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Hey all, I am looking forward to partner up on a boat purchase soon and would like to know how the towing will be like on a 2005 silverado 4.8l v8. Looking for a 22'-23' boat with twin outboards. It's a non-4x4 model with extended cab. Towing range will probaly be about 45 miles from storage to the marina. I have towed u-haul trailers just fine and would like to know how well it will tow a boat described as above. Thanks
I've towed with my family's 5.3 silverado, and I can say I wasn't impressed at all. I hope you won't have many hills, because those little motors drop a gear or two trying to maintain 60mph on grades.
You should have no problems. I have a 2005 Ford F 150 with a 4.6 extended cab. I tow my 21 foot boat with it and no problems. I can pull it up the ramp in 2 wheel drive with out any problems.
I've towed with my family's 5.3 silverado, and I can say I wasn't impressed at all. I hope you won't have many hills, because those little motors drop a gear or two trying to maintain 60mph on grades.
When I tow, I use a Tahoe with a 5.3 Vortec, and tow approx 7000 lbs. with no problem, highway speeds, hills, etc. Just remember to use the "Tow/Haul" mode. Prior to this vehicle, I towed with a Ford F-150 with the small block 4.6, and it did ok, but nowhere near as good as the GM 5.3.
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2005 McKee 23 TE/FS with 200 Zukes
50 Ton Masters with Towing Endorsement.
Not too many 22' boats out there that take twin engines. At any rate, I used to own a 2000 Silverado extended cab with the 4.8. I think your newer 4.8 puts out more power in any event.
I towed my ~4000 pound boat/motor/trailer combo with that truck for a couple years before I upgraded to a Nissan Titan crew cab. The Silverado never had a problem with my boat and I even used it a time or two to retrieve my friend's Parker 2520 and tow it a few miles down the road. That load has to be around 8000 pounds. You knew it was there but the 4.8 Silverado never whimpered.
Long story short, I suspect you should be fine up to about 7000 pounds.
Not too many 22' boats out there that take twin engines. At any rate, I used to own a 2000 Silverado extended cab with the 4.8. I think your newer 4.8 puts out more power in any event.
I towed my ~4000 pound boat/motor/trailer combo with that truck for a couple years before I upgraded to a Nissan Titan crew cab. The Silverado never had a problem with my boat and I even used it a time or two to retrieve my friend's Parker 2520 and tow it a few miles down the road. That load has to be around 8000 pounds. You knew it was there but the 4.8 Silverado never whimpered.
Long story short, I suspect you should be fine up to about 7000 pounds.
Just the answer I was looking for. Thanks. I am looking at a 22' robalo, 22' twin vee, and if my budget allows a contender 23T which is heavier of the bunch. I wanted to tow something that my current truck can manage until the boat is paid for. Definitely want a f250 desiel after I pay off the boat.
You won't have a problem, just use the tow/haul mode. I have a 2003 Silverado with the same engine and it tows my 30' Scarab pretty good. My whole boat/trailer weighs in at around 8000 pounds.
If you try to push the rig hard you may find the tranny dropping gears often. If you just go with the flow and don't worry about keeping up with traffic that is exceeding the speed limit anyhow then you will be fine. I used to push mine and the mileage was bad and the tranny shifted a lot. Now I go with the flow, still don't impede traffic and get decent mileage, in the teens. If you're towing a lot you can get the computer reprogrammed. From the factory they are set up for mileage and longevity. A tuner will make a new animal out of it but even though I'm a hot rodder I haven't felt the need to modify my 04. It pulls my boat and my drag car on a trailer just fine. From what I've read there is a lot more in them that GM de-tunes out of them from the factory. The LS 4.8 in my 4x4 ext cab has lots more in her than the legacy 5.7 TBI I used to own.
It's all about the rear end ratio, a lot of the 4.8s came with a 3.23 from the factory which totally sucks for any type of highway towing. My buddy had one with the 3.73 in it and the 4.8 and it would tow just about anything much easier. My cousin has the 4.8 with a 3.23 and it is a big difference, but it will still pull 7,000 lbs at 60 mph in 3rd gear without much issue.
05 4.8l silverado towing 
. I am looking at a 22' robalo, 22' twin vee, and if my budget allows a contender 23T which is heavier of the bunch. I wanted to tow something that my current truck can manage until the boat is paid for. Definitely want a f250 desiel after I pay off the boat. 
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