Any Experiences towing with V6 2WD Silverado ?

[SCSignman]

I have a 2WD 2015 V6 Silverado (6900 GVRW) and wife loves RV with 5200 lbs. UVW

Can Truck handle that much weight?

Any real world experience would be appreciated!

[Dadoffourgirls]

I may have towed my 9k trailer with a 2014 Double Cab 4.3 V6 a couple of times. Never over 50 miles away. Never over 60 mph. The truck moved it. Did not race anybody. No mountains to climb.

[colliehauler]

Another idea is to rent a trailer around the same weight for the weekend and see if the performance is satisfactory for you. Everyone has different standards on what is acceptable.

[Rover_Bill]

I've been VERY HAPPY towing my 7K TT with my V6 Canyon for two years now (15K miles). As long as your truck has Tow/Haul (and you use it), you will be OK.

[lawrosa]

SCSignman wrote:
I have a 2WD 2015 V6 Silverado (6900 GVRW) and wife loves RV with 5200 lbs. UVW

Can Truck handle that much weight?

Any real world experience would be appreciated!

The ecotec 4.3

The engine is SAE certified to 285 hp (213 kW) at 5300 rpm and 305 lb?ft (414 N?m) at 3900 rpm on regular unleaded gasoline

Now compare to my 2006 5.3l

My 2004-2007 5.3 engines made 295 hp and 335 lb·ft of torque.

We need to know what 2wd truck you have.

Your power is fine IMO as its similar to mine.

You have 6 speed I have 4 speed.

1. Look in glove box for RPO code to see what rear you have. Its either 3;21 or 3;42

Mine says (GU6) 3.42

2. What 2wd truck? Long bed?, Reg cap?, Double cab? Crew cab???

3. There is a door tag/sticker. Whats that say your max payload capacity is? Mine says 1480lbs

But here are your options really. What one is yours?

Lowest 5500 highest 6100.

1500 Std Bed 2WD 4.3L V-6 6,100 lbs (e)3:21
1500 LB 2WD 4.3L V-6 5,900 (e)
1500 double cab 2WD 4.3L V-6 5,600 (g)3:42
1500 SB crew cab 2WD 4.3L V-6 5,600 (e)
1500 Std Bed crew cab 2WD 4.3L V-6 5,500 (e)

Your better off with this..

425 tw and 5500 gvw with 4280 dry.

https://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2018-jay-feather/22rb/

You can tow the other one and I see no issue but do install the biggest trans cooler you can fit.. as that may be the weakest link... And maybe engine temps. Possibly an oil cooler too..

I tow 5500-6000 all day.

Tow haul mode will be your friend. Let her rev!!!!!



Ill wait to hear back from you.

[austingta]

http://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/chevrolet/na/us/english/index/articles/truck-life/trailering-and-towing-guide/02-pdfs/bb-quantum-trailingtowing-printablechart-silverado1500-012617.pdf

[SoundGuy]

SCSignman wrote:
Definitely appreciate responses. To answer a few questions: One of the RVs we like is a Jayco 23RL 27'3" with Unloaded at of: 4850 lbs. Max. Carry Wt: 5995.

I towed our previous K-Z Spree 240BH-LX which averaged ~ 5500 lbs loaded & ready to camp with an average gross tongue weight of ~ 750 lbs with my 2006 5.3L Silverado, later my 2005 5.3L Avalanche, each running the older wide ratio 4-spd transmission to a 3.42 axle ratio. Although each vehicle towed this trailer well enough I certainly felt the weight, always towed in 3rd, downshifting to 2nd when negotiating serious upgrades. As I recall I was towing at well over 90% capacity and used up pretty well all available payload capacity.

Today I tow a much smaller couple's trailer with our 2012 5.3L Silverado running the newer narrow ratio 6-spd to the same 3.42 axle ratio. Below are screen shots of my towing calculator which clearly shows that although this trailer typically averages ~ 4800 lbs loaded & ready to camp with an average gross tongue weight of ~ 625 lbs I've pretty well maxed out this truck's available payload capacity.





While a Silvy with a V6 may weigh a bit less, with a bit more payload capacity, it's ability to pull any trailer heavier than this would certainly be a challenge.

[nctrailboss]

I'm pulling a Coleman 1805rb with a 2013 1500 chevy,4.8,3.42 gears,and 4 speed tranny.It's power and torque numbers are real close to that new 4.3.Trailer is 4100 unloaded and a fighting weight of 4500.I do not want any more trailer behind me,although all of my weights fall below the mfg. capacity numbers.You would most likely be fine with a loaded trailer of 5000lbs or less.I would have to put dirt in my Coleman to get it up to the 7000+ gvw rating that is on the trailer.LoL.

