honest advice on a truck for towing 10000lbs
I am looking to get a sandstorm toy hauler travel trailer. I am wanting some advice on the tow vehicle. I am neutral when it comes to brand. The trailer will be 10k or less gvwr. I have the follow...
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I have a 2001 Silverado 3500 with a 6.0. We have been towing our 33' Reflection 303 around the western states since March. This amounts to about 6000 miles with condition from sea level to over 7000 feet in the Sierras ( Lake Tahoe ). The trailer scales at 10,850 pounds loaded four a two weeks trip. I tow at 55 - 60 mph, here is what I found:
Flat or near flat I got 9 - 9.5 mpg with no issues as far as speed. In moderate hills I am getting 8.5 - 9 mpg with no speed issues and the trans. in T/H and shifted to 3rd. On 5 - 6% extended grades I am getting 7 - 7.5 mpg with the speed down to 35mph. Now, this speed doesn't bother me as there are truck lanes and passing lanes, and these grades are usually not long, 2 - 6 miles.
I am currently researching new trucks as well and had it down to the F350 and the Chevy 3500, then I saw several comparisons on YouTube, one being a pull up the I70 west out of Denver, the 3500 did very well and made up my mind for me. Let me also point out that I was a GM diesel tech for 8 years and I know the price of repairs (parts and labor) on the Duramax.
Flat or near flat I got 9 - 9.5 mpg with no issues as far as speed. In moderate hills I am getting 8.5 - 9 mpg with no speed issues and the trans. in T/H and shifted to 3rd. On 5 - 6% extended grades I am getting 7 - 7.5 mpg with the speed down to 35mph. Now, this speed doesn't bother me as there are truck lanes and passing lanes, and these grades are usually not long, 2 - 6 miles.
I am currently researching new trucks as well and had it down to the F350 and the Chevy 3500, then I saw several comparisons on YouTube, one being a pull up the I70 west out of Denver, the 3500 did very well and made up my mind for me. Let me also point out that I was a GM diesel tech for 8 years and I know the price of repairs (parts and labor) on the Duramax.
