Looking at New Tow Vehicle

[DLHarrison]

Good evening - a new memeber here but I have been lurking off and on. Now I am looking forward to a sanity check as I am looking to buy a used TV.

My current TV is a 2004 Silverado 1500 with a 4.8 liter 4 speed auto. I am currently towing a 19 foot hybrid with a WD hitch. I just returned from a trip to Montana and Wyoming and my truck struggled on mountain passes out west and also struggled fighting headwinds in Montana and North Dakota. My wife and I are looking to upgrade to a travel trailer - 22 foot with a dining room slide out. I know that the Silverado won't work with the increased weight of the new trailer in spite of what the salesman says.

My option is to look at a used Silverado with a 5.3 liter V8 auto with a 3.73 differential (4 x 4) or I can pick up a used Silverado 2500 with a 6.0 liter engine. I know the "2500" would be more than adequate pulling the new trailer. My wife thinks that the "2500" would be overkill. Would the Silverado with the 5.3 liter engine be adequate to pulling the trailer? Or should I pull the trigger on the "2500".

Looking forward to your responses.

[Grit_dog]

Well I'm assuming retired means a fair amount of traveling with the trailer.
Get the 2500. Especially if you have an econobox for other uses.
Aside from being more stable/capable, the wear and tear in the long run will be less on the HD.

[Terryallan]

Honestly. IF you can get the 2500 for the same price. Then get it. But you DO NOT need it for the TT you are considering. Your wife is correct. A 2500 would be overkill. However, At this point. It is all about want. As in. What do you want.

I can't imagine a 22 foot TT that would be too heavy for a truck with a 5.3 with a 3.73 gear. Unless you are married to Lucy, and she collects big rocks.

[APT]

2009+ half ton with 6-spd and 3.42 may be acceptable, but a 2007.5+ 3/4 ton with 6-spd and 3.73 would be very comfortable.

[MinnCamper]

We started with the 1998 Tahoe 5.7 then along came a fiver. Moved to a 2000 3/4 ton 6.0 vortex great truck then came another fiver. Now have a 06 GMC Sierra Duramax AND will never tow again with gas. I may down size and keep the diesel. Just my 2C.

[SouthpawHD]

DLHarrison wrote:
Thanks to all for replying to my questions and comments on the TV. The 2500 that I am looking at is a trade-in and I will be trading in my Silverado. I am retired so the TV will not be used as a commuter. Any day trips or running around, I will be using my wife's Toyota Prius do the 2500 will not be used as a work truck.

A Prius and a 2500HD, now there's a mixed message 😉

[DLHarrison]

Thanks to all for replying to my questions and comments on the TV. The 2500 that I am looking at is a trade-in and I will be trading in my Silverado. I am retired so the TV will not be used as a commuter. Any day trips or running around, I will be using my wife's Toyota Prius do the 2500 will not be used as a work truck.

[Army11Bravo]

I tow a 26 foot TT with my Silverado 1500 5.3 4x4 all over Montana, and it handles the mountains and winds fine. However, I bought the truck long before I ever considered buying a travel trailer and if I could have done it over again, I would have gone for at least the 2500 with the 6.0 or perhaps a diesel. We are now thinking of moving to a fifth wheel and there is no doubt we have to start with a bigger truck. This time we will go for a 3500 diesel SRW.

Good luck with the 2500. I think the 6.0 2500 will be a great vehicle for your needs.

[jerem0621]

I agree with Grit Dog...the 1500 and 2500 series trucks take up nearly the same footprint and there is not a huge disparity in MPG...

My dads got an 03 Cummins short bed quad cab 2500 and my brother in law had an 04 Ram 1500 quad cab. The trucks had exactly the same footprint and as far as driveability there is not that much difference. Huge difference between that little 4.7 and the 5.9 Cummins though.

There are some very capable Half tons...so I don't discount them at all...but a 3/4 ton truck is a heck of a value...you can spend a lot of money to purchase a heavy duty half ton and in the end you get a truck that still has less capability than the most basic of 3/4 ton trucks.

Just something to think about

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[Jim2007]

Hi... I agree with those that have suggested a 3/4 ton. I would suggest a diesel. Jim2007

[Grit_dog]

Depends how much you tow vs how many miles empty IMO.
You know your next trailer is still within the capabilities of a good running 5.3 1500. For towing you can't go wrong with the 2500 though. Overkill? Not by a long shot.....for towing. Overkill for commuting? Only if the few mpg less with the bigger truck will cost you more than you think it's worth to have for towing.
^Totally confusing statements? Yup
Because either truck will do the trick for both duties. And neither will be bad at the one it doesn't excel in.
Still confusing? Yup
Get whichever one you want. Get the 2500 if you want more rock solid towing.

[Trackrig]

Yes, I would ask the DW - what about the next trailer? Get a 2500 or 3/4 ton truck and be done with it. I use one for my DD - it's a long bed crew cab and does just fine.

Bill

[TNRIVERSIDE]

I would drive an F150 with the 3.5 ecoboost. I think you will be impressed..

[SouthpawHD]

Love my 2500 6.0L!!! It'll work flawlessly for this TT and many more if choose to go bigger.

But if you drive a lot of miles everyday, gas could get expensive. So if this it he TT you are keeping for a long time (and don't kid yourself), and you don't tow much, perhaps the 5.3L would work for you. Something to think about anyways. Good luck.

[tragusa3]

I had an '03 with the 4.8. Went from that to the truck in my sig and it was no comparison what so ever. Moved up to a 24' with slide. Drove it through Montana and the Dakotas this summer. Completely satisfied.

I believe the 5.3 to be far behind the curve in half ton towing options these days. No way a 3/4 ton is necessary for your current or next trailer.