Will this combination work

[dacotahkid]

I am looking at buying the following and have been told that it will not be a good combination because of the length of the trailer. What does everyone on here think?

TV:
2008 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z71 4x4
5.3L
3.73 gears
tow package
GVW: 7000 lb
Max Tow: 7500 lb
GCWR: 13,000 lb
Wheelbase: 143.6"

TT:
Northtrail 28BRS
Dry: 5180 lb
GVWR: 6900 lb
Hitch Weight: 482 lb
Height: 10'2"
Lenght: 32'

I have been researching and would probably get a Prodigy P3 and an Equilizer brand WD with sway.

[fla-gypsy]

dacotahkid wrote:
I guess I should have explained that I already own the TV and I am looking for a TT. I have been given tow caps from multiple sources ranging from 7000lb - 10,500 lb. The owners manual says 7500 but doesn't mention towing package so I am sticking with 7500. I finally found a trailer with GVWR under 7500 and now I am being told that 32' is to long for my TV.

There are no length limits established by the Maker. I would be more concerned with payload when you get that trailer loaded up and you have a TW of 900+ lbs.

[MitchF150]

I have the 3.42 gears and with a loaded 4500 lb (dry) TT and a family of 4 in the TV, I'm disappointed with the Silverado's ability to pull a hill and passing ability in the upper gear range.

Sure, but he has 3.73 gears and with the 4 speed, that will make a big difference.... 😉

You just have expectations that your truck can't achieve... It sounds like you want it to haul up the grades in OD and going 65 mph.. Passing, you want it to accelerate the moment you hit the gas and make your pass... 😉

I still think the OP will be fine with it as long as his towing expectations is not like when it's not towing anything... 🙂

Mitch

[Iraqvet05]

romore wrote:
I think you will be very disappointed particularly on the hills, you are too close to the truck's towing capacity for comfort.

x2

I have the 3.42 gears and with a loaded 4500 lb (dry) TT and a family of 4 in the TV, I'm disappointed with the Silverado's ability to pull a hill and passing ability in the upper gear range.

[lanerd]

Personally, from prior experience, I don't think you or your truck will be happy with this size of trailer. Once loaded, that trailer will probably be around 6500 lbs with a tongue weight of about 950 lbs or so. Sure won't leave much for you, passengers, equipment, tools, etc that you will put in or on the truck. You will definitely be pushing its limits. The length is somewhat worrisome, but if the trailer has sufficient tongue weight and you use an Equal-i-zer, I don't think sway will be a problem.

Good luck with whichever you decide.

Ron

[dacotahkid]

In 2009 they put the 6 speed tranny in the 5.3L with 3.42 and they down graded the tow cap to 6000 lb unless you had the max cooling package and then they upgraded it to 9500 lb. Apparently the 2009 must get some sweet gas mileage running the 3.42 on a 6 speed tranny because I get Avg 17 and have gotten 23 with my 08 with a 4 speed tranny and 3.73.

[Goldstalker]

dodge guy wrote:
So now an 08 5.3L with the, 6 speed auto? (not sure when they got the 6 speed), and 3.73 gears cannot tow a 6500lb TT?

You`ll be fine, let it rev like it was designed to do, and enjoy it. I was towing a 6500lb loaded TT with a 97 Dodge conv. van with the 5.9L and 3.90 gears. it did great and had no problems with the Rocky Mtns!

6spd was in 2009.

[APT]

Th's similar to what I towed my 28BRS with prior, a 2003 F-150 5.4L/3.73. Worked well for us for 2 years, but more payload and power is what we wanted and got with our 3/4 ton Suburban!

It's a goo match, go for it. You may want new new truck after a couple years.

[tomkaren13]

If you keep he TT weight under 6000 pounds the truck will be happier. The light TT are out there, our 2003 30 footer weighs 5500. Our 1/2 ton GMC does well.

[dodge_guy]

So now an 08 5.3L with the, 6 speed auto? (not sure when they got the 6 speed), and 3.73 gears cannot tow a 6500lb TT?

You`ll be fine, let it rev like it was designed to do, and enjoy it. I was towing a 6500lb loaded TT with a 97 Dodge conv. van with the 5.9L and 3.90 gears. it did great and had no problems with the Rocky Mtns!

[Goldstalker]

You will be just fine! I have the same setup my unloaded weight is 5400lbs and I have no issues. You will rev high up steep hills but I never have to slow under the speed limit.

[dacotahkid]

According to specs max torque is @ 4400 RPM for the 2008 5.3L

[Sandia_Man]

Truck will pull it, but it will be maxed out. Tongue weight will be much heavier than 482 when fully loaded, and that will eat up available payload. Length is 32' and having control at highway speeds and windy days will be an issue, getting a high quality WD hitch with integrated sway control is mandatory for a safe and comfortable towing experience. Opinions differ on this subject because overall towing comfort is so subjective from one person to another, only you can decide if you feel comfortable after towing with this combo a few times. Good luck and enjoy your Northtrail TT.

[MitchF150]

Don't be afraid to REV the engine... It's peak power is probably in the 5000 rpm range.. If you are pulling 3500 rpms going up a grade doing 55 mph, what's wrong with that??

That's what my 97 F150 with the 5.4 in it did and that was an EASY 55 mph going up a 6% grade... My TT was a bit lighter than your proposed trailer, but that truck had less power than yours does too...

Anyway, don't fear the rpms... 😉 They are your friend.. I had over 255,000 miles on that old 5.4 and it was still running strong when I traded it..

Like I said in my first post.. Get the proper hitch setup, load it properly and with a little experience under your belt, it'll be fine...

Mitch

[EcoBullet]

dacotahkid wrote:
I am looking at buying the following and have been told that it will not be a good combination because of the length of the trailer. What does everyone on here think?

TV:
2008 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z71 4x4
5.3L
3.73 gears
tow package
GVW: 7000 lb
Max Tow: 7500 lb
GCWR: 13,000 lb
Wheelbase: 143.6"

I had that exact truck and pulled the trailer in signature, which weighs about 5300 pounds empty. What I didn't like was winding to 4K RPM on every grade. This was especially bad in the mountains of Colorado. If you are planning to go on mostly flat land, short trips it will be fine.

[usmohls2]

You will be disappointed with the 5.3 as a tv. Just not enough torque to keep it from working it self to death.