Upgrading Tow Vehicle And Tow Capability

APT · October 18, 2011

Music,

I have tested a Yukon Denali (6.2L 3.42, 1500 payload), a 2500 Suburban (6.0L 3.73, 2100 payload), and a "max tow" F-150 Supercrew (3.5LEB, 3.73, 1840 payload), all 2011 models 4WD/AWD, hooked up to my about 6000 pound travel trailer. I have never tested a 5.3L, towing or otherwise. I have no interest in it. The minimum half ton Silverado I'd get is the NHT package for the extra payload, which forces me into the 6.2L.

I currently have a 2003 F-150 5.4L, 4-spd. Tomorrow I am picking up a new 2500 Suburban. Wife wants the 3 rows of seats, so I'm losing my pickup bed. It's my least favorite engine of the 3 from a power perspective.

SWB SUV is useless to me for space, XL Denali 6.2L has 1350 payload, not enough, and AWD I do not want. So I accept what I'm getting with the 6.0L.

Compared to my current truck, the 6-spds rule when towing, especially when accelerating those uphill on-ramps, for which my two main routes for camping have. While I have had no problems towing at 60-70mph, once I tasted a 6-spd towing, I cannot resist. Time to upgrade.

music · October 18, 2011

Music,

I have tested a Yukon Denali (6.2L 3.42, 1500 payload), a 2500 Suburban (6.0L 3.73, 2100 payload), and a "max tow" F-150 Supercrew (3.5LEB, 3.73, 1840 payload), all 2011 models 4WD/AWD, hooked up to my about 6000 pound travel trailer. I have never tested a 5.3L, towing or otherwise. I have no interest in it. The minimum half ton Silverado I'd get is the NHT package for the extra payload, which forces me into the 6.2L.

I currently have a 2003 F-150 5.4L, 4-spd. Tomorrow I am picking up a new 2500 Suburban. Wife wants the 3 rows of seats, so I'm losing my pickup bed. It's my least favorite engine of the 3 from a power perspective.

SWB SUV is useless to me for space, XL Denali 6.2L has 1350 payload, not enough, and AWD I do not want. So I accept what I'm getting with the 6.0L.

Compared to my current truck, the 6-spds rule when towing, especially when accelerating those uphill on-ramps, for which my two main routes for camping have. While I have had no problems towing at 60-70mph, once I tasted a 6-spd towing, I cannot resist. Time to upgrade.

Congrats on the new Burb! I don't think you'll be at all disappointed with the 6.0/6-spd/3.73 combo in the 2500, except maybe unloaded/daily mpg. That's my favorite family hauling / camper towing platform. I looked at them last year, but I need to haul things like firewood, gasoline, etc. in them without stinking up the passenger area. I'm not as concerned with rated payload as most folks, so long as I stay well within axle/tire ratings, but I only tow a few times per year (typically). The 1500 Burb is so low on payload (weighs so much) that you're kinda forced into the 2500 to stay within reason on loading.

Accelerating uphill w/ the 6-spd is a big advantage, especially compared to the old 4L80 in the 2500s. Tighter 1/2/3 gearing is definitely noticeable. With the 6.0/3.73 combo, it will make for a nice pulling machine. Be sure to report after you've towed a bit.

APT · October 18, 2011

3 kids means 3 rows in our family. Traveling is a lot better in our minivan with quad captains chairs than where al l3 kids an hit each other in a crew cab truck. Plus, the seats recline.

We only tow up to about 300 miles away so far. A very capable half ton keeps me within the ratings. The half ton SUVs are too soft, similar to what I have now and I want both more power and noticeably better suspension. But as our kids grow (age 2-6), we'll be explorer more of the US so thousands of miles coming up. We're planning a 2500 mile round trip in Feb, but no RV. I'm going to miss my truck bed for the reasons you listed. I have a landscape trailer that will get used more. Can't take that camping, though.

music · October 18, 2011

3 kids means 3 rows in our family. Traveling is a lot better in our minivan with quad captains chairs than where al l3 kids an hit each other in a crew cab truck. Plus, the seats recline.

