kattigrr

I have been driving my Z06 to track events and for a variety of reasons want to start towing to those events. Most of the tracks I frequent are 150 to 300 miles one way here in Texas.

I am looking at a 2014 Silverado, 5.3 with 3.42 axle ratio. I'll get the max trailering package. Looking at trailers 2000# or less, open setup. Total tow weight less than 6000.

Do any of you have experience towing with a similar setup 1/2 ton? How did it stop while towing?

Any feedback will be appreciated.

WKNRACR

You should have no problem, I pull a 22' enclosed trailer with a 1500
hemi, just make sure trailer has brakes on both axles, and electric brake controller on truck, probably comes with trailer package.

Bill32

I tow with a 2000 Silverado 5.3 but the enclosed trailer is about 3,800 (open wheel cars).
I had to add helper springs with that weight (tongue weight).

I'd think you'd be better off with a 3/4 ton.

Mine does have the optional 3.73 axle. And it has less horsepower/torque than a 2014.
This limits me to 55mph on the steep mountains here with a Corvette on an open trailer. It Tx., I'd think the 5.3 will be fine.

I love my 5.3. I'm at 145k miles, uses zero oil,etc. And I've only done one repair (EGR check valves @ $100) in all those miles.

k24556

Same truck, just 10 years older. The trailer is an RnR and weighs 1200# empty. A C6 will go up on the factory ramps and the door clears the trailer fender. I have made many long trips loaded with no problems at all. The newer trucks have the 6 speed trans and give better towing performance than I have with this truck: 5.3, tow package, 3.42 gears. So far over 100k miles on the rig and no problems.

You should have no problems at all with a new one.

jaa1992

Been towing my c4 on an open trailer -my open trailer is heavier than you're thinking of but my total weight is close (a little over 6k). I'm using a 2010 Tahoe with the 5.3. I added a brake controller for the few hills.
It gets 13 mpg towing and handles the small hills, including Grandfather Mtn with no issues. I do not have a load leveling hitch, but placing the car on the trailer correctly does NOT lift the front end of the Tahoe. It tows great and the trailer has electric brakes on both axles. The brake controller really helps on the hills. Without the brake controller it takes a little more planning to stop, give yourself lots of room. With the brake controller it stops like the trailer isn't there (have to adjust the controller loaded to get to this point)

I wouldn't hesitate towing everywhere with this and an open trailer.

kattigrr

Thank you for the feedback - really good information from you all!

Going to look into RnR trailers as well as Sloan rollbacks. I'm hoping to order or pick up my new truck within a week.

Happy Thanksgiving

k24556

you asked about stopping too. Get a trailer that has brakes on both axles, and a good controller. Also, metallics are better on the truck, but make a dusty mess. If you get the 20 inch wheels, get a wheel brush and keep the barrels of the wheels clean. The metallic dust attacks the finish on the wheels, especially after a rain, if you leave the dust and it finishes oxidizing in the air. It seems to etch the finish.

A 1/2 ton does not have the stopping power a 3/4 does, it is a combination of bigger brakes, and bigger tires. If you stay with open trailers and keep the gross weight below the door sticker, you will have enough stop. The previous poster is correct, with an enclosed, a 3/4 ton is more stable and better suited for bigger loads. The 3/4 is more tires, brakes, engine and suspension, and much less gas mileage. Everything costs more to keep a 3/4, and if it is not dedicated, then as a DD it will cost you more on a daily basis.

crimlwC6

I've towed enclosed and open with a 2011 chevy with 5.3 and tow package (everything but the HD shocks). You will be absolutely fine with an open trailer with good brakes and a zo6. You'll be half the capacity of the tow rating. I would look at the GMC, they tend to be a little nicer. If you get the tow package it will have a built in brake controller.

