Maximum Towing Capacity for 2009 Chevrolet Silverado

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Question:

I have a 1/2 ton Chevrolet Silverado 5.3LV8 the sticker on the door says GVWR 6900 and GAWR FRT3700 and GAWR RR3950. 2WD, extended cab and 4 Speed automatic and a long bed. Can you tell me how much weight travel trailer I can tow?

asked by: Timothy J

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Expert Reply:

I checked the owner's manual for your 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of your vehicle is 13,000 lbs. The best way to determine your towing capacity is to load your truck with all the people and cargo that you plan to carry when leaving on a trip and then weigh the truck. You will subtract this weight from the GCWR. This number will be the true maximum towing capacity of your Silverado. I typically don't recommend towing at your maximum capacity, as this will still put a lot of stress onto your vehicle.

If your Silverado has a factory installed trailer hitch, there should be a label somewhere on the hitch that lists the hitch weight capacity. If this is lower than your vehicle's capacity, you will be limited to the lowest rated component in your setup.

If you do not already have a trailer hitch, I recommend the Curt Class IV Receiver Hitch # 14301. This trailer hitch has a 10,000 lb towing and 1,000 lb tongue weight capacity, although you will be limited to the maximum towing weight of your Silverado. This is a custom fit hitch which means there is no drilling required during installation because it will use existing holes in your truck's frame. I have included an installation video on a 2009 Silverado for you to check out.

To install a 7-Pole Trailer Connector on your vehicle, I recommend the Pollak Twist-in # PK11916. This will simply twist into the pre-existing cutout on your Cheverolet Silverado to provide a connector for your trailer's electrical functions.

You will also need a ball mount for your trailer hitch to tow a trailer. The type of ball mount you need will depend on your towing setup. I have included a link to our selection as well as a helpful article detailing how to choose the correct one.

And lastly, if you do plan on towing at or near the maximum capacity of your vehicle, it would be a good idea to consider a weight distribution system or suspension enhancement. I have included a couple of helpful articles on these products if you would like to explore this further.

expert reply by: Chris R

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Answer 1

The ideal operating temperature for transmission fluid is between 160 to 200 degrees. Your 2009 Chevy Silverado does have a factory transmission cooler, but factory coolers are often inadequate for towing. Since your fluid is reaching 250 degrees,…

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Answer 2

You cannot manually move the head on the Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch part #DM8550024. According to the owner's manual, "The Autoslide can couple and uncouple up to a 10-15° trailer angle quite easily. Anything…

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Answer 3

The Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Hitch w/ Slider #DM8550024 should not be able to be manually turned. The movement of the hitch head side to side is only possible when the weight of the trailer is on the hitch head. The reason for this is so…

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Answer 4

The Demco Hijacker Autoslide 5th Wheel Trailer Hitch #DM8550034 comes pre-greased from the factory but Demco does recommend keeping all moving parts well greased and lubricated over time as part of regular maintenance. They recommend simply applying…

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Answer 5

You can absolutely get additional sensors to add onto the four that come with the Tire Linc TPMS for RVs and Trailers w/ Signal Booster - Bluetooth - 4 Tire Sensors #LC37VR. A single sensor by itself isn't sold, so you would need to get a pair,…

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Answer 6

As long as your 2007 GMC Sierra New Body has the standard rear bumper (see photo), I recommend using the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part #14301. This is a direct bolt on hitch that will not require any cutting or drilling. You will also be able to…

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Answer 7

The included spacer plate on the Curt Friction Sway Control for Weight Distribution Systems #17200 is completely optional. If it is needed to achieve proper alignment, the additional holes on the plate offer various mounting locations for the ball.…

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Answer 8

According to the owner's manual for your 2003 Chevrolet Suburban with the 5.3L engine and 3.73 gear ratio, the towing capacity of the vehicle is 7,400 lbs if you have a 2WD or 7,100 lbs of you have a 4WD. In order to tow a trailer with your…

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Answer 9

It's hard to say exactly why the Curt hitch part #14301 doesn't bolt to the bumper like the OEM hitch but most likely they determined that it didn't add much to the strength of the hitch so they left it off. The hitch has been thoroughly…

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Answer 10

Any time you are towing a trailer that has a fully loaded weigh that is over 50 percent of the vehicle's gross weight, a weight distribution system is recommended. If your vehicle weighs less than 6,000 lbs, a weight distribution system and…

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Answer 11

The shortest bed that is on a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab should be a 6-1/2 foot bed. With the 6-1/2 foot bed you will need to use a fifth-wheel slider hitch to get the clearance between the trailer and the cab of the truck when turning.…

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Answer 12

Typically, you would want to choose a weight distribution system based on the loaded and ready to tow tongue weight of your trailer. Since your trailer will be carrying various types of cargo and have a different tongue weight nearly every time it is…

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Maximum Towing Capacity for 2009 Chevrolet Silverado

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