Maximum length for 1500

Wolverinesfan15 wrote:
First question is this TT realistically doable for this truck.

No. I've been towing with 3 different GM 1/2 tons, all with a 5.3L and 3.42 axle ratio - I personally wouldn't be towing anything weighing any more than 6000 lbs loaded & ready to camp. Others may be willing to stretch that a bit, especially if towing over generally flat terrain, but certainly no more than 7000 lbs loaded.

As for length my trailer is 33' and I tow it with a Ram 1500 and it tows fine. I use an Equalizer hitch. It's 6600 dry and 7200 loaded.

My last trailer was 33' long to and I towed that with an older Ram 1500. Again no problems with the length.

As far as weight goes I can't comment on that. I don't know Chevy's that well.

Whatever tow capacity your truck has drops pound for pound when you start loading passengers and gear into the truck. Also, dry weight is meaningless, add at least 1,000 pounds to that to get the ready to tow weight.
Will it tow it? Probably. Will you enjoy the experience and want to tow it again? I sincerely doubt it.

Six thousand pounds wet and loaded is my personal limit with a similarly equipped Tahoe but it’s rated to 8600.

I would absolutely not hitch a 33' trailer to any 1/2 ton truck.

My TT is 32' plus another 18" when the rear rack is extended. It weighs 5500 pounds dry, and I expect 6500-7000 pounds loaded depending on the trip. I towed it for 2 seasons with a 2003 Supercrew F-150. When my WDH was adjusted properly, it towed comfortably at 75mph. I now tow with a 3/4 ton Suburban with 600 pounds more payload, but 8" shorter wheelbase. Same trailer still tows well at 75mph.

Length is not really an issue. 7000 pounds and 33' or 7000 pounds and 30' will tow very much the same. Longer is usually easier to back up. Just keep in mind any what site you will fit into. Paylaod when loaded up is usually the problem with 2010+ half tons. What does your driver's door label Tire and Loading sticker list your occupant weight as?

It is not the length. It is the tongue weight and the TV max cargo.

My F-150 door sticker says max cargo 1411 lb. My tongue weight across the scales is 700 lbs. That leaves 700 lbs. for family and gear. My truck cap and tools are about 200 lbs. So that leaves 500 lbs. for family.

That means a 25 ft TT. For me.

Doable? Yes. Comfortable to drive, probably not.
I wouldn’t do it, but everyone has their own set of standards.

What year Silverado do you have. That can make a big difference.Older ones had 295 HO or 315 HP with either 4spd or 6 spd trannys. My 2017 has 355 HP and the 8 spd. It tows our 31 ft with no problems It also has payload of 1940 lb so it can handle the tongue weight fine. Our 2012 with the 6 spd was OK but the engine ended up at higher revs on long 6% grades.

If you can stay under 7000# you should be ok. I pull a 27' that weighs 6500 - 7000 ready to camp full water. I pull it with a 1500 GMC 4x4 crew cab with a 5.3 and 342 gears. it tows absolutely perfect. I've been to Alaska and east to Wyoming and haven't found a hill I can't go up at 65mph, most I could do 80 if I wanted to. length should be ok also, we came back through Idaho and hit a 30 to probably 40 mph side wind for about 300 miles the trailer moved a little but nothing unmanageable. it actually handled the wind better than I thought it would. i wouldn't go much over 7000 if you can and as far as tongue weight you might have to watch how you load the trailer.
Jay D.