Silverado 1500 towing

rlocicero · 09-04-2011, 07:46 AM

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.

RichieD · 09-04-2011, 12:48 PM

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** · 09-04-2011, 02:04 PM

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 · 09-04-2011, 02:43 PM

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 · 09-04-2011, 04:46 PM

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 · 09-06-2011, 08:58 PM

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** · 09-06-2011, 10:51 PM

Quote:

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 · 09-07-2011, 05:38 AM

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 · 09-07-2011, 05:46 AM

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 · 09-07-2011, 08:57 AM

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.

jeeplj8 · 09-13-2011, 03:04 PM

I have towed with a 1/2 ton Chevy 5.3, and Dodge 5.7 and Ford 5.4. The 5.3 was the weakest of the three. However, it still got the job done.

The numbers on the ecoboost clearly blow it away. and the new 5.0 is probably a good comparison.

FWIW - GM is starting the ramp-up to the next gen 1/2 ton trucks, should be mid 2012 for the 2013 model. Rumor has it the 5.3 will be re-designed.

jjarrard · 09-13-2011, 05:31 PM

I bought a new 2007 Tundra Crewmax. My son bought an F150 Supercrew 5.4. There is no comparison in towing ability and power. The Tundra does much better. My son recently drove the Tundra and almost couldn`t believe the difference. He pulls our boat just fine, but the camper is out of the question. I have the 5.7 V-8, 6-speed automatic, towing package and 4.30:1 gear in the Tundra. It has been trouble free so far, (knocking on wood) and pulls my loaded trailer well. Since these trucks have been around since 2007, there are several used examples around for sale at "reasonable" prices. My truck is almost paid off and I am trying to resist the temptation to get another truck. When I priced an F150 Ecoboost with similar options (no leather) it was well over 40K. Even used diesels can reach or exceed that level. Since my current truck pulls well and only has 50K miles, I decided to just keep it. I have owned Ford, Chevy, and now Toyota half-ton trucks in the past. I have had good service from all of them. I am not trying to sell one brand over the other, just sharing my first hand experience.

popik · 09-13-2011, 07:55 PM

i pull a 7000 lbs trailer with an 07 chev 1/2 5.3 with 3.73's. its pulled from Alberta Canada to Ohio and back and then again down to SLC Utah with no major issues. If your racing then get a diesel but in all honesty i cant complain about torque or power.

leencharlotte · 09-14-2011, 06:02 AM

Got an '10 Tundra myself, crew can, 5.7 with tow package as well and it is super strong at pulling my 312qbud (8000-8500 fully loaded, depending on designation) I have easily maintain speeds on a 7% grade and could even accelerate when needed. Only thing I think that lacks in the GVWR at 7k. Has the power of a 3/4 but by the time you load up the truck you are left with very little cargo weight.

I would like to eventually trade up to a 250/350 diesel just for the extra cargo weight

Kpinto · 09-14-2011, 08:33 AM

I have a 2010 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton. It has the 6.0 engine and 6 speed tranny. I wanted to keep the 1/2 ton ride but wanted the extra power of the 6.0. I had a 2009 GMC with 5.3 and 4 speed tranny. No comparison between the two. I am pulling a 8528TBWS dry weight 7346

dennis5_0 · 09-14-2011, 08:58 AM

I am hauling a 2011 Tracer 2910BHS, weighed at the factory at 5966lbs with a 2006 ford f150 SC with a 4.6 in it. The truck hauls the trailer very well, only on very steep hills do I have to really rev the engine in the 3500-3750 range, but when I do this the truck starts to accelerate and to tell you the truth I was very impressed with the little V8. I know I am over what a lot of people consider safe or capable of towing with my truck I am very confident that my Ford truck is safe on the road when towing my Tracer(which my DW and I love). Just as an afternote I tow the trailer at app.60 mph or 100kph with a wdh and 1 friction sway bar, very little sway when passed by semi.

Dennis

Bama PrimeTime · 09-14-2011, 09:14 AM

My 2010 Silverado Ex-Cab with the 5.3 Lt. 3:42 rear 6 speed tranny tows my Surveyor SV291 very well. Loaded I'm at about 6k lbs. (empty tanks). I rarely hit 3500 RPMs on hills. But we haven't done any steep mountain roads yet. It does have the factory heavy towing package, and I have an Equalizer WDH.

boubou · 09-15-2011, 12:25 PM

Great thread! I love to hear what people at towing with what vehicle

bill and theresa · 09-15-2011, 04:30 PM

I am towing a 2008 rockwood 8313 with a 99 silverado with well over 200,000 on it. It has a 5.4 and 3.73 rear end and heavy tow package. I have had no issues and get about 10 mpg.,close to 20 not towing, Have been looking to change tv but this one is so good I decided to keep it a while longer.my camper weighs 7230 loaded

jeeplj8 · 09-16-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boubou

Great thread! I love to hear what people at towing with what vehicle

I do as well. I think "can I tow X with Y?" is about the most loaded question out there. Lot's of people will be perfectly towing a set-up I would never dream of hitting the road with. Some people would think my different towing set-ups over the years were not safe. So much preference.

When it comes to towing "safely" I tend to look at it this way:
-can I get my rig stopped in a true panic situation in a straight line?
-will the tail wag the dog?

Everything else (caveat that I don't mena ignoring common sense, vehciel/trailer ratings etc.) is a matter of comfort.

I also want to be able to:
-pass a slow moving vehicle
-run at traffic speed on the interstate
-keep the kids asleep
-accellerate into moving traffic

Those are not really safety concerns, but depending on where you are going, may be very important. If you find yourself in city traffic and cannot get your rig up to speed in the hole you find in traffic, well then you may be creating an unsafe situiation.

This tends to shade my feelings on what is appropriate to tow with. That, and I am a defense attorney. I can probably prove to a jury that half the rigs going the road are "unsafe."

Just my oppinion.

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