2019 Silverado tow vehicle question

freetogo · 03-14-2021, 08:11 AM

Hello Everyone,

Been a while since I posted. Well I thought I did my homework when we purchased a new truck and trailer. Now that I am getting ready to retire and hit the road for some long trips I see an issue. First the facts:

2019 Chevy silverado 1500 5.3L LTZ. GVWR 7100 lbs, GCWR 15000 lbs, max tongue weight 960 lbs, payload 1782 lbs.

TT is 2020 Flagstaff 25 BDS. UVW 5471 lbs, CCC 1314 lbs, tongue weight 625 lbs.

My concern is the payload. I know the tongue weight is probably very low from the brochure. As soon as I can I will find some scale to get to here in MA to get real value. I figure passengers and gear in truck around 700 pounds.

Am I crazy to do this? If I can reduce some weight in the truck would it be ok?

Anyone out there towing with this vehicle? Would love to hear from some of you.

Oaklevel · 03-14-2021, 08:19 AM

The only way to know for sure is to go to the scale and weigh your set up loaded ready to camp. Usually it will weigh more that than you think. Guessing what each weight is is just that a guess. Brochure weights are empty weights with no options.

Good Luck !!

AlaskaErik · 03-14-2021, 02:16 PM

Depending on how much you load in the trailer, it won't be too hard to go over that 960 max hitch weight, especially if you fill up the fresh water tank. But 1782 lbs of payload should leave enough for you, the wife and a couple of small kids. My 2016 LTZ 5.3L 6 speed struggled in the mountains, but I'm hearing the newer ones do better if they have the 8 or 10 speed. I resolved my tow vehicle issues by going with a 2019 LTZ that has the 6.2L, 10 speed and max trailering package. I have no problems maintaining the speed limit in the mountains. And with 1910 lbs of payload capacity and 1200 lbs of hitch weight capacity I don't have to worry about exceeding limitations with the trailer I have. Even if I get the Cougar 24SABWE that my wife likes, I should still be fine.

elchilero53 · 03-14-2021, 07:23 PM

I have the 2017 Silverado 1500 LTZ with the 6.2L and an 8-speed. It tows like a dream. I've heard the 6.2L with the 10-speed is slightly better and gets better mileage towing than the 8-speed (which gets good mileage towing in the first place). I'm always interested in those who want to pull a travel trailer up a steep grade at the speed limit with a 5.3L gasoline engine. Realistically, if you want to that, buy a truck with a diesel.

TheWolfPaq82 · 03-14-2021, 07:27 PM

I drug a 2008 Jayco 6800 lbs loaded for 10 years with a 2013 Silverado 1500. 26' long TT.

ARhappycamper · 03-14-2021, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

I drug a 2008 Jayco 6800 lbs loaded for 10 years with a 2013 Silverado 1500. 26' long TT.

The 2013 isn't 10 years old yet.

elchilero53 · 03-15-2021, 01:03 PM

You can tow that rig with your 2019 truck but on long grades it will lack power and probably get hot. The 8-speed tranny (if that is what you have) will help a lot. I am surprised you didn't get the 6.2L motor instead of the 5.3L. As you suggested, you will need to get the rig loaded. Be careful with your payload; that is where you will run into trouble. Your actual tongue weight will probably be in the 700# to 900# range depending on how you load the trailer. You will run out of payload long before you run out of tow capacity.

freetogo · 03-15-2021, 01:44 PM

Thanks for all the info so far. So shame on me, for not doing enough homework. Since I drive the truck every day I thought the 5.3 would be a better engine gas mileage wise and paired with the 8 speed figured it was enough to tow the trailer. Did not realize I needed the MAX Trailer Tow package as opposed to the Trailer prep package. The Max would have given me more payload. Also was not aware the 6.2 was an option on the 1500. salesman was useless but we know that.

We have been to Vermont and Acadia with this setup without any issues.

So I guess as soon as the weather breaks I will load up and go a CAT scale and figure out where I stand. Should be able to do the trip I have planned this SC and Tenn. As long as I am safe I am not to worried about taking it slow uphill. Thing is I will take a bath on getting a new truck so soon. Not to mention the better half might kill me.

boogiejack75 · 03-15-2021, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freetogo

Hello Everyone,

Been a while since I posted. Well I thought I did my homework when we purchased a new truck and trailer. Now that I am getting ready to retire and hit the road for some long trips I see an issue. First the facts:

2019 Chevy silverado 1500 5.3L LTZ. GVWR 7100 lbs, GCWR 15000 lbs, max tongue weight 960 lbs, payload 1782 lbs.

TT is 2020 Flagstaff 25 BDS. UVW 5471 lbs, CCC 1314 lbs, tongue weight 625 lbs.

