Towing with Silverado...am I delusional?

[Grub32]

Hi all, I am a perteptual lurker on the forums, but have gained valuable insight from those who frequently post on here. For that, I thank you.

We currently have a 27 foot TT weighing in at 6700 dry. I am pulling it with an 08 Silverado z71 with a 5.3. I will be upgrading the truck next year and I am interested in hauling a golf cart in the bed along with towing the TT. Golf cart weight is about 1100 lbs.

I would make to take it all over the US, through the mountains 2 or 3 times a year and still be able to move at about 65-70 mph to make good time. Is it crazy to think I can do this safely with a 6.0 gas 2500 HD? Or should I step it up to the 6.6 duramax?

Any and all thoughts and suggestions are welcome.

Happy traveling,

Grub

[bikendan]

good decision on the new to you truck.

but that trailer could weigh 8000lbs. loaded, if that 6700lbs. number is from the brochure/website specs.

to the OP, what is the trailer's yellow sticker factory weight?
where did you get the 6700 number?

[IBcarguy]

I think a 1500 truck with the 5.3 would tow okay until you hit the mountains. You will be disappointed when pulling grades, it just doesn't have the power you need for your rig. I pull a similar weight TT and prefer the 2500 that has a bigger chassis, bigger brakes, etc. I just retired a '98 Suburban 2500 with the 454 and stepped up to a Duramax and I absolutely love the diesel.

[Grit_dog]

cruz-in wrote:

Grub32 wrote:
Update: I found a used 2500hd with the 6.6 Duramax diesel. I am very happy so far. It is all I could ask for. I spoke to the guys in the shop and they said no problem with the cart.

I have an old Ez sway, sway bar stabilizer with a 2in hitch. My new receiver is a 2.5. I bought a reducer and the holes don't align, go figure! Is it ok to drill through the hardened steel to make it fit? Or should I bite the bullet and order the overpriced adapter from Chevy? I can't wait till our first weekend out in June.

Thanks for all your help.

Grub

as a fellow 250/2500 Diesel owner, I encourage you to run the payload numbers. You might be surprised how little cargo capacity you have.

Ever see how much it squats with a cab full of people and the remaining "payload" in the bed? It's not much. At the risk of sounding like one of a dozen broken record on here, your payload is primarily limited by the class rating of the truck and corresponding gvw limit, which is far below the actual or design capability of the rig.

[cruz-in]

Grub32 wrote:
Update: I found a used 2500hd with the 6.6 Duramax diesel. I am very happy so far. It is all I could ask for. I spoke to the guys in the shop and they said no problem with the cart.

I have an old Ez sway, sway bar stabilizer with a 2in hitch. My new receiver is a 2.5. I bought a reducer and the holes don't align, go figure! Is it ok to drill through the hardened steel to make it fit? Or should I bite the bullet and order the overpriced adapter from Chevy? I can't wait till our first weekend out in June.

Thanks for all your help.

Grub

as a fellow 250/2500 Diesel owner, I encourage you to run the payload numbers. You might be surprised how little cargo capacity you have.

[Grit_dog]

Congrats on the new rig!
Word of advice about the adapter sleeves for the 2.5" hitch receivers. Some have had problems with bending the hitch pins due to the slop in between the receiver and the hitch. The adapters will allow a small bending moment arm on the pin rather than it being only in shear. Result is bent pin, wallowed out holes, etc. if you're towing heavy or distance I'd reccomend getting a 2.5" hitch.

[RedRocket204]

Yup, congrats on the new diesel truck! I also would just opt to get the Chevy sleeve.

I use my 1 ton diesel with my 800 lbs ATV loaded in the back and tow my 9000 lbs loaded TT through the CO mountains. You will be very glad you bought turbo diesel if you plan to tow your combo at altitude out west!

FYI on the loading/unloading of your golf cart if you haven't done this before. Do not cheap out on ramps! These newer truck beds sit higher than ever and it can be a bit daunting loading/unloading a heavy cart/OHV. Make sure to buy ramps that are longer, possibly have an arch and are also secured together... meaning there is metal bracing between both ramps as a single "unit". Also, never use the ramps without straps securing the ramp to your truck. Many youtube videos showing the ramps "squirting" out when being used without straps.

