i did the same trip last summer with by 2010 Silverado 1500. My trailer is a 33 footer which comes in around 8k. The truck did the job but i took it pretty easy on it and told myself if after this trip a 2500 is in my future. the long drives were tiring and with the speed limit being 75 I think , cars and trucks were zipping by while I went about 62. There was a fair amount of single lane road construction on the freeway which was a bit of a white knuckle for me. Depending where you stay there can be some big climbs Custer. We stayed at bluebell and there is a pretty big climb for a guy from wi. In short take the bigger truck especially if this is your first time towing out that way. We are going to Yellowstone this summer and I have a 2500 in the garage now.