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2014 Silverado 3.42 or 3.73

soren
Explorer
Explorer
Hopefully some of you have a bit of experience with the newest GM trucks? As a bit of background. I have towed a considerable amount in the last 15 years, with roughly 1/2 dozen TTs and almost as many 1/2 and 3/4 T GM trucks. The issue here is that I'm buying a new 30' TT. The dry weight is 5600LBS, gross of 7500lbs. I would really prefer a GM 1500 Crew 4x4 to pull it with. My last trailer was about 1000lbs lighter and did well with a 5.3/3.73 older Tahoe.

Now that we are in a world of much higher power from the same 5.3 and things like 6 speed transmissions, I'm not sure what I really need? The issue is that trucks on the lot are typically rate at 9500lbs. with the 5.3/3.43 combo, and every dealer has a pile of them. The upgrade is the Max tow package with the 3.73 and roughly an additional ton of rating. The package is overpriced for what you get, and it's pretty rare. Bottom line is, what can I expect when pulling 7K or so, with the 3.43?
26 REPLIES 26

soren
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the replies. Another point of reference for me was pulling a 35' 9000LB gvwr TT with an '04 2500HD, 6.0 and 4.10s. I pulled this combo about 5k miles and had no issues other than it's love of gas stations, at 7.5 MPGs typically. After more research it is apparent that the new 5.3 has significantly more HP and torque that that 6.0 did, and the six speed/3.42 combo. is at least as capable as the old 4sp/4.10 is, when towing. Interesting indeed.

Draggo
Explorer
Explorer
I'm in the same boat as Owenssailor and Indycamp. 2012 Crew Cab Silverado with the 5.3L V8 and the 6 speed transmission pulling a 5700lb dry TT. No complaints. Granted I'm not hitting huge mountains but when I have hit some of the Adirondack mountains it's preformed great, gets me up to the top no problem.
Mike & Company
2021 GMC Sierra SLE (6.6L V-8, 3.73 rear gear)
2018 Coachmen Freedom Express 279RLDS
Reese W/D & HP DC

jenoble99
Explorer
Explorer
We tow a similar weight TT with an '09 Silverado. Truck is CC, 4wd, 5.3, 6 sp., and 3.42 rear ratio. One thing I will stress is make sure you get the HD cooling package. It makes a difference in the ratings. Our truck handles our trailer very well. If you can find the max tow, get it, but it wouldn't be a deal breaker for me. I was looking for a max tow when I traded but only located one, it had high miles and a high price. They are rare both new and used. I looked at the ratings and decided we would be good without it.

IndyCamp
Explorer
Explorer
owenssailor wrote:
We have the 2012 Silverado 1500 5.3 6 spd 3:42 Towing a trailer 30 ft overall weighing 6500 lb when travelling (5400 lb dry). The truck handles the trailer very well. So far we have travelled Ont to the east coast, Ont to Florida and nw Ont to New Orleans to Tucson Az.

I always use toe haul ( and turn on headlights) when towing. I let the transmission choose the gear. When in tow haul the engine braking feature does work - the transmission shifts down to a lower gear to hold the speed on steep downhills.

We get about 10 MPG / US gallon when towing.

The 2014 has some more power than my 2012.

I hope my experience helps.


Same experience here.

We tow a 7,200 pound trailer (loaded) with a 2013 5.3, 3.42 Silverado and it is fine. We have towed it though the Smoky Mountains as well as the hills of southern Indiana and Kentucky, and it has actually done BETTER than I expected!
2018 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS
2014 RAM 2500 6.4L HEMI

owenssailor
Explorer
Explorer
We have the 2012 Silverado 1500 5.3 6 spd 3:42 towing a trailer 31 ft overall weighing 6500 lb when travelling (5400 lb dry). The truck handles the trailer very well. So far we have traveled Ont to the east coast, Ont to Florida and now Ont to New Orleans to Tucson Az.

I always use tow haul ( and turn on headlights) when towing. I let the transmission choose the gear. When in tow haul the engine braking feature does work - the transmission shifts down to a lower gear to hold the speed on steep downhills.

We get about 10 MPG / US gallon when towing.

The 2014 has some more power than my 2012.