5280Racer

you won't even break a sweat. but I would recommend a load leveling hitch makes life much easier.

kimmer

I use a 04 AWD suburban with the tow package to pull my c4 and It pulls so good I dont even know anything is back there. It has the 5.3 and the trailer has electric brakes on one axle, stops terrific and lots of room inside.

c4cruiser

No reason why the truck you want shouldn't work. If you go with an aluminum trailer, that keeps the towed weight down

When I first started towing my '87, I had a '99 Silverado 1/2-ton extended cab Z71 4WD and 4.10 gears. The '87 and an all-steel open trailer weighed right around 5600 lbs. The 5.3 in that year had all of 270HP and it worked great on the flats and small hills. I didn't use a WD hitch but I did add airbags mostly to keep the truck level as opposed to hauling more weight.

I now have a '08 Silverado 1/2-ton extended cab with the 6.0L motor, 3.73 gears, and Z71 4WD. It has the basic towing package and the HD auto trans. I had sold my steel open trailer and now use a 20' enclosed trailer. This trailer weighs 3000 lbs and the total load is around 6800 lbs. No problems at all with this setup. I do use a WD hitch (Curt) but I didn't with the old open trailer.

What will be important in your truck selection for towing is the body style, bed size, and drivetrain. You should able to find the maximum towing weights on the Chevrolet truck website. The longer box will allow for heavier towing as will gears like the 3.73 option and even the extended cab over the crew cab. Same with 4WD; they will tow more than 2WD.

If nothing else, when you go to look at trucks, ask if you can look at the owner's manual. all the different combinations will be in the book, including the 3/4 ton rigs in both gas and diesel.

Make sure you get the integral trailer brake controller! It has to be factory installed; can't be a dealer install or DIY. It works very well and you don't have to mess around with adding an aftermarket controller. For some stupid reason, GM did away with the pre-wired terminal so you now have to splice wires for an aftermarket unit.

Don't worry about the GM trailering mirrors. With an open trailer you can easily see behind you as the car will be much narrower than the trailer fenders.

For the trailer, brakes on both axles should be standard if the trailer is more than 16' long or weighs over a certain limit. Check your state laws about that. Regardless of what the laws say, go with brakes on both axles. Look for trailers that have Dexter axles and the "bearing buddy" grease fitting for the hubs.

Lawdogg

I tow my steel trailer and Z06 with a Colorado 5.3 and 4.10 diff. Trailer has good brakes and I have a top shelf trailer brake controller. Accelerates, cruises, and brakes great. 75 mph+ on interstates is no problem. Very stable set up.

UrbanKnight

You won't look back if you get a sloans.. My favorite open trailer so far out of the the 3 or 4 car trailers I had...

As everyone else said.. Brake control and brakes on the trailer make all the difference. You will feel the car, but wont cause much alarm with good brakes.brake controller.

Supercharged111

I suspect a lot of guys don't realize the 2014 has a 6 speed auto, makes all the difference in the world. That's the deal maker, just be sure to have trailer brakes and a WD hitch and I bet it does great.

2 GTOs

I have a trailex open aluminum trailer with electric brakes and a C5z with some tools and spare wheels. Total weight about 4500 lbs. I am using a Nissan Armada with no problems at all. If I manage my speed I can get 12 mpg.

I think what you are proposing is more than adequate.

autoxer6

I've towed my 24' enclosed trailer 9,000 miles with my ford eco boost. Been pretty happy with it. I have the highway gears and it sits in 6th at 1800 RPM even with my 10.5' tall trailer. It's another option to look at.

Mike.D

I tow with a brand new 13 Silverado 1500. my trailer is 2100 lbs and the truck is amazing. The 14's are better, you cant go wrong with the new Silverado.

Supercharged111

mpg?

Corvee

The 5.3 Silverado will pull 6,000 lbs without a problem. If you order the towing package it will come with a brake controller and the auxillary coolers. If not an aftermarket brake controller is an easy install snapping into the wiring harness under the dash.

I have a 2012 Silverado with the 6.2 and it pulls my rig (~5,000 lbs with spare tires and gear) at the speed limit and does not break a sweat. The 6 speed automatic is an option but available on earlier models. However, if you are in tow mode it will not shift above fifth gear anyway. I am curious about the cylinder deactivation in the new models - seems like it would be annoying.

Which tracks/groups do you run with?

parsonsj

My '07 Duramax gets 18mpg towing my Z06 on a Featherlite open trailer. Some might consider that overkill, but my truck can tow anything, and gets great mileage too.