailer added weight will be your cargo.

If you are over cargo capacity 300-400 lb or less you can lighten your load a little, and you will probably be OK given the type of driving you are talking about.

Make sure your vehicle and trailer tires are properly inflated.

If you are any more overweight, you are in trouble.

And it's not necessary to drive 65 mph. Stay off the interstates and 55 is a good speed. If you need on an interstate, get in the right lane and hold it to 60. That's why the right lane is there.

Your 5,300 dry weight could end up over 7,000 lbs. loaded, so the answer would be: I wouldn't do it (again). I pulled a similarly weighted trailer with a Tahoe 1500 and got tired of the 5.3 turning 3,500 RPM for long periods to maintain 65 MPH on just moderate grades.

Rob