I bought a 2014 Silverado Crewcab with the L83 5.3 engine. the truck has a towing package with Axle is 3.08. Looking through tons of specifications i cannot find anywhere that this truck with that rear end is recommended for pulling a fifth wheel. I found data for a conventional tow for trailers, but nothing about pulling a fifth wheel. I also found my Sticker in the doorway that calls for occupants and cargo not to exceed 1722 lbs. However in other chevy documents the truck spec's say GVWR 12200 lbs,Payload of 2007 lbs.
My question is, does Chevy recommend or discourage pulling a fifth wheel with 3.08 gears. What is the correct trailing capacity for my truck

 

I was not aware that GM made a 5.1L engine. Are you sure it is not a 5.3L V8 instead?

Assuming this to be the case (5.3L), that would mean that your truck is a 1500 Series and NOT a heavy-duty model.

I am not into towing things, but I believe that towing via a fifth-wheel is best left to HD 2500 and 3500 trucks. I have never seen anyone use a half-ton truck for such purposes.

P.S. A 3.08:1 axle seems a bit too tall for towing anything heavy.

 

What's the weight of the 5th wheel trailer.

 

I've been seeing a lot of half tons pulling goose necks and fifth wheels here in Texas that passed couple of years, mainly Toyota Tundras and F-150s. It all comes down to how heavy the trailer is. Personally I wouldn't pull a fifth wheel with a half-ton. If you decide to, buy airbags to install on the axle, makes it much more stable pulling.

 

Give this link a read and put in your number to see what they say...
Report back with what you find
RV Tow Check | Towing Guide Eliminator


The 3.08 is usually found in PPV or Police Pursuit Vehicles and is not rated for any heavy towing as the gears are rated for higher speed and not weight....
Higher gear numbers mean lower gearing for more wight less speed, where as lower gear numbers mean higher gearing for less weight more speed...






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great link.


my co-worker tows a fifth wheel with his ford ranger. He thinks it can do this because he added air bags to the rear springs. Legally, there is nothing you can add to any vehicle that will increase its towing capacity. As previously mentioned; all these products are designed to provide a more stable pull within your limit.

 

Most laws and rules are put into place to protect the weakest link(s)
But yeah I could see how you could tow a 5th wheel with a Ford Ranger, if its all flat land short distance mostly highway... I see that as do-able, its probably a bit harder on the vehicle but if its an every now and then event , why invest in a 3/4 ton when its really not needed 90% of the time....

 

There is always this option....
Just pull the 5th wheel backwards with a receiver hitch....problem solved...sheer genius....

LiveLeak.com - Pulling 5th wheel camper with bumper hitch

 

gonna show that clip to my co-worker...lol

 

I have seen a lot of questions about what a vehicle can tow. Trailerlife.com has guides that are very accurate.

Trailer Towing Guides | Trailer Life Magazine