Can I tow it? GMC Sierra 5.3

[afk314]

Getting down to the nitty-gritty on a deal for a 2013 25RB Serenity.

Truck
Vehicle: GMC Sierra 150 5.3L V8
Trailering: Max tow package with 3.73 ratio
Body: Double Cab
Extras: Leer Cab, Thule rack, Fly rod rack
Combined Passenger + Cargo limit: 2100#
Maximum Trailer Weight: 11,000#

Trailer (via Airstream specs for the one I am considering)
Model: 2013 25RB Intl. Serenity
GVWR: 7300# GVWR
Hitch weight: 886#

Load
Passenger: 350#
Leer + Racks: 275#
Hitch: 886#


After subtracting the Airstream spec hitch weight the two of us, the truck cap + rack system, we have ~500 lbs left. I assume the hitch will eat another 50 or more, right? We'll typically be gone for less than a week and very often be boondocking. I'll have a fair bit of fly fishing gear, a canoe, a grill, firewood, etc when we are fully loaded. Someday, I assume, a 1000w Honda generator.


I'm in Idaho and mountains are part of life. I don't need gobs of power on the climbs but I want to be very safe. I'm thinking this sounds reasonable but it does seem closer than I thought it would be. How much will I be able to store on the trailer to reduce truck load?

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Adam

[FCStreamer]

You'll be fine. Enjoy your Airstream.

[GMFL]

You will be fine. There are people on this forum that would pull that trailer over the continental divide with a VW Bettle rebuilt by CanAM, running on E85 fuel, rolling on GYM tires without a TPMS

[AirstreamCSH]

Just went through this but with a FB. The RB has a lighter tongue weight but lore is that both will be over 886# when loaded. But assuming you use a WD hitch, you can send 20pct or so of the hitch to the trailer freeing up more payload.

[Vantair]

We have a 25ft SS CCD rear queen 5300/6300 750 TW and tow with newer series 2014 GMC 1500 Denali 5.3 4X4 3.42rear. Up to Sierras and 7% grades and around seems to be very tight and well proportioned driving/handling providing WD hitch is dialed in. Grade braking in tow mode really comforting with little to no braking needed downgrade.
O
Same rig with just 1 chain link looser on WD made much more noticeable slop and porpoising by comparison. Completely different feel and rather questionable at times.

With your max tow ratings and good WD setup would think equal but you should give it a go and see where you're at. 3/4T always better for towing up/down but these newer 1500s are more capable than the ones a few years before. CanAm stated "Absolutely No Problem" with our TV and specs.

Honestly, at times think a 3/4 deisel would eliminate any pending concerns.

[Vantair]

With our 1488 TV stickered cargo cap, we place large heavier cooler, drinking water, grill in trailer over axels keeping no more than 300lb in truck bed including 95lb gen.

So far so good.

[lsbrodsky]

2100? I had not heard of a stickered payload that high on a GM 1/2 ton? Did you order anything special other than max tow to get that payload rating?

Larry

[AirstreamCSH]

We did end up trading in our Sequoia in favor of a 3/4 ton diesel after meeting many people who said that after years of traveling, that's what they did. In our case it was choosing between a 150 and a 250 as our payload was down at 1200 so we had to go with something around 2000 but I can say I understand why people said "you don't even know it's there".

[afk314]

Now you've got me wondering. I was assuming the second sticker was passengers + cargo - is that correct?

[AirstreamCSH]

Take a picture of the door sticker(s) and post it. We will explain what it says.

[afk314]

Here are some stickers with weights listed

[TylerWilcox]

Thats what I tow my 2016 27fb with. No troubles and no lack of power. Like others have said grade braking works great and it always feels very controlled. I use a blue ox wd hitch and it works as advertised.

[lsbrodsky]

You are correct, that is your payload rating. Mine is a 2012, double cab, 2WD, yours is 4WD and I have 1557 with tow package and off road(Z71). I never heard that the max tow made that much difference, especially with 4WD. Maybe they improved payload for the 2015. Any GM experts out there?

Larry

[dznf0g]

Completely different animal 2015 and forward. Mine is an LTZ, double cab, regular bed, 6.2L Maxtow and payload per sticker is 2034#.

MaxTow plusses the payload by 400# regardless if a 5.3L or a 6.2L

[lsbrodsky]

Thanks Rich, I just found that on the order guide, 400 or 500 lb boost to GVWR with max tow. Now if only the 1500 was available with a 36 gallon tank.
Larry

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

Thanks Rich, I just found that on the order guide, 400 or 500 lb boost to GVWR with max tow. Now if only the 1500 was available with a 36 gallon tank.
Larry

Interesting, I just had that 36 gallon discussion with the Brand Manager on Wednesday....along with, I want another 400# payload with MaxTow. Been pushing that for a couple years...we'll see what happens in the next Gen truck.

[lsbrodsky]

The OP has a great truck for towing an AS, except for fuel capacity. My next truck is going to require more than 26 gallons and I do not want to buy a 2500HD. I have never owned a FORD but my next truck will be a FORD 1/2 ton if GM does not match the FORD options. I am going to hold out for 2-4 years.
The OP can easily carry what he wants to carry, but he is going to need to stop for fuel on a long day of driving..that is just not consistent with the competition.

Larry

[AirstreamCSH]

You have a great truck for what you are looking to do. Only advantage diesel would have given besides exhaust brake and torque is that you could have added a titan spare tank in the bed to carry extra diesel but stopping for gas shouldn't be a drawback that messes you up. Have fun.

[afk314]

Super appreciate all of the help.

I've been dreaming of the day I have an airstream for many years, and now I'm likely just a couple of days away!

-Adam

[B00merang]

Good Morning, Adam
As a fellow Idahoan I'm gonna tell you to ignore advice from flatlanders, and go with a bigger engine if you can. I have towed my little 5,000lb 20ft FC all over (including up Vail Pass) with my 2005 Yukon and 2012 Tahoe (both with the 5.3L engine), and its not fun to sit there while you lose the power to get you up our mountains (think Rt. 21 up to Idaho City and Stanley), and listen to the constant shifting and high revving. Traded my 2005 Yukon for a used 3/4 ton Suburban. Tho nowhere as nimble as our Tahoes/Sierras, it does a much better job. This is my advice despite you'll now get a bunch of responses showing that the new 5.3L GM engines are actually more powerful than my 6 year old 6.0L. In either case, safe travels. jon