So I have a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and it squats pretty bad when pulling. I was wondering if springs from a bigger truck, like a 1500HD or 2500, would fit?

 

Are you exceeding the tongue weight limit of the truck? Pulling alone shouldn't cause your truck to "squat", unless you are loading it up with hundreds of pounds of tongue weight... With a 5th wheel, you can go up to the payload capacity of the truck, but will certainly be dropping the leaf springs. If using a receiver class III/IV hitch, the tongue weight limit will probably be be in the hundreds of pounds...

 

I pulled a 20ft car trailer three times, twice loaded with a 2000 Toyota Sienna and once with a 1996 Chevrolet 1500. I had to back the van onto it to keep most of the weight off the tongue.
I'm asking because I'm moving across the country, I have a different 16-20ft trailer that will be loaded with six early 1960s to late 1980s motorcycles. A 62 Harley Davidson Sprint, then two mid 70s Yamaha 1100s, an early 70s Yamaha 400 Special, a mid 80s Yamaha 600, and a late 80s Yamaha 650. I plan to put the heavier ones over the axles, I just didn't want to go cross country with the tongue so low.

 

Well, here is a question based on my own 2006 Silverado 1500 WT. Did your Silverado come from the factory with the towing package?

I ask because PROPERLY EQUIPPED, a 2001 Silverado 1500 *can* tow up to 10,000 pounds. BUT only for the right combination of engine, transmission, rear differential, cooling system and chassis. On paper, a 2006 like I own can tow "up to 10,100" pounds. But MY combination of standard cab, differential ratio, long bed and engine leads to a max towing capacity of 6200 pounds. *AND* they have a note in the manual that states:

Also, any payload IN THE TRUCK must be subtracted from max trailer weight:

I don't have the heavy duty suspension on the rear of my Silverado 1500, so that puts my practical limit down at 5000 pounds for the trailer.

For a 2001 Silverado 1500, not knowing the details of your vehicle, I would say that when you hauled a car trailer with a 1996 C1500 on it, you likely exceeded your towing capacity by some amount. You can get away with that if it's a short trip, but I wouldn't do it cross country.

I would look hard at the manual for your 2001 Silverado, and knowing your engine and differential (look at the RPO codes in the glove box), see what your true towing capacity is, before you head cross country and blow a transmission on the way...

My son in law has a 2008 Denali with only 14,000 miles on it (yes, a rare find!) and the 6.2L engine and the max trailering package, and has a towing capacity of about 8500 pounds. He towed our little 2012 Subaru Impreza using a U-haul car hauler, and the 1800 pounds or so of the car hauler (heavier than I would expect!) PLUS the 3600 pounds of our little Subaru was within the limit for him to save us when stranded on the side of the road 90 minutes from home. If we had been in my Silverado or C1500, we would have exceeded his towing capacity and I would not have asked him to pick us up, and would have ponied up the $400 they were asking me for the tow (versus $50 of the car hauler for 1 day).

 

I had a problem with my 2007 1500 with a 6.0 Vortec Max. I felt like the stock spring set left a bit to be desired. I did find a 2500 in the junkyard with rear springs under it. I was able to put them on with very little trouble, but it is easier with another to help. I did have to shift the fuel tank over a bit
to get the front bolt out, so I would recommend not doing it with a full tank of gas. My truck did have the whole heavy duty towing package on it and 4.10 gears.

There are some other options out there to "improve" your ride height, if you care to explore them. Keep in mind, if you do some of the upgrades you might find out there, that the 3/4 ton and 1 ton versions have at least 2 extra crossmembers IIRC along with a bit heavier frame. While the upgrades mentioned previously will keep your vehicle from "squatting", it really does not increase the designed for maxes on what you are hauling or towing.

Cheers,
Lott