How Heavy Of A Travel Trailer Can I Tow with 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 5.3L Engine With 3.08 Axle

Question

Question:

Hello, Im so confused at this point, I have a 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Dbl. Cab, 2wd with 5.3L and 3.08 axle, standard 6.5 box truck. I know the 3.08 isnt the bestinch for towing, and when I bought the truck I didnt have any intention of ever towing, but its just about paid off. My wife and I are looking at buying a travel trailer now, Ive been trying to research the trucks capacities as well as a wide variety of trailers, seems many trailers are 1/2 ton towable, but with a max of 6900 lbs listed in my owners manual I dont want to get something unsafe weight wise and cant figure out this tongue weight thing. While the truck came with the factory hitch and wiring both types of plugs it seems thats the only trailer packageinch it has, no trailer brake and Im assuming no HD trans cooler, so probably have to add those to it. Probably would need the weight distribution hitch and mirror extenders as well, and if needed a rear air bag system. Weve been looking at couples campers, seemed most range in empty weights from about 3900 - 5600 lbs. I havent seen many trailers list tongue weight, and quite frankly not sure whats safe, one online guide indicated 500lbs Dead weight hitch and 1035lbs with a Weight Distribution Hitch some trailers Ive seen dont seem to indicate tongue weight, how do you guess or estimate? I know we wouldnt carry more than about 600lbs in the truck including the two of us and dogs, cant imagine ever having more then 500-600lbs carried in the camper, as it would be a long weekend thing. Any advise on the maximum SAFEinch weights dry and tongue for travel trailers with our truck? Thank you so much

asked by: Jeff

0

Expert Reply:

I am happy to help you get all of this straightened out Jeff. First, I would like to clear up the tongue weight question, the tongue weight of a trailer should be between 10-15% of the loaded weight of the trailer. For example if your travel trailer weighs 5600 lbs the tongue weight of the trailer should be between 560 and 840 lbs. You can look at the gross weight rating of the trailer and then figure 10-15% of that number as tongue weight when you are looking at trailers. The gross weight rating of travel trailers is the heaviest weight the trailer can be safely after putting in cargo and filling tanks. Hitches are normally rated for gross towing weight and the tongue weight they can handle. Sometimes if you add a weight distribution system to the trailer then the rating of the hitch goes up depending on the brand of hitch. However, you never want to exceed the towing capacity rating that was set by the vehicle's manufacturer.

I was able to find the online owner's manual for the 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500 double cab Short Bed 2WD with 5.3L V8 engine and 3.08 axle ratio. The maximum trailer weight you can tow is 6,800 lbs according to the online version of the owner's manual I found. The maximum tongue weight you can tow with the 1500 series truck with the hitch you have now is 800 lbs. If you add a weight distribution system then the maximum tongue weight capacity is 1,200 lbs however you would never tow that much tongue weight because you can't exceed the 6,800 lbs gross towing weight capacity with your engine and axle ratio.

I recommend choosing a travel trailer that will be less than the towing capacity of your truck while loaded so you don't put stress on the engine and transmission of the vehicle. If you are looking at travel trailers that are 5600 lbs then your tongue weight would be between 560-840 lbs which would mean you would have to use a weight distribution system to stay below the tongue weight rating of 800 for your vehicle.

For a weight distribution system if you choose a 5600 lb travel trailer, I recommend the Equal-i-zer Weight Distribution System w/ 4-Point Sway Control part # EQ37100ET because the spring bars are rated for trailer tongue weight's between 600 lbs - 1,000 lbs and is designed with 4-point sway control. The 4-point sway control will help to keep the trailer on the road when you experience a large gust of wind on the highway or a passing semi.

For the towing mirrors, I recommend CIPA custom towing mirrors part # CM10950 they are a custom fit slide-on mirror option that will extend your line of sight when towing. The installation of the slip on mirrors is easier compared to the other options because they tighten down to your factory mirror with a tension knob.

If you stay under the towing capacity set by the manufacturer of the Chevy you won't really need a transmission cooler. If you feel safer using a transmission cooler, I recommend Derale Plate-fin cooler part # D13502. I have attached a helpful article that explains where to install a transmission cooler.