Hey, y'all.I'm interested in hearing the experiences of those of you who may tow with a 2007-2013 generation Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 and 3.42 rear end.My TT has a dry weight of 4900 lbs and I use a weight distributing hitch with my current 2000 Silverado with the 5.3 and 3.73 gears. The "new" truck would have the 6 speed transmission while my current truck just has the 4 speed, so they aren't totally apples to apples in comparison. All other options would be as similar as possible for two trucks a decade and a half apart... Tow package, transmission cooler, etc...I've owned my current Silverado for a decade but only been in the TT game for less than a year so I'm still learning a lot. I do not plan to tow any bigger trailer with a half ton than my current TT. If I stepped up in trailer I'd step up in trucks.I just want to make sure that A) I'm safe and that B) towing with the new Silverado won't be a struggling experience. My current truck doesn't have any problem. I've towed to the top of the North Georgia mountains without issue.I know there are a bazillion tow vehicle threads on here and I've read just about all of them as I make this decision. I really don't "want" to buy a 3/4 truck... I commute in my truck every day.I appreciate any feedback from folks who've walked... towed... this road.

...And for reference, the listed payload for the truck I'm considering is 1712lbs.

If you're buying new, I would look for the truck with the highest rated payload/towing capacity. Dry weights don't mean anything and you will run out of payload quick. I don't know about Chevy or Dodge but I know certain fords have increased payload/towing packages. You mentioned that if you stepped up trailers you would step up trucks, is stepping up trailers on your mind? If so, I would buy the 2500/250 now. I drive a 250 everyday for my daily driver and wouldn't change anything. I think you will find that the gas mileage between the two trucks isn't that far apart. You will get a number of responses, from basically I tie my 35ft trailer with a Toyota Tacoma to you need a 3500 dually to pull a popup so just be ready. If I were buying a new truck and thought there was a chance in the next 4-5 years of buying a larger trailer a 2500 would be a no brainier. But to answer your question, the truck you're looking at should be enough, but it all depends on how much stuff you pack in your truck and trailer.

Thanks so much. Yes, I've read all these posts with some folks hammering down with their Isuzu Pup tied to a 12k lb trailer... I like living and I love my children. I'm not down for all that.I have no intention of stepping up in trailers. In fact, if I went any direction, I'd go down. My trailer is a 24 footer, 28 feet from hitch to rear. Once it starts getting larger than that it limits my camping options at many of the places we like to camp in the north Georgia mountains. Not to open what I know is yet another of Pandora's boxes, but do you commute/tow with a 250 gas or diesel? The mileage on the gas 2500 Chevys I looked at were pretty pathetic... Like 10mpg. I'm sure towing that's going down to 5 or so. I'm trying to consider the sweet spot of when is "enough." The more money I save on a truck, the more money I can spend going on some nice camping trips. At the same time, if I don't get enough truck, I surely won't get enough quality camping in.I do appreciate the advice!

4900# dry. Ballpark 1000# of stuff in the trailer and that gets you to 6000#. So figure 700# tongue weight and that'll still leave you with 1000# payload in the truck for you & the family.It should be doable.

That 3:42 rear end is going to be dog compared to that 3:73. A 3:73 with the 6 speed transmission would be a real winner.

Silverado 1500... Enough? | Good Sam Community

57 Replies

Heelbilly
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
wing_zealot wrote:
That 3:42 rear end is going to be dog compared to that 3:73. A 3:73 with the 6 speed transmission would be a real winner.

Totally, totally agree... Unfortunately, it is near about impossible to find the 3.73. It is only available as part of the "Max Tow Package" and those trucks are nearly impossible to find used. You can get them new, but the price point gets up so high that it almost doesn't make sense... A 2500 wouldn't be too much more in terms of dollars.
ken56
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
I have a '14 Silverado with the 3:42 and 6 speed tranny and pull a 6500lb. +/- 30 footer with no issues. I have been out west with it in the big mountains and could get up and down the grades just fine. You should have no problems with that truck. My payload is 1666. Happy travels.
wing_zealot
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
That 3:42 rear end is going to be dog compared to that 3:73. A 3:73 with the 6 speed transmission would be a real winner.
mbopp
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
4900# dry. Ballpark 1000# of stuff in the trailer and that gets you to 6000#. So figure 700# tongue weight and that'll still leave you with 1000# payload in the truck for you & the family.
It should be doable.
Heelbilly
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
Thanks so much. Yes, I've read all these posts with some folks hammering down with their Isuzu Pup tied to a 12k lb trailer... I like living and I love my children. I'm not down for all that.

I have no intention of stepping up in trailers. In fact, if I went any direction, I'd go down. My trailer is a 24 footer, 28 feet from hitch to rear. Once it starts getting larger than that it limits my camping options at many of the places we like to camp in the north Georgia mountains.

Not to open what I know is yet another of Pandora's boxes, but do you commute/tow with a 250 gas or diesel? The mileage on the gas 2500 Chevys I looked at were pretty pathetic... Like 10mpg. I'm sure towing that's going down to 5 or so.

I'm trying to consider the sweet spot of when is "enough." The more money I save on a truck, the more money I can spend going on some nice camping trips. At the same time, if I don't get enough truck, I surely won't get enough quality camping in.

I do appreciate the advice!
DinTulsa
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
If you're buying new, I would look for the truck with the highest rated payload/towing capacity. Dry weights don't mean anything and you will run out of payload quick. I don't know about Chevy or Dodge but I know certain fords have increased payload/towing packages. You mentioned that if you stepped up trailers you would step up trucks, is stepping up trailers on your mind? If so, I would buy the 2500/250 now. I drive a 250 everyday for my daily driver and wouldn't change anything. I think you will find that the gas mileage between the two trucks isn't that far apart. You will get a number of responses, from basically I tie my 35ft trailer with a Toyota Tacoma to you need a 3500 dually to pull a popup so just be ready. If I were buying a new truck and thought there was a chance in the next 4-5 years of buying a larger trailer a 2500 would be a no brainier. But to answer your question, the truck you're looking at should be enough, but it all depends on how much stuff you pack in your truck and trailer.
Heelbilly
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
...And for reference, the listed payload for the truck I'm considering is 1712lbs.

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Silverado 1500... Enough?

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