Tow Capacity Confusion
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CF Beginner
Joined: Dec 2024
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Tow Capacity Confusion
Figuring Out Towing and Hitch Weight Capacity
Wife and I are looking to buy our first trailer and for the life of me I can't find a straight answer on these VIN decoders or inside of my owners manual. I'm also missing a sticker that tells my my specs on towing, hitch weight etc. What I do have is included in the photos below Any help is appreciated! Pictures attached.
CF Beginner
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 18
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Hello and welcome,
You didnt mention if the trailer is a standard tow behind or a fifth wheel so ill assume its a standard tow behind because they are more common. Based on the info you provided, the following are things to focus on.
I highly recommend a weight distribution hitch instead of just a "dead weight" ball hitch. It would give you a max trailer weight of 9200lbs and a max tongue weight on the hitch of 920lbs.
You also have to consider that the max combined weight of the truck including people/cargo (890lbs. max) and the trailer is less than 12,000lbs total.
That being said, as a general rule you never want to tow at the max for any vehicle so i try to stay at 80% of max or less. In this case it breaks down to 10,600lbs combined weight, about 7500lbs trailer weight, and about 750lbs tongue weight on the hitch.
The only other tip is to make sure you have a trailer brake control system to cut down the strain on your trucks brake system, and it also gives you better handling and control when combined with the weight distributing hitch.
Hope this helps!
You didnt mention if the trailer is a standard tow behind or a fifth wheel so ill assume its a standard tow behind because they are more common. Based on the info you provided, the following are things to focus on.
I highly recommend a weight distribution hitch instead of just a "dead weight" ball hitch. It would give you a max trailer weight of 9200lbs and a max tongue weight on the hitch of 920lbs.
You also have to consider that the max combined weight of the truck including people/cargo (890lbs. max) and the trailer is less than 12,000lbs total.
That being said, as a general rule you never want to tow at the max for any vehicle so i try to stay at 80% of max or less. In this case it breaks down to 10,600lbs combined weight, about 7500lbs trailer weight, and about 750lbs tongue weight on the hitch.
The only other tip is to make sure you have a trailer brake control system to cut down the strain on your trucks brake system, and it also gives you better handling and control when combined with the weight distributing hitch.
Hope this helps!
CF Active Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 108
Likes: 11
I found this info in gm service info document # 4860886 for a 1500 Series 4WD Double Cab Standard Box from your vin, you have a 5.3L, six speed trans and 3.42 axle ratio. The first weight is max trailer weight and the second weight is gross combined weight rating. This info is from the owners manual, there is more information in the manual under towing. hope this helps.
3 221 kg (7,100 lb)
5 806 kg (12,800 lb)
3 175 kg (7,000 lb)
5 806 kg (12,800 lb)
2 812 kg (6,200 lb)
5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
2 767 kg (6,100 lb)
5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
4 173 kg (9,200 lb)
6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
4 082 kg (9,000 lb)
6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
- 4.3L V6 – Conventional Trailer
3 221 kg (7,100 lb)
5 806 kg (12,800 lb)
- 4.3L V6 – Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel
3 175 kg (7,000 lb)
5 806 kg (12,800 lb)
- 5.3L V8
2 812 kg (6,200 lb)
5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
- 5.3L V8 – Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel
2 767 kg (6,100 lb)
5 443 kg (12,000 lb)
- 5.3L V8 – Conventional Trailer
4 173 kg (9,200 lb)
6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
- 5.3L V8 – Gooseneck/Fifth Wheel
4 082 kg (9,000 lb)
6 804 kg (15,000 lb)
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