Guys I have an 05 Siverado z71 1/2 ton 4x4 with the 5.3
The bumper hitch came with it from GM. Do you guys know what the hitch is rated for ?
Easier way of asking is will it be ok pulling a 64 Chev bel air on a flat bed car trailer with this hitch? I have about a 600 mile 1 way haul

Thanks

I believe it's a class III rated at 10,000 lb. If it came with the hitch it would have the HD trailering option which included the hitch, trailer brake wiring, and auto trans cooler. I'm guessing your truck would have a tow rating of around 6,500 lb so you should be good to tow a Bel Air on an open trailer, provided the open trailer isn't over about 3,500 lb. You could go to a dealer and get a towing brochure which would give you the exact rating for your combo. You might be able to get it via the Chevy.com website via the '07 Silverado Classic.

If it's a "bumper hitch" (basically a hole in the actually bumper to install a ball) I wouldn't haul a car with it regardless of what it's rated at.... If it's a frame mounted hitch, then you'll be fine..

If it's a "bumper hitch" (basically a hole in the actually bumper to install a ball) I wouldn't haul a car with it regardless of what it's rated at.... If it's a frame mounted hitch, then you'll be fine..

I called it a bumper hitch, but is a frame mounted unit.

If it's a "bumper hitch" (basically a hole in the actually bumper to install a ball) I wouldn't haul a car with it regardless of what it's rated at.... If it's a frame mounted hitch, then you'll be fine..


Bumper ball no good, reciever hitch no problem.

Just make sure to NOT use overdrive. You will overheat your tranny. I hope you have an automatic. All the info you need is in your owner's manual.

Ya, you should be good to go then.... You're probably going to need a trailer brake controller though..They can be bought at any RV store..

I wouldn't suggest hauling it without brakes of some sort, pulling it will be easy, but stopping can be fun....

I easily towed my 67 Chevelle on a UHaul (heavy) trailer 300 miles using my 04 Silverado 1/2 ton with a 4.8L and 5 sp stick. You should have no problems.

i think it even says on the sticker in the doorjam how much it can tow.
and on a sticker on the hitch itself- but that might just be what the hitch is rated for, and not the truck.

Ya, you should be good to go then.... You're probably going to need a trailer brake controller though..They can be bought at any RV store..

I wouldn't suggest hauling it without brakes of some sort, pulling it will be easy, but stopping can be fun....

Most rental trailers have surge brakes, so no controller needed. Fun backing up though. Still the controllers are fairly inexpensive, and the truck is prewired for it anyway.

i think it even says on the sticker in the doorjam how much it can tow.
and on a sticker on the hitch itself- but that might just be what the hitch is rated for, and not the truck.

look for GCVW (gross combined vehicle weight) on door sticker

I've used my 2000 Silverado 5.3 to tow the Chevelle on an open trailer many times. You'll be fine. Do get a brake controller, it will plug right into your electrical box and then all you need to do is hang it from the dash somewhere. Be sure you pay attention to the tongue weight you place on that hitch. You want about 10% of the total towed weight up to ~500 lbs max on your Silverado's hitch. Too little tounge weight and the trailer will start whipping around, too much and the hitch could break. You can adjust the tounge weight by rolling the car fore & and aft. And, like someone already said, stay out of overdrive.

The newer GM trucks with Tow/Haul mode evidently can tow in OD without harm as long as it's not downshifting and upshifting a lot, per the owners manual. I've towed approx 5500 lb with my '02 5.3 Silverado several times in OD on fairly flat roads without problem. The tow/haul locks the converter and delays upshifts and downshifts.

The newer GM trucks with Tow/Haul mode evidently can tow in OD without harm as long as it's not downshifting and upshifting a lot, per the owners manual. I've towed approx 5500 lb with my '02 5.3 Silverado several times in OD on fairly flat roads without problem. The tow/haul locks the converter and delays upshifts and downshifts.

I dragged my 69 all the way down to CB05 in OD (with tow/haul mode) in my 5.3 (04 Yukon)... There was one point that I put it down into drive though when it got really hilly.. If the trans starts hunting for the right gear, it's going to get torn up.... Otherwise, it pulled it like a dream..:thumbsup:

Not to compare apples to oranges but I tow my 26' enclosed trailer with the 70 in it using OD all the time with the 2500HD diesel. Just click the tow mode on and go. I never took it out of OD during any of the trips to TN and make through the mountains of I-81 & I-40. The tranny in mine will not shift into OD if there is too much of a load on it anyways. Can't even feel the open trailer on it :).

My 5.3 with 3.42 rear gear in Tow/Haul mode shifts into OD 4th at 60 mph. And downshifts out of OD at 55. As long as I can keep it above 55 after it shifts into OD I'm good. Towing on I 65 in KY I can't, so I keep it in 3rd (direct 1:1) there.

I tow my 22' with the Camaro in it no problem (01 Z71 5.3). The Elky in it maybe to much?

http://www.scaldinghot.com/images/trailer.jpg

You should be fine. :thumbsup:

Not to compare apples to oranges :).

Uh, Tom...that would be right, the 2500HD is a towing monster with the Duramax/Allison combo...:thumbsup:

Thanks guys :thumbsup: