The specs look like it would be able to tow pretty good. Anyone have any experiences with one?
Anyone tow with a 1/2 ton gmc/chevy with the 6.2L gas engine?
- Thread starter mtnmodviper
- Start date
Tow what? 2,3,4 sleds and what kind of trailer 22' enclosed 20' open? I'm sure that it will tow all of this fine it just seems to tear down the longevity of your vehicle. I towed my 4 place enclosed steel trailer once with my 96 Ram 5.9 and I decided it was not too safe if I was towing through the mountains. 1/2 ton trucks are not designed to pull all that weight, they can do it but it takes its toll after a while.
I ahve a chevy with a 6.0 and a six speed auto in it. It does realy pretty well. probably not going to win a race but it will get you there. its better than the 5.3 is for pulling. Out west last year pulling a two place was no problem. 80mph onthe interstate with enough of gears to pull in the mnts also.
Ive pulled many a trailer with a 07 gmc 5.3 gets the job done but terible mpg. But a great truck all in all.
From my experience, any 1/2 ton is fine for nearly any open snowmobile trailer. I have never pulled a 6 place open, but I would think the 1/2 ton would be more than adaqute.
Switching to enclosed is another matter. If it is a 2 or possibly 3 place enclosed, I think you are fine. Any larger than that, aside from a Floe with a Protector enclosure or perhaps a super light Triton, you are asking for trouble if you are towing consistantly. ESPECIALLY in the mountains. Dont get me wrong, it isnt that you cant do it, its more of if you should.
I have had 2 different 4 place enclosed trailers an a 2 place enclosed. I pulled them all with a 1/2 ton ext cab and a 1/2 ton suburban. Towing up north with a proper weight distribution hitch with sway control was about 50/50. Some times it was just a little harry, other times it was absolute white knuckle. I wouldnt let anyone else drive the truck cause I wasnt comfortable with anyone else doing it. I see no point in pushing the limit of the truck.
I now have a 32' ATC trailer and a 3500 Duramax and to be honest, the trailer is all any Dually would want.
Keep in mind, HP and engine capacity does no good when you get in major cross winds or you have to stop quickly.
Hope this helps!!!
Switching to enclosed is another matter. If it is a 2 or possibly 3 place enclosed, I think you are fine. Any larger than that, aside from a Floe with a Protector enclosure or perhaps a super light Triton, you are asking for trouble if you are towing consistantly. ESPECIALLY in the mountains. Dont get me wrong, it isnt that you cant do it, its more of if you should.
I have had 2 different 4 place enclosed trailers an a 2 place enclosed. I pulled them all with a 1/2 ton ext cab and a 1/2 ton suburban. Towing up north with a proper weight distribution hitch with sway control was about 50/50. Some times it was just a little harry, other times it was absolute white knuckle. I wouldnt let anyone else drive the truck cause I wasnt comfortable with anyone else doing it. I see no point in pushing the limit of the truck.
I now have a 32' ATC trailer and a 3500 Duramax and to be honest, the trailer is all any Dually would want.
Keep in mind, HP and engine capacity does no good when you get in major cross winds or you have to stop quickly.
Hope this helps!!!
Keep in mind, HP and engine capacity does no good when you get in major cross winds or you have to stop quickly.
Exactly what I thought. Its not a question if it will pull it it is a question if it will stop it or even handle it. It is the sway that is unsafe when you hit crosswinds, especially when ther is snow on the ground!! Then you add in the breaking that the 1/2 ton is not designed to do and you are in BIG TROUBLE when the roads are slick.
Exactly what I thought. Its not a question if it will pull it it is a question if it will stop it or even handle it. It is the sway that is unsafe when you hit crosswinds, especially when ther is snow on the ground!! Then you add in the breaking that the 1/2 ton is not designed to do and you are in BIG TROUBLE when the roads are slick.
