Hi, this is my first post. And we just purchased our first camper/Toy Hauler this past Saturday. Brought it home with my 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500, and almost positive I need something bigger? The truck was really straining under the load!We purchased a 2012 Dutchmen Rubicon. Here are the specs...Length (ft/m) 24.67 / 7.5 Width (in/mm) 102 / 2590.8 Height (in/mm) 145 / 3683 Length (ft/ft) 24 Length (ft/in) 8 Dry Weight (lbs/kg) 5510 / 2499.3 Payload Capacity (lbs/kgs) 3490 / 1583.1 Hitch Weight (lbs/kgs) 861 / 390.5 Plus, we have two motorcycles that we want to bring along. Topped off they are a combined weight of 1460 lbs. I purchased the weight distribution system as well.Looking at a 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4. Here are the specs for it...Engine, Vortec 6.0L Variable Valve Timing V8 SFI (360 hp [268.4 kW] @ 5400 rpm, 380 lb-ft of torque [513.0 N-m] @ 4200 rpm) with (E63) fleetside pickup box; (322 hp [240.1 kW] @ 4400 rpm, 380 lb-ft of torque [513.0 N-m] @ 4200 rpm) with (ZW9) pickup box deleteTransmission, 6-speed automatic, heavy-duty, electronically controlled with overdrive and tow/haul mode (Requires (L96) Vortec 6.0L V8 SFI engine.)Rear axle, 3.73 ratioCan someone tell me if this truck is capable of towing this set up? The more I read, the more confused I become! Its all quite overwhelming to be honest!Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!Thanks in advance,Chuck

That truck is capable but I would not recommend 3:73 axle with the 6.0 and Towing heavier loads. 4:10 axle makes a big difference, especially on the hills and the mpg loss is negligible. Keep in mind you will be hard pressed to find a 3:73 new or used. They are few and far between used and I know I had had to factory order my current and last Silverado to get the truck I wanted with 4:10 gears.

We have that 2500hd, get a diesel, wish we would have.

I have a similar set up (not a toy hauler, but similar lbs/truck) and from experience I can say that as long as you are not planning to break any land-speed records you will be fine. My much older truck has no problems at all holding 70-80 mph hauling our 5000lbs trailer on the flats at I can pull a modest 3 percent grade at 55mph @ 2500 rpm. Granted, I have a 5 speed and my old truck is not as advanced as the one you are looking at but the performance will be close or better. Some guys you will see will talk about their automatic 6.0's and complain about having to punch it out to 5000 rpm's to crest a hill but so far that is not my experience. To piggy-back what Sprink said, you could opt for a diesel but you really need to factor the mpg savings over time into what the diesel will cost extra to make the best choice. For my 4-6 trips a year, getting 5mpg more in a diesel truck did not justify paying $15,000 more for the truck up front considering what little I haul, weight-wise. But hey, everyone's needs are different so you will not go wrong either way you decide to go.Cheers!

Clay1969 wrote:I have a similar set up (not a toy hauler, but similar lbs/truck) and from experience I can say that as long as you are not planning to break any land-speed records you will be fine. My much older truck has no problems at all holding 70-80 mph hauling our 5000lbs trailer on the flats at I can pull a modest 3 percent grade at 55mph @ 2500 rpm. Granted, I have a 5 speed and my old truck is not as advanced as the one you are looking at but the performance will be close or better. Some guys you will see will talk about their automatic 6.0's and complain about having to punch it out to 5000 rpm's to crest a hill but so far that is not my experience. To piggy-back what Sprink said, you could opt for a diesel but you really need to factor the mpg savings over time into what the diesel will cost extra to make the best choice. For my 4-6 trips a year, getting 5mpg more in a diesel truck did not justify paying $15,000 more for the truck up front considering what little I haul, weight-wise. But hey, everyone's needs are different so you will not go wrong either way you decide to go.Cheers!You may be pulling a 5,000 lb. trailer, but he's looking at pulling a 9,000 lb. trailer. By the time it's loaded with bikes, gear, propane, a little water, etc., it will most likely be right up against the GVWR of 9,000 lbs.

