Chevy 4x4 21/2 ton tow weight?

N-Trouble wrote:

bikendan wrote:
Without more info and specs of your truck, it's all speculation.

Just providing the truck's supposed weight, isn't enough.

And did you actually weigh the truck, to get that number?

ANY 1/2 ton can safely handle a 3500lb trailer. Lets not over think this...

the OP wants to know how much stuff they can load.

how can we answer that without having more info, other than its model year?

Any 1/2 ton can SAFELY handle a 3500lb trailer.

Nobody said anything about setting any land speed records with it.

The tires, wheels, brakes, axles, springs, and frame are for all intents and purposes the same whether you've got the smallest V6 or the biggest V8 in the truck. Any truck in that category can keep the tongue off the ground, stop the rig, and are more than adequate to keep the tail from wagging the dog.

Except OP says 3510, which sounds more like a dry weight which could be 4000-4500 pounds. Towing any high walled RV at 65mph requires quite a bit of power, regardless of weight. I would disagree with "ANY 1/2 ton can safely handle a 3500lb trailer."

bikendan wrote:
Without more info and specs of your truck, it's all speculation.

Just providing the truck's supposed weight, isn't enough.

And did you actually weigh the truck, to get that number?

ANY 1/2 ton can safely handle a 3500lb trailer. Lets not over think this...

Without more info and specs of your truck, it's all speculation.

Just providing the truck's supposed weight, isn't enough.

And did you actually weigh the truck, to get that number?

The 4.8L with 3.08 axle would not be pleasant towing experience. You only have two effective towing gears!

Decoding of the RPO sticker in the glove box would be a great place to start. Snap a picture and post if possible.

Depends on the engine and transmission. With the V6/4-speed, 3500lbs is about all you will be able to tolerate, if that. With the 5.3L/6-speed, it will tow 5000lbs like it's not even back there.

I had a 2007 with the 4.8L and the towing unfriendly 3.08 rear end. It was no power house, but would have towed a 3500lb trailer fine although it wouldn't have set any 0-60 records doing so. Definitely not unsafe, just unsatisfying.

As far as how much stuff he could load, that would depend on the trucks GCWR, cargo carrying capacity (door sticker), and the trailers cargo carrying capacity.

Even an '07 1500 Silverado (I assume that's what it is since you said short bed) should be able to tow twice that much weight.

LOL good question. Its my son's truck. V-8. Its 4x4 and has kind of a short bed compared to my husband's 1 ton Dodge longbed. I want to say 4.7--does that sound right? Son just graduated from lineman school a while ago and not sure where he will be working. Saw a "lite" trailer on Craigslist a Lite 20n for a decent price--thought it might make for cheap living until things get figured out.