12' silverado 1500 and 3065w windjammer towing ?

[Laona]

I currently have a 2012 1500 silverado rates to tow 9500lbs. It's has the 5.3 with 3.42 gears. My camper is 36' bumper to tongue heights 7k dry with a hitch weight of 900lbs and is the 2013 model year. I am consisting going into a 2014 silverado crew 2500 HD with 4.10 gears and the 6.0 gas. Would like diesel but can't justify it for towing and plowing snow. Plus am considering a 5th wheel and the diesel drops the payload. Is the 2500 HD a good move for my current set up and why. Thanks

[campigloo]

How far and how often do you tow? If you went diesel, with that size trailer, it won't take long to get spoiled. It's just a whole different towing feel. I have towed the last 40,000 or so miles with diesel, and would never go back to a gasser. If I quit towing and just ran around town, I would get one of the new 1/2 ton diesels.

[APT]

The 6.0L is the same engien family/design as your 5.3L. It's larger displacement means about 13% more power. The 6-spd trans have very similar gear ratios. But 4.10 provides about 20% more wheel torque and get the engine over 3000rpm quicker where the power is. Do you think you'd notice 35% more power?

You are probably at 8000 pounds loaded with 1100 pounds of TW. Your payload is in the 1500 pound range. The 2500HD gasser has almost double that payload.

So compared to what you have now, you'll feel more comfortable towing. Hold 5th gear longer, get up to speed up and hills quicker. And handling will be better.

You may want to hold out to see what the 2015HD models offer. I am hoping for significant power improvements. You may also want to consider a SRW 3500 if you want to tow a 5er. The upcharge is less than $500 over 2500 with about 1400 pounds more payload. 3000 pounds is not much payload for a 10-12k 5er. Take off 200 for hitch, people, and stuff in the bed.

[JBarca]

Laona wrote:
I currently have a 2012 1500 silverado rates to tow 9500lbs. It's has the 5.3 with 3.42 gears. My camper is 36' bumper to tongue heights 7k dry with a hitch weight of 900lbs and is the 2013 model year. I am consisting going into a 2014 silverado crew 2500 HD with 4.10 gears and the 6.0 gas. Would like diesel but can't justify it for towing and plowing snow. Plus am considering a 5th wheel and the diesel drops the payload. Is the 2500 HD a good move for my current set up and why. Thanks

Yes, the 2500HD will be a good move, hands down yes. Looked up your camper. Congrats!! nice camper and nice floor plan.

If you are like the rest of us, it will not take you long to fill that camper to max. Which I could not find exactly however I believe it is aproox an 8,600# GVWR camper or in that area.

Your loaded tongue weight can reach 1,200# with out much effort with that floor plan. And most of us and I'm sure you too, like to carry camping gear in the truck bed. The 2500 will handle the weight a lot better and the bigger engine and higher gear ratio will make towing a lot more pleasurable.

On your 1500 you would be pushing it to the max on weights and may have to leaver some bed stuff home. The 2500HD will have more weight capacity, more pulling power, bigger brakes, heavier duty drive train a much stabler truck suspension, better tires. A very wise move for that wind jammer. That is a lot of trailer.

Good luck and enjoy the new rig.

[jaycocamprs]

You will still know it's there, but it will be a much better experience. The 6.0 has a bit more power, but the change in gearing and the higher payload are what will make the biggest difference. The 1500 was likley loaded near max, the 2500 will not be.