fj12ryder wrote:Clay1969 wrote:I have a similar set up (not a toy hauler, but similar lbs/truck) and from experience I can say that as long as you are not planning to break any land-speed records you will be fine. My much older truck has no problems at all holding 70-80 mph hauling our 5000lbs trailer on the flats at I can pull a modest 3 percent grade at 55mph @ 2500 rpm. Granted, I have a 5 speed and my old truck is not as advanced as the one you are looking at but the performance will be close or better. Some guys you will see will talk about their automatic 6.0's and complain about having to punch it out to 5000 rpm's to crest a hill but so far that is not my experience. To piggy-back what Sprink said, you could opt for a diesel but you really need to factor the mpg savings over time into what the diesel will cost extra to make the best choice. For my 4-6 trips a year, getting 5mpg more in a diesel truck did not justify paying $15,000 more for the truck up front considering what little I haul, weight-wise. But hey, everyone's needs are different so you will not go wrong either way you decide to go.Cheers!You may be pulling a 5,000 lb. trailer, but he's looking at pulling a 9,000 lb. trailer. By the time it's loaded with bikes, gear, propane, a little water, etc., it will most likely be right up against the GVWR of 9,000 lbs.OP stated:Brought it home with my 2012 Chevy Silverado 1500, and almost positive I need something bigger? The truck was really straining under the load!Trailer wasn't even loaded....Pretty much says it all

I need your expertize... | Good Sam Community

thebudman
Explorer
Jul 10, 2014
Clay1969 wrote:
My much older truck has no problems at all holding 70-80 mph hauling our 5000lbs trailer on the flats

Do me a favor and restrict your driving to the roads east of the Rockies.
ksss
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
The 6.0 is not a good pulling truck? I don't think you know what your talking about. It is not a diesel, but it pulls very well, much better than I would have thought. You don't hear many people complain about the pulling power of the 6.0, gas mileage maybe, but seldom do you hear an actual owner complain of lack of towing capability. Lastly you never hear of someone complain about lack of longevity. Its a very durable motor. Overall its a very competent towing engine, especially in the the 2011 and newer chassis.
therink
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
I tend to differ that opinion. First hand I can say that for a gasser my 6.0 with 6sp and 4:10 axle handles my 12k fiver just fine. It is going to search for gears. Gas engines always need high rpm when hitting hills with heavy loads. The sweet spot in my truck on inclines is around 4000 rpm. That is where the peak torque is, unlike diesels.
MM49
Explorer
Jul 08, 2014
Clay1969 wrote:
Sprink-Fitter wrote:
Clay1969 wrote:
I have a similar set up (not a toy hauler, but similar lbs/truck) and from experience I can say that as long as you are not planning to break any land-speed records you will be fine. My much older truck has no problems at all holding 70-80 mph hauling our 5000lbs trailer on the flats at I can pull a modest 3 percent grade at 55mph @ 2500 rpm. Granted, I have a 5 speed and my old truck is not as advanced as the one you are looking at but the performance will be close or better. Some guys you will see will talk about their automatic 6.0's and complain about having to punch it out to 5000 rpm's to crest a hill but so far that is not my experience.

To piggy-back what Sprink said, you could opt for a diesel but you really need to factor the mpg savings over time into what the diesel will cost extra to make the best choice. For my 4-6 trips a year, getting 5mpg more in a diesel truck did not justify paying $15,000 more for the truck up front considering what little I haul, weight-wise. But hey, everyone's needs are different so you will not go wrong either way you decide to go.

Cheers!

I don't really care about gas mileage, I care about pulling and stopping power.
MM49

Pulling power and stopping power you will have with the 6.0, just not the acceleration. At work I drive a Dodge Sprinter that has a 2.7L turbo-diesel 5 cylinder engine. I honestly think the van could give my truck a run for the money in acceleration.
The Chevy 6.0L is really not a good pulling truck. The trans calibration allows it to shift all that time while pulling.
MM49
Ajax106
Explorer
Jul 05, 2014
FireGuard wrote:
Are you set on the Chev?
If not, I would look at the Ram 2500 with 6.4 Hemi and 4:10, rated to tow over 15k lbs.
The 6.4 is getting some great reviews.

