I'd do it. With 350 or so ponies, you are not low on power. You have a 4.10 ratio in first. Compared to my C2500, 4.10 x 2.48 1,st gr8 vs a 4.10 1st and 3.08 gears. I'll take your set up from a drive train stand point.
Here local, I'd be licensed at 8000 lbs, less truck weight of 5500 or so....plenty of legal payload.
Gcwr, or max tow rating has no legal standing from an LEO standpoint.
If you want to rent a truck and trailer go for it. My swag, you'll be going up hills with your 1500 faster than I was in the fall of 92 with 3.73 geared TBI 454 with a pos 3 so th400 auto. I was pulling A 6500 lb TT. Total 14000. On 9/13/2001, I was going thru Yellowstone again, same trailer but a 6.5TD with a manual 5 sp. Down 50hp, but being a turbo I did not lose the HP to elevation. Truck did better, dispute being 4000+ lbs over gcwr per GM. The 88 was at gcwr.
As noted, some rigs do fine at or above ratings, MY 6.5 was one of those. The 88 @ 89 454 rigs, did fine st sea level on a level. Put them on a grade steeper than 10-12%, they literally would stall out and not go forward.
Choose your tow rig wisely. For what you want to do, you'll be fine with your 1500. You'll be in upper 40s to low 50s on grades. Choose a gear and speed that does not stress the drivetrain, enjoy the trip.
I'm actually trying to find a 3.42 geared 4.3 V6 for.pulling a 6-7000 lb trailer. I'm not worried about it.
Marty
