Need input on buying new tow vehicle

[Mark S.]

Like them or not. But for towing a diesel is the only way to go. Any truck you look at get the towing package. If you tow a lot go diesel , just once in a while or in the flats a gasser will be fine.

[Wilco]

Your current tow vehicle will do fine through the most of the west. I have found the grades through the Dakota's, Montana and Idaho are not that steep. The exception might be the I-70 passes going through Colorado. If you slow down to 60 mph the high engine rpm's and shifting will decrease. (Remember the trailer tires are only rated for 55-65 mph.) Try it for a year and then decide if you need a bigger truck.

[rbarm]

Thanks for all the responses. It made us think about our future plans for upgrading the TT, how we want to drive our trailer, the type of camping we like to do, where we enjoy camping (KOA vs National Forest), and many other thing. Thanks for all the input.

[Miweber929]

No need for the 6.2L as the 5.3L with the 3.42 will work great to wgat you’re looking at doing.

[cub22908]

Towed a larger trailer than you have with a 2014 silverado 5.3. In 2014 the trailer tow package was 3.73 gears, and that's what I had. The truck did great, no problem. Silverado was a great comfortable and quiet ride. Of course now I have a fifth wheel so had to trade the Silverado for a one ton, so the advice about planning for bigger camper is a valid one. Lost a good chunk of change on that deal
I did get a diesel one ton to use the truck lanes to refuel, you will find with the small gas tank in the Silverado you will be planning your next fuel stop soon after refueling. I always HATED maneuvering around gas pumps with trailer. Maybe they have increased the tank size since 2014. That and the exhaust brake for mountain RVing is the reason I used for the huge extra expense of a diesel. Just a few things I learned from the Silverado for your consideration.

[rvdoctor]

Recommend the 6.2. I have a 2014 GMC tow package with a 6.2. No problems with hills or freeway travel. I have passed diesels in the Wyoming mountains that were not maintaining speed. MPG averages 9 to 11. Installed the Roadway Active Suspense System which made a big positive difference.

[007matman]

I can't reccommend the older gen 6.2 for towing anything. My 2010 6.2 is a beast when towing but the heat generated by this engine will likely send the block into the stratosphere at some point. On top of the that the 6-speed tranny of that generation has its own self-destruct mechanism as well (been there.. Done that).

I understand the newer 6.2 is ok but honestly is it worth the risk? Maybe if it's under warranty but not without it. It hasn't fully proven itself yet in my book.

My 6.2 isn't going to haul anything other than bikes on a trailer going forward.

[VernDiesel]

The 1500 5.3 3.42 will work well for the goals you listed no doubt. That said what is your reason for not considering a diesel. The loud dirty clattery mechanical diesel is long gone. You should at least also drive compare and consider the Colorado diesel for your trailer. It will tow that trailer easily and astonishingly efficiently by comparison. I mean you are at a GM dealership anyway drive them both.

Looking at Green Diesel Engineering tune's chart over 400 foot pound of torque from 1,800 to 2,600 rpms for towing your TT more effortlessly than the 335 at 4,000 rpm 5.3. Only a little over 200 HP won't be as fast unloaded when max acceleration is desired but can easily outpace the flow of traffic. Still when it averages 30 HWY & 15 mpg towing your TT at 65 compared to 10 mpg for the gas it adds up quick. Coming down mountain grades with the TT pushing you the turbo brake is comforting controlling speed to your choosing without riding the brakes like most gas trucks.

Anyway just saying their is pros & cons to both and you should drive and consider both while at the dealership.

BTW loved my gas pickups. But now towing moderate size TTs like yours daily I can't see going back to a gas truck. Seems odd to say not picking go fast first being an old drag racer but I still have my old hot rod for when I have go fast itis.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by 007matman

I can't reccommend the older gen 6.2 for towing anything. My 2010 6.2 is a beast when towing but the heat generated by this engine will likely send the block into the stratosphere at some point. On top of the that the 6-speed tranny of that generation has its own self-destruct mechanism as well (been there.. Done that).

I understand the newer 6.2 is ok but honestly is it worth the risk? Maybe if it's under warranty but not without it. It hasn't fully proven itself yet in my book.

