Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

[four winns 214]

I just bought a new 2011 Silverado extended cab pick up with a trailering package. The owner's manual lists the trailer weight capability of the truck, as equipped, as 9,600 pounds. I just looked at the factory-installed trailer hitch and it has a placard on it saying its weight limit for "Weight Carrying" hitches is 5,000 pounds (600 pounds tongue weight) and for "Weight Distributing" hitches it is 10,000 pounds (1,000 pounds tongue weight). So it appears that if I want to tow more than 5,000 pounds and remain within manufacturer limits, I'll need a weight distributing hitch.

Here's my question: I currently own a boat/trailer combination that weighs 6,000 pounds. I cannot recall seeing any vehicle using a weight distributing hitch when towing or launching my class of boat. I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat (pun intended!). If you are in a similar situation, how are you dealing with it?

The truck I just replaced had an aftermarket hitch with a 6,000 pound weight limit. I have to say the aftermarket hitch appears to be much beefier than the factory-installed one on my new truck.

 

[Philster]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

You hitch up to the 5k rated factory hitch (like everyone else does).... or you go get a proper hitch.

But the 9600 lb tow rating makes for good ads and commercials -- doesn't it?!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

You hitch up to the 5k rated factory hitch (like everyone else does).... or you go get a proper hitch.

But the 9600 lb tow rating makes for good ads and commercials -- doesn't it?!

Getting a bigger/better hitch does nothing for the rest of the vehicle. The hitch is NOT the limiting factor for that rating, it is the weak rear suspension. The hitch itself is obviously plenty strong, if it can be used for 10k with WD.

If you are going to be putting on significant miles on, get yourself some airbags for the back of the truck. Otherwise if its relatively short trips, do as Philster suggests, hook up and go!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

I bought a reese titan reciever for my truck.... rated at 18,000 lbs..... you don't need that much but absolutely buy the proper hitch... not only is the hitch stronger but by being more rigid it will put less stress on the frame.... I have seen more than one factory hitch fail due to overloading and I've seen frame damage that could have been avoided just the same..... not to mention all the scary things that the law could do to you if the worst should happen.


after all that then sure bags would be a nice upgrade but the hitch is far more important

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

Change the hitch. If you go with air bags it is something else to fail. rather then air bags you can go to helper springs. try a new hitch first.You might not need anything else to do the job.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

Change the hitch. If you go with air bags it is something else to fail. rather then air bags you can go to helper springs. try a new hitch first.You might not need anything else to do the job.

At least in my opinion, the hitch isn't the issue.. Weight distribution systems put far more stress on the hitch than a typical setup. According to the ratings, the hitch is good for almost double the weight of the boat. That implies the limiting factor has nothing to do with the hitch, but instead implies the extra rear weight of not running a WD system is the limit.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

actually wdh puts LESS stress on the hitch and the rear portion of the frame than weight carrying

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

Just get the distributing hitch. You'll be legal, safer, and your insurance will actually cover you.

 

[DJ]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

I just bought a new 2011 Silverado extended cab pick up with a trailering package. The owner's manual lists the trailer weight capability of the truck, as equipped, as 9,600 pounds. I just looked at the factory-installed trailer hitch and it has a placard on it saying its weight limit for "Weight Carrying" hitches is 5,000 pounds (600 pounds tongue weight) and for "Weight Distributing" hitches it is 10,000 pounds (1,000 pounds tongue weight). So it appears that if I want to tow more than 5,000 pounds and remain within manufacturer limits, I'll need a weight distributing hitch.

Here's my question: I currently own a boat/trailer combination that weighs 6,000 pounds. I cannot recall seeing any vehicle using a weight distributing hitch when towing or launching my class of boat. I'm sure I'm not the only one in this boat (pun intended!). If you are in a similar situation, how are you dealing with it?

The truck I just replaced had an aftermarket hitch with a 6,000 pound weight limit. I have to say the aftermarket hitch appears to be much beefier than the factory-installed one on my new truck.

.

You are correct, a Class III reciever (hitch) has a maximum tow rating of 5K#. That is based on the hitch mount and the Drawbar (the part you put into the reciever with the ball attached).

Your vehicle may very well have a 9600# tow rating, But, there are disclaimers-such as:

1. A class IV-V hitch may be required to tow over 5000#

2. Trailer brakes may be required over 3,000 #.

3. Trailer "equalizing" equiment may be needed for loads over 5K#.

4. Vehicle load not to exceed XXXXX pounds (GVWR) and GCWR.

Your BEST source of information is NOT here, it's in your Owners Manual. Imagine that????

But, we're all smarter than that-right? WRONG!!!!!! They don't print those because they want to.