R
rsoukup37
Member
yeah i bought a hemi ram last year and pulled the open trailer with it fine anywhere just had to watch it with the load in stopping sometimes but then bought a 26 foot enclosed and the hemi pulled it alright but terrible fuel mileage and wasnt very stable in slick conditions. now upgraded to 3500 cummins megacab and night and day difference in pulling and stopping. wouldnt really recommend pulling any four place enclosed trailer with a half ton truck if you can afford it just not stable enough to compensate for changing conditions
Size of Tow Rig
Help me understand why a 3/4 ton vs. a 1/2 ton rig would be any more stable on slippery conditions pulling an enclosed trailer? Both vehicles have electric brakes on the trailer. Both rigs are towing a GVW less than their rating? The horsposer to tow the trailer is the same in eigher case? Am I missing something about the rear springs of the 3/4 ton that would aid in reducing the trailer from swaying?
It doesn't look like the tongue of my v-nosed trailer is long enough to put a load leveler hitch on. I'm not really sure what my other options might be when I pull by 24' plus 5' v-note enclosed aluminum trailer out west from here in MN.
Suggestions welcome. I've always towed my single axle, open 4 - place trailer in years past so this year will be my first time with the enclosed and a 1/2 ton 2004 Suburban.
Help me understand why a 3/4 ton vs. a 1/2 ton rig would be any more stable on slippery conditions pulling an enclosed trailer? Both vehicles have electric brakes on the trailer. Both rigs are towing a GVW less than their rating? The horsposer to tow the trailer is the same in eigher case? Am I missing something about the rear springs of the 3/4 ton that would aid in reducing the trailer from swaying?
It doesn't look like the tongue of my v-nosed trailer is long enough to put a load leveler hitch on. I'm not really sure what my other options might be when I pull by 24' plus 5' v-note enclosed aluminum trailer out west from here in MN.
Suggestions welcome. I've always towed my single axle, open 4 - place trailer in years past so this year will be my first time with the enclosed and a 1/2 ton 2004 Suburban.
Its pretty simple really: The heavier and more stable the tow vehicle is in relation to the size of the trailer, the easier/safer it will tow. A trailer that you may feel completely comfortable towing a short distance on a flat road on a nice day in the summer could be a death defying experience in the mountains in the winter. Add long trips on slick roads, limited visibility and fatigue after a long day of riding and its more of a "when" than an "if" something bad will happen. No rig is guaranteed safe in some of the conditions we drive in, but I feel it's important to put the odds as much as you can in your favor!
Towing Vehicle Size/Weight
I looked up the difference between Suburban 1500/2500 and pick ups 1500/2500.
Suburban 1500's weigh 5800 lbs and the 2500 weighs 6300. Not much difference.
Pickups - 1500 weighs 4900 vs. 2500 at 5900. Twice the difference.
1/2 vs. 3/4 is a large difference on pickups while the 1/2 ton suburban weighs the same as the 3/4 ton Pick up.
I agree that a heavier vehicle will have less tail wag but I guess the specific vehicle should be mentioned in the comparisons.
Does anyone recommend any kind of anti-sway for the 1/2 ton Suburban towing a 4-place enclosed trailer?
I looked up the difference between Suburban 1500/2500 and pick ups 1500/2500.
Suburban 1500's weigh 5800 lbs and the 2500 weighs 6300. Not much difference.
Pickups - 1500 weighs 4900 vs. 2500 at 5900. Twice the difference.
1/2 vs. 3/4 is a large difference on pickups while the 1/2 ton suburban weighs the same as the 3/4 ton Pick up.
I agree that a heavier vehicle will have less tail wag but I guess the specific vehicle should be mentioned in the comparisons.
Does anyone recommend any kind of anti-sway for the 1/2 ton Suburban towing a 4-place enclosed trailer?
A lot of other somewhat unnoticeable things also change when you upgrade from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 and again to a 1 ton..... other than just weight and GVW. The design of the components from the size of the brakes to the shocks to the width of the leaf springs all change. The bigger trucks all run way more caster in the front than the 1/2 tons do. This gives the truck more mechanical advantage to run straight. But all these changes come at a price: like a higher purchase price, a rougher ride, increased turning radius to name a few.
As for your questions regarding the anti sway, there is an RV site that I am commonly on in the summer months (RV.net) that has a huge amount of info on such equipment... check 'em out. I have a Reese setup on my race car trailer that I am completely happy with. Keep in mind that it is not just about the anti sway, the load distribution also plays a big part by keeping the truck level and the steering geometry as it was designed to be.
