Silverado owner question

[EXGMTech]

My wife & I just ordered a Flagstaff 31' TT...my delema is my TV..'08 Tahoe, 5.3 3.73 gears. From everything I'm reading the TV is going to be taxed on the almost 7k lb loaded weight with a limit of 7200 lbs & wheelbase of 116.

I'm mentaly preparing myself to change TV although not really in the budget. I'm looking at the new Silverados both 1500 & 2500 HD. My question is which way I should go..1500 or 2500...I know both properly equipped can get the job done well. I'd like to hear from owners of both the pros & cons. Thanks in advance! Eric

[milzat]

Eric,
When I upgrade, it it'll be to a 3/4 ton. So, to answer your question, I'd go with the 2500.

[Filthy Beast]

I was towing a similar weight fifth wheel with a 2004 Silverado with the same engine and gearing. It did alright until we moved West and encountered the mountains. I towed here with that truck until we had issues with the hills and strong winds, the truck just struggled too much. We ended up buying the 2500HD with the Duramax and the difference was unbelievable. I am glad I spent the extra cash. I got lucky when I purchased as at the time there was employee pricing and another $5000 cash back.

[EdJunior]

You will definitely want to go with the 2500/250 (3/4 ton). Even if you think it might be overkill, particularly for what you currently have, it won't be. The 3/4T will handle everything so much better...period. As for whether you should get diesel or not, that will depend on whether you can afford it or not. If you can, just do it. You won't regret it. If you can't, with the Chevy, you'll be getting the 6.0L which is a capable enough engine for what you are towing. If you're getting new, I believe Chevy has upgraded to a 6.2L gas, and I know Ford has for their 2011 Superduty's. With either, you won't regret the extra payload, towing capability, and peace of mind.

[rockwood06]

Originally Posted by EXGMTech

My wife & I just ordered a Flagstaff 31' TT...my delema is my TV..'08 Tahoe, 5.3 3.73 gears. From everything I'm reading the TV is going to be taxed on the almost 7k lb loaded weight with a limit of 7200 lbs & wheelbase of 116.

I'm mentaly preparing myself to change TV although not really in the budget. I'm looking at the new Silverados both 1500 & 2500 HD. My question is which way I should go..1500 or 2500...I know both properly equipped can get the job done well. I'd like to hear from owners of both the pros & cons. Thanks in advance! Eric

I tow a 2006 rockwood 8314ss and it's 33' with a 2008 Chevy Silverado extended cab pick up. Now if you go with a 1/2 ton get the heavy duty 1/2 ton. The stardard 1/2 is rated @7,300 lbs but the heavy duty 1/2 or 1500 HD is rated at 10,500 lbs, at this point if you move up from here you be going into the 2500 HD which is rate around 12,500 lbs. The wheel base on my truck is 143" and it is equip with a 6.0 gas engine, 4 speed heavy duty trans, 4:10 rear and a heavy duty tow package. When I am towing and do not need power my engine runs on 4 clyinder and auto shifts into 8 clyinder when I need it and it doesn't matter what speed I am traveling at on the highway. My 2008 pick up tows much better the my 1997 3/4 ton Suburban did, My truck came with a factory installed trailer braking system and that works great as well. The only thing I will tell you is to look into the future, what are your plans as far as a bigger camper before you spend money on a 2500 HD diesel. Yes there are other factors to think about as mention above.

[EXGMTech]

Diesel is out of the question...cost, cost of fuel & waking camp neighbors in the early morning excursions.

[rockwood06]

One thng about the GM Duramax, it is quite compared to other diesels I think, but as far as the cost for a diesel, It's a long time recovery for the money spent at this point in time. I look at it this way, I keep my trucks on an average of 10 years and hope that the camper last as long, this is when I will look at my needs and whats again when it comes time to buy a new camper, then look at a new truck to tow the camper safely. Yes, you do want a truck that is going to hold up over time, but then and again over kill will cost you more then what you are going to get out of It, so why not save it for the next truck or camper. This just my view, it's a matter of choise and how you want to spend your money. There was a time that the average person kept there vehicles for about 3 to 5 years and then bought new because they became board with them and whated something new, today it is too costly for the average to to that so now we own our vehicles longer, that one reason it is good to look ahead.

