What are you towing with your 2014?

bdbake01 · August 26, 2014

I should have added that I did like the additional sensitivity that the tow/haul mode gives to the grade braking feature. Tow/Haul definitely makes it kick in more aggressively which I liked, but I didn't like the forced holding of gears as much. I wish the two were individually selectable.

peejaykay · August 26, 2014

I have a month long cross-country with a 9000lb trailer planned for next summer. Military, we move alot. I take leave en-route when I move, making each move an extended vacation. Plan to do about 15-20 trips/yr into the mountains with the trailer in tow. In 2015, I plan to about 7500 miles on the trailer...

So I just did some price checking and it looks like I'm going to end up paying 6-8k more just to get NHT + 6.2, because GM forces you to go LTZ. In that case, I'll go 5.3 NHT and take it easier going up the hills. Its not going up that worries me, its going down and the video I saw with the 6.2 w/ tow haul mode engaged was confidence inspiring. Is the 5.3 to haul mode just as effective on the way down? Not a speed demon, don't need to be the first up the hill. I just want it to be safe and not grenade.

bdbake01 · August 27, 2014

6.2 vs 5.3 isn't going to have much, if any effect at all on the grade braking. If you're not interested in the premium for the LTZ/6.2 (I agree, it should be offered on lower packages), then the 5.3 NHT will work for you. If you plan on towing 9K that frequently, there's no way I would consider anything less than the 5.3 NHT. But that's just me. A 5.3/3.42 wouldn't cut it for my ride pulling 9K.

I love the 6.2, there's no hiding that. And I was looking at an SLT anyway regardless of engine choice so the $2k premium on an already pricey truck took me all of 0.002 seconds to decide. And I've never regretted it for one second, not even when I write the check every month. That said, if I was considering an SLE/LT, then yeah I'd have to think hard about the artificially inflated premium for the 6.2.

fshouttah2o · August 27, 2014

Anyone towing 9000lbs with the 3.42/5.3 CC? Trying to determine if it makes sense to order the 2015 with 6.2/3.73/NHT or not. If I ever think about going heavier (larger camper) it's 3/4 territory.

I towed 8500 lb TT coast to coast this summer with the 5.3/3.42. Truck managed but if I had it to do over I'd go 6.2/3.73 in a heartbeat.

Military here as well so I have similar considerations - was very limited on the extra "stuff" I could carry for my partial-dity move. At least go with the 3.73. I averaged 9mpg coast to coast w/o crossing the Rockies.

peejaykay · August 27, 2014

I towed 8500 lb TT coast to coast this summer with the 5.3/3.42. Truck managed but if I had it to do over I'd go 6.2/3.73 in a heartbeat.

Military here as well so I have similar considerations - was very limited on the extra "stuff" I could carry for my partial-dity move. At least go with the 3.73. I averaged 9mpg coast to coast w/o crossing the Rockies.

That is good to hear. We are planning on crossing the rockies, and other high mountain passes to get to the national parks next summer. Plan to go from SoCal to NorCal, up through Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado so lots of passes...I'm really considering the 5.3 w/3.73s.

Moldman · August 27, 2014

That is good to hear. We are planning on crossing the rockies, and other high mountain passes to get to the national parks next summer. Plan to go from SoCal to NorCal, up through Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado so lots of passes...I'm really considering the 5.3 w/3.73s.

I am towing about 7800 lbs with a 5.3 w/3.73s. Coming out of an '11 Durmaax, I am actually surprised how well it does towing.

Running empty on the local rural roads I see about 20 mpg average. Everyone I work with that has one with 3.42s seem to do about 2 mpg worse. I believe this is because it is able to hold high gear more @ 55 or 60 on the 2 lanes. Keep in mind it only seems to improve to about 21 if running at 70 on the interstate.

calgator73 · August 28, 2014

I pull 16.5-17 city on 89. 14-15 on e85

Ezekiel2517 · September 3, 2014

Pulled a 20ft flatbed trailer with 2.5 pallets of grass on it. Probably about 6500 lbs total. handled it like a champ.

C6 Doberman · September 4, 2014

Here are some crappy cell phone pics of my new travel trailer. Around 8300 LBS.

peejaykay · September 5, 2014

What WDH are you using C6? 3.73 or 3.42?

C6 Doberman · September 5, 2014

What WDH are you using C6? 3.73 or 3.42?

It is the 1200# E2. Works really good. I still get a little sway from the 35" tires but it isn't bad.

Running 3.42 gears using an evolution CS tuner.

calgator73 · September 10, 2014

peejaykay · September 10, 2014

Wow, that's a heavy trailer. 10,500 GVWR. 1100 hitch, dry...you have max tow? How's it pull/stop loaded?

chuckl1218 · September 10, 2014

Wow, triple slides? That has to be heavy...

Pezman38 · September 10, 2014

2008 Ranger Reata 2050vs

Weighs in right around 5k with trailer and fishing gear.

Before and after Air lift air bags were installed. The air bags are awesome, levels out the load and decreases the bounce from bridges, pot holes, etc like a dream. Also cool filling the gas tank up with air and messing with people.

Before and after airbags were installed. In the bottom pic the air could be increased to give the factory rake back also.