Towing with silverado

[va_camper]

I was wandering if anyone has or is towing a camper around 6800 lbs ( short trips less than 50 miles one way) with a 2013 silerado 5.3 liter engine with a 3.42 rear end and what your experience was?

[GrandpaKip]

Our trailer is 5000# loaded for the road and is pulled by a 5.3 with no problems. Up and down mountains, too. 1780# of payload. 2 adults and our stuff is about 600#, tongue weight is 600#. Plenty of payload left over. I have no idea of tow capacity because it just doesn’t matter. We average 12 mpg.
Our truck is a plain Jane, even has the transfer case lever on the floor. But it did come with those $250 black bow ties.

[JIMNLIN]

LOL....(some old history) a std 1500 chevy truck (283ci-305ci engines at 155 and 175 hp) plus two speed Powerglide trannies back then couldn't tow 6800 lb trailer of any type. I've had several in those year models.
Very few if any camp trailers were that heavy anywayz....back then (late '60s-early '70s).

My wifes '16 1500 chevy 5.3 355hp/383 torque 6 speed 3.42 gears is hands down better at towing its rated 9400 lbs vs her old '06 1500 chevy 5.3 315hp and 330 torque 4 speed 3.42 gears.

6800 lbs is a big load for a 5.3 engine so just slow down and don't expect to run with the diesels or the bigger gas engines.

[aguablanco]

I pulled 6000# with a 2012 5.3 with no significant issues for a couple of years. I see no reasons for you to worry.
RichH

[va_camper]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm just trying to get a general feel for the 5.3. Don't buy trucks very often, ( i think Nixon was president when I bought the one I have now).??

[MitchF150]

I'm towing a #7000 GVWR TT with a 13 F150. Specs in my sig. Towed a #5000 GVWR TT before it and I can tell the difference with the new trailer..

But, it still tows it well and comfortable for me.

I pack heavy, carry full load of fresh water, so I feel confident that I'm pretty much at the GVWR of the trailers. I weighed the old #5000 GVWR trailer and it was pretty much maxed out.. Packed the new one up pretty good too and it has a larger fresh water tank, so figure it's pretty much is maxed out too.. Have not weighted it "officially", but pretty much know I've loaded it up!

Good luck!

Mitch

[Lwiddis]

What’s magic about “short trips?” In fifty miles everything heats up...oil, water, tires, transmission fluid etc. and everything is as stressed as in a 400 mile trip. However, provided you are at or under payload, 6800 pounds of trailer in a well maintained Silverado is within specifications.

[kellem]

Yes I agree, UVW and dry weight is only highlighted by dealers and fictional to buyers....it's always wise to be able to comfortably tow GVWR.

Owned (2) 5.3's, very good engines that can pull plenty of trailer but payload starts becoming a factor when tongue weights increase and the bed gets loaded up with wood,coolers, bikes and so on.

It's a much more enjoyable experience allowing a buffer on both, payload and towing capacity.

Your truck can tow a 6800# trailer but verify that weight and find out tounge weight.

[TomG2]

Spend $10=$15 at the scales to get some actual weight and then some good advice.

I switched my Silverado 1500 to LT tires, Timbren suspsension upgrade, a fancy hitch, and tried towing a 7,000 trailer. I soon purchased a Silverado 2500 HD which was unbelievably better suited for the task.

[Second_Chance]

It's all about payload. What does the yellow door sticker on your truck say about payload? Is the 6,800 lbs. you quote the dry weight or the GVWR of the trailer? (Need to use the GVWR of the trailer and about 12% of that to calculated loaded tongue weight). With half and 3/4-ton trucks, it's not about towing capacity - it's about payload. The 5.3 is a strong motor. If you don't mind 3,500 RPMs for extended periods, it's a good puller.

Use the search function on the forum and you will find many threads on weights and capacities for tow vehicles.

Rob