Need input on buying new tow vehicle

[rbarm]

We are currently pulling our 2018 Rockwood 1905 TT (3,000# dry, 4000# loaded) with a 2016 Chevy Colorado. The V6 in it seems to work real hard to maintain 65-70 mph with high rpm and engine noise. It does ok here in Michigan for short distances, but we are planning some extended trips to the Dakotas, the southwest and others over the next few years. Planning on 2 or 3 extended trips per year. We like the size of this trailer because we can get into smaller spaces with it and we like to dry camp when possible. We have been using a Coleman popup for 20 years. We don’t see ourselves getting a much large trailer or 5th wheel in the future.

I am a GM guy and a not a diesel fan. We are looking at upgrading to a Silverado 1500 4x4 Crew Cab with the 5.3L V8 and 6 speed transmission. Trailing package, integrated brake controller, automatic locking differential, 3.08 rear axle ratio. Other than trailering, we will use the Silverado for daily driving and have no use for a heavy duty truck.
But I don’t want to make another mistake buying this vehicle. So some questions?

- Will this truck/engine be better than my current setup?
- Should I upgrade to the 6.2 engine? (Adds $6,000 to the price)
- The 5.3L V8 comes with the 3.08 rear axle ratio. A 3.42 ratio is an option. Which one would work better?


Thanks for any input you can give.

[Chief T]

I’ll share this with you. I too have a smallish TT, no more than 5k loaded. Had a 03 GMC Sierra, regular cab, short bed, w/4.8l and max tow pkg. Max tow pkg included aux trans cooler, beefed up rear suspension and 3.73 gears. I live in southwest at 5.5k elevation. The Sierra towed the TT great, made it over Raton Pass, 7.8k elevation. Not sure I’d want to tackle some of the other higher passes out west with the 4.8l. Was getting pushed around by passing big rigs and such. Porpoising was an issue at times due to the short wheel base.

Recently upgraded to a 12 GMC Sierra CCSB w/6.2 and 3.42 gears. Being pushed around and porpoising is no longer an issue. At times, don’t even notice the TT is behind us.

If you get the 5.3, do not get the 3.08. 3.73 would be best, but 3.42 should do you fine. Make sure you have the aux trans cooler. P-rated tires are standard issue on ½ tons, so may need to look to upgrade to LT tires as well.

Some people may say plan for your next trailer, not your current as you will most likely upgrade down the road.

Just my .02 cents.

Safe and happy travels.

[Justice12t]

Originally Posted by rbarmhome

We are currently pulling our 2018 Rockwood 1905 TT (3,000# dry, 4000# loaded) with a 2016 Chevy Colorado. The V6 in it seems to work real hard to maintain 65-70 mph with high rpm and engine noise. It does ok here in Michigan for short distances, but we are planning some extended trips to the Dakotas, the southwest and others over the next few years. Planning on 2 or 3 extended trips per year. We like the size of this trailer because we can get into smaller spaces with it and we like to dry camp when possible. We have been using a Coleman popup for 20 years. We don’t see ourselves getting a much large trailer or 5th wheel in the future.

I am a GM guy and a not a diesel fan. We are looking at upgrading to a Silverado 1500 4x4 Crew Cab with the 5.3L V8 and 6 speed transmission. Trailing package, integrated brake controller, automatic locking differential, 3.08 rear axle ratio. Other than trailering, we will use the Silverado for daily driving and have no use for a heavy duty truck.
But I don’t want to make another mistake buying this vehicle. So some questions?

- Will this truck/engine be better than my current setup?
- Should I upgrade to the 6.2 engine? (Adds $6,000 to the price)
- The 5.3L V8 comes with the 3.08 rear axle ratio. A 3.42 ratio is an option. Which one would work better?


Thanks for any input you can give.

Yes, the 5.3 and bigger truck will be an improvement. I personally would steer clear of the 3.08(Highway gears), I think that gives you roughly a 6200 tow rating. The 3.42's put you somewhere in the 9-10k range depending on truck setup.

I just turned in my 6.2L\8 Speed\3.42s. That motor is a beast, pulls like no tomorrow. However with what you describe above I think that would be over kill.

