Forum Discussion

TiredOldMedic's avatar
Mar 26, 2014

TV/TT Match?

Just purchased a 30 foot Apex base weight of about 5,000 pounds and hitch weight of about 600 which I will pick up in a few weeks. What can I expect out of my 2012 Silverado Extended Cab 4x4 with a 4.8 Vortex and 3.42 gears? It does have the HD Trailering Equipment Package with Locking Rear Diff, HD Suspension, Brake Controller and WD Receiver (getting WDH with TT).

18 Replies

  • Just pack very light. Don't carry fresh water if at all possible. Make sure you use the tow/haul mode and keep the truck in 3rd gear, never use overdrive. You will be ok as it's not a race after all. Wouldn't recommend any cross county trips, and just make it work until you can afford a bigger truck.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    lbrjet wrote:
    Hook it up and go. You will do a lot of driving in 3rd gear but who cares. Don't be afraid of 3-4000 RPM's and it will get you where you want to go. I haul just under 16k between my truck and trailer and gear and my little 5.4L gets me there. 4200 RPM's was the norm for me crossing 9-11K passes in Colorado and Utah.


    X2, I towed a similar rig with my old Tundra with the 4.7. You'll be slow on the hills though.
  • TiredOldMedic wrote:
    Bummer. I have the 4 speed. Can't afford a new truck just yet. Buying the TT wiped me out for now. Guess I'll just have to park it in the dtiveway. That's what I get for listening to the salesman.


    Yup, one day you'll be posting on here about the fallacy of believing anything a salesman tells you. According to them, my F150 will tow the space shuttle over Teton Pass. It's Unfortunate that you didn't get more time on the forum before you committed.
  • Hook it up and go. You will do a lot of driving in 3rd gear but who cares. Don't be afraid of 3-4000 RPM's and it will get you where you want to go. I haul just under 16k between my truck and trailer and gear and my little 5.4L gets me there. 4200 RPM's was the norm for me crossing 9-11K passes in Colorado and Utah.
  • Bummer. I have the 4 speed. Can't afford a new truck just yet. Buying the TT wiped me out for now. Guess I'll just have to park it in the dtiveway. That's what I get for listening to the salesman.
  • TiredOldMedic wrote:
    Just purchased a 30 foot Apex base weight of about 5,000 pounds and hitch weight of about 600 which I will pick up in a few weeks. What can I expect out of my 2012 Silverado Extended Cab 4x4 with a 4.8 Vortex and 3.42 gears? It does have the HD Trailering Equipment Package with Locking Rear Diff, HD Suspension, Brake Controller and WD Receiver (getting WDH with TT).


    Do you have the 6 speed? If so. You may be OK. However, a 5.3 would be a lot better.
  • Extremely slow traveling in PA. What you basically have is a glorified grocery getter NOT a suitable towing platform. That "base weight" TT is going to blossom to 6000 or more pounds once you get it home and loaded with food, clothes, pots,pans etc,etc,etc. That is going to be one miserable towing rig you have. You would be far better off with a much smaller/lighter tent trailer. or more truck.