I have a 2008 K1500 Z71 w/5.3l non flex, 3.73 gears and Z85 towing /handling package. dose this up my tow rating? It has a factory hitch w/ 7pin plug and tranny oil cooler in front of radiator. aftermarket brake controller. window sticker only seze GVWR of 7000lb. what is my max trailer weight?
I'm not sure about what they put in the truck manuals today, but in my 03, it came with a few pages worth of tow ratings for all the HD trucks- depending on chassis size, axle ratio, engine size, transmission, etc.
4x4, 2x4 does matter. If you have the owners manual, it does break this down by options- my 2009 and 2011 manuals do that. If you don't have the manual, can't get one, you can check at trailer rental outlets. For liability reasons in case of an accident, don't over "pull". A shark in court could getcha!
Hello all. I also have a 2008 5.3L, 3.73 gears, Z71, with the HD tranny cooler, towing harnesses, etc for towing. I have been researching max tow capacity for this particular model for a while. Trailering guides show 7500#. Some VIN decoders show 10,100. I didn't believe the VIN decoder so I went to the dealer. The service guys have access to charts which go by year, body style, engine, and axle ratio. The 2008 with a 5.3 and 3.73 gears is indeed 7500# max towing.
It seems that 09 and up have a much greater max towing capacity. Some of these are the 5.3 with 3.42 gears. So that begs the question why the higher towing capacity with the higher gearing? Was that the inception of the 6-speed transmission? Was the 5.3 upgraded for 09+?
With all this in mind I find myself looking for a solution to towing the toy hauler I am buying. The dry is 5566 with a cargo capacity of 3334 for a gross trailer weight of 9000.
At this point I plan to try to use the camper with a weight at or less than 7000#. This will require not filling the water and keeping an eye on what I load.
A question in my mind is: Could I upgrade the towing of my lowly 08 with aftermarket parts like a chip, air bags, or other enhancements; or do I put it on Craigslist so I can get a 2500HD with the 6.0?
Agreed. My current strategy is to come in under the listed max capacity of the 08. I just wonder why the 08 comes with a max towing capacity so much lower than other years.
OP, if you have your owners manual look on pages 4-55 and up for detailed mfg's towing ratings, weights, etc. You can find a copy of the manual for 2008 on this website towards the end. Check it out. Here is a link, but not sure if it works within the website.
True, but in almost all cases a weight distribution hitch will neglect any issues with payload you may have. Plus the manufacturers always pair the suspension package with the tow rating in such a way that you can always tow your maximum tow rating and not be over the payload capacity...at least with a WDH
The weight does not go away with a weight-distributing hitch. Payload is more important than towing capacity. With many half-ton truckd YOU CANNOT TOW MAXIMUM RATING due to payload concerns.
I suggest you spend time over at http://WWW.RV.Net because payload concerns is something you apparently need more knowledge on.
When you consider a trailer's weight is DRY (no propane or batteries, or any dealer added options) and of course with no dishes, clothes, blankets, wheel chocks, wood blocks, flashlights, pots/pans,etc. (I could go on-but you get the idea) and no water in the holding tanks, any small amount of weight transferred to the trailer is more than offset by the THINGS in the trailer.
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