Big Block

I would not do it, that is to much for that 1/2 ton.

Padraig

Look for a Velocity 280 Or 290. Your 1500 will pull it just fine.

Padraig

TBAG

Kind of off topic but I saw a very nice 38 TG being pulled by a Silverado 1500 last week while on vacation in South Carolina. Poor truck....

Hook'em

I'm towing 7200# with a 1/2 ton Avalanche 5.3 342. She does ok from storage to the ramp (one mile). less than comfortable out on the road. I too borrow the Dirtymax when we head to Gulf Shores from Dallas. Way mo bedda.

ChargeIt

Just because the mfg rates a vehicle to tow x,xxx does not mean it can pull every x,xxx load safely. (or any if its overrated ford, but that's a separate slam)

Much depends on what the load is, how the trailer is set up and aerodynamic profile.
A boat trailer will likely have surge brakes. These are not great for maxing out a tow vehicle. Changing the actuator to Electric over hydraulic and adding a nice electric controller like the Tekonsha P3 will give the 1500 a fighting chance to control a load.

Regardless of the boat you choose, different boat/trailer combos will set differently. You have the truck so you can see how the load sets, then make changes as needed.
Just keep $1-2k of your boat budget in reserve for truck tow mods.

cagedlx

I pull my 33 eliminator quite a bit, including several trips for KC to Loto. slow going but feel pretty comfortable most of the time, you just can't get in any hurry. My trailer has surge brakes and good tires.

Slide

I would not have a problem approaching the max tow rating on any modern 1/2 ton, if done occasionally. These are not the dinky mid 90s models. All the big brand 1/2 tons on the market today are larger and more capable with respect to power, braking, handling, suspension, you name it, than anything in the class prior. That manufacturer's tow rating is a massive safety liability, and you can be sure that the number is underrated compared to what the truck can theoretically do. Seems like these discussions are full of people that get turned off right at "1/2 ton" and don't bother to consider that the meaning of that term has changed.

For a 1x/yr tow? Buy a boat with a total weight a little under your max tow rating, get a good WD hitch, and do your thing. Don't spend lots of extra $ for an excessive tool. If you were doing this every weekend, I'd say go ahead and get a larger truck.

FL335i

Slide- I kind of agree with you. the new '14+ GM 1/2 tons do not have drums on the rear axle anymore. It's now disc all the way around. And the '14+ has a larger 9.75" axles. I never would of bought the old platform truck. pencil axle 10 bolt and drums. What kind of crap was that. Plus the direct injection 5.3 is very impressive. I did not care for the factory cat-back exhaust though. Choked down the piping and it had a flapper that squeaked all the time. So I did a cat-back AFE system. world of difference. I opted for the 3.42 gears which were the highest numerical gear I could get when shopping for a new '14. the 3.73 axle was not out yet and I needed a truck. Switched jobs and went from a company truck to my truck (that I was buying). And the newer 1/2 tons feel bigger to me also vs a few years ago. I'm in heavy civil construction and have driven a lot of trucks. 3500 dualies, lots and lots of GM 1/2 tons in a lot of configurations. my old F250 6.0. My hands down fav is the '14+ GM 1/2 ton. I've pulled about 7k #'s with it so far and as long as you have the tow haul mode on you're fine. And come to think of it, the trailer was a old beat up iron dual axle 20' flatbed construction trailer. Thing probably weighed 1,500-2k unloaded. no brakes (anymore). and I hauled rebar, ORV's etc and it was more than fine. But my last truck was a 2wd version with 3.08 gears (prevoius work truck company provided) and the 3.08 gear was a dog. I wish my truck had 3.73's though sometime... that would be icing on the cake. But for what I do.. it's fine. And gets unreal MPG's. even with the trimmed chin spoiler which is a joke in my business. I still can't believe the '14+ Ram 1500 with the 5.7 is rated for over 10K in similar configuration though. I read numerous comparo's the ram's braking was not as good as the GM's. GM's out braked the pack 70-0. no trailer. Must be ram's larger 5.7 engine and the 3.92 axle. Regardless, my '14 is rated for 9,600 as is. same setup in '15 is rated for 9,200 now that GM is using the ASE tow standards. And I'm stuck on a 25' Baja outlaw with a 502, double axle trailer with brakes.

Donzi1979

iTrader: (1)

You will be fine towing a 25 outlaw with that truck. I have towed my 26 Donzi for years with a 08 1500 Sierra 5.3. It did ok with the 4 speed and 3:73 but needed 4:10, but like you said it was a daily driver. I pulled my boat with a 15' 5.3 while mine was at the dealer under ext warranty repairs and it did fine. I just bought a 15 Serria 1500 crew 4wd 6.2 8 speed with 3:23 (tried to get 3:42 when I order but weren't available yet). This truck is a beast for what it is. Just put a couple hundred miles since getting last week, and I will say the 8 speed needs some refinement but the motor is stout. Hope to tow the boat this weekend.

Baja_342

I towed a 29 Outlaw twin 454, triple axle steel trailer with a 2009 chrysler aspen. Towed just fine.

Towed a Baja 302 with twins and a 29 fountain single with a 2000 expedition. Towed like ****.

I did not have tow often or far. Recommend electric trailer brakes.