OK...I have a '01 Ext cab Silverado w/ Z71 short bed, a side load trailer (pretty light) that will have a 660 Grizz and a 400EX on that. Now, I want to purchase a camper. The one I'm looking at is a Lance 845 w/ a claimed dry weight of 1,900 lbs. Considering 2 people, water in tanks, gas, supplies etc., will I be able to handle that load with my half ton?? I am really stressing this purchase. I will at minimum be getting air bags for the rear springs. The longest I see myself hauling/towing this setup is maybe 300 miles one way. Half the dealers said I 'll be ok and the other half said I'll really be pushing it. Please, help a fellow atver. Thanks..

 

it Probbaly could we had a Chevy 2500 and we pulled a 27 foot Fith wheel and a boat Hitched on the fith wheel. Check on the chevy web site and see what the towing Capticaty is.

 

If you have the automatic transmission with overdrive in a half-ton Chevy, you've got a problem. That is one lousy transmission for hauling anything. One consideration would be a pop-top slide in camper instead of the full 1,900 lb. Lance. The pop-ups only weigh about 1,200 lbs, but are pretty spartan. The good news is I have seen them on the web, new, for only $5,000. Weight is the killer of these trannys, even if you don't use overdrive when towing. If you have a manual transmission or the turbo 400 (no overdrive) then go for it.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

You should have no problem. I mean, you do have the vortec V8 right? You will get terrible gas milage and also will not go that fast. I am guessing top speed of 60mph. Just run it in drive, 3, or 2 on big hills. (with auto). With a standard, i would not try it. Good way to burn out your clutch.

 

Yeah...5.3 Vortec..auto tranny..I'll try it on and chek here in a few days. So if I do do that setup I should stay in 3rd???

 

Given that the maximum payload of your truck is 1682(includes passengers,cargo in bed, and tounge weight of trailer) you will be overweight by a large margain.

• The camper weights 1900 lbs dry, without options
• lets say the trailer and quads weigh 1500 lbs. if you have the recommended 15% tounge weight, that is 225 lbs.
• 2 150 lb passengers is 300lbs
• 33 gallons of water in the tank in about 270 lbs
• about 50lbs of misc stuff per passenger 100lbs

That totals to 2795 lbs - 1682 lbs = 1113 pounds overweight. These aren't exact, but will give you an idea how overwight you will be. I will not lambast you if you do decide to do this, but it will require alot of caution driving and MAY become a legal liability if you are in an accident, plus put alot of stress on the 1/2 ton drivetrain.

 

If you are that worried about it just get a new 2500HD crew cab with the vortec 8100 and allison tranny. No more worries now.

 

You shouldn't have any problem. The Chevy Silverado can handle up to about 4,500 pounds. Once you reach that point, then you're definitely putting a lot of strain on the engine.

 

Hmmmm....I guess we can't go back in and edit our posts anymore. Anyway, just wanted to add that I have a Silverado as well. Now, the truck can handle up to about 2,500 pounds without much of a strain. But between 2,500 - 4,500 pounds, you'll definitely know that you're towing something and you'll have difficulty going up inclines.

 

Thanks for the replies, but again I get so many different opinions. The dealer all but guarantees my setup will work with the use of air bags. Also, I am leasing this truck. I can only see using it maybe 5-10 times a year and not always pulling the quads. As long as this truck can hold up for the next few years I could care less what damage it does [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img], I know that's not right [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]. When the lease is up I'll be getting a power stroke. I did check the wet weight (full water and gas and all options) and that was at 2,300 lbs. Man, this is as bad as having to choose between the Prarie and the Grizz (do have my name on the first red one in town). OUT