2014 Silverado 3.42 or 3.73
Hopefully some of you have a bit of experience with the newest GM trucks? As a bit of background. I have towed a considerable amount in the last 15 years, with roughly 1/2 dozen TTs and almost as many...
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soren wrote:
Hopefully some of you have a bit of experience with the newest GM trucks? As a bit of background. I have towed a considerable amount in the last 15 years, with roughly 1/2 dozen TTs and almost as many 1/2 and 3/4 T GM trucks. The issue here is that I'm buying a new 30' TT. The dry weight is 5600LBS, gross of 7500lbs. I would really prefer a GM 1500 Crew 4x4 to pull it with. My last trailer was about 1000lbs lighter and did well with a 5.3/3.73 older Tahoe.
Now that we are in a world of much higher power from the same 5.3 and things like 6 speed transmissions, I'm not sure what I really need? The issue is that trucks on the lot are typically rate at 9500lbs. with the 5.3/3.43 combo, and every dealer has a pile of them. The upgrade is the Max tow package with the 3.73 and roughly an additional ton of rating. The package is overpriced for what you get, and it's pretty rare. Bottom line is, what can I expect when pulling 7K or so, with the 3.43?
I have the same truck (2014 5.3L/3.43/crew cab/4x4) and it pulls a 6,000 lb trailer with no issues, up to around 7,000 feet of elevation or so (at which the truck is losing around 20% of its rated horsepower).
I would say that if you're sticking with the 1/2 ton (1500), the 3.73 gears are definitely more peppy, but the 3.42 is not a deal breaker.
The 2014 5.3L has more HP and torque than the Vortec 6.0 in the 3/4 ton trucks, and the truck's GVWR is lower, so it has no problem pulling the load. The truck will accelerate and hold a grade with no problem. The 6 speed tranny mapping is very good and does not hunt on up-grades. The grade braking function (the transmission will hold a low gear on down grades to allow engine braking and minimal to no use of the brakes) also works like a charm.
I get 10-12mpg pulling a travel trailer at 55-60mph (this includes hilly/mountainous terrain and lots of wind); around 16-18mpg pulling 6,000 lbs of payload on a utility trailer (negligible wind resistance), and about 21mpg unloaded highway mpg.
The new trucks have pretty decent payload ratings - about 1900 lbs even with the crew cab 4x4, so tongue weight and bed payload probably won't push you to a 3/4 ton unless you're carrying motorcycles or the like the bed of the truck.
