Thoughts and ponderences...

Our TT is is about 5400 lbs loaded, carry a lot in the bed also and we have been over the Rockies and back twice with our Silverado with the 4.32 with 6 sp with no problems at all even on the longer grades. Also gets better mileage in the mountains than the the old 4sp we had because of the cyclinder management system and the grade retard is wonderfull on the downhill side.

3:42 gears even with a 6 speed is not going to like any kind of hill. Might get you off the line OK and tow fine on the flats fine but I don't think you will like going up any grades.

Don

It will just be me, my wife, golf clubs, and assorted living necessities. When I mention less that 6k fully loaded, I mean it. The units we are looking at have dry weights of 3600 to 4200 lbs in the 20ft-23ft cabin range (26ft-ish overall).

I do greatly appreciate the feedback given, and look forward to more.

Thanks everyone!

Yeah, everyone with a 1/2 ton GM truck that has the 6 speed tranny should have gotten a 3.73 axle. To bad GM doesn't even offer it! As discussed many many times before, the 3.42 axle and 6 speed tranny is better than the old 4 speed and 4.10 axle.

With that said, if you truly stick to something that weighs <6000# loaded your rig should tow pretty good.

We towed a 5000# GWR hydbrid with a 2005 1/2 ton Suburban with a 3.42 axle and 4 speed with six of us and two dogs. That truck towed that trailer great. It also towed our current trailer fine but I was obviously short on payload with that set up.

You may find yourself towing in 4th gear most of the time (which is an underdrive gear), but might be surprised to be able to tow some in 5th. My Express will gladly tow our trailer in 5th gear, but my 3/4 ton Suburban with the 6L, 4 speed and 3.73 axle couldn't tow in 4th and had to use 3rd (direct or 1:1).

The 3.42 axle is kind of light for towing that much weight in my opinion. I'd rather have a 3.72 rear axle ratio.

Ken

My advice is just don't go higher than the 6,000 pounds you are estimating your trailer is going to be. For two years I was towing 6,700#s with my 2003 Tahoe with 3.73 gears, and didn't not feel I had the control or power needed to tow 6,700#s. It constantly shifted on hills, and I was pushed around on the road. I was using a weight dist. bars, and a double anti sway system. I was so tired of driving with white knuckles and gripping that steering wheel so tight, I bought a 2007 GMC 2500HD and now have the control and power to take my trailer anywhere. So again, make sure you are not exceeding the 6,000 pounds your estimating and get a good anti sway system since you will have the short wheelbase towing. Hope this helps!

It will pull the load though expect a lot of downshifting on any hills. The 6-speed trans has 2 overdrive gears to help with fuel economy but for general towing you have the same gear ratios as with a 4-speed transmission. In the future I would avoid the 3.42 gears for towing.

Should be good to go, just don't rely on the advertised "dry weight" for your RV as actual weight. When you're actually loaded for a trip, any RV will be much heavier than the advertised unloaded weight listed.

I agree, get u a brake controller, your year truck is not plug and play but it can be ordered with the wires you need. Curt sells both and can tell you how to hook it up.

As far as your truck and that camper, like already said your fine. My brother has a 2008 Tahoe and his tt weighs in around 6000 lbs, he does use weight dist bars.

Get some actual weights and numbers, then people can give you actual advice. We have no idea how many passengers or how much cargo your tow vehicle has, for instance. It is very easy to run out of payload.