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

actually wdh puts LESS stress on the hitch and the rear portion of the frame than weight carrying

If that were always true the vehicle manufacturers would be encouraging the use of wdh on unibody constructed vehicles rather than prohibiting it. Torsional stresses on the hitch mounting points are reduced when you start to tension the spring bars, but as you continue tightening you can produce a greater torque in the opposite direction. Minimum torsional stress is achieved when the effective load point is directly under the hitch mounts, and equal and opposite torsion may happen while the effective load point is still behind the rear axle. If you try to make the front and rear axles squat equally, your effective load point needs to be significantly forward of the rear axle and torsional stress will be much greater than in a weight carrying situation.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

if you try to completely level a heavily loaded vehicle with a wdh, you are using it improperly
the receiver itself is rated for (give or take) twice the load with a wdh, not just the tow vehicle.

We are not talking about unibody cars here and they are nor relevant at all to the o/p's question.

the rear suspension of a TRUCK is designed to support more of the weight of the cargo or trailer than the front axle but the wdh does transfer some weight forward..... If set up properly it should effectively center the tongue weight at or near the rear axle... In that instance the front should not squat much if at all but it will also not unload from the tongue weight either

example, My truck when empty puts about IIRC 4700 lbs on the front 2 tires and about 4700 lbs on the 4 rear tires.... with a heavy trailer I could have an 1800 lb tongue weight which would take maybe around 900 lbs (W.A.G.) off of the front tires and transfer that to the rear thus taking the rear from 4700 to 7400 lbs.... with the WDH transferring that 900 back to the front the rear supports only 6500 and the front suspension doesn't top out on bumps causing a rough ride.... I also have bags set up with an auto level valve (off a 69 eldorado ) to level the rear suspension.... mainly just to keep my headlights from blinding other drivers.

EDIT: I missed DJ's post before..... ABSOLUTELY the truth!.....

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

.
Your BEST source of information is NOT here, it's in your Owners Manual. Imagine that????

Before I posted here, I read the manual. I understand PERFECTLY what the published limitations are. Imagine that. And apparently you failed to comprehend the question. It wasn't what are the limits or how to find them, the question was how do others in a similar situation deal with this issue.

There is no mention whatsoever in the owner's manual that a weight distributing hitch is required to achieve the published trailer weight ratings. Only when one reads the placard on the hitch, which is partially obscured by a trim piece on my particular vehicle, does one find the limits of the hitch installed.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

Forgive me guys but I don't know Chevy Pickups, are we talking a 1/2 ton truck?

Four Winns if I were you I would take this truck back to where I bought it and ask them for a detailed explanation as to why a truck they sold is factory rated to tow 9600 lbs but is factory equipped with a 5000 lb hitch? And what they plan to do about it.

You purchased a tow package equipped vehicle and they have not upheld their obligations, they have short sold you hoping you wouldn't notice, in fact I would venture to guess you may have a pretty good legal case if you were so inclined (I'm no lawyer just my opinion in a small claims court situation) seems pretty simple you purchased a truck with a tow package and the truck is in fact NOT rated to tow what the Factory claims. I wonder if the disclaimers that DJ cited are in the Owners Manual ? Just something to think about.

As for a Solution, I think once you get the proper hitch you will be fine your boat and mine are similar in weight the biggest difference is I have 1 ton Diesel trucks so I am way over trucked for towing my boat, but realistically once were sure you have the right setup you probably don't need a WD hitch and airbags would probably be more of a convenience then anything else but personally I have airbags on both my trucks and I can speak for them, when comparing them to helper springs I would pay the extra money and get the airbags they are far and away superior, easier to manage your load and easier to drive.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

It's not a question of can you TOW it. The real question is can you BRAKE it. Unless you can stop it, you shouldn't tow it. Amazing how OEMs leave out this little gem.

V

 

[Titanium48]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

Forgive me guys but I don't know Chevy Pickups, are we talking a 1/2 ton truck?

Four Winns if I were you I would take this truck back to where I bought it and ask them for a detailed explanation as to why a truck they sold is factory rated to tow 9600 lbs but is factory equipped with a 5000 lb hitch? And what they plan to do about it.

You purchased a tow package equipped vehicle and they have not upheld their obligations, they have short sold you hoping you wouldn't notice, in fact I would venture to guess you may have a pretty good legal case if you were so inclined (I'm no lawyer just my opinion in a small claims court situation) seems pretty simple you purchased a truck with a tow package and the truck is in fact NOT rated to tow what the Factory claims. I wonder if the disclaimers that DJ cited are in the Owners Manual ? Just something to think about.

As for a Solution, I think once you get the proper hitch you will be fine your boat and mine are similar in weight the biggest difference is I have 1 ton Diesel trucks so I am way over trucked for towing my boat, but realistically once were sure you have the right setup you probably don't need a WD hitch and airbags would probably be more of a convenience then anything else but personally I have airbags on both my trucks and I can speak for them, when comparing them to helper springs I would pay the extra money and get the airbags they are far and away superior, easier to manage your load and easier to drive.

