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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Recommended towing capacity
#7825709
05/01/20 04:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006
Stevarino
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OP
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Or good rule of thumb.
I have a 2020 Chevy , 5.3, 6speed auto rated to pull over 11k?
Here’s the deal. I’m looking to buy a new camper for the family. We’re looking in the 26-30ft range, 5200-6200 lbs. trips will primarily be in a 100-150 mile radius, but I want the ability to go further like Colorado or Florida if desired.. With that being said, my primary concern here is to keep this truck as long as possible. My last truck went 10.5 years and I pulled a smaller camper without much issue.
So instead of looking at max capabilities, is there a good rule of thumb thats geared towards a recommended towing capacity to help preserve the life of my truck?
I don’t need any comments like “don’t buy a camper”, or “the best days were the day you buy and day you sell.”.
Thanks
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825759
05/01/20 04:48 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,428
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,428 |
Yes it can handle it but 5.3 is slighty underpowered and chevy’s light duty tranny’s arent well know for durability.
With that said, I can tell you being pushed down a mountain pass with 6k behind you in a 6k lb truck... isn’t fun.
Biggest concern is your tranny, so make sure you have a legitimate tranny cooler.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825761
05/01/20 04:50 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,805
Big_Country01
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,805 |
I would buy the lowest geared rear end available for that model. With a good weight distributing hitch, you should be good.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#7825764
05/01/20 04:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763
Tin Head
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,763 |
Yes it can handle it but 5.3 is slighty underpowered and chevy’s light duty tranny’s arent well know for durability.
With that said, I can tell you being pushed down a mountain pass with 6k behind you in a 6k lb truck... isn’t fun.
Biggest concern is your tranny, so make sure you have a legitimate tranny cooler.
I Have heard the same , the light duty transmissions are the weakest point. They dont hold up to stress to good. In a performance application they are usually pulled for something else
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825769
05/01/20 04:55 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,133
SR025
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,133 |
Make sure you have tires with the appropriate weight rating.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825772
05/01/20 04:57 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 69,166
NORML as can be
^^Cut the Cord^^
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^^Cut the Cord^^
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 69,166 |
FORD SUPER DUTY 
(R-TX) .-- " TCNN CURL CRLB VFF VRNO AYR SNDL CGC TLRY MSOS "
_=====___=________==-
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825798
05/01/20 05:17 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067 |
Wouldn't do it with any 1/2 ton and expect a 10 year run. Perhaps if the trips are short and not more than a few times a year
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825799
05/01/20 05:17 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,154
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,154 |
Pulling it and stopping it are two different things.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825825
05/01/20 05:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006
Stevarino
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OP
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Good feedback but back to my original question, what’s a good rule of thumb here? 4-5k lbs a safe bet? Would have to change everyone expectation but could make it work
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Hudbone]
#7825856
05/01/20 05:53 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 810
JESmith
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 810 |
Pulling it and stopping it are two different things. Agreed. A good trailer brake controller and anti sway bars are a must. Also remember that 5200-6200 weight is empty weight. You can easily add 1K pounds with full tanks and all your gear.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825859
05/01/20 05:55 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,154
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,154 |
At 60% to 70% of the rated tow capacity, under typical conditions & with infrequent usage, you should be fine.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Hudbone]
#7825860
05/01/20 05:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006
Stevarino
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OP
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At 60% to 70% of the rated tow capacity, under typical conditions & with infrequent usage, you should be fine. 
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825864
05/01/20 05:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396
JEEPMANMC
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 396 |
Yes you can make it work. It isn't like you are going to pull it every day. Just don't beat on it. I am sure the new truck has a brake controller so just dial it in like you want it. The best upgrade I have ever done for towing was a set of air bags. No more using levelers, and you feel more in control.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Hudbone]
#7825866
05/01/20 05:58 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,741
68rustbucket
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 16,741 |
FORD SUPER DUTY Pulling it and stopping it are two different things. I concur
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825872
05/01/20 06:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 21,923
Mike W
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 21,923 |
With modern braking and transmissions that truck can handle a 6k camper, just be sure you have a good anti-sway hitch and trailer brake controller. OR just buy a Super Duty and be done.
This cannot be fixed at the voting booth.. Wake Up You Morons!
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825889
05/01/20 06:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,536
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,536 |
Set it up right and don’t look back.
Change the fluids when you should, use tow haul mode, drive like a sane person and you will not have problems. I don’t think gm has a weak trans, but people who think they have to tow in overdrive causing excessive labored shifting and lack of maintenance and a good cooler kill them.
Towed our 30 foot 7300 lb tt with several 1/2 to 1994 chevy. Never had an engine or transmission problem (I did preventative maintenance and had a trans cooler) sold it after 17 years and 265,000 miles. Today’s 1/2 tons are twice what that truck was. Get the highest numerical rear end ratio they will give you, probably 3.42 on new ones.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825901
05/01/20 06:26 PM
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,154
Hudbone
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14,154 |
and do not use cruise control
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825905
05/01/20 06:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,428
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 60,428 |
Good feedback but back to my original question, what’s a good rule of thumb here? 4-5k lbs a safe bet? Would have to change everyone expectation but could make it work That’s the problem it’s kind of a broad question because of the variables. I’d say 4-5k is a good threshold for under 1000 miles a year w/a good clean tranny cooler. Over that mileage it’s kind of a roll of dice. Could go 100k, 50k, 37k Been in 2, 1/2 ton chevys pulling a load when tranny’s blew under 50k miles and known several more. Ford and Toyota are better but half ton trannys is still a half ton tranny. Tranny cooler and lower geared rear end .