My 6.2 isn't going to haul anything other than bikes on a trailer going forward.

The 6.2L is paired with an 8-speed tranny these days and neither the engine nor tranny get hot even while towing in hot weather. I would never consider a 6.0L or a 6.2L paired with a 6-speed tranny. They work too hard and get to hot for my tastes.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by VernDiesel

The 1500 5.3 3.42 will work well for the goals you listed no doubt. That said what is your reason for not considering a diesel. The loud dirty clattery mechanical diesel is long gone. You should at least also drive compare and consider the Colorado diesel for your trailer. It will tow that trailer easily and astonishingly efficiently by comparison. I mean you are at a GM dealership anyway drive them both.

Looking at Green Diesel Engineering tune's chart over 400 foot pound of torque from 1,800 to 2,600 rpms for towing your TT more effortlessly than the 335 at 4,000 rpm 5.3. Only a little over 200 HP won't be as fast unloaded when max acceleration is desired but can easily outpace the flow of traffic. Still when it averages 30 HWY & 15 mpg towing your TT at 65 compared to 10 mpg for the gas it adds up quick. Coming down mountain grades with the TT pushing you the turbo brake is comforting controlling speed to your choosing without riding the brakes like most gas trucks.

Anyway just saying their is pros & cons to both and you should drive and consider both while at the dealership.

BTW loved my gas pickups. But now towing moderate size TTs like yours daily I can't see going back to a gas truck. Seems odd to say not picking go fast first being an old drag racer but I still have my old hot rod for when I have go fast itis.

Oh, probably the weight of the engine and the $10,600 price markup.


In all seriousness, a diesel engine is absolutely perfect for towing heavy loads.

[BigH]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

... I would never consider a 6.0L or a 6.2L paired with a 6-speed tranny. They work too hard and get to hot for my tastes.

I have the 6.0 with the 6-speed. This spring we did 2800 miles, a good deal of the Appalachians in 90-95 degree temps. The trans never got hotter than 181, the motor temp never moved, pulled all but one grade over 70mph and often hills were pulled in OD without downshifting...grades required one downshift. -All of this with more weight on the truck than you can get a 6.2 truck equipped to handle. The deep skirted, iron blocked 6.0 is the motor for HD applications...

[Chief T]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

The 6.2L is paired with an 8-speed tranny these days and neither the engine nor tranny get hot even while towing in hot weather. I would never consider a 6.0L or a 6.2L paired with a 6-speed tranny. They work too hard and get to hot for my tastes.

Sorry to break from this thread, I recently purchased a 12 GMC Sierra w/6.2 w/6 speed tranny. What is considered to be too hot for the tranny? Recent trip on 90 degree day going up continental divide, tranny got into 220s. Engine temp was fine.

[debit]

I love my 2005 Ram 2500 diesel, 6 speed manual tranny. Currently, we tow a 2016 FR Surveyor 251rks and a 8k boat trailer.
We travel in BC Canada, OR and WA.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by Chief T

Sorry to break from this thread, I recently purchased a 12 GMC Sierra w/6.2 w/6 speed tranny. What is considered to be too hot for the tranny? Recent trip on 90 degree day going up continental divide, tranny got into 220s. Engine temp was fine.

The tranny shouldn't get that hot unless you are pulling a really heavy load up a steep grade. That temperature won't damage the tranny if you keep the fluid changed regularly. Anything higher should be a cause for concern. Mine stays in the upper 180's and low 190's pulling my trailer up long climbs on hot days. How fast were you pulling your load?

[007matman]

The 6L80 tranny mated to the 6.2 will hover around 200 driving in town (or on the highway) without a load... How do I know this? I spent the prior year watching it like a hawk. With the stock cooler I'd regularly see temps in the 240's and higher at times while pulling my 7400lb travel trailer. That is definitely too hot. How do I know this? I've got a new tranny now. Shortly after installing the new tranny I installed the Tru-Cool 40k. Much better now. Highest I've seen while towing is around 180.

There are several thermal carts for tranny's that show the average life expectancy of a transmission based on it's normal operating temp. Let's just say the lower temps the better.

If you're pulling with the 6.2, the upgraded tranny cooler is a must in my book. I won't tow without it.

