Community Forums

cherv · 09-25-2017, 07:54 AM

We tow with this gmc and love it. Tt weight about 4700. Would like to hear from other owners and tt they tow....

Rickho · 09-29-2017, 06:07 AM

I have a 2016 Silverado 1500 5.3 crew cab with a tow package and radiator coolant system. Our trucks are rated with a Max towing capacity of 9900lbs. While I’m no expert I believe the wheel base designates the towing capacity. I certainly wouldn’t push that limit. I tow a 27’ Gulf Stream Innsbruck. It has a dry weight Of 6900lbs. Tows very well and have had it up through the mountains several times. I am mostly a weekend warrior and I will admit that she works hard pulling very steep grades but has no problem holding 55mph. I had the truck before I even had any idea I wanted a TT. Price was to good with all the extras to walk away from. Now I’m very glad I purchased it. The only time I ever see the truck heat up is when pulling steep grades and they have to to very steep and very long grades. The needle moves just a couple points so nothing to be alarmed over. Once I level out or return to lower grade climbs the temp drops right back down. Very pleased with the trucks performance. I see no reason to look at 2500’s. Maybe if I retire and tow full time.
I will say that no matter what you tow make sure you properly balance you trailer load to control sway. I never load anything to the rear of the trailer axles. I’ve been very blessed to have never encountered sway issues. My sway bars and attention to load distribution have seemed to work.

cherv · 09-29-2017, 08:36 AM

Bigger isn't always better. Our truck is used yr rond and gets 18 around town. Tow about 3200 miles yrly..no need for 2500 like you said..thanks for your comments...

luvnlife219 · 09-29-2017, 10:20 AM

2015 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT crew cab short bed with tow package, Blue Oxe WD anti sway, towing a 31' Keystone Elite 31RE Ulrta Lite with a dry weight of 6400. 7600 loaded on the scales. Plenty of power and torque. Pulled up 7 mile long 9% grade in the Appalachian mountains in the middle of the three lanes with no problem. Engine temp never went above 215 and the transmission temp never exceeded 214, and that was near the top. Great truck, very stable rig. Like Rickho I had the truck before I thought about a trailer. I can well afford to upgrade the truck but I see no need.

cherv · 09-30-2017, 05:04 AM

Thanks for all replys..

runamuck · 09-30-2017, 06:56 AM

good to hear about folks with similar tow trucks. I have 2017 sierra slt 1500 4x4 CCSB with the 5.3 and 3.42 rear end. my trailer is 4700 empty and 500# tongue wt. pulls ok on the flat stretches but seems to work hard on any hills. I see 3500-4000 rpm a lot if doing some hills. I stay under 70 and get 10-11 on the mostly flat roads, 9 ish if in the hill country. am new to pulling a TT so always on the look out for towing or tow vehicle tips..

cherv · 09-30-2017, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runamuck

good to hear about folks with similar tow trucks. I have 2017 sierra slt 1500 4x4 ccsb with the 5.3 and 3.42 rear end. My trailer is 4700 empty and 500# tongue wt. Pulls ok on the flat stretches but seems to work hard on any hills. I see 3500-4000 rpm a lot if doing some hills. I stay under 70 and get 10-11 on the mostly flat roads, 9 ish if in the hill country. Am new to pulling a tt so always on the look out for towing or tow vehicle tips..

run in tow/haul??? I do all the time, makes a big difference. My 2013 i think has less hp(315) and pulls out tt great. Never get to 3000 rpms

Deny · 10-01-2017, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherv

We tow with this gmc and love it. Tt weight about 4700. Would like to hear from other owners and tt they tow....

We have a 2016, crew, sierra 1500, 5.3,3.42. tow pack..rated at 9400 lb
pull a cougar x lite 21rbs, about 5500 lb empty, use a hensley hitch (bought used for $500 ,NO sway)

the rig pulls perfectly in wind, rain, around semis. We run 62 to 65, and get in the low 12's for mpg. It will pull at 70, but the economy tanks.

I went over the build codes on our truck, and, the differential code shows 4:56 axle, not 3:42, as on the window sticker. But, I have 20 inch wheels, so, I have figured the advertised 3:42 is the "final drive" ratio, and not the differential ratio.

Have to say, the rig rides like a cadillac, pulling or not, and when we are not towing, we get low 20's mpg. I think that's pretty good for a big safe, durable vehicle

runamuck · 10-01-2017, 07:40 AM

I do use tow/haul mode..since these trucks have some kind of learn mode for the tranny, maybe I have not put enough miles on it ( only 3200 so far) for the tranny to do a better job. it is a great driving DD. more truck like feel than the Avalanche I had for 10 years but still great on trips. without the TT I get 20-21 on the highway. have any of you guys considered going to LT tires on yours.

Deny · 10-02-2017, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runamuck

I do use tow/haul mode..since these trucks have some kind of learn mode for the tranny, maybe I have not put enough miles on it ( only 3200 so far) for the tranny to do a better job. it is a great driving DD. more truck like feel than the Avalanche I had for 10 years but still great on trips. without the TT I get 20-21 on the highway. have any of you guys considered going to LT tires on yours.

Yes, my truck only has 17K on the factory Goodyears, I expect to get about 40K. But when I buy tires I will get the Michelin LT.

**Spdracr39** · 10-02-2017, 06:58 AM

I had one and it tows pretty well pulling a 7500 lb loaded 34' trailer. The new 2500 is night and day though. I won't ever go back.

runamuck · 10-02-2017, 07:29 AM

I would have kept my Avalanche a few more years but we knew we were going to buy some sort of travel trailer so traded for 1500 truck. we had set a limit of 25' but ended up with 28' freedom express. now I wish I had the foresight to opt for the 2500. we enjoy taking out the trailer more than we thought we would so I might just bite the bullet and trade the 1500 for a 2500 if I come across a good deal on a left over '17.

JIMNLIN · 10-02-2017, 07:09 PM

The wife has a '16 1500 chevy crew cab 4wd 5.3 355hp/385 torque 6L80e tranny and 3.42 gears.
I have other bigger trucks too pull my heavier GN/bumper pull trailers but I use her truck pulling a 10k 20' car hauler with a 12' tall cab'ed tractor fel 7' mower which is 9640 lbs on the trailer axles and 1020 lb on the trucks rear axle.
I'm amazed how the new ET3 5.3 pulls compared to her old '06 same truck with a 4L60e/3.42 gears. The little 5.3 gets 10-11 pulling the rig out on 225-250 mile jobs.....and 18.5-19.5 average when empty.