Hey there,

I'm wondering what the legitimate tow capacity of the 1500 is? I am seeing around 7000LB which I
find hard to believe. I imagine it could pull it, but how will it do on hills and twisty roads.
Any first hand experience would be appreciated.......

 

What are you towing? Is it all in the truck bed or behind the truck via the frame hitch and a trailer?

Whatever you're towing, it's not recommended that you tow using overdrive if you have an automatic transmission.

Lastly, what gears are in the rear differential (also, what size tires) and is the truck 2WD or 4WD?

 

1500 4X2 5.9 46RE is 8100 lbs trailer weight, 4X4 is 7700. You may look up some of the old post on this subject as this question does come up.

 

A 5.9 1500 will tow 7K fine.

 

Thank you for responding. It would be a tow behind travel trailer I have a 255 70 R17.
I am unsure of the gear ratio. I haven't changed it. It is two wheel drive

 

As others have stated, the truck will tow your load. Looks like you've added 31" tall tires onto the 17" wheels. If you are running the most likely 3.55 gears in the rear axle, you will likely notice sluggishness with a take-off from a stop light and sluggishness on hills. Just be sure to perform the necessary maintenance on the 46RE transmission (routine fluid changes and band adjustments) and you should be fine. Lastly, check to ensure that you have an auxiliary transmission cooler installed (if you have the factory tow package, you should have one on the truck) to keep the transmission from getting too hot.

 

Do NOT pull your trailer in O/D. Always put the truck in tow/haul mode. Your transmission, and wallet.... will thank you.

 

This is actually in the owners manual that nobody reads, At least the part about not towing with OD.

 

There is the ability to get the load moving and then there is how white your knuckles turn from the death grip you put on the steering wheel in sketchy situations. Hilly country will be the worst. Hopefully you have a trailer brake setup with that much weight. Stopping power and the power to pull the continental divide at 70MPH will probably what you will wish you had more of, I'd imagine unless you are in flat lands going slow on the backroads. It's a load a bigger truck would be better suited to haul but if you are careful you could make it happen.