07 GMC Sierra Towing Question

[Alaskan SS]

I need some advice. I have a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew cab. It's the new body style, SLE1 package. It has a 4.8 liter and 3.42 rear axle ratio. The maximum trailer weight is 5400 lbs for my truck. Short of getting a new truck, what can I do to increase the towing capacity? Thanks for any advice.

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by Alaskan SS

I need some advice. I have a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew cab. It's the new body style, SLE1 package. It has a 4.8 liter and 3.42 rear axle ratio. The maximum trailer weight is 5400 lbs for my truck. Short of getting a new truck, what can I do to increase the towing capacity? Thanks for any advice.

Re-gear to 3.73 or 4.10 and get a tune. $500 gears, $300 tune and you're not only increasing your capacity but driveability. You can also go to 3.90 but it's not a GM ratio, rather aftermarket. The only difference between your 5400lbs capacity and the next higher given all the other variables are the same is gearing.

[Alaskan SS]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Re-gear to 3.73 or 4.10 and get a tune. $500 gears, $300 tune and you're not only increasing your capacity but driveability. You can also go to 3.90 but it's not a GM ratio, rather aftermarket. The only difference between your 5400lbs capacity and the next higher given all the other variables are the same is gearing.

Thanks, Leevon. So, as I'm not a real 'gearhead', but I can do some relatively simple tasks around my truck, a re-gear involves opening up the rear diff and switching out the gears? Would anything else need to be done, such as calibrating the speedo?

[BLE 'BURBAN]

Yes you would have to recalibrate your speedo to accodimate the new gearing. Check with Hypertech to see if thier power programmer do this for you.
Dave

[Alaskan SS]

OK. I'll check with Hypertech. Last question... If I have a certified dealer to the work, would it void my warranty?

[BLE 'BURBAN]

I'd check with the service manager at the dealership on that. If you call my work ask for Todd Nelson(Service Manager) or Tony Glenn(Fixed Ops Manager)

[Alaskan SS]

OK. Thanks, Dave!!!

[vin63]

Originally Posted by Alaskan SS

I need some advice. I have a 2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew cab. It's the new body style, SLE1 package. It has a 4.8 liter and 3.42 rear axle ratio. The maximum trailer weight is 5400 lbs for my truck. Short of getting a new truck, what can I do to increase the towing capacity? Thanks for any advice.

Keep in mind that the towing capacity is not just the power and gearing, it actually has more to do with the suspension/load capacity (spring rate), braking capacity, E load range tires, and transmission cooling. My question is: what is the weight of the trailer and its tongue or pin weight?

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Originally Posted by vin63

Keep in mind that the towing capacity is not just the power and gearing, it actually has more to do with the suspension/load capacity (spring rate), braking capacity, E load range tires, and transmission cooling. My question is: what is the weight of the trailer and its tongue or pin weight?

If you look in your manual, it has a chart that lists towing capacities. The only difference in towing capacities (given the same engine, 4x or not, and body style) is the rear gears. It does not list trans cooler or not, breaking capacity or not, etc., just rear gears.

As Leevon said, the difference is in the gears.

[Alaskan SS]

Thanks, all. The chart in the manual says if I re-gear from 3.42 to 4.10, max trailer weight goes from 5400 to 7400 lbs. My trailer weighs 5380. I'm not sure of the tongue weight. But since the weight is right on the limits of my truck's capabilities, I'm just exploring some options. I really appreciate all the great advice!

[vin63]

Originally Posted by Bus Ted Knuckle

If you look in your manual, it has a chart that lists towing capacities. The only difference in towing capacities (given the same engine, 4x or not, and body style) is the rear gears. It does not list trans cooler or not, breaking capacity or not, etc., just rear gears.

As Leevon said, the difference is in the gears.

So, if the tonque weight of the trailer exceeds the payload capacity it's still OK as long as you have the proper gears? That's not exactly safe. The gearing listed is based on the capability of the transmission. Check the equipment differences of the trucks with the HD or towing packages.

