Silverado 1500 towing

[rlocicero]

I have been a Ford guy for years but the prices for the new silverado are verytempting. we are towing aFlagstaff 829ss and our 2008 F150 5.4 3,73 takes care of it very well. The new f150 now comes with a 5.0. Chevy still has the 5.3l/3,42. Looking for anyone who is towing with the new ford 5.0 or the chevy 5.3 for towing input. Thanks.

[richludden]

I am towing a 33' shasta revere 30CKBH w/a 2010 silverado 5.3L, 3.42GR, w/tow package. I have not had any issues in the 7 trips I have been on so far. A little trailer sway when a semi passes. I plan to add a second sway controller (friction bar type) to correct this issue. I weighed recently on a new CAT scale, 13860 LBS was my GCVW. I chose chevy because of the better pricing and the tow numbers compared to Ford were not that much different.

[bikendan]

if i was in the market for a new 1/2 ton to tow with, i'd be looking at the Ecoboost F-150 over a Chevy. and i own a Chevy with the 5.3.

i think it has better towing numbers than the 5.0.
and a new HD version is coming out for this new model year.

[wayne anthony]

When I bought my first trailer back in 2000, one site said "no such thing as too big of a truck". I have a 2006 Chev 2500 with the 6 liter and I think about a 4.13 rear end. My old trailer had a dry weight of 4200 lbs. and my present truck and older 454 handled it good. My new trailer is 6400 lbs. dry weight and no problems on the flat lands, but down to 40 over some mountain passes in Colorado. Wayne

[acadianbob]

Ok this might "tee off" some general motors fans (and that is not the purpose), but the Silverado 5.3 is way down on torque compared to the competition. Not great for towing. And I think they come with 3.41 gear sets which worsens the issue. X2 on the Ecoboost; phenomenal . . .

[dirttracker18]

I can't speak to the Eco boost but we just got rid of our 02 Silverado 5.3 in favour of an 04 F150 with a 5.4. Can't say there is a big difference in power but the truck handles the load better. I can say this much for sure, the GM 5.3 is down on torque for towing. I really had to rev it high onthe hills and the engine could really feel the load.

Not sure on the torque numbers for that 5.0 Eco. Look for lots and at low rpm.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by dirttracker18

Not sure on the torque numbers for that 5.0 Eco. Look for lots and at low rpm.

the 5.0 is not an Ecoboost engine, only the v-6 is.

[dretired]

IF.. You can get a decent lease deal ..I am a Ford retiree.. Check out a F150 super cab XLT or FX4 model. Have the dealer get on the computer and add the max trailer tow pkg,heavy duty payload pkg, 3.73 limited slip or electronic locking rear end if its a 4x4. and the 3.5 eco boost engine. with that combo you should be at 11,300 lbs towing , with a payload of over 2,000 lbs. i had the dealer "search" for one the other day and no luck. They would have to order one for me. But the good news is you can get exactly the Truck you want !! P.S. get on the Ford web site and find the build and price tool its a lot of fun and gives you a MSRP price..Good luck !!

[dretired]

And.... you will love those telescoping towing mirrors.. They are part of one of the packages , (payload or towing) AND dont forget a brake controller also...

[MacDaddy]

Towed a 27' Wildwood for a couple years with a '03 Chevy 1500 5.3, trailer package and 3:73 gears. The truck towed ok but there were some grades that we thought the DW was going to have to get out and push on. I use an Equa-l-izer setup so the wind and semi's didn't give me much problem. I traded the 1500 for a 2500 with the 6.0 and 3:73 gears, trailer plus package. Basically the same truck just bigger. Pulling the trailer with my new truck is effortless. I don't have to work at it nearlly as much.