1500 under powered

[Teacher]

I have an 08 silverado 1500 5.3L 4x4. Have a 2.5" exhaust and a K&N intake the previous owner installed. We just bought a new single axle camp trailer, bumper pull. Dry weight is about 3500lbs. I tow through Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho which equals lots of wind, and/or lots of grades. Supposedly this little trailer can be pulled by a minivan or crossover, so I figured my half ton wouldn't even blink. Unfortunately I am more than disappointed. The truck is gear searching, trans temp climbs over 200, and it just seems overall underpowered. I'm lucky to get 10mpg.

 

With 3 kids in car seats, I've decided to change to a full four door rather than the extended cab. I'm a school teacher so a newer truck, or a Duramax just isn't affordable. I'm looking to spend under $10k. So That means older or higher miles.

 

I've found a 2006 GMC 2500HD gas. How would this older truck compare to the Silverado I currently have? The last thing I want to do is get another truck that can't handle this little trailer we have. I'm not too concerned with mpg. I live across the street form the school I teach at, and we have a car for any errands we run.

 

Thanks for any input.

[sahls01gmc]

With the description you detailed it sounds like your truck is performing as expected. High winds and hills will make your truck work unbelievably hard. 10mpg sounds right.

 

The 2006 in question will easily handle your trailer, but I would want to make sure it has a clean bill of health before buying. They're stout trucks, I have one and I love it for everything I use it for. They do ride rougher though, your lil ones and spouse may notice the harsher ride.

[Teacher]

Thanks for the reply. I think I'm going to go for it. With the bigger cab, and more power and weight, it seems like what I am looking for. We'll probably be putting a four wheeler in the back too, at which point my half ton would be useless.

[Teacher]

Would the 2006 2500HD come with a trailer brake from the factory?

[sahls01gmc]

Doubt it. Can't say for sure since I don't have an 06, but I don't think they started to have those until the body style change in 07.

[kstruckcountry]

You can add one for cheap. They came with a harness for hooking one up. Put it in 3rd, punch tow haul, and let it run

 

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[Nathan79]

Your truck shouldn't have any problems with that load.

 

Gear hunting? --> put it in 3rd

Tow haul mode on.

Down shift when needed on steep hills.

 

WD hitch and sway control suggested.

 

If switching to the HD truck it will have no problems and pull it with ease. Prodigy P3 is a good aftermarket brake controller.

[Teacher]

Thanks. I'm for sure getting another truck because I want the full four doors. More room for car seats and stuff. Just trying to decide between the 1500 or 2500. I kinda think I'd rather er on having too much power than not enough. I never want to feel like I don't have enough truck, and doubt I'll ever wish I had less...I've got a car for that!

[ata3001]

Towing a hard sided trailer of that size, expect about 10 mpg with pretty much any 1/2 ton pickup.

[barry G]

you could go manual trans, and nearly double the mileage.

 

kids these days know D for...?

 

the mpg is spot on for your truck.

old rules keep anything out of overdrive, automatics are modeled after the old rules.

 

tow mode in the newer just keeps it wound up.

 

the harder suspension and lengthened rail should be nice for you.

[Chevor]

Speed limits in those states are way too fast for pulling a camper

[transam69230]

You aren't going to see a mpg increase by going to a 2500 gas HD truck.

[Teacher]

yeah, I'm not overly concerned with mpg increase, but more power is what I'm after. I'm a school teacher, so all summer we'll be pulling the camper somewhere. I don't want to kill my half ton, and don't want to take twice as long to get places. Chevor, I agree! Utah is the worst! Speed limit is between 70-80 mph. Even on the right lane going 60, people seem to have a major problem with me. I hate it.

[white1500]

OP, you didn't mention the axle ratio which is an important factor in towing and payload capacity. And the 1500 has never been underpowered, it's a light duty passenger truck.

[Teacher]

touche. When I bought the truck, that's all I needed it for. Now i have two more kids, a 4 wheeler, and a little trailer. I assumed my half ton could handle the trailer, as it's advertised as half ton towable. I see little Tacomas pulling the same sort of trailer, and I see other small SUVs and crossovers towing the little Light weight, single axle camper, so I just assumed my 8 cyl truck would have no problem! Well, I was wrong. It's slow, the trailer seems heavy, and even with the slightest incline I'm revving up around 4500 RPM just to keep moving forward! Time for a bigger truck!