[SCSignman]

Definitely appreciate responses. To answer a few questions: One of the RVs we like is a Jayco 23RL 27'3" with Unloaded at of: 4850 lbs. Max. Carry Wt: 5995.

[SoundGuy]

A trailer with a UVW of 5200 lbs, especially if that quoted number isn't the trailer's actual sticker weight as it left the factory, is sure to weigh well above 6000 lbs loaded & ready to camp. As one who has been towing for a dozen years now with an '06 Silverado, '05 Avalanche, and now a '12 Silverado, all with GM's ubiquitous 5.3 V8 coupled to a 3.42 axle ratio, there's no way I'd tow a trailer this heavy with anything less and certainly no way with a V6 under the hood. Yes, the later version narrow ratio 6-spd I have in my current '12 does help but with a V6 under the hood instead of a V8 that truck is really going to struggle towing this much trailer, not to mention using up all it's payload capacity. Pundits may claim otherwise but I've BTDT.

[Artum_Snowbird]

I would say maybe. While it seems you have the numbers to do it just barely, the real experience at the scale with your chosen camper might put you over the mark.

Often, when they quote unladen weight they are talking about bare bones trailers with not a single option. Then they load them up to make them sell with A/C, TV's, batteries, propane, bigger fridges and the list goes on. As others have said, what is the trailer, and what is it's maximum weight?

[blt2ski]

Grit dog,
I don't know of a 350 in a pickup with over 255HP, that is the.vortex in my c2500, 355 lbs of torque. The Tbi 350 had 205, or 195 under/over 8400 giver. Along with 4 gears vs OP having 6. With fist being a 4.10 vs 2.48 for the th400/4l80e derivatives. 3.08 for the th350 700r4/4l60e derivatives.
Having had a tin.and.vortex 4.3, my swag is this.version will motivate a 5-7000 lb trailer on par with.my 350 I.have. yes a bit slower, but not enough to worry about!

Marty

[Grit_dog]

SCSignman wrote:
Thanks for the quick responses, even though isn't great news.

Always had 4WD V8's and never worried much. I love the newer V6, but obviously didn't have towing in mind when it was purchased.

Yes not great news but not the end of the world. I agree in general, it will be under powered (by today's standards where you can buy an off the lot truck with close to 1000ft lbs of torque all the way down to the mighty V6 trucks which sit right around 300hp/300tq).
5200 dry weight is likely going to be over 6klbs sail behind you. That's upper end for the mighty 4.3 in my opinion, but I recall towing the same or more behind the old TBI 350s that were in the same ballpark power wise.
Advantage now, the rest of the truck is much more capable, chassis, trans, brakes etc.

All that said,Id want more ponies under the hood or a lighter trailer, but your truck will do it. You'll just be wringing it out more often than a bigger engine. In other words, flatlands and not in a hurry= yes. Mountains, altitude or want to pull the speed limit everywhere = no.

[BurbMan]

Too many quick to pee in your cornflakes with a lot of details missing. First off, what is the tow rating of the truck and the GCWR? How much people/cargo do you plan to load in the truck? Tongue weight of trailer?

Biggest question is where do you plan to tow? A whole bunch of trucks out there loaded at/over the max and do fine on fairly flat ground heading to local campgrounds 60/90 mins away. If you plan to tow cross country or head up into the mountains then that's another kettle of fish, as they say.

[SCSignman]

Thanks for the quick responses, even though isn't great news.

Always had 4WD V8's and never worried much. I love the newer V6, but obviously didn't have towing in mind when it was purchased.

[blt2ski]

A 300HP motor can not handle a 6-7000 lb trailer?!?!?!?!?!? Yeah it is rated for 5000 or so, but with the 6sp trans, it will get you from here to there safe and sanely. Just do not expect to be the quickest person from A to B!
The 4x with 3.42 gears is rated at almost 8000 lbs. BUT, the tire diam is an inch taller, so those 3.42 gears just got reduced to a 3.23 equal as compared to the 2wd. Something I have never understood about some tow ratings.

With what I have said in mind, a 4-5000 lb base weight trailer would be better. Keep it with one of the more aerodynamic rigs, Ie Airstream, On with rounded corners, get a solid fiberglass smooth wall vs the 300-400 lb lighter rig with corrugated aluminum. The wind drag is greater on the aluminum sided rig than the extra weight of the fiberglass will drag the motor down.

I've been toying with this truck for a replacement to my C2500. 50 more HP, 40 lbs less torque, but 2 more gears in the trans. less payload. I pull a 6000 lb equipment trailer these days. I doubt will will do worst than I do now. The votec 350 I currently have, pulls better than the TBI/4bbl 454's Ive had in the base. Smaller motors are not what they used to be power wise, trailer towing potential etc. Same chassis with a 6.2L motor, is rated to 10000 lbs.......

Marty