There was no misrepresentation involved. The receiver IS rated for 10,000 lb - you just need to use a weight distributing hitch. This is a good idea anyways if you're loading more than 500 lb of tongue weight onto a half-ton truck. As for braking, requirements vary by jurisdiction but all require brakes on a trailer over 3500 lb. The manufacturer and the dealer shouldn't need to explain this. If both the truck and the trailer brakes are working properly, the combination will stop just fine (unless you have a heavy trailer with electric trailer brakes and a cheap "time based" controller).

The only slimy (but not illegal) thing that might have happened is an artificially low GCWR that assumes no load in the truck beyond the driver. This wouldn't affect the OP anyways as his boat is 3600 lb below the towing limit.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

An interesting day. While on an errand, I spotted a late model Ford F-150 in a parking lot with nearly the same configuration as my Chevy Silverado truck: 4x4, extended cab (crew cab, actually). I looked at the placard on its factory hitch and the limits were nearly identical to my truck: 5,000 pounds weight carrying and 11,500 weight distribution. So I'm not the only person with this problem. But people around here must simply ignore the published limitations on their hitch, because at the ramp, I have not seen one single weight distributing hitch on my class of boat.

I looked on the Internet for aftermarket hitches (Reese and Draw-Tite) and the highest capacity hitch available for my model of truck is 6,000 pounds (900 tongue) for weight carrying and 10,500 pounds (1,050 tongue) for weight distribution.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

I have a 2000 1/2 T Chevy Silverado pickup and I tow the boat in my signature that can be in the ballpark of 6500 lbs. I use an equilizing hitch on it. I tried a short trip without the equilizing hitch once and it was not fun. The equilizing hitch makes it way more pleasurable to drive.

Before this truck I towed the same boat with a 3/4T Suburban but opted to go non equilizing but changed the hitch out to a receiver rated at 8000lbs. The 3/4T truck handled the tounge weight easily.

I have electric/hydraulic brakes on my trailer so I don't have the surge brake/ equilizing hitch issues. With surge brakes, I do know that certain types of equilizing hitches are better than others.

I have not done it yet but plan on changing out the stock hitch to a heavier duty one. When I had the aftermarket hitch installed on my Suburban, the installer showed me a pile of GM hitches he has replaced out in his back lot. He claims he has seen many fail. You have a 2011 so the hitch may be better/different with your newer body style than mine.

.

You are correct, a Class III reciever (hitch) has a maximum tow rating of 5K#. That is based on the hitch mount and the Drawbar (the part you put into the reciever with the ball attached).

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Chevrolet/Silverado/2001/13322.html?vehicleid=2001208758
http://www.etrailer.com/Ball-Mounts/Curt/D-4.html


I always found it interesting that the hitches put on the GM 1/2T Pickups with the towing package are 5000lb dead weight but nearly all Class 3 hitches available for it are rated 6000lbs.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

I have not done it yet but plan on changing out the stock hitch to a heavier duty one.......You have a 2011 so the hitch may be better/different with your newer body style than mine........I always found it interesting that the hitches put on the GM 1/2T Pickups with the towing package are 5000lb dead weight but nearly all Class 3 hitches available for it are rated 6000lbs.

I may also discard my factory hitch. The Draw-Tite hitch on my old truck is 6,000 pound rated and seems to be MUCH beefier.

It seems unbelievable, but starting with the new body style in 2007, aftermarket trailer hitch capability went DOWN. For the old body style, one can purchase a Draw-Tite that has a 12,000 pound weight rating and a 14,000 pound distribution rating.

One would think that a GM factory hitch would be superior, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

It seems unbelievable, but starting with the new body style in 2007, aftermarket trailer hitch capability went DOWN.

Could be a number of reasons from how the new trucks are designed or there just isn't enough market right now to manufacture a newer design in heavier duty weights. We are in a recession after all. My hitch for my Suburban was custom made to sit closer up into the body. It was so much beefier than what the truck came with yet much cleaner look.

As I said before, use an equilizing hitch. You have almost identical length weight to my boat. Mine has 80 gallons of fuel. The towing is so much better with the equilizing hitch. If you have surge brakes on your trailer, you unfortunately can not use a sway control without a special adapter welded to the trailer.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Vehicle Towing Weight Limit

There was no misrepresentation involved. The receiver IS rated for 10,000 lb - you just need to use a weight distributing hitch.

Where does it say that? is that in the Owners Manual or something in the "fine" Print? Not trying to be a jerk I'm just wondering if I missed that part? If its clearly spelled out then thats the way it is, but if its not then I would have a pretty big issue with it you know?