Do I have enough truck to pull a 5th wheel trailer?
Asked by Stevevan1 Jun 16, 2017 at 10:17 AM about the 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE Ext. Cab 4WD
Question type: General
I have a GMC Sierra 1500. Some specs I have are: 5.3L V8 SFI, w/6
speed auto transmission (w/ cooling system), 4WD Ext cab and standard
box. It also has the heavy duty trailering package (code K5L and Z82),
engine oil cooler and high performance suspension package. I am really
confused by what I have seen on the web. I have seen ratings from 6000 to
11000 pounds. Is this enough truck to pull a 5th wheel trailer with a dry
weight of 8600 pounds. Thank you so much for any help.
8 Answers
To be honest,your truck towing capacity is only 5500 and tops out at 6500,sure the truck will pull it but would be damaging to the drive train,
Get a 3/4 ton truck for that load.
No it is not enough truck. The weight of the trailer isn't the issue here. What is the issue is the design of a 5th wheel carries a lot more pin weight, than a bumper trailer carries as tongue weight. Because of this factor, you must consider your truck's payload capacity, and you simply do not have enough in a 1/2 ton class truck. Even the "1/2 ton towable" 5th wheels are really in 3/4 ton truck area. Most 5th wheels should be pulled with a dually.
What about with a 5th wheel trailer that's about 4,800 lbs dry weight? It's 26 feet long. Any chance a 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 6.0L V8 with tow package would be adequate? It says the towing capacity is up to 6,400. We already have the truck and picked up a 1991 Dutchmen 5th wheel for a really good deal without realizing that the truck might not be able to handle it. Would really love to make this work, but not if it's unsafe.
*Towing capacity is up to 6,100, not 6,400. Sorry for the typo!