My concern is the payload. I know the tongue weight is probably very low from the brochure. As soon as I can I will find some scale to get to here in MA to get real value. I figure passengers and gear in truck around 700 pounds.

Am I crazy to do this? If I can reduce some weight in the truck would it be ok?

Anyone out there towing with this vehicle? Would love to hear from some of you.

I think your theoretical numbers will work, assuming that payload number came off of your truck door sticker and not a brochure.

UVW 5471 + CCC 1314 = 6785 GVWR
6785 × .13 (13 % estimated tongue weight) = 882 lbs. 1782 payload - 882 tongue = 899 left on payload. Minus the conservative 100lb allowance for Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH), leaves you with 799 lbs for you and your gear.

You do need to go to the scales to verify, though. And you should strongly consider the WDH. Enjoy!

K5460 · 03-15-2021, 04:51 PM

I pull a 28ft trailer. Empty weight is 5890, loaded weight is 6900. Tow vehicle is a 2018 Silverado 1500 with 5.3, 6spd,373 gears and max tow package. Trailer published tongue weight 904lbs. Actual is 1160lbs. My payload capacity is 2040lbs. The 5.3 pulls I-70 west out of Denver at 55-58 miles per hour. We have pulled the trailer 16,000 miles in the last 2 summers and have never had the rpms above 3100 rpm. On both of these trips I have averaged 12.8mpg. Your 5.3 should be just fine. We have been over the Rockies 3 times and had no issues. Safe travels

elchilero53 · 03-15-2021, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freetogo

Thanks for all the info so far. So shame on me, for not doing enough homework. Since I drive the truck every day I thought the 5.3 would be a better engine gas mileage wise and paired with the 8 speed figured it was enough to tow the trailer. Did not realize I needed the MAX Trailer Tow package as opposed to the Trailer prep package. The Max would have given me more payload. Also was not aware the 6.2 was an option on the 1500. salesman was useless but we know that.

We have been to Vermont and Acadia with this setup without any issues.

So I guess as soon as the weather breaks I will load up and go a CAT scale and figure out where I stand. Should be able to do the trip I have planned this SC and Tenn. As long as I am safe I am not to worried about taking it slow uphill. Thing is I will take a bath on getting a new truck so soon. Not to mention the better half might kill me.

Well, not entirely your fault. The best sales people put themselves in your shoes and find exactly what you are looking for. I got a sales person who didn't know "come here from sic 'em" about tow vehicles; all she wanted to do was make a sales quota. I asked very specific questions but got vague answers and weak assurances back. I wanted to look at 2500HDs the dealer had in stock and her attitude was I was wasting her time and mine. I said "You know what? You're right! Adios!" When the Sales Manager called to see how it went he got an earful. He was quite embarrassed and asked me come back and he would get someone else to help me. He told me that he had a bunch of 2500 HDs in stock that weren't moving and wanted to deal. Thanks but no thanks. I'll look at vehicles on line to get a short list but I want to SEE and EXAMINE the vehicles in person, not just look at pretty pictures online. You do have to do your homework and be ready with a set of specific features in the truck you want. You should be ok with your current set up but do get it weighed. You may be pleasantly surprised. Who knows?

elchilero53 · 03-15-2021, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K5460

I pull a 28ft trailer. Empty weight is 5890, loaded weight is 6900. Tow vehicle is a 2018 Silverado 1500 with 5.3, 6spd,373 gears and max tow package. Trailer published tongue weight 904lbs. Actual is 1160lbs. My payload capacity is 2040lbs. The 5.3 pulls I-70 west out of Denver at 55-58 miles per hour. We have pulled the trailer 16,000 miles in the last 2 summers and have never had the rpms above 3100 rpm. On both of these trips I have averaged 12.8mpg. Your 5.3 should be just fine. We have been over the Rockies 3 times and had no issues. Safe travels

The OP doesn't have Max Tow, unfortunately.

S.Edington · 03-19-2021, 08:45 AM

Are you using a Weight Distribution System on it. If not, might want to consider it. Reduces sag and gives you a much nicer towing experience. I had a Silverado 1500 with similar travel trailer and it improved the ride significantly. However, my 2002 Silverado with Max Towing Package was struggling with the mountains, so I upgraded to the new 2021 Silverado 2500 HD High County (6.6L Duramax & 10-speed Allison) and can tackle any trip now. But it was not cheap. I miss my old 1500, but consider a WDS for piece of mind too.

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