I am getting ready to buy a 5th wheel that weighs in at 9000 lbs dry weight, not sure if my truck as it is will handle it, I currently own a 2004 GMC sierra 1500 with 5.3 v8, have any idea whether this truck will haul something that big? If not capable as is, can alterations to springs, suspension ect make any difference?

Hi, what I've noticed with the 5.3L Vortec is it's fast in an empty truck but not as torky towing a trailer. The 5.3L can out run a 6.0L empty but with a trailer, the 6.0L pulls much better especially near the maximum tow capacity of a truck. I'd say that 9000#'s is a little too heavy for a 1500 with a 5.3L. When you get much above 7000#'s with a 1/2 ton you need to be on flat ground. In the last couple of years, RV trailer manufactures are building more models for 1/2 ton trucks.

According to GM a 2004 1500 with a 5.3, regular cab, long bed and 4.10 axle is rated to tow 8900#'s. So if you have a 3.42 axle ratio, extended cab, long bed 4x2, it goes down to 6900#'s.

With a 9000# empty trailer, add for water, propane, food, etc. and you could be over 11,000#'s. And I know that's too much for your truck even on flat ground. Your truck brakes, springs, axles, transmissions and even frame, are going to wear rapidly. I used to be overloaded often on the farm, but I was lucky there wasn't much traffic. I did replace my share of tranny's, U-joints, alternators, radiators etc. It's one scary thing to have a U-joint go out on the road and the drive shaft is bouncing off the pavement hitting the gas tank and muffler. That's almost as scary as having a ball joint fall off the steering rod and trying to steer fast enough to keep between the ditches, steering with one wheel.