Find a nice 1500 with a 5.3, 3.42's and what you listed above. You will be very happy. I think you have an option for the 6 or 8 speed transmission depending on your setup. My mom pulls a camper slightly bigger than yours with the truck you are looking to upgrade to and loves it.

Good Luck, travel safe!

[Justice12t]

Originally Posted by Chief T

I’ll share this with you. I too have a smallish TT, no more than 5k loaded. Had a 03 GMC Sierra, regular cab, short bed, w/4.8l and max tow pkg. Max tow pkg included aux trans cooler, beefed up rear suspension and 3.73 gears. I live in southwest at 5.5k elevation. The Sierra towed the TT great, made it over Raton Pass, 7.8k elevation. Not sure I’d want to tackle some of the other higher passes out west with the 4.8l. Was getting pushed around by passing big rigs and such. Porpoising was an issue at times due to the short wheel base.

Recently upgraded to a 12 GMC Sierra CCSB w/6.2 and 3.42 gears. Being pushed around and porpoising is no longer an issue. At times, don’t even notice the TT is behind us.

If you get the 5.3, do not get the 3.08. 3.73 would be best, but 3.42 should do you fine. Make sure you have the aux trans cooler. P-rated tires are standard issue on ½ tons, so may need to look to upgrade to LT tires as well.

Some people may say plan for your next trailer, not your current as you will most likely upgrade down the road.

Just my .02 cents.

Safe and happy travels.

X2 on that

[rbarm]

Thanks for the quick responses. Why does the gear ratio 3.08 vs 3.42 make a difference when towing? Will the 3.42 lower the rpms at higher speeds? How does it affect my gas mileage when not towing?

I can't get the 3.73 unless I go with the Max Trailering package which I don't really need and adds $2500 costs.

Thanks

[Justice12t]

Originally Posted by rbarmhome

Thanks for the quick responses. Why does the gear ratio 3.08 vs 3.42 make a difference when towing? Will the 3.42 lower the rpms at higher speeds? How does it affect my gas mileage when not towing?

I can't get the 3.73 unless I go with the Max Trailering package which I don't really need and adds $2500 costs.

Thanks

So the lower the number the less towing power you have. They are also known as highway gears. Basically, it limits your ability to tow. Gives you less take off power, hill pulling, ect. Now this is not engine power, just towing ability.

I had the 3.42's and thought they were great. I would get around 20mpg highway not loaded but still had enough power to tow the hills.

[Iowa City Fix It]

I have a Silverado double cab with a 5.3 engine and 3.42 gears. That is what I would recommend. I pull about 6,700 pounds and it handles nicely. I would avoid the 3.08.

[TheGerman]

Somebody is going to recommend a diesel in 3 ... 2 ... 1...

As for the question about axle ratio, the numerically higher ratios mean the engine is going to turn slightly higher RPM for a given speed. At first glance that sounds like what you don't want, but it decreases the stress on mostly the transmission which in turn allows higher tow ratings. Theoretically it decreases the MPG, but in practice the differences seem minor.

However I wonder if the OP is a bit off with his expectations. A travel trailer is a huge wind drag so pretty much any gas engine will have to run in a lower gear, increasing the RPM. It's never going to tow with the same ease as towing a popup. Personally I tow a Wolfpup with a RAM 1500 V6 (a somewhat similar setup to the OP) and it runs at 2200-2500 RPM in the flat which I don't find annoying.

[rbarm]

OP??? Is that me?

[BeckyMax]

[QUOTE=I am a GM guy and a not a diesel fan. We are looking at upgrading to a Silverado 1500 4x4 Crew Cab with the 5.3L V8 and 6 speed transmission. Trailing package, integrated brake controller, automatic locking differential, 3.08 rear axle ratio. Other than trailering, we will use the Silverado for daily driving and have no use for a heavy duty truck.
But I don’t want to make another mistake buying this vehicle. So some questions?