Thought about the Dodge for a minute. But the last one I had (Dakota R/T with the 5.9) I had all kinds of electrical issues with it. Very intermittent at that. And very frustrating. Kinda killed my enthusiasm for Dodge. :(
FireGuard
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2014
Are you set on the Chev?
If not, I would look at the Ram 2500 with 6.4 Hemi and 4:10, rated to tow over 15k lbs.
The 6.4 is getting some great reviews.
Sprink-Fitter
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
Clay1969 wrote:
Sprink-Fitter wrote:
Clay1969 wrote:
I have a similar set up (not a toy hauler, but similar lbs/truck) and from experience I can say that as long as you are not planning to break any land-speed records you will be fine. My much older truck has no problems at all holding 70-80 mph hauling our 5000lbs trailer on the flats at I can pull a modest 3 percent grade at 55mph @ 2500 rpm. Granted, I have a 5 speed and my old truck is not as advanced as the one you are looking at but the performance will be close or better. Some guys you will see will talk about their automatic 6.0's and complain about having to punch it out to 5000 rpm's to crest a hill but so far that is not my experience.

To piggy-back what Sprink said, you could opt for a diesel but you really need to factor the mpg savings over time into what the diesel will cost extra to make the best choice. For my 4-6 trips a year, getting 5mpg more in a diesel truck did not justify paying $15,000 more for the truck up front considering what little I haul, weight-wise. But hey, everyone's needs are different so you will not go wrong either way you decide to go.

Cheers!

I don't really care about gas mileage, I care about pulling and stopping power.

Pulling power and stopping power you will have with the 6.0, just not the acceleration. At work I drive a Dodge Sprinter that has a 2.7L turbo-diesel 5 cylinder engine. I honestly think the van could give my truck a run for the money in acceleration.

Stopping power is good, but the 6.0 down shift a lot, even on slight up hills.
Clay1969
Explorer
Jul 03, 2014
Sprink-Fitter wrote:
Clay1969 wrote:
I have a similar set up (not a toy hauler, but similar lbs/truck) and from experience I can say that as long as you are not planning to break any land-speed records you will be fine. My much older truck has no problems at all holding 70-80 mph hauling our 5000lbs trailer on the flats at I can pull a modest 3 percent grade at 55mph @ 2500 rpm. Granted, I have a 5 speed and my old truck is not as advanced as the one you are looking at but the performance will be close or better. Some guys you will see will talk about their automatic 6.0's and complain about having to punch it out to 5000 rpm's to crest a hill but so far that is not my experience.

To piggy-back what Sprink said, you could opt for a diesel but you really need to factor the mpg savings over time into what the diesel will cost extra to make the best choice. For my 4-6 trips a year, getting 5mpg more in a diesel truck did not justify paying $15,000 more for the truck up front considering what little I haul, weight-wise. But hey, everyone's needs are different so you will not go wrong either way you decide to go.

Cheers!

I don't really care about gas mileage, I care about pulling and stopping power.

Pulling power and stopping power you will have with the 6.0, just not the acceleration. At work I drive a Dodge Sprinter that has a 2.7L turbo-diesel 5 cylinder engine. I honestly think the van could give my truck a run for the money in acceleration.
Sprink-Fitter
Explorer
Jul 01, 2014
Clay1969 wrote:
I have a similar set up (not a toy hauler, but similar lbs/truck) and from experience I can say that as long as you are not planning to break any land-speed records you will be fine. My much older truck has no problems at all holding 70-80 mph hauling our 5000lbs trailer on the flats at I can pull a modest 3 percent grade at 55mph @ 2500 rpm. Granted, I have a 5 speed and my old truck is not as advanced as the one you are looking at but the performance will be close or better. Some guys you will see will talk about their automatic 6.0's and complain about having to punch it out to 5000 rpm's to crest a hill but so far that is not my experience.

To piggy-back what Sprink said, you could opt for a diesel but you really need to factor the mpg savings over time into what the diesel will cost extra to make the best choice. For my 4-6 trips a year, getting 5mpg more in a diesel truck did not justify paying $15,000 more for the truck up front considering what little I haul, weight-wise. But hey, everyone's needs are different so you will not go wrong either way you decide to go.

Cheers!

I don't really care about gas mileage, I care about pulling and stopping power.
Sandia_Man
Explorer II
Jul 01, 2014
We have the 4.10s on our 3/4 ton Chevy crewcab gasser and it does an adequate job pulling our TT TH around the Mountain West region. It's a dedicated tow vehicle and just sits in the garage until it's called to duty. The engine and tranny have synthetic oil and I have no problem running them in the 4-5K range as needed to achieve maximum power. Obviously a diesel is more ideal for toy hauler RVs but I couldn't convince my DW as she abhors them to no end. I agree that getting the more capable tranny gearing is the way to go.

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