89 Z71 1500 shortbed
 

Can anyone tell me what I should do to my favorite truck so that I could pull a 5000 lb. travel trailer. The truck is stock and I am the only owner. Z71-350hp everything is stock. NEED HELP!

When you say stock not all trucks are the same?

Some come with Camper or Tow packages included.

So let's assume your truck has not tow package items, and I am going to
also assume that the trailer you are talking about is about 20' long dual axles, with a TW of about 400 lbs.

So let's go shoping:

Trans-cooler
Class IV or V Hitch, 1000 lbs TW 10000 lbs towing
Tekonsha Prodigy P2, electronic brake controller
Wire kit for brake controller
Weight Distributing hitch, look at something like 10000 GTW, 600 lbs TW
Draw Tite Friction Sway Control
7-way wire kit with plug for the truck

The Weight Distributing hitch should bring your truck back to level with the trailer
sitting on the ball, if not you may want to look into some Firestone or Hellwig air springs. One thing to consider with weight distributing hitches is a higher TW rating will also affect the ride quality.

And before you set the trailer on the ball always put on a light coat of clean greese

You can price shop all of these items on the internet, but be ready you are going to spend around $1000

I would also recommend flushing all your fluids for new, trans, oil, radiator, gears, transfer case, and I like synthetic in the gears and engine oil.

These items properly installed should get you down the road safely.

Good Luck & Have Fun
jvp