- Will this truck/engine be better than my current setup?
- Should I upgrade to the 6.2 engine? (Adds $6,000 to the price)
- The 5.3L V8 comes with the 3.08 rear axle ratio. A 3.42 ratio is an option. Which one would work better?
.[/QUOTE]

We just bought a 2015 Silverado with the 6.2 and 3.42 rear-end. We actually did a "test tow" with a 5.3 and we thought it was working just a bit too hard for our camper - 4500 lb dry weight. We were planning on getting a larger but lighter camper. We opted to go with the 6.2 instead and a very happy with it. Our new camper is 4000 lb dry and prob close to 5,000 fully loaded. Since we were buying something a couple years old, the price difference was $3,000. We decided that we would rather error on the side of too much than not enough, and make a $30,000 mistake. Our budget was $32,000 for a truck. We spent $35,000 instead. It turned out to be a good choice.

[HangDiver]

As others have said I would stay away from the 3.08 axle or your transmission will be constantly shifting/seeking the proper gear/torque while towing. But a 5.3L V8 with the 3.42 will be better suited for combined towing and highway non-towing milage. Be sure to get the auxilary transmission cooler as well.

Good luck.

[oldjim]

good luck with your new tow vehicle. I'm a Ford guy so I can't offer any advice.

[elchilero53]

We have a trailer similar to yours (4410# empty; 6000# loaded) and we towed it with a Chevy Tahoe with the 5.3L - 6-speed - 3.42 combo but it worked too hard and got too hot during summer towing and going up long grades.


I sold it and bought a 2017 1500 with the 6.2L - 8-speed - 3.23 combo. I needed the Z71 package not available on Tow Max packages so settled for a lower tow rating (9200#). Let me tell you how well this tows. I put LT tires on it and it is very stable towing even in wind and with passing trucks. Hills were fine with a lot of power and it doesn't get hot. I get 11 mpg towing generally and about 20 - 21 mpg in regular driving. The down side is that to get this motor, you need the LTZ trim package and the truck uses premium fuel but it is a towing beast! I believe the 6.2L motor will be available in other trim packages next year.

[MainelyUS]

Originally Posted by Chief T

I’ll share this with you. I too have a smallish TT, no more than 5k loaded. Had a 03 GMC Sierra, regular cab, short bed, w/4.8l and max tow pkg. Max tow pkg included aux trans cooler, beefed up rear suspension and 3.73 gears. I live in southwest at 5.5k elevation. The Sierra towed the TT great, made it over Raton Pass, 7.8k elevation. Not sure I’d want to tackle some of the other higher passes out west with the 4.8l. Was getting pushed around by passing big rigs and such. Porpoising was an issue at times due to the short wheel base.

Recently upgraded to a 12 GMC Sierra CCSB w/6.2 and 3.42 gears. Being pushed around and porpoising is no longer an issue. At times, don’t even notice the TT is behind us.

If you get the 5.3, do not get the 3.08. 3.73 would be best, but 3.42 should do you fine. Make sure you have the aux trans cooler. P-rated tires are standard issue on ½ tons, so may need to look to upgrade to LT tires as well.

Some people may say plan for your next trailer, not your current as you will most likely upgrade down the road.

Just my .02 cents.

Safe and happy travels.

X2
The most important question here is...are you going to buy a larger TT someday if so this is your opportunity to plan for the future...
Good Luck

Happy Trails

[vicetoy]

My TV is a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD short bed 5.3L with 3.42 Ratio, rated 9200#. Great truck, burns Reg gas, 11 + MPG towing 29' TT, 21 highway. I love it. Hook up and go!

[Kayak]

I have a 2014 Silverado 5.3 liter gas engine which I
tow a 8000 lbs V lite .Gets over 11 miles per gallon .Driving with out towing around 20.Tows fine no problems.I had a 2008 Silverado with the six cylinder it had much less capacity.

[RFSims]

In reality the Colorado will tow a 4,000 lb trailer just fine. The 2014 and newer GM 5.3 CCSB 4X4 with 6 speed 3:42 will tow a 4,000 lb trailer up Mt Everest ( I tow a Rockwood 2902WS with same setup). Some on here think one needs a Peterbuilt or Kenworth to tow 4K properly.
I'll bet a dollar to a doughnut that you will like the 1500 a lot better than the Colorado and the gas mielage will be close to the same.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by rbarmhome

OP??? Is that me?

Yep... you are the Original Poster.
[OP can mean original post in the right context.]

[sunnyinfla]

I'd go with the 6.2

[Tiggerdad]

18-20% rebates