I hope my experience helps.
2011 Jayco 28U
2012 Chev Silverado Crew Cab 5.3 6 spd 3.42 (sold)
2017 Chev Silverado Crew Cab 5.3 8 spd 3.42
Equal-i-Zer 1400/14000
RotoChocks

fla-gypsy
Explorer
Explorer
The 3.73 will perform the best when towing.
This member is not responsible for opinions that are inaccurate due to faulty information provided by the original poster. Use them at your own discretion.

09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)

Goldstalker
Explorer
Explorer
romore wrote:
You will be sorely disappointed with the power and fuel mileage, the 5.3 will be barely enough with the lower gears pulling that trailer. You are pushing the limits, it is at the top end of the range for a 1500. We made that mistake with our first combo, it took all the fun out of rving particularly on steep grades.


Not true. Get the 3.73 and go have fun. I feel this will be a great combo. I tow a similar weight TT and have no issues even with an older truck with 4spd tranny.
2007 GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab Z71 4X4 3.73
2013 CrossRoads Sunset Trail Super Lite 250RB
2-2012 Yamaha VX Deluxe
2012 Toyota Highlander

old_guy
Explorer
Explorer
my 2 cents says better to have too much truck than not enough truck. tell you what to do. do you have any hill where you live? tell dealer you want to test the two trucks and hook up your TT and drive them. that's what we do around here. we have a hill called cabbage hill and it is nationally know as a son of a gun hill. ask any OTR truck driver and he will know the hill. any dealer wanting to make a happy customer sale will let you test drive the truck so you will be happy and a return customer. if not go find one.

APT
Explorer
Explorer
romore wrote:
You will be sorely disappointed with the power and fuel mileage, the 5.3 will be barely enough with the lower gears pulling that trailer. You are pushing the limits, it is at the top end of the range for a 1500. We made that mistake with our first combo, it took all the fun out of rving particularly on steep grades.


I could not disagree more. The 2014 5.3L has almost identical power to my 6.0L and similar gear ratios. My TT has a yellow sticker weight of 5500 pounds, so I estimate loaded at 6500-7000 pounds depending on what trip we are on. My truck tow my TT easily and so would a 2014 half ton 5.3L with either axle.

I always recommend the shortest axle ratio. There is no measurable difference in fuel consumption, but always a noticeable power difference. But the 3.42 is plenty for that TT. Use Tow/Haul mode, and M5.

6-spd with 3.08 is very close to the old 4-spd with 4.10 axle. 3.42 more like 4.56.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

Wishin
Explorer
Explorer
It will definitely pull harder and better than the older Tahoe with the 4-speed and less powerful motor. I don't have direct experience but just doing the math to figure out what transmission gears will give you compared to the old one, it is easy to see. 3.42 rear end with the 6-speed is better than 3.73 gears and a 4-speed. Probably at least as good as a 4-speed and 4.10 gears. The extra power of the new engines is also pretty apparent from the reviews I've read. If you can find a truck with the Max tow package, go for it, but don't sweat it if you can't find one.
2014 Wildwood 26TBSS - Upgraded with 5200lb axles and larger Goodyear ST tires
2003 Chevrolet 2500 4x4 Suburban 8.1L 4.10's

RoyB
Explorer II
Explorer II
Just keep in mind The lower the ratio, the better the gas mileage, the higher the ratio, the better for towing and torque power. You gas mileage will really suffer the most at the highest gear ratio.

If you can live with towing and torque power using the middle ratio provided option then that could be the best of both worlds. On my 2010 F150 Truck I use the 3:73 gears and for my 4200lb non-wind resistant POPUP trailer load I almost get the same gas mileage whether I am pulling my trailer or not...

I agree with the other post on here That you are probably on the bottom end of the towing capability (Need a bigger truck). The old school says 7500lbs max for 1/2-ton guys but there are now exceptions to this rule it seems. I'll still go with the old school haha...

Roy Ken
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - Words in CAPS does not mean I am shouting
Roy - Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS

romore
Explorer II
Explorer II
You will be sorely disappointed with the power and fuel mileage, the 5.3 will be barely enough with the lower gears pulling that trailer. You are pushing the limits, it is at the top end of the range for a 1500. We made that mistake with our first combo, it took all the fun out of rving particularly on steep grades.

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