Depending on the available payload in the truck, and how much you put in the bed I am going to say probably. That Imagine has a GVWR of 7,000 pounds, which leans your loaded tongue weight will be in the 1,000 pound range. As long as the trucks available payload (yellow sticker on the door) is more than that plus the weight of whatever you put in the bed you should be good.

I think this sounds like a good match. I had a 2009 Tundra with the 5.7 and towed a 2007 Rockwood that weighed in at 7200 lbs. Tundra did great. I also towed my current 2018 297RSTS for about 8000 miles which weighed in at 9500 lbs. Did well with this trailer as well but was over payload by about 300 lbs. My tow rating was 10,100 lbs and payload was 1290 lbs.

I think you will find that this works well. Just get a good weight distribution hitch such as a Reese Straightline or similar.

Rob

We use a 2011 Silverado LT with the 5.3L engine. It has the towing package with a 3.42 posi rear end. The truck is low mileage (less than 50k km/ 31k miles) - the truck is rated to tow 9,600 pounds. We bought a new 2150rb in August 2019 and I was shocked how much more difficult it was to tow than the 2008 Crossroads ST19ck we used to have. The GVWR for the 2150rb is 6,700 pounds and the GVRW for the ST19ck is 6,825 pounds. The big difference between the two is that loaded with everything we need the Crossroads came in at around 5,000 pounds while I believe the 2150rb to be around 6,000 loaded. The GD has a greater frontal area and is longer but I thought some of that might be offset by the larger wheels (less rolling resistance) on the GD compared to the Crossroads. While our truck can and does tow the 2150rb reasonably well, as soon as you get the least little headwind the truck struggles to find a gear that it doesn't have. Where I live is very flat so terrain is not an issue. The mileage towing between the two trailers is also markedly different. With the Crossroads I would average about 25L/100 km (9.4 mpg) and with the 2150rb I average about 31L/100 km (7.6 mpg). I am not sure why the disparity unless there is something wrong with the new trailer.

Given that you are looking at a similarly spec'd trailer and a similarly spec'd truck I would make sure that you have more than a 6 speed automatic. I would also consider a truck with a bit more grunt. I am considering going to a GM with 6.2L engine or a RAM 2500 with the 6.4L engine. Both are rated to tow over 10,000 pounds. Having had towed the Crossroads in the past with a Honda Ridgeline I can assure you that you don't want to be towing anything close to the rated towing limit. The advice I've heard says don't exceed 80% or the rated tow limit. I'm sure others will have similar or different stories to tell.

Tom

While this thread seems to be mostly about sizing a trailer to fit an already owned tow vehicle, I just want to remined any of the viewers that may be considering a new tow vehicle to consider torque. This doesn't necessarily been going to a diesel engine, but if there are axel/driveshafts options offered on the truck your looking at consider the one that gives you the higher torque.

Tommytec,

The 9600 lb tow rating for the 2011 truck seems high since this a PFI engine which had much lower power and torque than the newer SIDI engines that were introduced in 2014. A 2014 truck with the 5.3L and 3.42:1 final drive would tow around 9600 lbs.

I looked online and am seeing the 9600 lb (max advertised) rating where I'm surprised to see that on the 2011 truck.

Jim

Midwest,

I wasn't aware of the fuel injection change but I guess GM has to make progress periodically.The part that really gets me is approximately 1,000 pounds and about 10% more frontal area changed the towing dynamics drastically. Only problem now is that a new truck costs about twice what it did in 2011 and my salary hasn't kept pace. I guess the 335 pound feet of torque isn't cutting it.

Tom

tommytek,

Are you using the tow haul feature? Active Tow Haul would pick a more adequate gear and should reduce hunting.

What vehicle speed, gear and engine RPM are you typically seeing when you tow?

You may also want to check your trailers brakes for unnecessary drag or for any unusual trailer tire wear.

Todays 5.3L for the most part has the identical power and torque curve of the L96 6.0 HD engine to give you a reference on the improvement. It is unfortunate and sad how expensive vehicle are becoming. The GM 6.2L is a rocket and would tow your rig effortlessly. It is premium recommended (not required) so keep this in mind should you make a move.

Jim

I think I will take the 2011 Silver in for a once over/tune-up. The truck is 9 years old now and still has same tires, battery, and pretty much everything else that came with it. This year for sure, new LT rires, new battery. The trans dipstick shaft was changed out 3 years ago after it broke - I had the trans fluid and filter changed at that time as well.

I always use tow/haul mode when towing. I try to keep the speed between 90kmh - 110kph (55 - 70 mph). The problem is if I get any kind of head wind, I'm revving about 3500 rpm and it feels like the transmission is looking for a gear it doesn't have. Still I would think that 335 pounds torque is sufficient to tow on the mostly flat land where I live (the trailer is about 6200# loaded). Just the wife and I in the cab. All gear in the trailer.

Can't afford new truck yet.

I have a slightly more conservative view. The 2250 RK has a UVW of 5546. Let's say your particular unit comes in at 5800. If you put 1000 lbs of stuff in there you are at 6800. 13% tongue weight of 6800 with a WDH is 884 lbs.

Definitely check the trucks hitch weight rating. I do think with a properly setup WDH you could come in at or below 900 lbs tongue weight.

Pulled a very similar trailer that weighed in at 7200 lbs loaded with a 2006 Sierra. It pulled much the same as what you describe. Seems to me like you have a good setup as long as your WDH is dialed in properly.

Rob