Howdy. The manual for my 2013 Silverado crew cab short bed says: 5.3L..V8..K5L HD Colling package.. 3.08 axle ratio..maximum trailer weight 6700 lbs..GCWR 12,200 lbs.. great..so I think I am looking at a max trailer dry weight of 5700 lbs or so given that 1000 lbs has to be set aside for hitch weight and such..so my question is: the Silverado one step up has a gear ratio of 3.42 and max trailer weight of 9500 lbs..How can I get my trucks gear ratio higher without voiding warranty. If i cant I guess I will look for the trailer that will work within my specs since I am keepig this truck. Advise please. Thanks! Passengers are me wife a 10 and 14 year old girls

put a 3.42 axle in it. Would be expensive.Unsure why you think it would void your warranty????What does changing your ratio have to do with warranty?

I know it would be expensive, but could you discuss changing the differential with the dealer?

nephi007 wrote:Howdy. The manual for my 2013 Silverado crew cab short bed says: 5.3L..V8..K5L HD Colling package.. 3.08 axle ratio..maximum trailer weight 6700 lbs..GCWR 12,200 lbs.. great..so I think I am looking at a max trailer dry weight of 5700 lbs or so given that 1000 lbs has to be set aside for hitch weight and such..so my question is: the Silverado one step up has a gear ratio of 3.42 and max trailer weight of 9500 lbs..How can I get my trucks gear ratio higher without voiding warranty. If i cant I guess I will look for the trailer that will work within my specs since I am keepig this truck. Advise please. Thanks! Passengers are me wife a 10 and 14 year old girlsTo make a good decision about staying within limits we really need to discuss:GVWRGAWR rearGAWR front....these numbers will be on the door sticker.Forget trailer "dry weight". Best to think in terms of what the trailer "really weighs". A pretty good starting point of discussion on that is 1000 pounds over the dry weight.If this is a 4WD truck, then changing gears is going to be fairly costly.

You could have it changed at a shop and the dealer would never know. But if you do,put 3.73 in.

You are looking at the most optimist set of numbers that apply to your vehicle. Payload is where you will most likely hit your limit, regardless of the rear axle ratio. Best thing to do is get an actual loaded weight and subtract that from your GVWR to get some idea how much tongue weight you can handle. I traded a 2012 Silverado like yours to get the capacity to tow a 7,000+ pound travel trailer.

Here's what it says | Good Sam Community

dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 27, 2013
Installing a gear ratio used by the manuf. in the same type of truck using factory parts will not void the warranty. and if it was done when picking up the truck when new it would have the full warranty.
arizal
Explorer
Sep 26, 2013
Just load your truck as you would to go on a camping trip and weigh each axle. If you have payload left for the proposed hitch weight then go for it. If you are aware of your limitations and pack accordingly, you should have no problems. The truck will be possibly be cruising in 4th gear at 60 mph but that should be no problem. It is very hard for some people to get past the old school thinking of needing a axle ratio of around 4.0 to tow a trailer. Times have changed for the better.
Enjoy your new camping experience and great family memories,
ArizAl
APT
Explorer
Sep 26, 2013
GM hasn't offered 3.73 with the 6-spd trans in the half ton except the <1% of sales with NHT packaged trucks and the 6.2L. The 3.42 does fine. This isn't your father's 4-spd trans. 3.08 is not my choice, neither is 3.42, but I understand GM's offering. Great unloaded FE.
Goldstalker
Explorer
Sep 26, 2013
wmoses wrote:
Goldstalker wrote:
I am aware, regardless IMHO with a 6900lb dry trailer he needs 3.73.

No he does not. A 3.42 with the 6-speed will do just fine and will turn slower / quieter and give better fuel consumption as well.

Again just my opinion that with a loaded rig around 7900lbs the 3.73 would be best for a half ton. Never said he had too.
wmoses
Explorer
Sep 26, 2013
Goldstalker wrote:
I am aware, regardless IMHO with a 6900lb dry trailer he needs 3.73.

No he does not. A 3.42 with the 6-speed will do just fine and will turn slower / quieter and give better fuel consumption as well.
wmoses
Explorer
Sep 26, 2013
nephi007 wrote:
How can I get my trucks gear ratio higher without voiding warranty.

You can't.

If you change your rear end gears, even if the dealer does it with genuine GM parts, it will void your power train warranty. This from the dealer who said that they asked the rep, and I had no reason to disbelieve that they asked.
facory
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
Never could understand putting a 3.08 ratio rear in a pickup, especially with a tow package. A friend of mine had the same setup and rarely ever got the transmission above 4th or 5th gear. That ratio kills the torque. A 3.73 would give it some needed performance.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 25, 2013
nephi007 wrote:
Hey guys. we travel light. No bikes, dogs, generators, canoes, kayaks none of that stuff. Bed of truck is kept empty. just enough water in fresh water tank for pit stops. We do put food in fridge and the wife uses paper plates. No cooking while on vacation! Yup I will look for a 5K dry weight rig + I love the 4 point equalizer hitch system. Even though the Silverado is a 3.08 gear ratio I dont think its that wimpy.

Sounds like a plan! And FWIW. My trailer has a dry weight of 7100lbs and i tow it with a V-10 Excursion with 4.30 gears. Kind of gives you an idea of what it would take for something with a 7k lb dry weight. BTW my trailer loaded for a week trip weighs 9200 lbs.
nephi007
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
Hey guys. we travel light. No bikes, dogs, generators, canoes, kayaks none of that stuff. Bed of truck is kept empty. just enough water in fresh water tank for pit stops. We do put food in fridge and the wife uses paper plates. No cooking while on vacation! Yup I will look for a 5K dry weight rig + I love the 4 point equalizer hitch system. Even though the Silverado is a 3.08 gear ratio I dont think its that wimpy.
ReferDog
Explorer
Sep 25, 2013
Is it 4X4?? if so you would need some serious money for that change