Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

[BRICH1260]

I currently tow with a `05 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4wd with the 5.3 engine. I believe it has a tow rating of 7500lbs. I am considering purchasing a new boat that with the trailer come in around 6300lbs. I am wondering what reasonably can be done to this truck to make it a stronger tow vehicle, I really do not want to buy a new one. I have already added a rear support air bag lift system and have increased the hitch to a Class IV hitch. Any other feasable sugggestions?

 

[Maclin]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Have you looked into equalizing hitch setups, might check with a GM dealer.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

What is the gear ratio on the diffs?

 

[Snowfish]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Sounds like you're fine as is. Only adjustment would be to the nut that holds the wheel.:lol:

 

[Maclin]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Oh, I did not do the math on what your rig is and what the new payload is. If you have 3.73 or higher ratio I would just leave as is if you already have the tow package. That (6300) is the max I pull with mine, rated at 7400. I have smaller engine but 3.92 gears.

If you are worried about tongue weight then I would look into equalizing hitches.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Transmission coolers are a fairly easy add-on...

 

[agallant80]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

You are fine. Just read the manual. I know fords and some GMs require a WD hitch for over 5,000LBS.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

I'm a Ford man, but isn't the 2005 crew cab a 1500HD? When you ordered your air shocks and hitch, didn't they fit your truck and the 2500????
Seem to remember that the 1500hd (crew cab) and the 2500 both have the same frame. There are some differences but the frame on your truck is larger than the standard 1/2 ton Silverado. You basically have a 3/4 ton tagged 1/2 ton. The motor and gears are the only thing that holds your tow ratings down, so you should be good for more than just 6500 lbs.

My 01 f150 4x4 pulls 6500 without any mods for over 13 years now. It's rated for 8600 and it does struggle when I've been there over the years.

So you should be fine.
Hope I didn't add to you're two-foot-itis. :facepalm:
huts

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

I have a 2012 Silverado. The rear squatted pretty bad and it was a little squirrely with my camper behind it even with the weight dist. hitch setup properly. I purchased and installed a set of air bags on the rear axle. A couple hours and $300 and it firmed up the truck. I used Air Lift bags and ordered them from Autozone. It made a world of difference with the camper.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Not sure where your getting your towing specks from, but it should be rated at 9500 or a bit more.

Silverado 1500 regular cab, std. bed 2WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,100
Silverado 1500 regular cab, std. bed 4WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 8,900
Silverado 1500 regular cab, long bed 2WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 10,000
Silverado 1500 regular cab, long bed 2WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,800
Silverado 1500 extended cab, std. bed 2WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,700
Silverado 1500 extended cab, std. bed 4WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,600
Silverado 1500 extended cab, std. bed 2WD (6.2 and 3.73:1 axle) 10,700
Silverado 1500 extended cab, long bed 4WD (6.2 and 3.73:1 axle) 10,400
Silverado 1500 extended cab, long bed 4WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,300
Silverado 1500 crew cab, short bed 2WD (6.2 with 3.42:1 axle) 9,700
Silverado 1500 crew cab, short bed 4WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,500
Silverado 1500 crew cab, short bed 2WD (6.2 with 3.42:1 axle; enhanced trlrg. pkg) 10,600
Silverado 1500 crew cab, short bed 4WD (6.2 with 3.42:1 axle; enhanced trlrg. pkg) 10,400

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

I currently tow with a `05 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4wd with the 5.3 engine. I believe it has a tow rating of 7500lbs. I am considering purchasing a new boat that with the trailer come in around 6300lbs. I am wondering what reasonably can be done to this truck to make it a stronger tow vehicle, I really do not want to buy a new one. I have already added a rear support air bag lift system and have increased the hitch to a Class IV hitch. Any other feasable sugggestions?

Increasing your trucks towing capacity is simple
Step 1, sell your existing 1/2T truck
Step 2, buy a 3/4T or 1T truck, with either the 6.0 or the diesel

 

[Triangleboater]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

I see your tow rating at 8400lbs. I will check a few more sources.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Not sure where your getting your towing specks from, but it should be rated at 9500 or a bit more.

Silverado 1500 regular cab, std. bed 2WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,100
Silverado 1500 regular cab, std. bed 4WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 8,900
Silverado 1500 regular cab, long bed 2WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 10,000
Silverado 1500 regular cab, long bed 2WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,800
Silverado 1500 extended cab, std. bed 2WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,700
Silverado 1500 extended cab, std. bed 4WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,600
Silverado 1500 extended cab, std. bed 2WD (6.2 and 3.73:1 axle) 10,700
Silverado 1500 extended cab, long bed 4WD (6.2 and 3.73:1 axle) 10,400
Silverado 1500 extended cab, long bed 4WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,300
Silverado 1500 crew cab, short bed 2WD (6.2 with 3.42:1 axle) 9,700
Silverado 1500 crew cab, short bed 4WD (5.3 and 3.42:1 axle) 9,500
Silverado 1500 crew cab, short bed 2WD (6.2 with 3.42:1 axle; enhanced trlrg. pkg) 10,600
Silverado 1500 crew cab, short bed 4WD (6.2 with 3.42:1 axle; enhanced trlrg. pkg) 10,400

They do offer a 3.08 rear end which caps the towing at something like 7,500lbs. My silverado had that rear end in it.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

how far are you towing and on what kind of roads? If couple miles on slow roads go with what you have.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Not sure how anyone can determine the rating without knowing if it has the tow package and what gear ratio it has...?

 

[bigdee]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Sounds like you're fine as is. Only adjustment would be to the nut that holds the wheel.:lol:

Thats a good one.......unfortunately that is the one adjustment most often overlooked. The answer to most of these "can I" questions are in the seat-of-the-pants feel.

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

One thing people forget about between 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks is: Brake Size. Towing it is one thing, stopping it is another.

If your rating and weight is right, you're OK.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Sounds like you're under but If you're worried about it I'd upgrade the front brake pads, and make sure the trailer brakes are in good working.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

Towing capacity is determined by the manufacturer. Stopping ability is included. Of course this assumes the trailer you are towing includes properly operating brakes.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Increasing Half Ton`s Towing Capabilities ?

I always kind of shake my head when people talk about tow capacity when the real discussion should be the "stopping capacity".

Absolutely agree Bubba!