[flyrotor]

Your Tahoe is a 1/2 ton, granted your 1/2 ton p/u will generally have a longer wheel base, but changing from Tahoe to 1/2 ton p/u will be a minimal change, go for the 3/4 ton which will give you a different drive train and the longer wheel base

[TravelSoftballDad]

2500 All Day !! I had two 1500's (Suburban and Avalanche) and soon traded the Suburban for a 2500. You can justify the 1500, but the cost savings benefit vs repairs in addition to the wife asking you every trip, "Why does the engine rev so high all the time?" do not add up !!

If you're buying new, I think you can still get 0% for 60 months on that Silverado and further justify that savings against only a couple grand for the 2500.

If it's possible financially, this is a no-brainer !!

[chevy02]

I vote for 2500HD also awesome truck plenty of towing power

[rockwood06]

The 1997 GMC Suburban that I had, had 130 " wheel base, and you are right a pick up has a larger wheel base, and the 2008 pick I have has a 143" wheel base I believe it is 2" shorter then the 3/4 ton, but like I said there is a differance between the stardard 1/2 ton and the heavy duty 1/2 ton as far as frame design.
You can also get a 2500 HD equip as mine is with the 6.0 gas engine heavy duty 4 speed trans and a 4:10 rear. The 3/4 ton comes stardard with a heavier suspension a class iv receiver and load range "E" tires (10 ply) then the next step up is the 2500 HD diesel. I am not sure but is there two different size diesels from GM that you can get?.....6.0 and 6.2 ???????

[Round Mound of Sound]

I have the 2500HD and love it, as for fuel I get the same or better than the my old 1500 gasser. Noise is not like the older diesel. You have the power when and where you want it.

[KyDan]

Here's a different spin on this issue---- trailer weight
trumps horse power.
We've traded up in trailer size 3 times to the one we have
now. I think we've finally found one we can keep a long
time.
In a nut shell, our trailer is the smallest one we could get that had---

A "walk around bed" really it's a peninsula but much easier
to make than the sideways "crawl over beds" of smaller models.

B it has a sofa so you can sit and not be on the bed
or behind the table.

C the table is a table and does not need to become a bed unless
you've got extra grand kids with you.

D it's an ULTRA LITE-
my certified truck scales trailer weight fully loaded with water, LP, food
clothes, gear ready to camp is right around 4500 LBS including
tongue weight.
I can add my 500 LB motorcycle in the back of my truck and still
be a few pounds under 5000.

E bonus-- mine is only 7 1/2 feet wide so if my truck tires are
on the road, so are the trailer tires. Current models are all
8 feet wide.

F the biggest bonus of all--- my wife says it's a keeper!!!

My truck is plenty strong enough for our rig.
I've got the 5.3 L v8 and towing package.

[Wisconsin Camper]

You know, it's each to there own on this question. When I first picked up our new camper, I went and test pulled with a couple different TV's. If you have this option with friends that you know, do it!
With 4 kids I need the Yukon XL anyhow, though I wasn't very happy with the way the 3/4 ton suburban towed with the 6.0. So I went with the Denali and the 6.2. Very pleased with it.
Good luck on your decision!

[Mikesr]

Got the 2500HD Gas 6.0 and it pulls the 31' Flagstaff with no problems.

[EXGMTech]

Well first off thanks to everyone for their input...bit the bullet and in my driveway sits a 2010 2500 HD extended cab long box 6.0L with 4.10 gears.
I think this combo should do ok pulling the 7000 lbs with a rating of 12700.

What an awesome truck! Now I need to log 500+ miles of break in before the trailer arives (early May). Eric

[rockwood06]

Originally Posted by EXGMTech

Well first off thanks to everyone for their input...bit the bullet and in my driveway sits a 2010 2500 HD extended cab long box 6.0L with 4.10 gears.
I think this combo should do ok pulling the 7000 lbs with a rating of 12700.

What an awesome truck! Now I need to log 500+ miles of break in before the trailer arives (early May). Eric

Congrats on your new truck, how about a pic nothing like a new Truck...

[chevy02]

Awesome good choice you wont be sorry Now we are jealous and pictures are a must

[EdJunior]

Congrats! I think you did great by going with the 2500. You will not be dissapointed. Now hurry and get those 500 miles on 'er so you can get to the good stuff...towing!

[KyDan]

OK, now I'm being nosey-- what did it set you back??