Something else I forgot to mention was tires. Many half ton trucks come with light duty 3 or 4 ply sidewall "P" series tires inflated to 35 psi compared to a heavier 10 ply tire inflated to 80 psi.... This alone makes yet another large difference in stability and control. All these factors can really stack up one way or another. The good news here is that you can make some nice gains on your 1/2 ton by simply upgrading to LT tires. No, you still cannot go over the truck's GVW or GCVW and you still need to use some common sense, but at least then you aren't right at the ragged edge of what a really important piece of the puzzle, the tires, are rated for.
Thanks for all the info! The truck I've been looking at for towing a 21' enclosed haulmark trailer is a 2010 silverado/sierra 1500 with the 6.2L V8. It would have the "Max trailering package" option which gives a lower gear ratio (3.73 vs 3.42), suspension stuff, large front and rear disc brakes, heavy duty axle, and 17" wheels/tires, instead of the 18". I am pretty sure the tires are LT rated since they are part of the Max Trailering package. 403hp, 417tq, 10700 towing capacity, etc.
I've considered a diesel, but don't need a diesel 90% of the time and don't know if I can justify the added expenses and extra cost of a duramax. Although, the 1/2 tons also cost way too much.
I've considered a diesel, but don't need a diesel 90% of the time and don't know if I can justify the added expenses and extra cost of a duramax. Although, the 1/2 tons also cost way too much.
mnt, I am looking at the same truck./.and it will pull it fine..I used to pull with a 3/4 ton suburban with 8.1 and this has a heavier GVW for trailer(10700) then my suburban(10000) did..it also sports bigger disc brakes at both ends then the 3/4 burb as well as 9.5 axles vrs the standard 8.5's under a normal 1/2 ton....now power wise it wont touch a 8.1..but the 6.2 is a great motor....
The dealer let me hook up a 26' camper yesterday and take it for a test drive. It impressed me. I hate the new style cloth they are putting in these truck and hate the price of the leather. Not sure which way to go. I would buy a 2500hd with the 8.1 in a heartbeat if I could find a clean one with low miles.
same here..but 8.1's are rare used..and most are beaten up bad when they are traded..I am looking at either the ltz, or a denali..loaded since it will be around for alot of years....why skimp...if you love the truck..you dont mind paying for it...its when you dont like it so much that paying for it sucks......by the way ..our dealer has a 06 avy with 8.1..16000 miles..but they want top dollar for it and I would rather have a burb......not an avy fan....
T
theshadowrider
Well-known member
For all those 1/2 ton truck owners and towers, I recommend air bags. I have a 1/2 ton and it makes a world of difference. Truck tows great minus the lack of horse power, but gas trucks are all gutless when comparing to a diesel. I bought airbags with auto level and on board compressor so you can just hook up your trailer and it levels it out. Takes out the white of your nuckles and keeps it from swaying all over the place when towing. Keeps your rear from sagging because no one likes a saggy rear!
The 6.2 isn't in the same league as the 8.1 for towing.......period.
However, it will get the job done if you don't mind RPM.
Running empty it runs like a raped ape & still has the ability to get good MPG ( which the 8.1 can't )
I agree with most on here saying that towing is more like a casual drive with a 3/4 ton, but I can understand sacrificing if you only tow 2000 miles/year.
However, it will get the job done if you don't mind RPM.
Running empty it runs like a raped ape & still has the ability to get good MPG ( which the 8.1 can't )
I agree with most on here saying that towing is more like a casual drive with a 3/4 ton, but I can understand sacrificing if you only tow 2000 miles/year.
I have an 09 with a 6.2 and it will pull ok. Throttle mashed and it shifts at 5500 or so but not great torque. Like said above it hauls the mail empty, but does the minimum for towing. Gets about 15.5 empty, and sucks the fuel with a load big time. One of the nicest driving trucks I have ever owned but would not even consider taking it over my cummins. It shifts from 6-5 on medium hills at 75 and would for sure have to be in tow/haul for pulling to keep the tranny from hunting all the time. I consider it more of a sports truck and it has all the towing options. But hammer down and it will bring smiles.
