Hi there! Long time reader, first time poster...I've been digging and mathing etc et al and based on what I've read here, your Good Minds can probably help me figure this better than I can, so here goes - I have a 2014 GMC sierra 1500 with the 5.3 v8, no max tow package but other tow-specific features, a slightly modified ARE camper shell, and a business training gun dogs. Total living cargo: me, my assistant, my two 85lbs labradors and a passel of other dogs - let's say three others with a total weight of 175 lbs. The trailer is a Winnebago 2455 (5320/7000) with all the bells and whistles but very little physical cargo outside water/food/personal electronics. The trailer was unexpected and I am not in the market for a new truck - I'm looking for thoughts - is this too much for my gmc? Can I do anything to the trailer to lighten the load? Any advice, suggestions, would be appreciated - have been told it's no biggie and, of course, also the exact opposite...do I have to mention that this is, in fact, my first rodeo? :)Thanks in advance!

Here's what I found for your model:Exterior Length 27'11"Exterior Height 10'6"Exterior Width 8'0"Interior Height 6'5"GVWR (lbs.) 7,000Dry Weight (lbs.) 5,320Carrying Capacity (lbs.) 1,680Axles (lbs.) 2 @ 3,500Tire Size ST205/75R14CFresh Water (Tank Only) (gal.) 37Black Tank Caacity (gal.) 25Gray Tank Capacity (gal.) 41LP Capacity (lbs.) 40LP Capacity with Upgrade (lbs.) 60Awning Length 19'Slideouts 1Furnace (BTU) 25,000Water Heater (gal.) 6Sleeping Capacity +6Based on all that, you just need to go weigh it to see what the real weight is. I'm thinking with the above numbers, you'll be close to good. Which means you'll need real numbers to make sure.

The 5.3 will do the job. You might not have a 3.73 rear gear ratio without a tow package, therefore it might seem a little sluggish ascending hills. Tranny cooler. Don't cook the tranny. LT tires to carry the combined load.7 way harness on the truck , for trailer lights and charging the trailer battery. Trailer brake controller in the truck to operate the 12v elec. trailer brakes.To lighten the TT . ( doing the following will help a little, water being the heaviest item) Run with holding tanks empty. Carry as little water as you need to flush the toilet. Don't forget the water heater holds 6 gals. Its up to you if you want to drain it . Downsize propane tanks to one single tank or a pair of 20# tanks. Use the smallest 12 v battery on the tongue.

bobndot wrote:The 5.3 will do the job. You might not have a 3.73 rear gear ratio without a tow package, therefore it might seem a little sluggish ascending hills. Tranny cooler. Don't cook the tranny. LT tires to carry the combined load.7 way harness on the truck , for trailer lights and charging the trailer battery. Trailer brake controller in the truck to operate the 12v elec. trailer brakes.THIS. Especially the tranny cooler. A big one, get the Tru-Cool 40k. Pull it in 3 all the time or lower. Maybe get a mail order tune to firm up the shifts. If you use your gears, the motor can handle it. It's the transmissions that are the weak link in the 1/2 ton trucks. That and the rear axles. But just so long as you don't go over your rear axle's "GVWRR" on the door sticker, you should be alright. These newer 1500 trucks seems to be built tougher than the older ones.

I'm thinking with the above numbers, you'll be close to good.Not sure what side of good this would be.Here are some things you should know or find out - yes it is a big deal.Your going to have close to 900 lbs tongue weight. Did you check your receiver to see what it is rated for? Do you have a weight distributing hitch? There is a sticker on the door jamb that says something like total weight of cargo and passengers should not exceed xxxx lbs. How many pounds?Does the stuff the truck is going to carry - tongue weight, cargo, passengers, camper shell, exceed this? What kind of tires do you have on the truck? What tires are on the TT, and what is the data code on them? How much does your "slightly modified ARE camper shell" weigh?What other accessories does your truck have that add weight? The camper shell adds weight.Google Cat Scale Locator to find one near you. Hopefully you have LT tires on the truck - make sure you fill them to max cold psi when towing. Good luck.

I have an Avalanche with 5.3 engine and yes it will be sluggish going up hills and mountains.After towing 3500 lbs I had to put in a new differential , but that was doing a lot of mountain pulling and long highway stints.Great motor ,tough, but not strong enough when going up .Rear end ..not so tough ??

Help - I don't want to kill my truck with my trailer...