I would absolutely determine the tongque weight of your trailer. For a trailer that heavy, assuming your trailer has electric brakes, I would recommend using a brake controller (if not, a surge brake), weight distribution hitch and an anti-sway device, The gearing is not going to make a difference in tongue weight, braking capacity, or trailer sway, etc. Keep in mind, just because the truck can pull something doesn't necessarily mean the truck is able to control the load. I've seen too many people lose control of their trailers, and almost everytime, the out of control rig and trailer has damaged other vehicles around them. Be careful.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

Originally Posted by vin63

So, if the tonque weight of the trailer exceeds the payload capacity it's still OK as long as you have the proper gears?

That is not what I am saying at all.

[vin63]

Originally Posted by Bus Ted Knuckle

If you look in your manual, it has a chart that lists towing capacities. The only difference in towing capacities (given the same engine, 4x or not, and body style) is the rear gears. It does not list trans cooler or not, breaking capacity or not, etc., just rear gears.

As Leevon said, the difference is in the gears.

Originally Posted by Bus Ted Knuckle

That is not what I am saying at all.

I'm just trying to make the OP aware that there is a lot more to consider than just gearing to safely pull a 5000+ lbs trailer with a half ton truck since he specifically asked in his original post about "increasing the towing capacity." My two-horse tag trailer with one draft horse weighs in at 5500 lbs and has a tongue weight of 1100 pounds (due to where the axles are located and load location). That would not be safe for a half-ton truck no matter what rear gear.

[stroker87]

have any of you noticed the Maximum Trailering Capacity 8900 lbs on the Gm web site for the 2012 1/2 ton truck? most 07 parts still fit the 2012's

dont get me wrong not saying some one with out "experience" should do this but any one who has pulled trailers and has the experience/skill and properly setup equipment would not have any problems pulling 8 to 10k with a 1/2 ton every now and then, now if you was always pulling 10k+ then you should upgrade to a HD truck but for just a few times a year not something I personally would do

BTW..... new F150 (1/2 ton) rated 11,300 when properly equipped

[LEEVON]

That's more towing capacity than I would guess... it does kind of make my "see you in the morgue" comment sound a little extreme.

[Alaskan SS]

Thanks, guys, for all the answers and advice. Problem solved...

[dishow]

Nice!
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[Alaskan SS]

Originally Posted by dishow

Nice!
Posted via Mobile Device

Thanks!!!

[Alaskan SS]

Solution upgraded. ^^^^ That was a 2007 2500HD SLE Ext cab long box.
Just got a great deal on a 2011 2500HD SLT crew cab regular box. I kept the push bar and the tool box. Gonna miss that long box, though. It was nice loading up my Yamaha Grizzly against the toolbox and still being able to close the tailgate, while having my Dad's Polaris loaded in the RV Trailer...

[PAWS 72]

I'm glad you decided to get something to safely pull that trailer.I've pulled campers and trailers for 14 years and saw some pull trailers that were very dangerous to me and them and everybody else that was close.

You will have the suspension to handle that with no problem.

[Alaskan SS]

Thanks, PAWS. Yeah, although I'm sure the 1500 could handle it, especially with a minor suspension upgrade and trailer brake controller, I also knew this would be at the limits of it's capabilities, so i didn't really want to chance it. Also, the 1500 is really momma's, and she didn't want me pulling the trailer with her truck. So when she said I can get a bigger truck... I had to hurry and get one before she changed her mind.

[Special-Ed]

this thread is better than the what can my bumper hitch hold... and the guys saying i tow 20000lbs with my bumper hitch...

a corvette has bigger horse and torque numbers so would you tow 5000 lbs with a vette?

i pull my 7200 pound boat just fine with my z71 suburban.... thats why i bought it... but i had to get the one with a 4.10 gears...

just remember... there is a proper way to tow and a persons ignorance of proper towing can kill someone...