hey guys,

i've got a 2006 chevy rcsb 5.3L with 85k miles on the truck. it's been a fantastic truck and has been very reliable. i like the truck and i don't like the idea of driving a "rig" around as a daily driver so I like my short truck. it does have the "towing package" whatever that is worth.

The issue is i've really gotten into my bikes, street bikes and dirt bikes, and i'm looking to get a toy hauler. About the smallest I can go and get the layout I want is 24' and those will be 8,000-9,000lbs loaded up with toys. Can my truck handle that 10-15 times a year?

I'm thinking some air-bag helper springs in the rear and maybe a sway bar in the rear - the truck has a trailer brake setup on it already. what else? is the 4l60e doomed? Like i said, i really don't want to drive a rig around everyday (a 2500hd) when the truck is mostly a commuter to/from the office.

 

it can pull, shes gonna squat but she'll pull it, as for the tranny make sure your cooler is up to par if not put a bigger one in.

 

How far do you have to drive with it? your going to hate life if it's alot of highway driving, cuz it will be shifting like crazy to hold ~60. also I'd look into a weight distribution hitch, they work great.

 

that is alot of weigt for that truck imo . the weight distribution hitch will help a ton not only with evening the load but also help bring the rear of your tow truck up.

im sure you know but keep the heaviest part of the axle of the trailer and only keep about 10% of weight on the tongue.

also may want to add a trailer brake controller.

 

i'll third the Class 4 hitch. you'll need one for that size trailer anyway - a Class 3 maxes out around 5-6klb.

just for reference, i've made a couple long trips with my 5.3 RCSB (stock suspension & towing package, but i swapped to Bilstein HD shocks last spring) & it did alright. one trip was 9hrs with 1000lb in the bed & a 5500lb trailer. that squatted quite a bit but never walked on me. the last trip was about 6.5 hrs with just a 6100lb trailer. not as much squat and still pulled fine.

i never had any trans problems, but keep in mind mine's a manual, so you can't really compare that.

like 2004SSS said, keep the majority of the weight over the axles, and that'll really help. also with the suspension mods you're planning + the trans cooler, you'll probably be okay

 

My brother has pulled around 18K behind his 1500 suburban, and I have pulled around 12K. The weight really isn't going to be as big of an issue and pulled the enclosed trailer. It is going to be like pulling parachute behind the truck.

As long as you plan for the weight, and respect the weight you should be fine. Obviously you don't want to run 80 MPH own the interstate, but take your time and run 55-60 MPH you will be fine.

Airbags would be a great addition. Stiffer sway bars and load balancing hitch will really make it tow great. Over all, I think you will be happy.

 

HMMM how far and how fast do you want to tow .......I have a 2004 RCSB 5.3 witha tune headers and 3.90 gears and tow 7000lbs enclosed car trialer with equalizer hitch and rear spring helpers ........unless you tow short hauls and 55-60mph tops I think 8000lbs is stretch ........my 4l60 went out early inthe towing a built one has held up great but when you get into hills and or even worse headwinds the trans is shifting up and down alot to maintain a resonable speed ........ go 4.10's for sure you willneed to run about 2200 rpm min to have enough torque to pull reasonably on the flats with a built rans OD will hold but you will pbly end using 3rd most of the time so gear for 3rd gear around 2400 @65mph ...... Plus if you plan to tow long hauls 8-10 hours or more the stock 8.5 rear will burn up pinion bearings on those long hauls withthat much weight ........ After two pinion bearing replacements I added a MAG Hytec alum finned rear cover that holds 1 /3 rd more gear oil .the rear runs cool now

Trans cooler I still run the factory cooler that comes witthe tow package and never goes over 180.........but if your trans stock and going in and out of lockup it will heat up fast ............I would get a trans temp guage before I would upgrade the cooler .... with bilet servos including the 4th gear OD and goos clutchs etc so you dont get slippage heat witht stock coller will be fine ........I tow 1000-1200 miles one way 12-14 hrs at atime to races with no trans temp issues now that trans built ............but I would say my truck just on the edge of towing great .......really needs more torque down low to tow 65-70 mph .........unless I was content with 55-60 I lke to tow 65-70 so bot neww 2010 with 6spd auto which should make a huge difference

 

I pull about 6000 a couple times a month. I have an 02 rcsb 5.3 and it did ok stock with a big trans cooler on the front. I could only hold about 60mph though. I swapped from 3.42 to 3.73 and it made a world of difference. I can actually put it in overdrive and hold 65 to 70 no problem. I think if I were you I would seriously consider a gear change if your going to be driving any distance at all and want to maintain speed. Just my experience.

 

Also remember that the rear axle is not meant for heavy loads. The outboard bearings are not going to last for very long if it is too heavy. I have seen a bunch of half tons broke down on the side of the road because the axle overheats and sheers off or the wheel bearings fail because they should have just bought a 3/4 ton that can handle the weight.

 

You need a 3/4 to safely and reliably tow it. Yes your's can pull it but it's not intended to do it.

If it was a V-Max you'd be good to go.