how much weight do you tow with 1/2 ton gm 5.3l

I know all about gvwr. I am a class A cdl. I was just curious on what people are pulling. My truck is a z71 with tow package 3:73 gears. The unit we have decided to go with is a 30ft tt double slide ultra lite that is 4500# empty

twodogs603 wrote:
My friend has a 6 month old Silverado 4x4 crew cab with the 5.3 and towing package. We towed two large motorcycles on a Featherlite aluminum trailer from Virginia to Florida. The total weight was around
26800 lbs and I was very surprised how poorly his truck towed that small load. Didnt have very good pickup and it seemed like it was always straining to keep up speed on the interstate. Kept downshifting and running the RPMs up real high. I expected a lot better performance then what it had.

Really? I would think that a 1500 towing twenty six THOUSAND pounds would be very disappointing. I would only be surprised if it actuall got to the speedlimit. Cause twenty six THOUSAND pounds is a lot for a 450.


However. I suspect that is a typo, and is more like 2,680. or two thousand, six hundred, and 80 pounds.:B

APT wrote:
2008 is 4-spd trans. Axle ratio is important as 3.08 performance and ratings is significantly different than 3.73 and 4.10. If you do not know, look in the glove blox for the RPO sticker. You will have one of these in your list:

GU4 : AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 : AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 : AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
GT4 : AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 : AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO

You should also verify you have Z82 in your list for the HD trailering package. That includes transmission cooler which is essential for any high walled trailer.

Assuming you have 3.42+, towing any high walled RV means 3rd gear, 2400-27000rpm on flat ground at 65mph. That's a lot like my prior truck. Downshifts to 2nd on hills at 4000-5000rpm. As Terryallan said, the truck will do that all day long (keep an eye on trans temp). The driver may not be pleased with that level of performance.

Stick to under 6000 pounds dry for a TT. That's 7000-7500 pounds loaded.

If you have 3.08 gear, just get a replacement truck. :)

You're a knowledgeable guy and I enjoy your posts, so it's not that I disagree with anything you said, but did you even read the previous posts? I already posted everything about the gears. To be a bit more precise, 3.08 gears were not available on any of the 1/2 ton PUs in in '08. I listed only what was available with the 5.3 (this is why I always insist that folks check their owner's manual and not rely on Internet towing guides). There was a 3.23 but that was only available with the V6 or 4.8l V8 so it doesn't apply to him.

Hopefully he has the 3.73s.

Bishops wrote:
I have been out of the camping world for a couple years. I sold my f350 and 38ft 5ver. I currently have a 08 gmc sierra 1500 5.3 crew 4x4 and looking at a travel trailer. just curious what ya'll are towing with the 1/2 ton 5.3

Pickup trucks (12 ton, 3/4 ton, one ton, etc) are not all created equal. What one person is towing with their 1/2 ton GMC, may not be the right weight for your truck. Depending on cab configurations, power trains, transmissions, drive trains, and option / trim levels, the payload can vary considerably, from one truck to another. F150 for example, can have payloads from 750 lbs to over 3000 lbs. They also have a 6000 lb range in tow capacities.

Check your drivers door jamb, for a tire / loading sticker. It will give your truck's specific payload (occupant/cargo) rating.

From that number, subtract the weight of people and cargo you plan to have in the truck, subtract the weight of aftermarket accessories (bed cap, bed liner, step bars, etc), and subtract 100 lbs for a weight distributing hitch.

What you have left is available payload to carry trailer tongue weight. Divide that number by .13. The result will be the loaded trailer weight that will put you in the neighborhood of GVWR on the truck. Shop for a trailer that has unloaded weight of 1000 lbs less.

Here's a towing calculator that will do the math for you. Just plug in your payload and weights.

2008 is 4-spd trans. Axle ratio is important as 3.08 performance and ratings is significantly different than 3.73 and 4.10. If you do not know, look in the glove blox for the RPO sticker. You will have one of these in your list:

GU4 : AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 : AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 : AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
GT4 : AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 : AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO

You should also verify you have Z82 in your list for the HD trailering package. That includes transmission cooler which is essential for any high walled trailer.

Assuming you have 3.42+, towing any high walled RV means 3rd gear, 2400-27000rpm on flat ground at 65mph. That's a lot like my prior truck. Downshifts to 2nd on hills at 4000-5000rpm. As Terryallan said, the truck will do that all day long (keep an eye on trans temp). The driver may not be pleased with that level of performance.

Stick to under 6000 pounds dry for a TT. That's 7000-7500 pounds loaded.

If you have 3.08 gear, just get a replacement truck. :)

Terryallan wrote:


Thing is. Most people ride around in OD when not towing. They NEVER hear the engine work, But when it does, like when towing. They think something is wrong gonna blow it's guts out, when in reality. It is doing what it is supposed to do, and loving it.

I concur. Thing is that when I tow, it's in 3rd gear and it hums along nicely at about 2400 RPM. When the convertor unlocks it'll jump to 2800, and the occasional times it drops a gear it's still only 3500 or so. Nice and loud with my glass pack! :D

I had an 07 (new body style) with the 5.3, 3.08 gear and 4 speed transmission. The first season we towed out 5000 lb (dry) Jayco, I hated it. I suspect we were close to 5800 lbs loaded but with the 4 of us in the TV, the 5.3 seemed tired in the rolling hills of central Missouri. I'd leave the truck out of OD and sometimes would have to leave it in 3rd to keeps the RPMs up or the transmission would constantly shift between 3rd and 4th. I hear the 6 speeds are more capable but I sold the 1500 for a 2500.

My neighbor has basically the same truck but four years newer and has a 6000 pound 29 foot trailer (the box part not including hitch) and he is thinking about moving up a notch in truck. He said it tows fine on calm days but on windy ones the truck screams going into the wind and is all over the road - even with a good WD hitch and sway bars. The weight seems to be fine but the physical size of the trailer (wind area) is the problem. I would go smaller than 29 foot long.

Can't be any more of a pooch than my F250 with 5.4L, auto and 3.73. I'm happy as a puppy with two tails with it. I've not heard anything bad about the GM 5.3L.

I have a 2009 Chevy Silverado 4x4 crew cab with the 5.3 V8 and 3.73 gears. It pulls my Springdale bunkhouse with a loaded weight of around 7,000 pounds just fine. My next truck will be a GM diesel, but for now, I enjoy towing with my 5.3. We're taking a 10 day trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons in a couple months and don't anticipate any issues.