Hi everyone,

I'm just curious about my max tow capacity. At stock, it is rated at 9500 lbs. in the manual. But, since I put on a 6 inch pro-comp lift and 35x12.50R20 (20x10 moto metals) tires I figure it's probably dropped to 8500 lbs???

What do you guys think? I have the 5.4 engine with 3.73 gears with edge on level 2. It has the 7200 lb. GVWR if that matters.

Thanks,
Radar

 

In general, it's lowered it...

But, what kind of trailer? Lots of difference between a #9500 boat and a #9500 travel trailer..

Tongue weight and wind resistance is the biggest difference. The boat might have #600 TW and the TT might have #1200 TW...

Go by what you have left for PAYLOAD and not what the "Tow Rating" is...

You've reduced your effective gear ratio a good amount, so figure out how many rpms you've lost at a particular speed and what gear you want to be in.

Those new wheels and tires are probably heavier than the stock ones, so that reduces your payload... More rolling resistance. Higher center of gravity.

Good luck!

Mitch

 

Thanks, hopefully I can tow 8000 lbs. safely.

 

What kind of towing to you do? Flat lands or mountains? I tow a 6000 pound tt with axles regeared to 4.56 and I don't consider it exceptional. Good luck man and hopefully it works out for you.

 

There is no way i'd tow 8k lbs with 35's and 3.73's with the 4 speed trans. I'd regear the diffs before towing that load.

I also wouldn't tow that with out a TBC especially with 35's.

 

I'm in Florida....so primarily flat. Here in Tallahasee there are lots of hilly areas but not nothing really. I also do have a TBC installed in my truck. One day I plan to regear to 4.56's.

 

The flat towing may be the thing that makes it doable.

 

An 8000# trailer will almost definitely put you over max payload.

Load up the truck with everything you will have in it when towing (people, equipment, etc.) and fill the gas tank, go run it over a truck stop scale. Subtract the weight from 7200# and that's your max tongue weight. Multiply that by 12% to get an approximation of max trailer weight.

 

Holy cow....UPDATE- I was helping a friend move and we loaded his 25' 0r 27 ' (can't remember exact size) enclosed trailer. After we loaded it and drove 30 miles I stopped at the weigh station and the trailer weighed in at 9800 lbs!! It was only household goods and I guessed it was only around 6000-7000 lbs. It was just me in the truck and nothing in the bed. But, it got us there safely...I just had NO idea the trailer weighed that much. My truck was squatted down pretty good but nowhere near rubbing or anything. After leaving the weigh station I took it extra slow and easy...thank goodness I have a trailer brake controller. I'm also thankful I upgraded to ceramic brake pads and slotted rotors to give my truck more braking ability after I lifted it.

I was pretty worried about my truck when we got the trailer off but everything seems normal...this is my daily driver and I can't tear it up. Should I go ahead and get the transmission flushed?

 

When towing heavy, it's a good idea to exchange the tranny fluid every 30k.

 

I plan to shortly...I hardly ever tow. Especially something that weighs so much.