How much engine to tow 5500 lbs?

APT wrote:
From that era, I recommend GM 8.1L and Ford V10. The small blocks didn't have the power of today's full sized pickups and were mated to 4-spd transmissions. The only penalty of the bigger engines from that era is unloaded fuel economy compared to say GM 6.0L or Ford 5.4L.

This is what I would go with as well. If you wanted to go to a larger trailer you would not be limited by the truck. The trade off is unloaded fuel economy. Pulling the camper the mileage would be similar.

My '99 Dodge 1/2 ton 5.2L did a pretty good job of towing a 27' 7k TT. We towed from Indiana to Great Falls,MT. and to Rapid City,S.D. with it and was real comfortable with how it handled.

From that era, I recommend GM 8.1L and Ford V10. The small blocks didn't have the power of today's full sized pickups and were mated to 4-spd transmissions. The only penalty of the bigger engines from that era is unloaded fuel economy compared to say GM 6.0L or Ford 5.4L.

All 'can do it', as a half ton can tow the Space Shuttle...true...I've seen the videos :S

How long do you plan to own both the TV and Trailer? Smaller displacement
will not last as long as a larger displacement that doesn't have to work
as hard

Where do you drive?

How do you drive?

How does and what does your family load up?

What are the spec's for the trailer? GVWR & PIN (dry, so you can do
the percentage of actual weight) are the main one. Better yet if you
have the actual

That will then tell you what will be on the hitch in the bed and that
will then tell you what is left in ratings for your payload. People,
pets, ice chest, tool box, extra oil/coolant/etc, firewood, etc

Find the TV's GVWR, GCWR, F/R GAWR and if GM what receiver it has
GMT800's have a very, very poorly designed receiver, but don't let
that stop you if a good one comes across your path. A traditional
designed receiver is in the $150 buck range and about 1 hours labor

Then do the simple math: GCWR => TV + Trailer + hitch/stuff weights
Best to use actual weights

As for which badge...personal choice thing. They are all capable and
is what you like best that matters...not what I like... :)

The Chevy 6.0 would be my first choice and the Ford 5.4 would be last. I don't know a whole lot about the other engines you list. I'd rule out the Ford V10 just due to mpg and overkill for your purposes (but it's otherwise a great engine) - you could get by with a 1/2 ton as mentioned but nothing wrong with too much truck other than just a bit bumpier ride.

I routinely tow 7K-10K with our Silverado 1500 6.2L 3.73 rear end and the NHT package. If you can find a 5th wheel in that weight range, any 150/1500 with a V-8 will do the job. However, if you can find a later model with the 6 or 8 speed auto transmission & the 3.73 rear, it will do a much better job.

If you hold your cruising speeds to 65 mph or less, in that year range any V8 engine will be adequate. With the frontal area of a 5th wheel, I'd go with a 6.0L for running at 70 mph (don't recommend doing it). Sure, with a 5.3L you may need to downshift (or downshift a little sooner) than you would with the 6.0L. Towing MPG will be about the same, but unhitched the smaller V8 will give the better MPG. If you need to carry full size adults in the back seat occasionally the crew cab would be best, but if you rarely need the back seat the extended cab is find for towing stability.

Best towing truck I had for a smaller trailer(28 Ft.)was a 2001 silverado 1500 HD.crew cab. with a 6.0 liter.Had great locking rear and no end of power.Had gm 5.7,ford 5.4 didn't like it at all,and hemi 5.7l.

Any reason why you haven't considered a 1/2 ton for that load. You will barely put a dent in most 1/2 tons with that light of a 5er. The other issue with that small of a 5er and a 3/4 ton is that 3/4 tons tend to sit higher in the rear than 1/2 tons. The 5er will be riding nose high big time.