2010 Silverado Towing Capacity

[datric_johnson]

My Wife and I are in search of a Travel Trailer. We have been looking at a couple different ones, but I am worried about the ability of my trucking pulling these travel trailers. I have done research about my truck and how much I believe it could pull, but I am not too sure.

I have a 2010 Chevy Silverado 5.3L V8 6spd. 2x4, 3.08 axle ratio. GVWR: 6800lbs. I have the weight distribution hitch which is rated up to 10500 lbs. I also have the engine oil and transmission oil coolers.

I believe the person before me that had this truck was hauling something. After looking at the RPO codes for the truck, it appeared as if this person ordered it for some sort of hauling.

I am not sure about what more information would be needed. I am trying to understand how much my truck can safely pull before I ruin my transmission and possibly engine.

[CKNSLS]

Swell1 wrote:
There should be sticker inside the door frame that tells you what its rated for.

Only payload on the sticker-not towing capacity.

[CKNSLS]

The sweet spot for your truck is right around 5,000 pounds. You don't want heavier-trust me.

[Berky]

Looks like the tow rating with the 3.08 rear end is 7,000 lbs. You can look up the exact rating for your truck's configuration in the Trailer Life 2010 Towing Guide

I had the same truck, but I don't recall that it had an engine oil cooler. Maybe that came with the HD trailering package. In the Trailer Life guide I believe that would be footnote (p).

[GWolfe]

My 2011 has the 3.08 and tows my little trailer just fine. The thing that we have to do that the 3.42 and 3.73 guys don't is use 4th gear more, no big deal. I don't think I would want to go much over 5,000 to 5,500 lbs max though.

I'm at just over 1600lbs on my payload rating which works out well with the lower tow ratings.

[EnzoColorado]

I have a 2010 Suburban with the same engine/tranny/axle as you, 5.3L/6-speed/3.08, with tranny cooler. I currently tow a 20' TT, 3900 empty, 5000 GVWR. It does fine, no sway, but does go down to 2nd gear on long hills here in Colorado mountains. I use a weight distribution/sway control hitch.

I do wish for a 3.42 or even 3.73 but cost of upgrading both axles is too much.

On our last trip we stopped by a scale and came out with the Suburban at 6880 lbs (GVWR 7400), and GCWR of 10,940 lbs. There were four of us (my wife and I, and our 4 year old twins,) and our 50lb dog in the Suburban, plus two kayaks on a Yakima roof rack.

[WNYBob]

I have a 2011 Silverado 1500 SL "work" truck, that was setup for towing. 9,800# tow and 3.73 rear end. I tow a 2011 Shadow Cruiser 195WSB. Sticker of 5,900 max. and a scale weight I'd 4,600 loaded to camp.

My profile shows other mods. Plus the suspension up grades to the trailer (which made a lot of difference) Dexter E-Z Flex and HD wet bolts and metal bushings.

With all that said, IMO I'm at the max for a comfortable tow. Oh that's without a WDH!

[SoundGuy]

lawrosa wrote:
I have the 1500 with 4 speed 3:42 rear and can tell you I dont want to tow more then I have know at about 5500 lbs fully loaded. I added a large trans cooler.

The stupid 4 speed is my limiting factor.

I would look a travel trailers in the 4000-4500 lb range empty

I've towed for 10 yrs with a 2006 Silverado, then a 2005 Avalanche, both with a 5.3L coupled to the older wide ratio 4-spd and 3.42 axle, the heaviest trailer being our KZ Spree 240BH-LX which averaged ~ 5500 lbs loaded and ready to camp. Both trucks did well enough with this load but as lawrosa says that 4-spd was the limiting factor. I recently replaced the Av for towing with a 2012 Silverado, same engine but more power, same 3.42 axle, but running the newer narrow ratio 6-spd which makes ALL the difference in the world. Our current couple's trailer typically averages ~ 4700 lbs loaded & ready to camp and the truck handles it just fine, running 2000 rpm in 5th @ 100 kph, downshifting as needed to 4th when upgrades or heavy headwinds are encountered. I can't imagine this truck towing with a 3.08 axle (as the OP claims he has) as I would think he'd have no choice but to tow in 4th instead of 5th, with regular downshifts to 3rd, if he's to keep the engine spinning quickly enough to be effective. Certainly, with that crappy 3.08 axle, the lighter the trailer the better. :R

[lawrosa]

Looks like about 6900 lbs with that set up.

http://www.trailerlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/DigitalTLTowGuide2010i.pdf

Payload and tongue weight would probably be the biggest concern.

What type of travel trailer are you looking for?

I have the 1500 with 4 speed 3:42 rear and can tell you I dont want to tow more then I have know at about 5500 lbs fully loaded. I added a large trans cooler.

The stupid 4 speed is my limiting factor.

I would look a travel trailers in the 4000-4500 lb range empty

[SoundGuy]

datric.johnson wrote:
I have a 2010 Chevy Silverado 5.3L V8 6spd. 2x4, 3.08 axle ratio. GVWR: 6800lbs. I have the weight distribution hitch which is rated up to 10500 lbs. I also have the engine oil and transmission oil coolers.

If your truck truly has a 3.08 axle that's a real limitation for towing. 😞 My current 2012 is similar to yours but it does run a 3.42 axle which works well enough towing our 4700 lb couple's trailer but would certainly do better with a 3.73 - no way though I'd want to tow with a 3.08. 😞

[Swell1]

There should be sticker inside the door frame that tells you what its rated for.