You can tow with a half-ton, Even with a 700 tranny (the one with overdrive) or even a light manual/clutch. But it will catch up with you if you push it or do it over a period of time. The Half-ton, and the overdrive auto tranny are simply NOT up to the task of serious towing. The turbo 400 (3-speed auto tranny in the 3/4 ton) is a great tried and true transmission, (unless they've replaced it with that POS Allisson tranny) A Manual transmission with a CLUTCH and a compound Low first gear i.e. Granny gear, is awesome for towing really heavy loads, even with a half-ton. Bu You CAN do it with your Half-ton Silverado. My family has had 20 GM trucks in the last 30 years, I know a little about them. And sooner, rather than later, you're going to blow the transmission and other assorted pieces very prematurely.
I don't know about the new brakes, I hear they've been drastically redesigned, with rear discs? Maybe they'll be up to the task. The 96-00's really sucked. Just take it easy, and maybe, just maybe you won't blow it up. And since it's a rental, why not?
:c

 

The problem guys is that he will be hauling alot, not just towing it. PADZZ, unless the salesman is a personal friend, he would probably tell you anything if it would get you to buy it. Since the vehicle is a lease, and the camper will not be in use very often, you should be able to get away with it. Airbags will be a very good idea. Definately try it out with it loaded before you buy. But do go to a truck scale and weigh your truck, and see if you exceed the rear axle weight rating, which should be on a sticker on the door, because if you do exceed it,you can be asking for very expensive and time consuming axle repairs.

 

Write an email to Chevy's tech department and ask them:
http://www.chevrolet.com/gmnav/contact_us/index.htm
Most dealers are worthless when it comes to questions like the ones you have. As for towing, if you have 3.73 axle your truck is max tow rated for 8000 lbs and 9000 lbs for the 4.10 axle. If you use the tow/haul button on the shift lever you don't have to worry about keeping it in 3rd.
The 2001 sales brochure says the payload specs on your truck is 1911 lbs for 2wd and 1680 lbs for 4wd. The toungue weight of your trailer plus the camper is going to tax the limits of your truck, regardless of the airbags.

 

You may of gotten a lot of conflicting advice. This much I can tell you, go by what I said in my previous post. I tow boats every now and then on the side for extra cash. I've towed boats from 1,000 pounds on up to 10,000 pounds and I also drive a 1/2 ton Silverado. So I definitely know how the truck reacts to the different weights.

 

Yeah but...that 2000lb camper on the bed plus gear plus his atv trailer is going to compress the rear suspension alot more than the tongue weight of a 10,000lb boat/trailer. I have hauled 30 bundles of roofing shingles (which I think weighed over a ton) on my 2001 Silverado z71 1500 with no airbags or helper springs and I can tell you the steering definitely suffered. Good luck whatever you decide to do.

 

Hillhound....that's true, but it was my understanding that he was going to add air shocks to the rear.

 

I'm still torn...I think as a safety issue I might have to wait...the good news is I have my eye on a F-350 PSD Long bed. If I can talk the dealer into taking my Chevy off my hands I'll probably get that. The bad news is, I'd have to sell my CBR in order to afford the Grizz, camper and the new truck. Man, I'm in debt [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

 

Anyway you'll be alot happier (and safer) with the 1-ton truck for what you're talking about using it for. A Dodge, Chevy or Ford 3/4 or 1 ton pickup would probably be more than enough to fit your needs and give you alot less headaches!