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825911
05/01/20 06:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,842
DannyB
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 10,842 |
My last GM truck was an 05 Z71, so different transmission. One center console boat I had was probably 4,000-4,500 with gear and fuel.
I never did like how it shifted with the tow haul mode. I kept it out of overdrive, drove 60 with the cruise set and never looked back. It would take a pretty steep hill to ever shift. The time difference between 60 and 70 did't phase me. I imagine another 1,000 pounds would have been the same.
If I was going to take a heavy camper to Colorado I would absolutely want good trailer brakes. And hopefully the newer transmissions would help control it as well going down those long mountain passes.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7825912
05/01/20 06:34 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,225
Rustler
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,225 |
Depends on the package / options the tow vehicle has, like standard tow package, hd tow package with upgraded cooling system both engine & trans, class 4 or 5 frame mounted hitch, ultimate tow with all the aforementioned plus integrated brake controller and XL or low to mid load index E load range tires.
The weight rating sticker on the door jamb takes all factory options / configurations into account.
Trailer brake controller + weight distributing hitch with sway properly adjusted/set up will help tremendously.
Extremely easy to go over 1/2 ton pickup rear axle or tire weight rating due to tongue weight.
Whatever you do, don't let an RV salesman give you false confidence in your pickups actaul capabilities.
Actual capacity is stated & limited by the numbers on the door jamb label, tires, hitch mounted to the vehicle weight ratings & tongue weight.
Travel weight will be significantly higher than the empty weight the RV dealer, brochure or sticker on the trailer states.
It is easy to add 600 - 1200lbs of battery, full propane tanks, personal stuff / gear etc.
Good rule of thumb, stay under all weight ratings, a couple trips per year into the mountains shouldn't take much life off of a properly set up, maintained / serviced vehicle.
The lowest rated piece or part (weakest link) of the entire towing system is the maximum.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Rustler]
#7825936
05/01/20 06:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006
Stevarino
OP
Extreme Tracker
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OP
Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006 |
Depends on the package / options the tow vehicle has, like standard tow package, hd tow package with upgraded cooling system both engine & trans, class 4 or 5 frame mounted hitch, ultimate tow with all the aforementioned plus integrated brake controller and XL or low to mid load index E load range tires.
The weight rating sticker on the door jamb takes all factory options / configurations into account.
Trailer brake controller + weight distributing hitch with sway properly adjusted/set up will help tremendously.
Extremely easy to go over 1/2 ton pickup rear axle or tire weight rating due to tongue weight.
Whatever you do, don't let an RV salesman give you false confidence in your pickups actaul capabilities.
Actual capacity is stated & limited by the numbers on the door jamb label, tires, hitch mounted to the vehicle weight ratings & tongue weight.
Travel weight will be significantly higher than the empty weight the RV dealer, brochure or sticker on the trailer states.
It is easy to add 600 - 1200lbs of battery, full propane tanks, personal stuff / gear etc.
Good rule of thumb, stay under all weight ratings, a couple trips per year into the mountains shouldn't take much life off of a properly set up, maintained / serviced vehicle.
The lowest rated piece or part (weakest link) of the entire towing system is the maximum.
Thanks, good info. I couldn’t answer all of these at the moment but will do some research. I do have a brake controller and will do a weight distribution hitch vs air bags.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7826176
05/01/20 09:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,905
txtrophy85
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,905 |
Get good trailer brakes, a weight distribution hitch and drive like a normal sane person and you will be fine.
That truck isn’t gonna be overly burdened by that load, but if your gonna be towing it a lot I would look at a 3/4 ton platform just for the beefier components.
For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7826190
05/01/20 09:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,693
krmitchell
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,693 |
You are perfectly fine as long as you have trailer brakes and a good weight distributing hitch. Will you be underpowered in the mountains? Yes a little bit but you aren’t going to blow up the transmission towing that much. I had a 5.3 and my trailer was around 7500lbs with everything in it. Handled fine and I used to put my 4wheeler in the bed while towing it. Obviously a 2500 is better and drives light years better w a big load but it sounds like you already have the truck.
Last edited by krmitchell; 05/01/20 09:52 PM.
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Re: Recommended towing capacity
[Re: Stevarino]
#7826280
05/01/20 10:52 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,237
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,237 |
A ton of people on this thread don’t really understand it and it’s confusing as hell. Here is the best explanation I’ve seen: Rustler makes a great point...DO NOT listen or pay any attention to the guys selling campers. Really what your truck can pull and what your truck is rated for are two completely different answers. I’ll give you an example....I’d be willing to bet that over 60% of the 5th wheel toy haulers on the road that are being pulled by an F250 are over on one of these ratings...it typically will be either the pin weight or the GVWR that they’ll blow. Fact is the F250 doesn’t have much GWWR @ 10k to play with because the truck and motor are so heavy. Good luck and really educate yourself in the arena and realize that if you have a wreck and really hurt someone the vultures will all be looking for a cut...you have to evaluate your own risk tolerance.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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