Info from: Theautochannel.com For 1/2ton HD slammers!!!!!!!
Chevrolet has the pickup field covered well, with the compact S-10, full-sized Silverado, and extra-large Silverado HD, all in a myriad of configurations and models. To fill a perceived gap in its line, it recently added the Silverado 1500 HD, which combines the half-ton (1500 model) body style with the sturdy three-quarter ton (2500) frame. It is the only 1500-series model available in true crew cab form.................. snip......
Not exactly sure of the point you are making or how old this info is, the most recent I can find is 2003.
GM has not had a 1500HD since 2007 with the previous "Classic" body style.
The point I'm makingis that you said:
"But, as many on this forum have pointed out, the 1500HD is not really a 1/2ton. It is almost a 3/4 ton (2500) without the HD qualifier, sometimes called a "heavy half".
I went through this also a while back. Let me tell you this, if you're not driving a Peterbuilt, Mack, or Freightliner rig you got nothing on this site. I was told also "HELL NO", "NO WAY", "You're going to kill someone". I understand if you ask for an opinion you will get many of them you don't like or don't want to hear. However, I've pulled mine since I bought about 500 miles with no problems and no problems braking. Look at what you got and make a smart informed decision based on your numbers, not others!! Look at what I got, I am pleased and save!!Happy Camping
Mind letting us know why you added air bags?
2003 Jayco 308fbs eagle 33' tt, towed by a 2003 Ram 3500 slt, quad cab dually, cummins diesel ho, trailer towing package, with 6 speed manual. Hauls better 1/2, 3 kids, myself, and a 2003 ez go clays car.. I have added so far, neon lights, clearance lights, back up lights, black light, lift kit, mud tires, and everything necessary to make the golf cart street legal. It's now ready to spend the winter in the garage for more mods. More neon, strobe lights, alarm, a pa system, maintance, and whatever else that comes along. This golf cart does wheelies and travels thru 7 inches of mud when need be. Two honda eu2000i gens twinned to supply the electrical power. Latest addition an 04 Honda Goldwing. [url]http://www.hometown.aol.com/rvnagain/myhomepage/profile.html[url]
I went through this also a while back. Let me tell you this, if you're not driving a Peterbuilt, Mack, or Freightliner rig you got nothing on this site. I was told also "HELL NO", "NO WAY", "You're going to kill someone". I understand if you ask for an opinion you will get many of them you don't like or don't want to hear. However, I've pulled mine since I bought about 500 miles with no problems and no problems braking. Look at what you got and make a smart informed decision based on your numbers, not others!! Look at what I got, I am pleased and save!!Happy Camping
kaydeejay wrote: Not exactly sure of the point you are making or how old this info is, the most recent I can find is 2003.
GM has not had a 1500HD since 2007 with the previous "Classic" body style.
The point I'm making is that you said:
"But, as many on this forum have pointed out, the 1500HD is not really a 1/2ton. It is almost a 3/4 ton (2500) without the HD qualifier, sometimes called a "heavy half".
OK, yes, I did say that but qualified it with the last time they were built. So, if you take into account the OP has just bought a NEW Silverado, it is not a 1500HD as they are no longer available.
If he has bought a current 1500 Crew cab 5.3L 4WD, then it does not have the capacity that you have. At max he has a 7300# GVWR with an 1860# TOTAL payload. If it was not ordered with the 7300# GVWR, then those numbers are 300# less.
With a 300# hitch (he WILL need a slider with a 5'6" box) and two people, I suggest his loaded trailer pin weight will need to be well under 1000#.
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2WD/CC/SB/DA.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors.
There are a number of 5th wheels that can be pulled by a 1/2 ton today. Per GM's web site for 2008 a 5.3 eng. you can pull a 5th wheel from 6600 lbs - 8500 lbs depending on how your truck is equiped. If you have the 6.0 eng you can pull a trailer / 5th wheel from 8400 lbs to 10500 lbs depending on how your truck is equipped.
The spec's on your truck is the key, heavy duty package, rear gears such as 3.73 or 4.10 make the differance as to what you are capable of pulling.
If no offense was intended then I apologize. I just get really tired of the "20%" club who use that like a battering ram to try to convince people that a 1/2T truck can't possibly tow many of the smaller fivers.
Folks who have a 1/2T truck have many choices in fivers. Yes, they will have to be careful not to overload their trucks, just as 1T truck owners have to be careful about not overloading their trucks (yes, I have seen some that do).
Maybe if the person had weighed each of the rigs he questioned I would be more accepting of his comments. Since he had not, then he should stay out of it.
A word of warning is sufficient to the average buyer, confrontation is not.
charlie
2006 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab
2003 Skyline Nomad 24ft Fiver
Me and Wife
Maggie the Old English Sheepdog
2007 Tundra, DC, 5.7 Tow Package, Firestone Air Springs, 17 psi, Reese 16K, Square Tube Slider ( set High, Pin Box set High ), 10 " of Rail Clearance, ( Lots of Mud from Corn Fields on Chassis ) Tundra Rails from Reese,Mc Kesh Mirrors, 2008 Jayco Eagle Super Lite, 29.5 RL, 7913 Dry, Tekonsha P-3, Tire Pressures Per Manufacturer of the Tires,( Jayco Jake Plates set Max Hgt ( 2-3" Rake, equalizer handles it ok, tires pressures didn't increase in rear tires ). 1665 Payload, just Wifey , me , and Miss Mutt. 15 Gals of fresh, tanks dumped every morning.
4600 mile trip, I-70 Cape Cod to Rockies, Denver to Sturgis, I-90 to Home, some side trips. One Problem, hit a piece of steel in Ill. and lost a tire on Tundra. Other than that, A PERFECT PULL, awesome truck, awesome trailer. Mileage was Harsh, avg. 10.2 most of trip, worst was 8.6 in High Altitude. Tundra had Power, Handling, and Braking, Ride was Stable, some chucking, but manageable ( My Low Beams Remained Low Beams ) and ( Highway System has gone to******). Forget Tow Haul and Cruise, shifting on hills is way too crazy !
I am longing for a Tundra DRW, Diesel or V-10, Then Alaska !!
You might also want to check out the Heartland Sundance XLT series....they are ultra lights, ours is 28.5' and it only weighs 6600#'s. You will love the Sundance, I promise!!!
Looks like you already bought a truck and since it's unreasonable to trade up at this point, you'll have to make do. We have a 24 ft 5ver weighing 6500 lbs loaded (hitch weight is 1010 total gross is 13000). We did tow it with a 1/2 ton, 2001 GMC 1500, initially. I'd recommend keeping your 5ver weight at 7000 lbs (including hitch weight) or less.
2004 GMC 2500 6.0L CC SB Reese 16K Slider Prodigy BC Jayco 24 ft 237a Quest 5er
A decrepid old driver a foxy navigator and one cranky Griff puppy named Bandit. Look for a "Big Red" license NEBR 1
I have been involved in camping for many years, the rule of thumb has always been 12-15% of GVWR for ball hitches, 20-25% for 5ers. It comes as news to me using less hitch weight is preferred for towing. I have always heard for best handling this is the recommended weights. I am not trying to annoy anyone but, it is going to take more than a few posts from people running marginal trucks to convince me other wise. To convince you I have an open mind, the 20-25% rule has stopped me from getting a 36-40 foot toy hauler. Using 25% of the 5ers GVWR overloads my one ton dually. If you have manufactures recommendations showing less is allowable, please show a link.
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