RGar974417
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
I have a 1500 GMC Savanah AWD Van with the 5.3 and towing package pulling a keystone Cougar. Tow rating on van is 6200. The weight of the trailer is 5900 lbs including water and propane with empty waste tanks. When we ordered the trailer, the weight was supposed to be 5400 but they changed the model and made it 18" longer and 500 lbs heavier which they didn't notify us of. Anyways,we just completed a trip from Pa to Yellowstone going through 10 states.We had no issues at all with the tow vehicle.
coolbreeze01
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
If in doubt, shift it yourself. Add tow mirrors if your truck doesn't have them.

Enjoy
Shal36
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
owenssailor wrote:
You will have a 6 speed. Use the towhaul button - forget about the 3rd gear advice.

Your rear end as mentioned above 3.08 or 3.42. Forget the reference to 3.73 - not available.

If 3.42 you should be fine if your tongue weight is not too high and you use a good WD system.

If 3.08 you will be well below requirements to tow that trailer.

9 3/4" rear with 3.73 was available on max tow trucks, but you'd have better luck finding a unicorn and the OP doesn't have that package.

OP - you will likely find that the truck will want to stay in fourth, depending on speed. If you stay around 60, it may hold fifth. More than that and it will go between 5th and 4th. Not a big deal, just drop into fourth if that happens.

Look in the glove box, there will be a sticker with a bunch of codes. GU4 - 3.08. GU6 - 3.42. KNP - Aux trans cooler.
owenssailor
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
You will have a 6 speed. Use the towhaul button - forget about the 3rd gear advice.

Your rear end as mentioned above 3.08 or 3.42. Forget the reference to 3.73 - not available.

If 3.42 you should be fine if your tongue weight is not too high and you use a good WD system.

If 3.08 you will be well below requirements to tow that trailer.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2016
You really need to know the rear gear ratio to have an idea as to what it will tow. IF it has the 3.08. You are looking at a 5000lb max tow capacity. IF it has the 3.42. you are closer to 8000lb. The engine is only a part of the tools needed for towing.

If you have a 3.42 or lower gear. You should be fine with the TT.
TBammer
Explorer
Jun 15, 2016
mbopp wrote:
Tow in 3rd? No, that's a six-speed transmission.
Besides adding the tranny cooler, do you have a tow / haul button?

Ditto on the "Tow/Haul" mode button on the shifter stalk. If it is there, just use that and don't worry about what gear you are in. The computer will compensate for the weight and adjust the shift points accordingly.
RedRocket204
Explorer
Jun 15, 2016
Something that can be critical to good towing manners with a TT... be very careful on lightening up a trailer to get a lighter tongue weight. Lightening up the tongue weight can result in an unstable tow even with WDH and sway control. It is recommended to have at least 10% tongue weight on a TT RV and many find 12% - 15% is much more stable based upon their specific TT.
mbopp
Explorer
Jun 15, 2016
Tow in 3rd? No, that's a six-speed transmission.
Besides adding the tranny cooler, do you have a tow / haul button?
Need-A-Vacation
Explorer
Jun 15, 2016
Welcome and congrats on the tt!!!

As mentioned, load your truck with all the dogs, and go weigh it. Any scale would work, but a CAT Scale will give you seperate front and rear axle weights. Now look in the drivers door jamb for the gvwr of your truck. Subtract the actual weight from the gvwr and that is what is left for the tt tw and wdh, and possibly any additional cargo you may put in the truck bed.... The available payload of your truck is going to be the challenge. As mentioned, all occupants, cargo (including any accessories added after the truck was built: your truck cap for example), the wdh, and the tt tw all count toward the payload of the truck. Follow my signature links for a CAT Scale how to and if I recall correctly a link to a scale locator.

Look in the glove box for the sticker with all the codes in them. Look up GM axle ratio codes, and see what axle ratio you have. As long as you have at least the 3.42 gearing, you should be good to go power wise due to having a 6spd trans. Just know that the newer motors like to rev to make the needed power. So don't expect to only run the motor at 2k rpm up a hill, it may be more like 3-4K rpm depending on how steep of a hill. If you have the 3.08's, well, your truck may pull the trailer but not sure how well it may do. You may even be near the max tow rating if not over if you have the 3.08's.

If you don't have one, get a good wdh with integrated sway control. The Reese Dual Cam, Reese SC, and the Equal-I-Zer 4 way system are very good for the money.

Good luck!
Golfcart
Explorer
Jun 15, 2016
Yep, it seems like you would be real close to having a capable truck but like mentioned before, check your payload capacity. Thats a pretty heavy hitch weight in addition to all the in cab/bed items you need.

Even if you are within the capacities my guess is you would be very close to that max. so i recommend getting a weight distribution hitch as well