We all have gone through the process of figuring out what can my tow vehicle REALLY tow. There are the numbers, and then there is the truth. Its really just a******shoot, with in reason, isn't it? I just got a new TV. A silverado 1500 4wd crew cab short box with enhanced trailering package,3:42 gears, 3650 rear axle rating, 7200gvw. OK, opinions please. Just how much can it REALLY tow. Specs claim 9200lb trailer. What set up would you be most comfortable with? 5er or towable? What max weight limits? tounge and pin weights?

Sadly what you have is a rather large grocery getter. What you need to do is find the GCWR figures from the GM web site, Then load everything in it including passengers you would have for a trip and go to the scales. Subtract your scaled weight from the GCWR. That is the maximum weight trailer you can comfortably tow.Don't even think about a fifth wheel, get a TT instead.

I'd say about a 22 foot light TT. That might be pushing it....

It's it a crapshoot as you say. You have all the numbers that you shouldn't go over. Your TV's GVW is the same as my empty SUV.

The max I personally would tow if I owned that truck would be a dual 3500 lb axle rig which probably has a gvwr of in the 7600 range.However I would never buy that truck with the intention of towing that trailer, that is only if I had the truck first and that would be what I would personally set the limit at on the trailer. If I had a 7600 lb trailer and was shopping for a truck I would get a gas 3/4 ton.But there are various ratings that you are already aware of that may or may not be exceeded in towing a 7600 lb trailer.

Before we switched to a Dodge Diesel, we had the same truck as you bought. That is WHY we bought a diesel, as you will be lucky to tow 6000 lb. with the 3.42 axle. We were okay on flat and level, but here in Colorado we don't have much of that...that we want to got camp in. We had difficulty just going up long straight climbs, and certainly had trouble on big passes such as Monarch or Wolf Creek. We had to pull over several times to let the tranny cool, as well as the radiator...even with the HD tow package. Towing was always an ordeal, and we were exhausted after the strain of driving it, plus the right leg was tired of sticking into the floorboard. If you stay at lower elevations and flat, you can take it to the lake and back every weekend.

whats the truth? | Good Sam Community

ib516
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2013
Forget the 5th wheel RVs with that truck. Stick to trailers with a GVWR of about 7500# (My opinion), and you'll be fine.
TomG2
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
whsk wrote:
5 or 6000 lb. tt only!-whsk

Same advice here and I had that engine/transmission combination.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Dec 13, 2013
ken56 wrote:
We all have gone through the process of figuring out what can my tow vehicle REALLY tow. There are the numbers, and then there is the truth. Its really just a******shoot, with in reason, isn't it? I just got a new TV. A silverado 1500 4wd crew cab short box with enhanced trailering package,3:42 gears, 3650 rear axle rating, 7200gvw. OK, opinions please. Just how much can it REALLY tow. Specs claim 9200lb trailer. What set up would you be most comfortable with? 5er or towable? What max weight limits? tounge and pin weights?

Just so you will know. A 5er is a towable as well.

As to what it will tow. GM has already told you what it will tow empty. Only thing you need to figure out is what it will tow the way YOU load it to go camping. Load it, Weigh it. Subtract that from the GCVWR. That is what it will tow, and stay under warranty. It will tow more than that. But that is what GM says it will tow, without hurting it.
whsk
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
5 or 6000 lb. tt only!-whsk
45Ricochet
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
Some really nice TT out there, stick to them and avoid the 5er's.
Tachdriver
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
I have a 1996 C1500 with a 5.7L vortex and 3.42 gears. MFG max rating was 6500 pounds. I had it weighed, added a tranny cooler and larger radiator. My TT weighs about 6300 pounds and it pulls nicely.

Would I take it over mountains out west? No, does it do well from here (KY) to Florida?, yes.

If you have the money and you want a larger TT or fiver then spend the money on a 3/4 ton or more but if you are on a budget get a TT sized that you can add 1000 lbs and be below your max combined weight.

My tranny is a 4l60E by the way.

Just size your TT appropriately
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Dec 13, 2013
ken56 wrote:
We all have gone through the process of figuring out what can my tow vehicle REALLY tow. There are the numbers, and then there is the truth. Its really just a******shoot, with in reason, isn't it?

I have no idea how you figure "truth" or its some how a krap shoot.

RV folks forget these trucks do a lot more than just pull a RV on occasion. Some never pull a RV trailer but may pull a different type of trailer. Flatbed trailers/stock trailers can be loaded for light hitch weights. RV trailers can't.
With a 1/2 ton truck I prefer to use the mfg tow rating as a max. I also prefer to use the truck mfg GAWR and particular RAWR for how much junk in the truck plus hitch load the trailer places on the trucks rear axle/tires.

I just got a new TV. A silverado 1500 4wd crew cab short box with enhanced trailering package,3:42 gears, 3650 rear axle rating, 7200gvw. OK, opinions please. Just how much can it REALLY tow. Specs claim 9200lb trailer. What set up would you be most comfortable with? 5er or towable? What max weight limits? tounge and pin weights?

I don't see a 3650 RAWR in GM specs but it does show a 3950 RAWR for a crew cab truck.
GM online weight calculator shows a 1750 lbs payload for a LTZ 5.3 3.42 7200 GVWR 4x4 crew cab truck.

Also GM doesn't recommend towing a GN/5th wheel trailer with the 1500 crew cab (ck15543) with the 5' 8' short bed. See your owners manual.
**My wife has a '06 1500 crew cab 4x4 (Z71) 5.3 3.73 axle 4L60E auto and GM says the same .
I did a 1-800 to chevy trucks tech team for their reasons why. They said the truck can handle the payload and tow the listed tow rating but GMs concern was the 5' 8" short bed didn't have the proper clearance issues. He added it was a recommendation only. I put a GN hitch plate in the bed. No issues.

You may want to check with a hitch mfg and see if a sliding hitch is even available and get there input on the issue.
Engineer9860
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
"Specs claim 9200lb trailer."

There you go.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Dec 13, 2013
Forget fifth wheelers. Pin weight will kill it! Small bumper pull is about it. Chris
The_Texan
Explorer
Dec 13, 2013
We have the 1500 but with a completely different package. Ours is the NHT package with the 6.2L engine, 3.73 rear, 6 speed and 4 wheel disc brakes. It is rated to bumper tow 10.6K or 11.5K 5th wheel/gooseneck and has a 2K payload. we routinely tow a 10K gooseneck flatbed and I am completely satisfied with the truck. I am one that does NOT subscribe to the "you need a PSD F350" to tow a pop up. Todays ½t truck, when "properly" equipped, are very capable of towing a 5 ton load.