I have a 2003 Silverado 1/2 ton 4WD. Looking to purchase a 24' trailer weighing 4200 pounds. I am going to buy a weight distributing hitch (everyone says they help). I also ride atvs. Can I haul the trailer and put 2 atvs in my bed? They weigh together 800LBS. I have put the two in the bed many times, but not towing a trailer also. I will probably only take the trip 3 times a year. Is this possible? Buying a new truck is not an option. Please let me know. Thanks.

Not sure what the ratings are on that year model.

I have on 06 2wd and pull a 21ft toy hauler (5000lbs). Loaded with three quads, and all the stuff, I figure it to be about 7500 total. And have loaded a fourth in the bed before. Never had any problems other than gas mileage.

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If it take more than 3 bolts to hold it on, it's probably crucial.

My 04' Silverado 5.3L 4x4 pulled my 3500 pound total weight when loaded with a 200 pound atv in the bed like it wasn't there. Very easy.

You've got more weight so it may work it, but it will work.

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2007 Chevy 2500HD Silverado Crew Cab 6.0/3:73 ratio
2007 Sportsman 500 Deluxe
2007 Sportsman 500
2007 Trail Boss 330
2006 Trail Boss 330
2007 Sportsman 90
Triton ATV168 Trailer

Also, setting up that hitch properly will be a big determining factor. I would recommend the Equal-i-zer brand and make sure the truck is loaded when you set it up if that is how you are going to tow.

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2007 Chevy 2500HD Silverado Crew Cab 6.0/3:73 ratio
2007 Sportsman 500 Deluxe
2007 Sportsman 500
2007 Trail Boss 330
2006 Trail Boss 330
2007 Sportsman 90
Triton ATV168 Trailer

I've pulled my 27' fifth wheel light weight camper with two atvs on a trailer behind it.I have a half ton 4x4 with a 360 motor.That much weight on my gas burner is a lot of weight but it will pull it.The way your pulling your equipment is going to put alot of weight on you rear springs.Have you considered buying some over load springs or air bags.I think you can order this stuff out of 4x4 magazines.someone on here might could tell you a better place to get them.

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88 quadzilla,KFX 700,300 bayou,blaster,moto100,trizinger 60, honda trx90

I'll say this about the "heavy duty" shocks that came on our Silverado. They squatted more than a vegetarian at Texas chili cook off. Tossed those, and got a decent set of shocks. Looked for the spring helpers, but they only listed air bags for that year model.

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If it take more than 3 bolts to hold it on, it's probably crucial.

for your leaf springs, if you cant find over loads, put a extra leaf in each spring

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mine-02 400i manual
hers-96 425 magnum

The major problem I had towing with my 05 silverado was the rear end gearing. I was running a 3:42, and it was a little hard on the truck to tow my 7200 pound camper. If you have a 3:73 or a 4:11 you will be much better off. The best way I found to make it work was to tow in third gear and keep my speed around 60. Now pulling over a pass in Colorado, that was a different story, I wasn't real sure if things were going to hold together. Most of the time that I towed, I had an 800 pound Arctic Cat in the bed, and instead of an equilizer hitch, I used the Timbren suspension enhancement system, witch I would highly recommend.

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06 AC 500 Manual 2500# Warn Winch LE Front and rear brush guards
2007.5 Duramax 2500HD LMM
2006 26' travel trailer

It took some shopping around to find a model with the 3.73 rear end.

"City" dealers aren't really selling trucks that are made for work. More for looks. "Country" dealers are selling the trucks that are made for work and hauling.

Funny how I did find it. Was looking at a dealer who didn't have what I was looking for. But, he did have one that he had gotten from another dealer about 50 miles away. So he shows that one to me.

Maybe next time, they might want to make sure all the other dealers badging is off before they show it. Called that dealer and they had what I was looking for. And cheaper too.

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If it take more than 3 bolts to hold it on, it's probably crucial.

5000 pounds is a couple thousand pounds below your trucks towing capacity. Your a comfortable amount of weight below your max. Go ahead and tow it.

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I sold her...the R is gone...Im quadless...

You need to know a few things before you make the purchase.

Pickups generally have their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating posted in the door frame. This is the maximum total that the two axles together can weigh. There will also be a Gross Axle Weight Rating for both the front and rear axle.

GCWR is gross combined weight rating. This is the maximum weigh the truck and it's contents and any trailer can weigh together. You might find this in the owner's manual, or on line.

It would be a good idea to weigh the truck, with the tools and people in it that you will carry. You will then have a good idea of how much weight in the truck and/or trailer you can handle without being over the vehicle's ratings...

Lots of folks are a bit over their combined weight rating, with no ill effects, but I wouldn't go over any axle rating, or especially any tire's weight capacity...

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680 Rincon camo, Foreman headlight, xt30, guru bumper
500 Foreman FM green, 2500 warn
Kit Patio Hauler 295F 5th wheel
Ram 3500 Laramie quad 4wd

u r gonna have hell of a squat in truck all that weight up high in truck is gonna be hell on highway. better think about upgrades to breaks cause u wanna stop.
I've got 06 1500 ram and just my sportsman 800 made it sit low and forget bumps i mushroomed factory shocks on bottom cause she bottomed out bad.
I made dual shock setup in rear and had a friend give me factory jeep springs from his when he got a lift kit done. I welded springs onto rear diff and onto frame rails shes sits level as ever when loaded and shes got mean rake when shes not. they also act like traction bars in back and keep wheel hop down lots. Oh yeah get a rear sway bar or stablizer kit for your truck will help lots

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D.


07 Sportsman 800 Stealth

I've Heard That U Only Live Once. But,When U Have Lived Like I Have Once Is Enough!

Hachtmann, hopefully this reply isn't to late. I wouldn't do the 2 quads in the bed. You need to run the payload(as well as all the other numbers, gcvwr, etc.) However, if your trailer is 4200lbs, that means your tongue weight should max around 600-630 lbs. You may be under that, but don't count on it until the rig sees the scales. With 800 lbs of atv you are up to 1400 lbs of payload capacity used. That leaves nothing for passengers, fuel, gear, and any options your truck has over the stripped model. People run overloaded all the time, but that doesn't make it right or safe, jmho.

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Yamahaulin' in NY!

With just the trailer you'll be fine, but throwing an extra 800lbs in the back combined with the trailer tongue weight is just too much for a 1/2 ton. The Silverado 1/2 tons have one of the softest rear ends in the market. Great for highway comfort but not so good for heavy payloads. Definately throw on a set of air bags if your going to go this route. Weight distribution hitch is not even an option. You WILL need one....

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04 DS650 BajaX - HPR Stage II with some other goodies.
04 DS650 BajaX - HPR Lectron 46HV, ported intake, end cap, 15T CS, RWR 60% springs.

maybe you shouold look at a toy trailer then you'd have the best of both worlds

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ATV SAFETY INSTRUCTOR
91 WARRIOR
2004 Z400
325 TRAIL BOSS
250 TRAILBLAZER
2004 LTZ 250

25 years in the Army Reserves
1 tour in Iraq ,serving proudly