Before the weight police shoot me my disclaimer is that I can't sleep and am just up doing some research for a buddy. I don't really even have enough info to do much. Just killing some time until I can fall asleep. :DHe wants to go with us on vacation this year. He has an 01 silverado 1500 with the 5.3L. Another buddy of ours said he could borrow his TT. What I need to find out is what TT he actually has. I've seen it but don't remember what it is. It's a 2010 I know and pretty sure 28'.My question is if it's light enough to be towed by the 1500 how much fun is it going to be towing with it? The guy with the TT also has a 2500 gas burner that I'm sure he would also loan him which is probably what I'd recommend. I just wonder how well the 1500 would do just in case he wanted to use his own truck. I know the engine is capable....it's the brakes and suspension I would wonder about.

This might help some.http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Trailer-Life-Towing-Guide-2001.pdf

I had an 03' and 07' 1500 Chevy Silverados. Sure they can both pull up to 8500lbs, but every year I was replacing brakes and cutting rotors. Trust me, the 1st time you go down a big hill and you hit your brakes and they go all the way down the floor, you going to wish you had the 2500HD. I upgraded to a 2011 2500HD and will never go back. Sure I miss the 2 mpg I used to get more, but knowing that I can stop on a dime it is well worth it to me..

Well a 28ft TT will probably weigh between 6 and 7k lbs ready to travel. depending on gear ratio that should be ok. as far as the brakes, the trailer will have it`s own brakes. so with the controller setup properly there should be no braking issues. he will need a WD hitch and a good sway control.I towed a 28ft TT with a 97 Dodge conv. van with the 5.9L and 3.90 gear. it performed flawlessly and never had an issue stopping and I never burned up brakes! you just need to downshift when coming down a hill, this is true for any vehicle.Find out his gear ratio and what the trailer weighs.

Most likely it could be done, that's not to say it would not be without much drama seeing your pal is not an RV person himself but is using borrowed equipment. In my world I would never borrow or loan an RV so not really sure how that will work out.

0rion wrote:He has an 01 silverado 1500 with the 5.3L. Another buddy of ours said he could borrow his TT. What I need to find out is what TT he actually has. I've seen it but don't remember what it is. It's a 2010 I know and pretty sure 28'.My question is if it's light enough to be towed by the 1500 how much fun is it going to be towing with it?When Orion wakes up (must be sleeping now) he needs to provide a lot more info regarding both the truck and the trailer. However I suspect that the rig may be at its limits even if towing on flat terrain.

towing with a 1500 silverado | Good Sam Community

37 Replies

Tachdriver
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014
wrenchbender wrote:
The 1500 will work as long as you stay east of the Mississippi and north of the Mason Dixon line.

Its not too hilly south of the MD line….
wrenchbender
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
The 1500 will work as long as you stay east of the Mississippi and north of the Mason Dixon line.
wmoses
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
Mark and Linda wrote:
I have an 07 Silverado, 5.3L, I tow a 2009 Puma 25RS. I tow down I-24 here in TN a lot, Monteagle Mountain is no problem. I tow down it using 3rd gear, no problem whatsoever. I had to hit my brakes maybe one time on the last run. Going down the northbound side I never hit the brakes, 3rd gear only. I have towed up Fort Mountain, GA at 35 plus miles an hour, very steep two lane road. I come down in 3rd gear, sometimes to 2d, no problems were encountered. Use you gears, not your brakes. I have a Prodigy P2 installed.

Mark - this is good information for me. From what I read it is a seven mile climb at a pretty consistent 6-7% grade.

What is the weight of your trailer as towed? I see that on paper it has Dry Weight of 5,030 lbs and Gross Weight of 7,600 lbs.

What is the rear end ratio and transmission in your truck?
Mark_and_Linda
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
I have an 07 Silverado, 5.3L, I tow a 2009 Puma 25RS. I tow down I-24 here in TN a lot, Monteagle Mountain is no problem. I tow down it using 3rd gear, no problem whatsoever. I had to hit my brakes maybe one time on the last run. Going down the northbound side I never hit the brakes, 3rd gear only. I have towed up Fort Mountain, GA at 35 plus miles an hour, very steep two lane road. I come down in 3rd gear, sometimes to 2d, no problems were encountered. Use you gears, not your brakes. I have a Prodigy P2 installed.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jan 29, 2014
Don't all TT's have brakes?
0rion
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
the 1500 is much lighter hence the shorter stopping distance. Stop 10k pounds on a regular basis and that's where the 2500 has the advantage.
wmoses
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
rider997 wrote:
You do know that the 2500HD has a longer stopping distance than the 1500?

Heh Heh... l didn't want to say anything ..... thanks for stepping up. :)
rider997
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
dtzackus wrote:
I had an 03' and 07' 1500 Chevy Silverados. Sure they can both pull up to 8500lbs, but every year I was replacing brakes and cutting rotors. Trust me, the 1st time you go down a big hill and you hit your brakes and they go all the way down the floor, you going to wish you had the 2500HD. I upgraded to a 2011 2500HD and will never go back. Sure I miss the 2 mpg I used to get more, but knowing that I can stop on a dime it is well worth it to me..

You do know that the 2500HD has a longer stopping distance than the 1500?

The newer 1500s with four wheel discs are nothing to scoff at.

And if you're relying on the vehicle brakes to stop a trailer without brakes, you've got big problems in your future...
0rion
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
Well....what started out as a sleepless night of brain storming has actually been pretty educatiinal. I appreciate everyone's input, thoughts, & advice. We're all going to get together this weekend so we'll have a lot to talk about.
Canuckistani
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
I pull a 6,000lb (dry/empty) Aerolite trailer with my 1500 5.3L Suburban using a weight distributing hitch. I'm not going to win an races, or pass any diesels, but for my needs it works just fine.

Oh - and I'm at 5,200ft elevation. Pulling with a similar setup closer to sea level should be no problem.