Here is one good, of many out there, example of a ramp made by Revarc Heavy Duty Aluminum Arched Tri-Fold ATV Ramp - 7'6" Long and is the one I have. There are also longer ramps out there too.

[SouthpawHD]

Grub32 wrote:
Update: I found a used 2500hd with the 6.6 Duramax diesel. I am very happy so far. It is all I could ask for. I spoke to the guys in the shop and they said no problem with the cart.

I have an old Ez sway, sway bar stabilizer with a 2in hitch. My new receiver is a 2.5. I bought a reducer and the holes don't align, go figure! Is it ok to drill through the hardened steel to make it fit? Or should I bite the bullet and order the overpriced adapter from Chevy? I can't wait till our first weekend out in June.

Thanks for all your help.

Grub

Congrats on the new ride. If it were me, I'd spend the few extra bucks and get an actual GM sleeve. Then you'll know it fits properly.

[Grub32]

Update: I found a used 2500hd with the 6.6 Duramax diesel. I am very happy so far. It is all I could ask for. I spoke to the guys in the shop and they said no problem with the cart.

I have an old Ez sway, sway bar stabilizer with a 2in hitch. My new receiver is a 2.5. I bought a reducer and the holes don't align, go figure! Is it ok to drill through the hardened steel to make it fit? Or should I bite the bullet and order the overpriced adapter from Chevy? I can't wait till our first weekend out in June.

Thanks for all your help.

Grub

[GeoBoy]

Grub, go 3500 HD SRW DMax and don't look back. They are around, a dealer in NH has them in stock all the time, a acquaintance of mine just purchased one. You are the customer ask your dealer to locate one. I wanted a 3500 HD dually in gas and they located one and I did the dealer swap. Have fun.

[Grub32]

I have read leaving the top on can be dangerous. I will read more about it when the time arises.

I am considering a 2500HD with 6.6 Diesel. 3500's in single wheels are hard to find. I am also thinking about adding a air lift load lifter 500 to balance the load. Do you think it will help the suspension out to make it workable?

Thanks,

Grub

[atomlinson]

Grub32 wrote:

atomlinson wrote:
I'll let ya know how it goes, Grub. Just recently bought a '14 3500HD SRW gasser, and we're hauling the TT and golf cart down to Florida in June.

I am excited to hear how this goes for you. That is basically what my aim is. I will be Checking on your progress later in the summer. Do you plan to take the top off?

Thanks,

Grub

I plan on leaving the top on, Grub. I still have some research to do to make sure that's ok to do, but that's the plan. I've seen many being towed or hauled down the road with the top on. I've trailered it with the top on, but never put one in the back of a truck.

[Grub32]

270wsmhunter wrote:
3500 diesel will treat you right, regardless of brand. I like ours but sometimes wish we had gotten it with "hips" (dual rear wheels). If I was loading a cart in the back and towing a trailer I'd like to have as much rubber back there as possible, but that is me and I am overcautious. Heck, I use a 3500HD to haul cardboard boxes to the recycling center!!

I am not really interested in dual wheels, I won't be able to get it in the garage or my parking spot at work.

I also don't like the look of the drw.

Thanks,

Grub

[Grub32]

atomlinson wrote:
I'll let ya know how it goes, Grub. Just recently bought a '14 3500HD SRW gasser, and we're hauling the TT and golf cart down to Florida in June.

I am excited to hear how this goes for you. That is basically what my aim is. I will be Checking on your progress later in the summer. Do you plan to take the top off?

Thanks,

Grub

[270wsmhunter]

3500 diesel will treat you right, regardless of brand. I like ours but sometimes wish we had gotten it with "hips" (dual rear wheels). If I was loading a cart in the back and towing a trailer I'd like to have as much rubber back there as possible, but that is me and I am overcautious. Heck, I use a 3500HD to haul cardboard boxes to the recycling center!!