tragusa3
upstate south carolina
Senior Member
Joined: 06/01/2012
View Profile
 Offline
|
I have a 1500 with 4.8 and 3.42's. The trailer is #3000 dry and probably #4000 by the time we load up. I live right at the foothills of the Appalacians and have to pull grade pretty much always. I think it does a reasonable job, but I sure wouldn't want less....of course, you can't get much less for a 1/2 ton.  My truck is paid for and we use it 90% as a daily driver. I don't think its smart for us to change. However, my next truck will likely be a half ton, but I will get better gearing.
Aspen Trail 15BH
Chevy 1500 4.8l, 3.42
Yamaha EF2400ishc
|
Terryallan
Foothills NC
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Have 04 150 tow cap 8000 lbs. Trailer 4811 dry, Just under 6000lbs loaded. It does a great job. All I need for this TT.
Now IF I was to start towing a loaded to 8000lb TT. Then I would step up.
Terry & Shay
Coachman Apex 288BH.
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
Lazy Campers
|
Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
Senior Member
Joined: 06/16/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
Be REALLY careful of tongue weight. Your Chevy likely has a 760# limit. The VEHICLE, not the hitch (note even with a Class V hitch, a Pinto can't tow). Since you need 13% or more of the FULLY LOADED TT weight on the tongue, your max loaded TT weight is 5,846#. If it is 5000# empty, you will likely not be within specs.
Just my musings.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded
Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories
I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
|
Musky50
Ky
New Member
Joined: 03/26/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
I tow with 1/2 ton 5.3 with 3:42 gears. Would I go in debt just to not to have to pay attention? No. I drive to work a lot more than I tow the camper. I just towed 700 mile in 3rd averaged 10mpg, trans temp 180 at 80 ambieant. I live in eastern Ky with plenty of hills. I do think 3:73 or 4:10 would be a lot better.
|
JoeyIVI
Aston, PA
New Member
Joined: 11/02/2011
View Profile
Offline
|
I also tow with a 1/2 ton around 7k ready for camp I have the 3P hitch and the biggest gas engine GM currently offers the 6.2 and It tows great I love the six speed transmission.
|
|
|
jerem0621
Sequatchie, TN
Senior Member
Joined: 05/17/2009
View Profile
Offline
|
Musky50 wrote:I tow with 1/2 ton 5.3 with 3:42 gears. Would I go in debt just to not to have to pay attention? No. I drive to work a lot more than I tow the camper. I just towed 700 mile in 3rd averaged 10mpg, trans temp 180 at 80 ambieant. I live in eastern Ky with plenty of hills. I do think 3:73 or 4:10 would be a lot better.
HD truck doesn't make you not pay attention. It will help you be more relaxed, if you are at your limit with a half ton.
thanks!
Jeremiah
TT: 1995 Layton 2910
Tow Vehicle: 1999 F-350, v10, 2wd, Crew Cab, Dually
Hitch: Draw-Tite Trunnion WD Hitch
Sway Control: Valley dual friction sway control
Brake Control: Tekonsha Voyager
"It's Kind of Fun To Do The Impossible"
~Walt Disney~
|
Earl E
Green Valley, AZ
Senior Member
Joined: 04/16/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I had a similar rig and have never regretted it. As long as you don't expect to go uphill at 65 you are fine. You won't break any speed records. Certainly a 3/4 ton will have much more power and get you where you want to go faster. I loved the 1/2 ton as it was my daily driver and much more comfortable and smoother running around town. My current 3/4 ton is bouncy and noisy when unloaded.
2007 Northwoods Arctic Fox 32 5S Fifth Wheel-for sale now that we are not full-timing
2011 Keystone 23rks Hideout to poke around the smaller parks in the great Southwest
2007 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Diesel
Prodigy brake control
|
HappyTrails2U2
Tennessee is home but being held hostage in GA.
Senior Member
Joined: 11/11/2009
View Profile
|
mangler wrote:in addition to performance, you are just adjusting your odds. Odds of a breakdown ... odds of an accident ... etc. to some it is ok, to others it isn't.
My personal opinion is NOT to do it.
As long as the trailer that's being towed does not exceed the weight limits set by the manufacture none of the things you list above have better odds of happening. It's absolutely safe to tow what the truck is designed to tow. I prefer to follow the manufactures specifications rather than what someone THINKS may be the case.
* This post was
edited 07/18/12 06:07am by HappyTrails2U2 *
2010 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8315BSS
2003 Chevy Silverado 1/2 Ton Extended Cab
|
APT
SE Michigan
Senior Member
Joined: 06/09/2010
View Profile
|
I am happy with my half ton to 3/4 ton upgrade for similar weight TT. I wanted more power, more gears, and more suspension to handle the weight. I also considered newer half tons, GM 6.2L and Ford's Ecoboost. Do you have the 6-spd trans or older 4-spd?
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2012 VW Passat TDI
|
TomG2
Central Illinois
Senior Member
Joined: 03/07/2004
View Profile
|
I am towing with a 2012 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 V-8, rated to tow over 9,000 pounds but feel I am at my limit at 6,000. Same limit I felt with two previous late model F-150's. I liked my 2500HD better, when towing.
|
|
|
