4 place enclosed towing with 5.3 vortec?
- Thread starter maddog21
- Start date
I've done it, but I didn't like it. If it was windy, it would blow you all over the place. It was allot harder coming down, and going up the mountain. Took everything it had to pull it up a steep grade.
I'd say if your gonna do it, get airbags, & don't plan on being the first one up the mountain in the morning. It is possible though. Just seems to really work the motor compared to a diesel, or something a little bigger.
I'd say if your gonna do it, get airbags, & don't plan on being the first one up the mountain in the morning. It is possible though. Just seems to really work the motor compared to a diesel, or something a little bigger.
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volcano buster
Well-known member
Used a 5.3 Tahoe to pull a 4 place. It was working the nuts out of that thing to keep speed. The vehicle is a pretty soft sprung rig and wallowed a bit with that trailer. Lucky there was no wind.
I've got an F150 with the 5.4 and it just feels a lot more stable and doesn't usually have to scream the motor to pull hills. You are starting to get into the 3/4 ton category I'm afraid.
I've got an F150 with the 5.4 and it just feels a lot more stable and doesn't usually have to scream the motor to pull hills. You are starting to get into the 3/4 ton category I'm afraid.
It can do it I have done it many times with 5.3 is it a speed demon no will it get you there yes it will. If your only pulling 3 to 4 thousand miles per year I would own a half ton. Just sold my 2500 dodge diesel bought half ton gas not looking back to much upkeep on diesel for the few miles I realy need it. One of the best tow vehicles I had was a escalade ext awd with 6.0 that truck weighed 5900 lbs with air bag suspension very stable rig on ice better than dodge by far.
I didn't even like towing my 2 place enclosed with my 5.3L.
Are you buying a new 5.3L or a new trailer?
I had a 5.3 and the truck is too soft in the springs. The brakes are too small. The motor is a good motor but the weak spot is that tranny. Very clunky compared to today's 6 speeds. I wouldn't do it. Get a 3/4 ton.
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maddog21
Well-known member
I drive 2004 silverado 5.3 liter, has it for 3 years. I am looking for a enclosed trailer.
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maddog21
Well-known member
I agree, my buddy's dad, we rode with him out west with his 2011 silverado 4.8 with 4 place open trailer, I dont like the way it pull up hill, slow, gear down, its like
at his truckout in the flats it ok... but in the mountain its a dog.
Had an Avalanche w/5.3.
Great truck...........empty-no load.
I'd swear that if you even walk around the truck with a hitch to put into the receiver your mileage drops, & this had 4.10's
Very soft rear suspension, great empty, sucked with any load.
But to be fair this had the suburban coils, not the pick-up leafs.
Good motor, but not a puller at all.
I'm confident that it would get better mpg than my 5.4 if empty, but the results will be switched if loaded.
Great truck...........empty-no load.
I'd swear that if you even walk around the truck with a hitch to put into the receiver your mileage drops, & this had 4.10's
Very soft rear suspension, great empty, sucked with any load.
But to be fair this had the suburban coils, not the pick-up leafs.
Good motor, but not a puller at all.
I'm confident that it would get better mpg than my 5.4 if empty, but the results will be switched if loaded.
You can pull it, but its going to sort of piss you off how bad it will hunt for gears. You're going to be doing a lot of driving with it in 2nd gear @ 5200 RPM .... I would put some air bags on it too, the half tons aren't really sprung for towing a trailer with any significant amount of tongue weight. If you need the 4 place, go for it .... You don't need a diesel to pull a snowmobile trailer contrary to popular belief.
NO WIMPY TRUCKS !!! Rule for towing !!! >>>>.
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locknload
Active member
If you are going to pull with a 5.3 I would think about adding a cat-back system like flowmaster, a programmer (diablo makes a good one), and possibly a aftermarket mass air flow sensor (grannetelli is a good choice). Also what gear ratio is your truck now, 4:10s are good but 4:56s may be better depending on your tire size.
Put it in third gear and let it rev these motors like rpm and don't look back. The inline trailer pulls easy. Make shure you have good tires on the truck 10 ply helps alot with 80 psi when towing no side sway then. Also if you don't have tow package on truck put a trany coolor on it good money spent even if you don't tow much. IMO
You are getting a bunch of ideas here but I can tell you that you will not like a 5.3 (or 5.4) with a 4 place enclosed. Unless it is one of the lightweight enclosed trailers others have mentioned, you will not have enough truck. I would rather have a two place open for that truck. To be honest, a good steel 4 place enclosed is a lot for a 3/4 gasser. They will do it but you will lose fuel mileage and will work the gasser. There are good deals on used smokers if you are not opposed to that.
I pulled a 4 place with my 5.3 a few times and as already mentioned she's gonna hunt for the gears and suck up the gas with some wallowing going on in the back.
I haven't pulled the 7 footer aluminum yet but would love to give it a try, lots of guy's I know are switching over to them when they are ready to get an upgrade.
I haven't pulled the 7 footer aluminum yet but would love to give it a try, lots of guy's I know are switching over to them when they are ready to get an upgrade.
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Stilldraggin
Member
Have you considered an open four place? I pull a 22' open with the v shaped front ramps with mtn sleds and four guys gear. I have a 04 crew with a 5.3. Does fine in third gear at 75 MPH. The ONLY time I lack power is going up the steep mtn grades. Its what I accept as a trade off. Cost for a diesel that you pay for year round or taking a few more minutes getting there?
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