Forum Discussion

JDolacki's avatar
JDolacki
Explorer
Jun 11, 2017

Towing TT

I have a 29TE travel trailer, it's 6100 lbs empty, 7700 lbs loaded, my truck is a 2wd 5.3 V8 with the HD transmission cooling package, and towing package. It's a sylverado 1/2 ton 2010 crew cab, the dealership says I can tow up to 10500.

Will my truck be fine for this trailer, or will I be looking to get another pickup sooner in the near future.

I upgraded my WD to a Blue OX 1500 series, from the equalizer bar the RV dealership was going to sell me.

I'm not sure if I have the 4:10 gear ratio or the 3:73 gear ratio.

It does have the trailer option, on the shifter, to take it out of overdrive.

John

12 Replies

  • afidel's avatar
    afidel
    Explorer II
    Jun 11, 2017
    APT wrote:
    All 2010 GM half ton crew cabs with 5.3L have 6-spd trans with 3.08 or 3.42 axle. Hopefully OP have the 3.42 as well as the HD trailering equipment. That gets tow rating around 9500 pounds. 10k+ is for the 6.2L and max trailering package. 6k dry is a good number and should tow well. Get a WDH with integrated sway control. The Trailer Tow button on the shifter does not eliminate OD, but does enhance towing experience as well as reduce transmission heat. Use it, plus I recommend M4, maybe M5.

    Not sure about 2010 but my 2015 locks out cruise control when in m4/5 so I just use tow haul and cruise, we'll see in a few weeks if I can do that in the Rockies =)
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2017
    coolmom42 wrote:
    You appear to be well within your limits on cargo capacity and towing capacity, with less wiggle room on cargo capacity.

    My advice is to try it for a season, in the type of travelling you normally do, and see how you like it.

    Everyone has different ideas of acceptable towing. I don't feel a need to climb a mountain at 65 mph---that's what the right lane is for. If you are in it, you will not be alone. But if that's important to you, you are likely to need a bigger truck.


    But we dont know what rear he has... The 3:08's have a low 6000 lb tow rating..
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Jun 11, 2017
    You appear to be well within your limits on cargo capacity and towing capacity, with less wiggle room on cargo capacity.

    My advice is to try it for a season, in the type of travelling you normally do, and see how you like it.

    Everyone has different ideas of acceptable towing. I don't feel a need to climb a mountain at 65 mph---that's what the right lane is for. If you are in it, you will not be alone. But if that's important to you, you are likely to need a bigger truck.
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2017
    APT wrote:
    All 2010 GM half ton crew cabs with 5.3L have 6-spd trans with 3.08 or 3.42 axle. Hopefully OP have the 3.42 as well as the HD trailering equipment. That gets tow rating around 9500 pounds. 10k+ is for the 6.2L and max trailering package. 6k dry is a good number and should tow well. Get a WDH with integrated sway control. The Trailer Tow button on the shifter does not eliminate OD, but does enhance towing experience as well as reduce transmission heat. Use it, plus I recommend M4, maybe M5.


    X2
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2017
    All 2010 GM half ton crew cabs with 5.3L have 6-spd trans with 3.08 or 3.42 axle. Hopefully OP have the 3.42 as well as the HD trailering equipment. That gets tow rating around 9500 pounds. 10k+ is for the 6.2L and max trailering package. 6k dry is a good number and should tow well. Get a WDH with integrated sway control. The Trailer Tow button on the shifter does not eliminate OD, but does enhance towing experience as well as reduce transmission heat. Use it, plus I recommend M4, maybe M5.
  • Hannibal's avatar
    Hannibal
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2017
    We tow 8k~ with our 5.4L F250. I think your 5.3L GM has a bit more power if I remember correctly. I'm happy with the performance but most here probably wouldn't be as it downshifts to run 4200~rpm on the uphills. I have no plans to go to the Rockies with it.
    Good luck with the hitch. I'd call it a downgrade from the Equalizer.
  • WNYBob's avatar
    WNYBob
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2017
    I have a 2011 Silverado 1500 reg cab long bed, I also have the towing pkg, 5.3 v8 and 3.73 rearend. Tow of 9800.

    I tow a TT that is about 4800 loaded! I'm comfortable with that, wife and I agree, that we don't want a bigger TT.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Jun 11, 2017
    Since you already have the truck and trailer, you will soon know if you are happy with the current trucks capacity. Being a half ton, I think your gears would be 3.73. With the more powerful 2010 5.3, and 6-speed, your truck should work, although depending on passengers, gear, stuff in the truck, you may be near max payload.

    Jerry
  • DinTulsa's avatar
    DinTulsa
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2017
    You can more than likely tow that TT, but I don't think you will be happy with the results. That's a pretty heavy trailer for that truck, it will put you near the top of all your ratings. Your truck might be rated for 10,500 but I have my doubts. Try it out....I'm guessing after a few trips you will be looking to upgrade to a heavier truck with a stronger powertrain.
  • 2Macs's avatar
    2Macs
    Explorer
    Jun 11, 2017
    I had the same situation when I purchased my first 26 Foot TT. At the time, I had a Chevy pickup and suburban, both with 5.3L w/ 4 speed and equivalent road ratio. It work OK on flat land, but on hills and mountains, I was pulled down to creeping speed some times. I traded the pickup in on a Chevy dually diesel with Allison transmission which I use on my current 37 ft. TT at 10,000 lbs loaded. It tows like the TT is not there on flat roads at 65 mph and has the power to go up inclines without dragging down.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,034 PostsLatest Activity: Nov 05, 2024