Ya, who needs a 3/4 ton truck until you pull a hill with that small 5.3 motor. I have the firestone ride rite bags and upgraded my receiver to a Curt class 5. I love them both on my Duramax.
As long as anyone stays within the factory ratings there is absolutely no risk to the truck, which has a 9,600lb tow rating. 3/4 ton (gas) trucks for 2011 only had 12,000lb towing, older trucks were only rated for 10,000lbs. Hitch and air bags on that truck allow it handle the full 9,600lbs that the factory says it can, which IS nearly the same as any older 3/4 ton. New 1/2 tons are rated at near 11,000lbs.
I have a 2001 Ford F150 Crew Cab my baby in a 2000 F350 7.3 crew cab that my old man let me have and trust me that Ford F 350 was no faster with that one car hauler on it then my F150 loaded down going up hills. I prefer the F150 a lot smoother though less maintenance
Being all the numbers on the door are based off engineering, no you can pull way more then that. My 05 isnt rated for half the stuff i pull but i do it without issue. Also, you do get weird looks pulling a 40ft goosneck with a 1500. Just it does it without issue with a 14,000lbs tractor loaded
Your half ton's GVWR stays the same regardless of your upgraded trailer hitch or airbags. Your 1/2 ton probably only has a 6200 or so lbs GVWR from factory. My 2001 Ford F350 has a GVWR of 9900 lbs. My truck's curb weight is 7400 lbs so I've got 2500 lbs of remaining payload remaining before the trucks axles, springs, frame etc is jeopardized. 1/2 tons are frigging useless for any real truck use in my opinion. I wouldn't settle for anything less than a 1 ton single rear wheel truck for any real truck use or towing trailers safely. Whether it's gas or diesel, the 1 ton will be far safer to tow with than a brand new 1/2 ton ever can. What a truck can tow on paper means nothing, it's what the thing can actually handle in the real world that matters. Your 1/2 ton will run out of GVWR far before it reaches it's on paper towing capacity.
sirkingdra my 2007 GMC Sierra has a tow rating of 10,000. after towing with any 1500 I would not tow over 7500lbs safety. I live in the mountains and step switch backs. I have towed on flat trips
sirkingdra You do realise those numbers are based upon engineering numbers. I have a 2005 silverado 1500 z71 extended cab and ive pulled 18,000lbs for 150 miles without issue. I even use it with a goosneck no issues.
sirkingdra my 1500 with a 4.8l and a 4l60e and 3:23 tows a 7000# trailer every weekend up and down steeps grades. To trailer-brake controller. I just manually shift and it’s had no problems for 6 Years now.
Ya, who needs a 3/4 ton truck until you pull a hill with that small 5.3 motor. I have the firestone ride rite bags and upgraded my receiver to a Curt class 5. I love them both on my Duramax.
Big Fern being that the 6.0L and the 5.3L put roughly the same numbers. No, there wont be an issue.
Big Fern do you use a weight distribution hitch with your ride rite bags?
As long as anyone stays within the factory ratings there is absolutely no risk to the truck, which has a 9,600lb tow rating.
3/4 ton (gas) trucks for 2011 only had 12,000lb towing, older trucks were only rated for 10,000lbs.
Hitch and air bags on that truck allow it handle the full 9,600lbs that the factory says it can, which IS nearly the same as any older 3/4 ton.
New 1/2 tons are rated at near 11,000lbs.
I have a 2001 Ford F150 Crew Cab my baby in a 2000 F350 7.3 crew cab that my old man let me have and trust me that Ford F 350 was no faster with that one car hauler on it then my F150 loaded down going up hills. I prefer the F150 a lot smoother though less maintenance
The biggest thing I worry about is brakes I have the same truck and I don’t believe my brakes are up to par
I will say fuel mileage is better on diesel
Being all the numbers on the door are based off engineering, no you can pull way more then that. My 05 isnt rated for half the stuff i pull but i do it without issue. Also, you do get weird looks pulling a 40ft goosneck with a 1500. Just it does it without issue with a 14,000lbs tractor loaded
Your half ton's GVWR stays the same regardless of your upgraded trailer hitch or airbags. Your 1/2 ton probably only has a 6200 or so lbs GVWR from factory. My 2001 Ford F350 has a GVWR of 9900 lbs. My truck's curb weight is 7400 lbs so I've got 2500 lbs of remaining payload remaining before the trucks axles, springs, frame etc is jeopardized. 1/2 tons are frigging useless for any real truck use in my opinion. I wouldn't settle for anything less than a 1 ton single rear wheel truck for any real truck use or towing trailers safely. Whether it's gas or diesel, the 1 ton will be far safer to tow with than a brand new 1/2 ton ever can. What a truck can tow on paper means nothing, it's what the thing can actually handle in the real world that matters. Your 1/2 ton will run out of GVWR far before it reaches it's on paper towing capacity.
sirkingdra my 2007 GMC Sierra has a tow rating of 10,000. after towing with any 1500 I would not tow over 7500lbs safety. I live in the mountains and step switch backs. I have towed on flat trips
sirkingdra You do realise those numbers are based upon engineering numbers. I have a 2005 silverado 1500 z71 extended cab and ive pulled 18,000lbs for 150 miles without issue. I even use it with a goosneck no issues.
sirkingdra my 1500 with a 4.8l and a 4l60e and 3:23 tows a 7000# trailer every weekend up and down steeps grades. To trailer-brake controller. I just manually shift and it’s had no problems for 6 Years now.