towing in mountains of colorado

[jgctexas]

I'm concerned that my 2013 Silverado 1500 5.3 engine with trailer package may not have the power to tow our 27 ft rv with 6500 tow weight from south Texas to Durango Colorado. Will it be capable for towing in the mountains.

[txdutt]

Your truck will do ok, you won't set any speed records hitting grades at altitude but it'll get the job done

[rexlion]

When you climb long, steep grades, just have the mindset that you're going to slow down (maybe 35-40) and shift down. Heck, a lot of those passes are too curvy to take the roads any faster than that anyway.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Keep in 3rd gear and gain speed down hill and ride into the climb. Do not be afraid of the engine screaming. That's what they do like a boat flying across the water. Have 200,000 miles on my 2000 suburban 5.3 and motor just keeps going. Tow in mountains about same weight. Your truck is even better than mine with the 6speed.

[JIMNLIN]

The truck will do fine.
We pulled a 6780 lb 5th wheel trailer with a '90 chevy 4x4 5.7 with a whoppin' 210 hp and 300 ft lbs torque engine 4L60 tranny all stock over just about every pass in CO that a trailer could be pulled over.

We still look for the scenic routes.

[hbensley]

If you know your horse power and torque curves this will give you some piece of mind. On my old GMC Sierra there wasn't a redline on the tachometer but I found out later there was a rev-limiter built in to the engine controller.
As others have said, you'll burn some fuel at higher RPMs. Service the truck ahead of time and have fun on your trip!

[Sandia_Man]

Just take it nice and easy and you should make out fine. Enjoy your trip to Durango, there's so much to do in the region.

[APT]

You'll have to let the engine spin to 4000-5000rpm to maintain 60mph or let the speed drop at lower engine speed mental threshold. But the truck will do it quite easily.

[LewBob]

As Texasfour says, if you go to Albuquerque before heading toward Durango via U.S. 550, you will avoid Le Veta and Wolf Creek passes on Highway 160, the only real challenges en route from Texas. If you head north from Durango, you will then be "in the mountains." Safe travels.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[Supercharged]

jgctexas wrote:
I'm concerned that my 2013 Silverado 1500 5.3 engine with trailer package may not have the power to tow our 27 ft rv with 6500 tow weight from south Texas to Durango Colorado. Will it be capable for towing in the mountains.

It will make a lot of RPM but you will get there and back.

[Texasfour]

I pulled a 27' 5th wheel (8500#) with F250 5.3 Houston to Durango in June 2013 in temps of >100 degrees with zero problems. The truck performed flawlessly. I drove about 55-60 the only frustration was fighting a headwind going from Amarillo to Albuquerque NM. Watch weather and leave early in day. Hills not a problem...met my expectations for a gasser. Just be sure truck and trailer is serviced. If you are going only to Durango, roads are great and you will not be in "Mountains" at all. BUT if you go further to Silverton, you WILL have problems. But from here to Durango is fine...just typical interstate hills which I slowed for, but never caused a problem. Email me if you need more info...had a great trip and can suggest camps

[time2roll]

No sweat. You have more truck and less trailer than me. Mostly just set the cruise, lock out overdrive and enjoy the ride. And yes I have been over the mountains of CO with zero issues. Just don't be in a crazy hurry and you will be fine. Sustained 3500/4000 rpm is normal when climbing to make power or descending to assist with braking.

[IDman]

You can do it but you won't enjoy it. I had the same truck, engine, and tow package and was constantly overheating, under-powered, and fighting transmaission heat. Had to pull off road to cool down several times on any pass such as Monarch or Wolfe Creek.

Finally wised up and bought a Dodge diesel which we love!