Pulled The Trigger

[HydrogenCyanide]

So some history. About 3 years ago we bought a Jacyco Jayfeather x213. We were looking for something that could tow with our GMC Acadia with tow package. The unloaded weight of trailer was 4200lbs and the tow capacity of Acadia was 5200lbs.

Fast forward, now that I am more experienced towing and have taken some road trips with this combo, I have become very dissatisfied with the combination. We are likely over the line when packed and ready to go for camping.

That said, I plan to keep the trailer and just order a 2014 Sierra SLT with 3.42 gears. This truck looks amazing and should provide me a tonne of room to future proof given the 9600lbs tow rating.

Now the wait begins. Has anyone else done a similar upgrade? Any thoughts or ideas on how different my towing experience will be with the new tow vehicle?

[mkirsch]

bikendan wrote:
very few v-6 SUV's/CUV's are capable of towing a full-height travel trailer, no matter what the specs claim.

Better qualified:

Very few V6 SUV/CUV's are capable of towing a full-height travel trailer, AT THE VEHICLES RATED TOW CAPACITY, no matter what the specs claim.

You could tow a full-height travel trailer that's well below the maximum tow rating, but in this case it is likely that you are at or over the maximum tow rating with this combination.

Probably overloaded too, because normally to tow at the max tow rating, you are using 100% of the vehicle's payload capacity for the tongue weight of the trailer. There is no room left for passengers or bicycles or firewood or things like that.

Good choice on the Sierra. You will be much happier with the 6-speed transmission, 5.3L engine, and 3.42 gear ratio. It will tow like it has a 4.10 gear ratio.

[APT]

2014 GM offers the NHT package with 5.3L and 6.2L. I highly recommend it, not for the extra tow rating, but for the extra payload and other mechanical. I do not know what other details the NHT package offers for 2014, but it does increase payload and GVWR.

[LimogesMan]

Congrats. That should be a great combo.

[The_Texan]

Need-A-Vacation wrote:
HC,
I thought that combo would be pretty sweet, and can only imagine what the 6.2 combo is like!!!

Chris

It is AWESOME. We have 4 different diesel trucks on the ranch and I tow up to 10.2k gooseneck trailers with my 6.2 and like it BETTER than the late model diesels available.

[Need-A-Vacation]

HC,

Did you order the factory brake controller??? If not, add it if it's not to late!!! We have a '13 with the itbc and it is amazing!!! Though my only comparison is do a Draw Tite Activator time based model (I think thats what model it was!).

I had a '10 with the 5.3/6spd/3.42 and it pulled ~7500lbs without an issue here in MI! If needed, drop a gear (or 2) on a hill, and let the motor rev-!!! Only reason we have a 2500HD now is as mentioned, we were short on payload with a family of 4 (growing 10yo boys), added options on truck (truck cap, spray-in bed liner..etc), bed cargo, and tongue weight.

Congrats on the rig!!!!

Dspencer, You can get the 3.73's now with the 5.3 in the new '14's! I think the combo is available to order now??? I thought that combo would be pretty sweet, and can only imagine what the 6.2 combo is like!!!

Chris

[HydrogenCyanide]

They told me 6 to 8 weeks. It is going to be absolute torture.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

Please let us know when you get that new beauty !!

[dspencer]

HydrogenCyanide wrote:
I was looking at the 3.73. It would have made the max towing go to 11,200. I don't think I'd ever tow anything remotely close to that even with an upgrade.

I am hoping the 3.42's will be a nice balance as I mostly use the vehicle as a daily driver and only two about 1200 miles per year.

I think you will be very happy with the 3:42 as long as you stay with a total gross weight on your trailer under 7500lbs. Another words all loaded out ready to camp.

[HydrogenCyanide]

I was looking at the 3.73. It would have made the max towing go to 11,200. I don't think I'd ever tow anything remotely close to that even with an upgrade.

I am hoping the 3.42's will be a nice balance as I mostly use the vehicle as a daily driver and only two about 1200 miles per year.

[dspencer]

mdamerell wrote:
I'd order it with the tow package. The 3.73 rear would probably tow better than the 3.42 rear. Better to have more truck than you think you need. The next trailer will probably be bigger and then you will have the truck to pull it.

Enjoy the new truck.

The only way that you can get the 3:73 rear end in the 14 Silverado and GMC is to get the 6.2 V8. The 5.3 is only available with the 3:08 and 3:42. The 5.3 with the 3.42 rear end will give you a great towing experience. I have a 12 with that combo and love it.

[mdamerell]

I'd order it with the tow package. The 3.73 rear would probably tow better than the 3.42 rear. Better to have more truck than you think you need. The next trailer will probably be bigger and then you will have the truck to pull it.

Enjoy the new truck.

[bikendan]

unfortunately, you have found out what many of us try to warn newbies about and are accused of being the "Weight Police".
most of us don't say you need a 1 ton truck to tow things but we do warn that there's more to towing than just the vehicle's towing capacity.
very few v-6 SUV's/CUV's are capable of towing a full-height travel trailer, no matter what the specs claim. those are tested in perfect conditions and not real world conditions.

[The_Texan]

Make double sure you include the NHT max tow package in the order, or you may still not be as happy as you could be.