boogie_4wheel

SLC, Utah

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Joined: 09/12/2010

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Look for less trailer or more truck.
Lets say you have the 5.3L (and we still don't know your axle ratio). I had a '97 GM with the 5.7L, 4L60E auto (identical to yours minus the T/H mode), and a 3.73 axle ratio. The 5.7L has pretty much identical torque power output of 330ft-lb but the 350 had it at a lower rpm, and went on a couple trips with my trailer in sig (scales at 6k before toys). I was a couple hundred over truck GVWR (no biggie in my opinion) and was a couple hundred pounds from being at my truck's GCWR or 12k.
I just barely had enough motor. I was short on the trans. I constantly watched my trans temps more than anything else due to the torque convertor unlocking in 3rd and higher engine loads. I bought a bigger truck.
The truck will pull it, and I've never been to Florida but you better hope for minimal hills and short driving distances. If you do get the trailer I bet you will be gettin a little more truck in the future.
2005 2500 Cummins/48RE/3.73, QCLB, 4wd, BigHorn, Edge Juice w/ CTS + Turbo Timer, ISSPro Oil and LP pressure gauges in cubby hole, GDP 20/2 filters on frame rail, Custom Diesel Steering Box Brace
'10 Forest River Shockwave Toy Hauler 21'
Honda EU3000I Genny
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ScottG

Bothell Wa.

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Joined: 02/25/2005

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I've been in the position of not having enough truck and it's not something I will ever do again. I don't think you will be happy with that combination.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4, 6 speed Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
H0NDA eu2000i
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Desert Captain

Tucson

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Joined: 02/19/2011

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IMHO: Too much trailer for your truck. A conservative guess is that you will have 1000# of tongue weight which will leave very little payload remaining. It will pull it but it won't be fun, safe or legal. Good Luck.
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SkyPiGG

Southeastern PA

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Joined: 05/03/2011

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I pull a similar rig with my half-ton accross the Pocono mountains with no problem. I have a 26BHS. Dry weight is 5870, Hitch is 710. I put our overnight luggage in the front bedroom, and chairs and gazebo in the front storage. I guesstimate about 150 - 200 lbs of stuff on the hitch, the rest is distributed in the trailer. The truck bed has my daughter's bike, and that's it.
Truck power is no problem. I've had to take her up over 4k RPMs only once, and transmission is fine. The only time it has ever exceeded 200 deg was on a 95 deg summer day on a 3 hour drive. Otherwise it hovers between 170 and 190.
We bought both the TT and the truck last year, and have had it on 6 trips. The half-ton did just fine.
I have many relatives out in Oregon who haul their TT's through the mountains with their half-tons. The ultra-light series trailers were made with half-tons in mind (I'm assuming that is what you have based on the weight - that's pretty light for a 29 footer)
You'll be much happier with the gas mileage in your half-ton (when you're not towing anyway).
SkyPiGG
2011 Keystone Cougar XLite 26BHS
2011 Silverado LT 1500 Crew Cab 5.3 V8 HD 3.42 (King George)
Fastway E2 10k Hitch
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HedoTravelers

Western New York

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Joined: 07/12/2007

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romore wrote: Not enough truck, you will regret it. We tried towing our new to us 18 1/2' fiver with a 4.0 liter Ranger. According to Ford specs it should have handled the load but two trips proved otherwise.
You had a Ranger which is a compact pickup, and you pulled a 5'er with it???
Pics or it didn't happen! 
And for the OP - Towing Information
Respect,
Brent
TV ~
Searching for diesel TV, Prodigy
Rig ~
Keystone Montana 3400RL
Selling 2010 Keystone Passport 256RLS
"Wherever you go, there you are"
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Golden_HVAC

Fulltime, CA, USA

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Joined: 08/19/2003

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Remember 1975? Inline 6 with 125 HP, or the big 454 with 210 HP? Your truck probably has more horsepower than two half tons from the 70's.
I would be taking a very close look at the truck hitch after the third trip, to make sure the hitch is not starting to crack. And don't overtighten the weight distribution system.
Use some care to not overload the front of the trailer with excess weight. Yet at the same time, do not load it so heavy to the back that you get in-stabliity.
Take the truck to a scale, check the weight. If you are a little over on the GVWR, but still well within the rear axle weight rating, I would not be to worried about it.
Remember to shift out of overdrive when descending those hills that say "Trucks use lower gears" - it will assist in your going down the hill without needing to ride the brakes. I also normally shift my motorhome out of overdrive when getting off a freeway too.
You should be fine.
Fred.
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pasusan

PA

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Joined: 05/13/2009

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Did I read something wrong?
The tow capacity of the truck is 6700 lbs.
And the GVWR of the trailer is 7700 lbs.
Why is anyone saying to go ahead?
Trip Pics
"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy." JB & GF
Susan & Ben ~
84 Bronco & 90 Award Classic 23 joined with a Hensley Cub
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HedoTravelers

Western New York

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If it's like my GM truck, there is a "tow" button on the shifter... use it anytime your towing something that heavy. If you don't the tranny will "search" constantly for gears. Besides, that same tranny that's is in it, and many other GM trucks and cars is not really suited to tow much weight. Keep a close eye on the tranny temp (hope you have the gauge) or you may soon learn what a sprag clutch is.
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fla-gypsy

North Florida

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Joined: 04/19/2005

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pasusan wrote: Did I read something wrong?
The tow capacity of the truck is 6700 lbs.
And the GVWR of the trailer is 7700 lbs.
Why is anyone saying to go ahead? 
+1
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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Roadpilot

NH Seacoast

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Joined: 09/16/2006

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I have an '05 1/2 ton Silverado with the 5.3 engine and it has I believe the 3.53? rear end. I have pulled our 30' utility trailer with a car and motorcycle in it. That weighs just about what yours does. The 5.3 is an amazing engine. It doesn't win any races but it's not white knuckle driving either.
2006 Millennium Prevost
2013 Chevy Avalanche LTZ Black Diamond
2009 HD Electra Glide CVO Screaming Eagle - mine
2009 Yamaha VStar950 - DW
Cruiser Caddie motorcycle lift
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