[VernDiesel]

Oh, probably the weight of the engine and the $10,600 price markup.


In all seriousness, a diesel engine is absolutely perfect for towing heavy loads.


The weight of the inline 4 diesel should about the same perhaps a little less than the v8. A Colorado diesel is $10,600 more than a 1500?

[elchilero53]

I'm not talking about the Colorado, though the diesel engine is heavy cast iron not steel-sleeved aluminum like the gasoline engines common in many motors today (the GM 6.0L gasoline engine is cast iron). I was talking about the 2500HD series pickup trucks. I shopped and compared prices, and the markup for a diesel is $10,600 over the gasoline engine. Pluses you lost around 200+ lbs of payload with the diesel. I know the small-block diesel is much lighter than the ones in the 2500HD trucks, but it should be heavier and more costly than the same-sized gasoline engine.

[VernDiesel]

You were responding to my post and I was talking about the diesel Colorado. Thats why when you jumped to weight and $10,600 I copied it & replied as I did, as your response did not make sense with respects to my post. My post was talking about 400 plus foot pounds & mileage compared to the 5.3, certainly the 6.6 Dmax makes gobs more.

I was only saying for your goals you should compare the Colorado diesel to the 1500 5.3 and drive both. I know you have a Colorado now in a gasser.

[katkt]

I’m dragging about 7000#, with a 2010 5.4, with 3.55’s and a 6 speed transmission. It has the trailer tow package, but not the Max tow.
I was gaining speed pulling the big hill heading east on 40, climbing out of Albuquerque.
I’ve added the RAS rear spring assist, mostly because of experience with softly sprung suspensions on my TV’s of choice. It has come in handy, because of the high tongue weight of my 26WFKSS Vlite.

The truck can tow at 65 all day long, standing on its head. Depending on terrain and wind, I can even use the cruise.

The Husky Centerline I use for a WDH, says right on the instructions, not to use their product for a TT weighing 4000# or less.

IMHO, you will be just fine staying with a 1/2 ton, with a towing package(Tranny cooler. A rear axle ratio in the mid 3’s. A rear suspension that can be beefed up),
“if” you never plan on stepping up on the size of your TT beyond about 6000# dry. If you think your going to drag something closer to the upper limits of a 1/2 ton, buy the respective Max tow package in the 1/2 ton TV of your choice. The rear axle ratio will be around 3.73 instead of 3.55. This will make your fuel mileage fall of just a bit, as the 3.73 are lower gearing, and result in higher rpms. It’ll also have a better sprung rear end.

My current TV, is a 4x4 Supercrew, with the Shorty bed. I have only needed four wheel drive once, in an out of the way campground somebody stuck on the side of a steep hill, that had unpaved roads.
When I purchased the PU, I was using it to drag a 7500# boat, and was concerned about pulling it out of the water on wet steep ramps. Hence the 4x4. The point of all this is, unless you think you need it for snow or whatever, stick with two wheel drive. The gas mileage will be a couple miles per gallon better then a 4x4.
Since I only dragged the boat locally, and because the trailer carried most of the weight, I never did use a WDH hitch with it, and it towed fine. It actually towed really well, which is why I was not concerned with the heavy TW, and 6300# dry weight of my TT. I already knew the truck could handle it.

If/ when I replace this TV, it’ll be another 1/2 ton, with the same 3.55 rear axle ratio, but the smaller torquier eco boost motor. The RAS, makes up for not having the Max tow suspension in the rear. I am also so looking forward to what’s available out there, as far as what’s new in transmissions. I’m beginning to think the earth shifted on its axis and the choices improved considerably, right after I drove mine off the lot in 2010.

If the truck is a daily driver or something you’ll drive on long trips w/o the TT, staying around a 3.55, and beefing up the rear suspension if you go bigger on the TT may be the best choice. It’ll drag anything around the weight of your current TT, just fine.

[steamboatscott]

Ford F-150 w/ the aluminum body provides the highest payload of any 1/2 ton truck (mine is 1,850 lbs). This combined with their 3.5L/V6 EcoBoost giving just as good towing performance (better than my old Tundra V8) as it does non-towing gas mileage (amazing) made the choice easy for me.