Community Forums

knightstorm · 01-28-2018, 06:26 AM

If you stay with the Sierra 1500 look for the NHT max trailering package. In 2015 it added about 400lbs to the GVWR and the RAWR.

tuffr2 · 01-30-2018, 08:42 PM

You do have a reasonable request to tow 5,000lbs. with a 1/2 ton truck. That is much more reasonable than trying to tow a 35' trailer with a 1/2 ton truck.

You can try to tow with your current truck. If it is ok, great. If not, then buy a different truck.

Trucks got a lot better, better means more powerful, better frames, more comfort, quieter in 2011.

I towed a 5,500lb 22' trailer with a 2011 F-150 with a 5.0 litre engine with a WD hitch w/o sway control. I give that combo a A-. The truck knew it was back there but handled it really well.

Now, that 5.0 litre Ford engine, I thought was better than the Chevy 5.3 litre engine in 2011.

Not sure what year truck you would be looking at but in 2011 and newer the Ram, Ford and Chevy are really nice. Test drive the 2011 Ram with the 5.7litre Hemi. That is a powerful engine.

cdoorider · 01-30-2018, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NS Maritimer

Hello everyone. I'm a newbie with a little experience towing trailers and RV ing. I need some solid advice. We want to purchase a travel trailer 23-25 ft long. Most of them in NS are 5000-6000 lbs ,I have a 2010 GMC Sierra 4x4 with the 4.8 litre. The owners manual says I can tow 5500 lbs with an axle ratio of 3.42, The trailer I am looking at is about 5700 lbs dry weight with a 600 lb hitch weight . Do you think my truck can tow this. I do not have a transmission cooler in the truck but I can have it installed for a few hundred. What else do I need? Any reply would help.

I had that exact motor and towed my 22' 4200lb dry 5300lb wet and loaded trailer all over California, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The truck pulled my trailer fine on the flats, took it easy up the passes but it got us there. I would not have wanted any more trailer, tjis was max and while OK, It was not pleasant, just doable. I traded for a new Silverado 5.3 and its night and day. I even borrowed a family members 27 Minnie Plus and it did better than my old truck and smaller trailer. If your buying new look for NHT package it gives you a heavier rear axle and about 400lbs more payload. If you can wait till 2019 the New Sierra and Silverado are looking to shed some weight, might be worth the wait. One last thing, the 6.2 is a strong motor and the drop in mpg is minimal, something to consider.

NS Maritimer · 02-01-2018, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdoorider

I had that exact motor and towed my 22' 4200lb dry 5300lb wet and loaded trailer all over California, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The truck pulled my trailer fine on the flats, took it easy up the passes but it got us there. I would not have wanted any more trailer, tjis was max and while OK, It was not pleasant, just doable. I traded for a new Silverado 5.3 and its night and day. I even borrowed a family members 27 Minnie Plus and it did better than my old truck and smaller trailer. If your buying new look for NHT package it gives you a heavier rear axle and about 400lbs more payload. If you can wait till 2019 the New Sierra and Silverado are looking to shed some weight, might be worth the wait. One last thing, the 6.2 is a strong motor and the drop in mpg is minimal, something to consider.

Thanks for your thoughts. Very good advice. Not sure what the NHT package is or if it's available in Canada. Cheers , much appreciated.