I'm new at rv-ing. Just bought a 24' Forest River EVO TT; I have a 2012 Silverado 1500 4WD Crew Cab short box. It has the tow package, Model K10543, 3.08 gear ratio, 5.3L V8. I I'm getting air bags installed on the truck tomorrow. Question? When I go up a grade, the engine gets loud and the rpm's jump up to about 4,000 before backing back down to 2-3. Should I be shifting down from drive to the next lower gear? I don't have anyone to ask. (I'm a 63 yr old teacher). Also, I am so confused by all the GVWR's/etc. My trlr dry weight is 5686, gross wt 7750. My truck was missing the sticker which told exactly what all it has, and in looking at the owner's manual it gives dozens of models. I finally found the model K10543 but still am not sure if I'm trying to tow too heavy of a load. A little late, now. The dealership assured me that it met the specs.

It is perfectly ok for the engine to run 4000 rpm pulling hills. If the tranny is hunting between gears, drop it down one manually so it stays there instead of shifting back and forth.

Gas engines need RPMs toget power. Let the truck do what it needs to. You do not have the best towing gear if you have 3:08. I have 3.55 and wish Ibhad 3.92.Your door sticker should tell you how much payload your truck can CARRY. This is your payload. You can also search online for GM tow ratings and find that mythical number that the company says you can tow.

I had the same truck in ext cab and 2013 pulling 5,000 loaded. It was nice to drive and I felt is was about all I would want to pull with 1500 truck. At 7750 lb yours will be downshifting a lot. Some dealerships will sell you anything and as much of it as they can. If it was just local I may do 7750 but I cant imagine crossing the country. Everyone is different so some may not have a problem with it.

The 3.08 axle ratio likely means your truck is rated to tow up to 6700 lb. Towing more than that isn't going to make it blow up. It will have to shift down more on the steep grades than one with a higher ratio axle. Your engine makes peak HP around 5200 rpm and peak torque around 4000 rpm. When it is needing power to pull grades it will need to run in that range of rpm. For towing tag trailers (non fifth wheel) a stabilizer hitch makes towing a little safer.Although I can't recommend doing it, I've towed trailers that weighed double what my truck was rated for.....I've never had a problem.

Sounds like your truck might be a little overloaded. If you plan to travel quite a bit.... before you sock a lot of money in air bags, etc... you might want to seek out someone who you trust who is familiar with trucks and pulling loads. Main thing is you are safe. Some RV salespeople could care less if you can pull or stop what you buy. I agree with other post that 3.08 ratio rear end is good for gas mileage but not pulling loads.

Going up hills | Good Sam Community

SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
It is perfectly ok for the engine to run 4000 rpm pulling hills. If the tranny is hunting between gears, drop it down one manually so it stays there instead of shifting back and forth.
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
Gas engines need RPMs toget power. Let the truck do what it needs to. You do not have the best towing gear if you have 3:08. I have 3.55 and wish Ibhad 3.92.

Your door sticker should tell you how much payload your truck can CARRY. This is your payload. You can also search online for GM tow ratings and find that mythical number that the company says you can tow.
azrving
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
I had the same truck in ext cab and 2013 pulling 5,000 loaded. It was nice to drive and I felt is was about all I would want to pull with 1500 truck. At 7750 lb yours will be downshifting a lot. Some dealerships will sell you anything and as much of it as they can. If it was just local I may do 7750 but I cant imagine crossing the country. Everyone is different so some may not have a problem with it.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Aug 02, 2016
The 3.08 axle ratio likely means your truck is rated to tow up to 6700 lb. Towing more than that isn't going to make it blow up. It will have to shift down more on the steep grades than one with a higher ratio axle. Your engine makes peak HP around 5200 rpm and peak torque around 4000 rpm. When it is needing power to pull grades it will need to run in that range of rpm. For towing tag trailers (non fifth wheel) a stabilizer hitch makes towing a little safer.
Although I can't recommend doing it, I've towed trailers that weighed double what my truck was rated for.....I've never had a problem.
lc0338
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
Sounds like your truck might be a little overloaded. If you plan to travel quite a bit.... before you sock a lot of money in air bags, etc... you might want to seek out someone who you trust who is familiar with trucks and pulling loads. Main thing is you are safe. Some RV salespeople could care less if you can pull or stop what you buy. I agree with other post that 3.08 ratio rear end is good for gas mileage but not pulling loads.
monkey44
Nomad II
Aug 02, 2016
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
It is perfectly ok for the engine to run 4000 rpm pulling hills. If the tranny is hunting between gears, drop it down one manually so it stays there instead of shifting back and forth.

^^^^^ This one!

Correct - you can run at high RPM in GM trucks for miles and miles - just watch the engine heat gauge if you travel in hot weather. That's an indicator that the engine is working too hard.

But, I've been running GM 5.3 and 6.0 at high RPM for years in the mountains and never have problems. Your truck is a little under-powered and the gears are a bit high, but that means little beyond pulling slower in hill country. Just take your time and let the truck do its job.

If you ever change your truck, that would be the time to adjust the rear end ratio, and maybe the engine. But I would not worry about it for now.
farmer_s_daught
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
Thanks! I already have the equalizer hitch and stabilizer bars; the truck tows the trailer great. I realize I'm heavy, but I plan to park the trailer at a resort for next season and leave it there till the end of summer, so I won't be towing it much. Sure appreciate the advice.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Aug 02, 2016
1) Never trust or take advice from a salesman. Pretty self explanitory.
2) Put it in Drive with tow/haul on and let it do its thing. Your not going to outsmart a modern trans.
3) As pointed out 3.08 rear end is not helping you any
4) Yes at 7500lb gross you are at or over limits for mountain towing IMO.
5) GM LS based motors need revs to make power. Get use to 4000+ RPM much of the time. Not going to hurt the motor.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Aug 02, 2016
If you have tow/haul mode use that. It's normal for the engine to go that high when climbing hills.
time2roll
Nomad
Aug 02, 2016
4000 going up a hill is normal. If the transmission shifts up and down then it is time to pull the lever and hold the gear. Driving slower with less throttle may allow less rpm because you are not working so hard. But again 4000 is good all day long if needed.

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