We have three kids too, plus a Golden that tags along. We do a ~500 mile trip every year, and did over 6k miles this summer. Typically, and this includes our out west trip this summer, we are tag teaming the kids with my in-laws in their truck/camper combo, which helps a lot. That's not always the case, and the Suburban would be perfect. Our oldest is 15 now, and the youngest is 7, but they don't mind the crew cab (amazingly). I've looked closely at the Tundra Crewmax with the front/split bench, since it's kinda an in-between option (bigger/reclining back seat, usable front/center seat, but still has a bed). I think the new F150 and Ram are similar, but I haven't looked at them. I'd be torn if I needed to buy now, since I use the truck "as a truck" a lot more than we tow. Regardless, I'm sure you'll be very happy with the 2500 Burb.

marpel · November 10, 2011

I wish to thank everyone who contributed to this thread, as each had a part in helping me make my decision.

After much thought and a lot of bouncing back and forth between the two choices I was looking at (5.3L or 6.2L), I visited the dealership yesterday and signed the papers on a 2012 Sierra 1500 ext cab, with the 6.2L and maximum trailering package (with 3.73 gears). Although I only wanted a fairly bare bones rig (I usually don't even get power windows), I had to get the SLE package to get the 6.2L engine so it's a bit more blinged-out than I initially envisioned. Once I started though, I figured what the heck and even got bucket seats.

I have always bought new off the lot and have never bought a factory order vehicle before, so I was quite surprised when the guy said it would probably arrive in late February some time....holy crap these things take a long time to build!!!

The other thing that I discovered was the 6.2L and 5.3L are rated to tow 5000lbs, dead weight hitch, but with the proper weight distributing hitch/bars, the 6.2L can tow 10,700lbs. I did not realize the WD added so much to the equation and just figured it was all to do with the engine.

And, not been paying attention to how truck prices have gone up and down over the years but I find it interesting that I paid only $5000 more for this truck than I did for my 4.8L bare bones 1500, eleven years ago. Go figure.

Anyway, thanks again.

Marv

fajitas21 · November 11, 2011

Many congrats. The wait will be tough, but I assure you it's worth it

Engine helps with the tow, but I've found suspension is the biggest part that gets left out of the equation.

Sounds like you did your homework and you will NOT be disappointed by the 6.2L, it's a beast when towing but is respectable on fuel.

ENJOY!

nht mike · November 12, 2011

Hello! You are going to love this truck! Last year I ordered the same truck about the same time and took delivery just after the first of the year. As a cost cutting measure(after signing my life away that I would take it no mater what!) I got a 4X2. It works just great for me. In '94 we bought a new Road Ranger 23 YT that weighted in at 6000lbs and a new GMC ext1500 4X2 with a 5.7 and a NV 4500HD trans.(Yes! you can get a HD trans for $63 if you order the truck!) The truck drove just great but, the gear splits and low power could have been better. Everybody asks if the new truck is beter than my "94. I tell them ask me after 150K miles with out putting a dime in it (not even a clutch or rear brakes!) and I'll tell you!

As for the 6.2 it pulls the hills like a "A card Teamster"!!

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servantsalesmen · September 30, 2014

My 04 6.0 2500hd gets 11 mpg unloaded no matter what kind of driving I do. It has 4.10 gears. Tows very well though and would be a snap for a trailer of your weight. Pulled several 8000+ lbs bobcats no problem

Wintersun · October 13, 2014

As always the gears are as important as the engine. GM rates trucks with the 4.8 V-8 and 3.23 gears at 4700 lbs. but with the 3.73 gears at 7200 lbs. tow load. Move to the 5.3L V-8 and 3.42 gears and the towing capacity is 9100 lbs. for the truck. Download the towing guide from GM and you can see all the numbers.

An alternative to getting a new truck is buying a new and lighter trailer which will save you money up front and also down the road with less fuel to burn on your travels. As you like to speed you might consider one of the large popup trailers. They are not lighter in weight but you have half the air drag. Air drag goes up with the square of your speed so at 75 MPH it is going to be 56% greater than at 60 MPH. My truck has a MPG metering device and I reset the trip periodically to get fresh readings and with a 15-20 MPH headwind and towing a trailer and no change in my truck's speed on the highway I see a 25% decrease in MPG.

You want to speed and get good fuel economy then you need to get a Prius and tent camp. Otherwise pay the price.