Would a Chevy 1500 HD be a good truck to tow with?

I owned an '07 1500HD, 2wd, crew cab with 4.10 - tow rating was 10,300 lbs. I was towing ( and still do ) an '08 Outback 30BHQ, with a dry weight of 6100 lbs. Never, NEVER had any sort of problems with the truck. Drove from VA to FLA a few times, fully loaded with my bride and 3 kids,loaded bed, and never experienced any shortage of grunt, power and get up and go. It is NOT a half ton truck - you will have no problems with your camper - but, as others have said, you won't pass many gas stations!

I fully agree with Kalabin. 5.3L/3.42 with the 3.08 first gear compared to 6.0L/3.73 and 2.48 first gear and 750 pounds heavier HD won't feel like much better acceleration. Handling and suspension and stability will be improved.

And reminder, 6.0L/4-spd/3.73 tow ratings are near 8000 pounds, say 7500-8500. A 7000 pound dry bunk house TT will exceed that. IMHO, it isn't worth selling for what you got to "upgrade". You need to significantly increase wheel torque either through gearing or power. 6.0L/4.10/4-spd would be a marginal upgrade IMHO. 8.1L or Duramax both came with the Allison trans wich would be very noticeable. Or, 2007.5 6.0L/6-spd.

Either way you slice it for that model year it is essentially their 2500LD, yes it's 1500HD shares the majority of the same things but we are arguing over semantics.

Point is coming from that specific model year between the 5.3 with 3.43 gearing and the 6.0 and 3.73 gearing it wont be a "huge" jump in performance. He is gaining a few HP and some more torque, but the gearing will allow him to get into his RPM range faster and hold gears better.

The significant difference will be the suspension, and drive train but that comes at a cost. The truck's curb weight is a bit more than that of the 1500 which almost negates the HP / TQ "performance" gains he will be getting.

Again, you will notice a big difference in the suspension and drive train, but your not moving mountains performance wise. If you don't agree, go actually test drive the difference in the too. Oh I also owned a 2002 Chevy 1500 with the 5.3 back on 2004, so yes I know the power difference on the 5.3 4-speed and the 6.0 6-speed for the NBS as I have owned and towed with both.

Be realistic on your expectations in understanding you are getting a substantially better drive train for towing, working. Your going to have to rev it just like the 5.3, your gaining about 50tq and 30hp subtract that from the added weight and you get the idea, gearing will help.

1500 HD = 2500

1500 HD < 2500 HD

the 1500 HD truck is a 3/4 ton truck adequate to pull most 28 ft travel trailers

I have a '02 1500HD and use it to tow a 30' KZ toyhauler that is about 8k loaded. My suggestion is get the 4.10 ratio. It makes a big difference. Mine had the 3.73 and I put 4.10's in it. It transformed it into a different truck. Towing is now much better. Gas mileage towing is 8.5 to 9 mpg and really did not change when I changed the ratio. Empty on the highway is about 14mpg. It went down about .5 mpg with the gear ratio change.

I had a 2003 1500HD and it was a great truck, wished I had kept it. I also wished I had kept my Sunline Trailer. There are probably a lot of things I wished I had kept if I were to think about it.

It was a very thirsty truck. My current truck is a 2500HD 3.73 4wd with the 6.0. I just towed my 9,000 lb. camper to Destin and got 7.6 mpg.

AND, they come standard with LR E (10 ply) tires

GM started this model around 1999 or 2000 to compete with Dodge & Ford because they (GM) did not have a 4 door 1/2 ton pick up to compete with them; Now everyone else is trying to catch up to the capabilities of the 1500HD

Amazing how folks look at the BADGE only and assume it is a light duty light duty truck. When in reality, this model is a full bore 2500 as folks are saying one should have to tow with......

If the price is right etc etc, buy it, do not look back!

Marty