Towing - Chevy 1500/2500
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Towing - Chevy 1500/2500
How much can a Chevy 1500 be rigged up to tow safely? I occasionally tow my 10,000 lb rig, and am looking for a new / used truck. I want to stay somewhat SUV oriented (probably Avalanche, or Suburban) as opposed to a pickup truck. Can an aftermarket Class V hitch be added to get it where I need?
I am looking at the 2500 Avalanches, but again I won't be needing to tow all that often. I would like to be legal with the tow rating for insurance purposes. Right now I am buying a house so cash is tight, and I don't want to buy more truck than I could get by with. Also I bet the 8.1 drinks a lot more gas than the Vortec 5300.
I am looking at the 2500 Avalanches, but again I won't be needing to tow all that often. I would like to be legal with the tow rating for insurance purposes. Right now I am buying a house so cash is tight, and I don't want to buy more truck than I could get by with. Also I bet the 8.1 drinks a lot more gas than the Vortec 5300.
#4
Re: Towing - Chevy 1500/2500
will it do it--yes, will it be safe, no. its exceeding the brakes more than pulling power. i would say a 3/4 ton is a minimum and would recommend a 1 ton.
#5
Re: Towing - Chevy 1500/2500
I pulled a 6500# 26 from WI to OH with a GMC 1500 with a 305.
Didn't even break it.
Wasn't legal though, I'm sure. Glad that it was uneventful.
But the answer to the question is get the 2500.
Didn't even break it.
Wasn't legal though, I'm sure. Glad that it was uneventful.
But the answer to the question is get the 2500.
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Re: Towing - Chevy 1500/2500
3/4 ton vs. 1 ton is not that much diff. the brakes are generally the same and most of the powertrain packages are same.
Last edited by JUST ONCE; 08-02-2004 at 03:56 PM.
#7
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Re: Towing - Chevy 1500/2500
Originally Posted by JUST ONCE
3/4 ton vs. 1 ton is not that much diff. the breaks are generally the same and most of the powertrain packages are same.
#9
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Re: Towing - Chevy 1500/2500
I'm towing 6200lbs with a Tahoe Z71 3.73's 5.3vortec and it does ok but is still under powered if I lived in a Flat area it would be fine, but 5 hours to GLH's get together
in those hills makes me wish for the Denali Package, 6.0 and the LE80 tranny instead of the LE60. I wish they made a Z71 Tahoe with that setup because its perfect for 25-29 foot Single Engine boats.
SO dont waste your time running a 1500 on a 10k boat
bare minimum is a 2500HD with the 6.0 for part time use or the 8.1/Duramax for lots of towing
in those hills makes me wish for the Denali Package, 6.0 and the LE80 tranny instead of the LE60. I wish they made a Z71 Tahoe with that setup because its perfect for 25-29 foot Single Engine boats.
SO dont waste your time running a 1500 on a 10k boat
bare minimum is a 2500HD with the 6.0 for part time use or the 8.1/Duramax for lots of towing
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Re: Towing - Chevy 1500/2500
I'm pulling approx. 9000lbs with a '98 C1500. Triple axle trailer with 8100 measured on the three axles, add 10% or so for the tongue.
It's lowered 4" in the back so I have air bags over the leaf springs to assist and they make all the diefference in the world. I also us a load distributing hitch. I've got electric brakes an all six trailer wheels. Oh yeah, and a Whipple. Gears are 3:73 with Eaton posi unit.
I don't think it'd work without the air bags, tall gear, and good brakes. The Whipple helps but I rarely go beyond 2-3 lbs of boost on purpose and I only tow in 3rd, never in overdrive.
It's lowered 4" in the back so I have air bags over the leaf springs to assist and they make all the diefference in the world. I also us a load distributing hitch. I've got electric brakes an all six trailer wheels. Oh yeah, and a Whipple. Gears are 3:73 with Eaton posi unit.
I don't think it'd work without the air bags, tall gear, and good brakes. The Whipple helps but I rarely go beyond 2-3 lbs of boost on purpose and I only tow in 3rd, never in overdrive.