Sway caused accident on I-75

tomman58 wrote:

CKNSLS wrote:

tomman58 wrote:
I did the Avalanche for 4 years and towed my Jayco 28' across the US and back. That said I was never happy with the arrangement because even though it had a 3.73, 5.6 (?) and heavy duty towing package. The truck was to its max and I was at the point of full acceleration 100% of the time just to do 65 mph when in head winds. It is a 1/2 ton but 1/2 ton PU' are not really for heavy towing. I don't care if YOU tow with a smart car the bottom line here is safety and I can attest that when operating at a trucks "potential" is not a smart thing.

I am currently on the return leg of across the USA and back trip. I have only 550 miles to return home. I have a 2011-5.3 half ton Silverado Crew Cab (completely stock) and do not share the same experience as you. The trailer is similar to what you were towing. The truck is confident and will rev when towing in to head winds but not anywhere near "100% acceleration". My Silverado is rated at 9,100 pounds and my trailer weighs 5,500 pounds at 29 feet.

One does need to consider the true "Ultra Lights" out there when towing with a 1/2 ton. But there are PLENTY of choices out there.

Will a diesel tow better? Absolutely. But I bought the truck when you could get $10,000.00 off sticker with all incentives included. So the truck came in at $26,000.00. Try buying a new diesel for that.

The truck pulled the trailer but I did have the pedal down to the point of entering passing gear a lot. It got to a point that I got rid of it when we got out larger trailer in 08' because my leg would ache from driving all day. Of course now with the diesel it is put in gear and cruise and we go for hours.