Will this combination work

I was looking at that also. According to spec my payload is 1801 lb appx. So if I keep the weight of the TT at 6500 lb that would be 975 lb TW at 15%. So taking the weight of a family of 4 @ 465 which is inflated a bit for the growing kids (and hoping that I don't gain!!!) that should leave me 360 lb of cargo in the TV. Am I figuring that right? I figure I am leaving about 15% give or take from max tow cap for safety margin at that point.

MitchF150 wrote:

I have the 3.42 gears and with a loaded 4500 lb (dry) TT and a family of 4 in the TV, I'm disappointed with the Silverado's ability to pull a hill and passing ability in the upper gear range.

Sure, but he has 3.73 gears and with the 4 speed, that will make a big difference.... ;)

You just have expectations that your truck can't achieve... It sounds like you want it to haul up the grades in OD and going 65 mph.. Passing, you want it to accelerate the moment you hit the gas and make your pass... ;)

I still think the OP will be fine with it as long as his towing expectations is not like when it's not towing anything... :)

Mitch

Agree. Many think the truck is supposed to drive the same loaded or not. It don't y'all.

Terryallan wrote:

MitchF150 wrote:

I have the 3.42 gears and with a loaded 4500 lb (dry) TT and a family of 4 in the TV, I'm disappointed with the Silverado's ability to pull a hill and passing ability in the upper gear range.

Sure, but he has 3.73 gears and with the 4 speed, that will make a big difference.... ;)

You just have expectations that your truck can't achieve... It sounds like you want it to haul up the grades in OD and going 65 mph.. Passing, you want it to accelerate the moment you hit the gas and make your pass... ;)

I still think the OP will be fine with it as long as his towing expectations is not like when it's not towing anything... :)

Mitch

Agree. Many think the truck is supposed to drive the same loaded or not. It don't y'all.

i agree, this is probably what people think when they say it struggles!

On the TW, properly loaded you should be around 800lbs. it doesn't have to be 15%. i would shoot for 12-13%. that is where i have been on all my trailers and they all handle great!

Go for it. Then when you get a heavier TV you will appreciate the difference.

dacotahkid wrote:
I was looking at that also. According to spec my payload is 1801 lb appx. So if I keep the weight of the TT at 6500 lb that would be 975 lb TW at 15%. So taking the weight of a family of 4 @ 465 which is inflated a bit for the growing kids (and hoping that I don't gain!!!) that should leave me 360 lb of cargo in the TV. Am I figuring that right? I figure I am leaving about 15% give or take from max tow cap for safety margin at that point.

Sounds reasonable

dacotahkid wrote:
According to spec my payload is 1801 lb appx.

No need to approximate. The yellow sticker on the door will tell you exactly. I don't have mine anymore, but it seems like payload on mine was about 1600 pounds.

I do think you'll be OK weight wise if you make sure to always pack light.

As I said before, climbing hills was what I hated about mine. I-70, west of Denver, toward Eisenhower tunnel = 10+ miles of 4000+ RPM in 1st gear to maintain 45 mph = very memorable.

Pulled a 25' 5500lb camper + wood, water, bikes, etc with a 5.3 3.42 geared 2006 Tahoe for 5 years. It did everything I needed it to. Good WD hitch, brake controller, even distribution of junk you take with you between the camper the the TV, etc are important. Yes, you may be near the higher end of you truck's capabilities, but you will still be within them. Just know your limitations.
That said, I do now use a 2500 6.0 Chevy with a 4.10 gear and there is a huge difference, but I still go thru the same routines for setup regardless.

EcoBullet wrote:

dacotahkid wrote:
According to spec my payload is 1801 lb appx.

No need to approximate. The yellow sticker on the door will tell you exactly.

I don't think this is quite true as it may have been correct when the truck left the factory, but anything added afterwards will subtract from this figure. Unless the truck is "exactly" like it was, the payload will definitely be less. This can be from a few pounds to several hundred pounds.

The only true way to find the actual payload is to get the truck weighed equipped like it will be when towing and then subtract that figure from the truck's GVWR.

Don't forget the weight of the WD unit and hitch head.

dacotahkid wrote:
---According to spec my payload is 1801 lb appx. So if I keep the weight of the TT at 6500 lb that would be 975 lb TW at 15%. So taking the weight of a family of 4 @ 465 which is inflated a bit for the growing kids (and hoping that I don't gain!!!) that should leave me 360 lb of cargo in the TV. Am I figuring that right? I figure I am leaving about 15% give or take from max tow cap for safety margin at that point.

IMO, 13% is a good TW% for estimating purposes. That would give a TW of about 850# for a 6500# GVW TT.

With a properly sized and adjusted WDH, a TW of 850# would cause a vertical load of about 850*0.8 = 680# to be imposed on the TV.

The payload value of 1801# for a Crew Cab 4x4 seems too high. Did you get that number off the Tire Label (weight of Occupants and Cargo)on the driver's door edge?
If 1801# is correct, the remaining available payload for TV occupants and cargo, including the weight of a WDH, might be about 1800-680 = 1120#.

Ron

It looks to me like the numbers work, and with the 3.73 rear end, I think you'll be fine, although you won't be winning any land speed records.

Don't get too discouraged by the comments regarding what you should be able to tow with from this group. Some would drive a 2500 to haul an A Liner. :D