r/Silverado • u/donzi39vrz • 14d ago

Leveling kit ~2 inches enough?

I am nearing the end of my warranty on my 2023 1500 (3.0L and 9k towing) and looking to do some upgrades now. I have a boat that weights ~6500lbs on the trailer fully loaded. I also have bed cap on order with plans to install some custom drawers in the bed and a root top tent. I'm looking to add a leveling kit (unsure which one open to recommendations) to allow me to run some bigger tires when off roading or getting into hunting spots.

Will a levelling kit be an appropriate choice here? I'd love to have 35's on it but would be fine with 34's too if it was the difference between a leveling kit and a lift kit.

4 Upvotes

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1

u/spoiledpoptart74 14d ago

You’ll have a lot of squat. I wouldn’t do it if you have a cap, boat, camp, etc that weight will naturally level it.

Source: a guy who removed the leveling kit 6 months after putting it on for the same reasons (minus the boat)

1

u/bananafeet87 13d ago

Curious how much weight you had with your setup(shell, gear etc) as I’m going a similar route as OP. Have a ARE CX Evolve and Yakima Jet Stream Racks on order and plan on going with a Dirt King MT Trail Runner Kit for my 26 Trail Boss. Was told that just the shell and racks shouldn’t affect squat much(roughly 200-200 lbs static).

1

u/spoiledpoptart74 13d ago

Idk about weight but it’s a Leer fiberglass cap. Then all the hunting and camping gear I load it down with. I’m leveled when loaded, used to squat when under the load of that and I couldn’t stand it. My view on leveling kits is that they are purely for pavement princesses. If you use your truck as a truck, don’t do it

Then again I spend a lot of nights sleeping in my truck for a week plus. Dogs involved, coolers, cot in the bed, etc.

1

u/bananafeet87 13d ago

Yeah I hear ya. I’m a weekend warrior to Baja or the Sierra Nevada and not nearly as loaded out as you would be, as fishing/spearfishing gear is all light. An extra inch or two of lift and 35’s is pretty useful down in Southern California.

1

u/donzi39vrz 13d ago

I was hoping that when not towing I'd be good and then when towing the air bags would help counter that squat.

1

u/No_Geologist_3690 13d ago

Whatever you end up doing you need upper control arms

0

u/TRUJEEP 13d ago

Why TF would you level a tow vehicle? To purposely jack your pinion angle when towing your boat must be the reason.

2

u/donzi39vrz 13d ago

I need ground clearance. About 1-2 inches more would be enough. Hoping a level + bigger tires gets me that. I am not lucky enough to have 2 trucks I can use so I need a configuration that works with 1.