Towing capacity 4wd vs 2wd.

Andy Seibel · March 28, 2017

I feel ya, I had regular cab long box before the kids came along and I loved it.

but now with all the safety seat requirements, I won't be driving a regular cab for about 18 more years.

Donstar · March 28, 2017

thank you. I happen to agree. I think this engine is just incredible! The 4.3 is what won me over from the fords with the ecoboost. I have driven the 5.3 in a rental suburban (2014) and was impressed with it in there. I didn't even test drive a v8 truck this time though. I just wasn't willing to step up that far in trim packages to get what I wanted.

It's pretty silly the complete lack of options us regular cab guys get though. Everyone scrunched up their face and says "why do you want a standard cab 2wd truck?" I couldnt be happier though!

It appears that the buying population is being manipulated a little. The demand is greater for multi passenger pickups but some of this demand is sparked by poor pricing and selection of regular cab trucks. The same happened when I started buying trucks with automatic transmissions. Trim levels that I wanted were dropping the manual transmission choice. Sales people were saying that they don't sell. I was saying they're not selling because they weren't available to sell. It is sort of a chicken and egg discussion! I love my automatic crew cab but my dream truck would be a 4X4 SLT regular cab with a manual transmission floor shift!

dirtyoldman · March 28, 2017

I feel ya, I had regular cab long box before the kids came along and I loved it.

but now with all the safety seat requirements, I won't be driving a regular cab for about 18 more years.

Five kids here. I figure not matter what I can't buy a seven seat truck, so need to keep a minivan sitting around when I need to take the kids. I can take two in this, which meets my needs all but a few short trips a week. You can't put kids up front with airbags anyway. It made it easier to get what I want, since I can't fit everyone in there anyway. I love the mobility and turning radius of this truck.

The wife's car seats five. She can't handle everyone either, but she doesn't want to drive a minivan to work.

dirtyoldman · March 28, 2017

It appears that the buying population is being manipulated a little. The demand is greater for multi passenger pickups but some of this demand is sparked by poor pricing and selection of regular cab trucks. The same happened when I started buying trucks with automatic transmissions. Trim levels that I wanted were dropping the manual transmission choice. Sales people were saying that they don't sell. I was saying they're not selling because they weren't available to sell. It is sort of a chicken and egg discussion! I love my automatic crew cab but my dream truck would be a 4X4 SLT regular cab with a manual transmission floor shift!

To me it seems that it all has to do with money. My truck cost right at $20k and I'm happy with it. The max tow package would have been twice as much...not worth it!

They seem to want to make you buy options you don't want to get the ones you do. In my case it meant I didn't buy any of them.

michigan2500hd · March 28, 2017

I debated getting a reg. Cab with the 4.3. I would have bought one in a heartbeat if they would stick the 6.2 in one . I figure either I will go for millage or balls out for power so the 5.3 to me is a silly option. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it and not judging anyone. It's a great engine! I have had a few and always wished for more power. Not that I ever needed more..I wanted more lol. Now if they would just offer a 7.0 liter in a 1500...

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

Andy Seibel · March 28, 2017

I figure either I will go for millage or balls out for power so the 5.3 to me is a silly option.

ok, that's your choice. For large part of the market, the 5.3 is the perfect blend of economy and power. 95% of truck owners don't really even need that much power. I actually use my truck to do work and I am well below the max output most of the time.

If you just want to go fast, however, feel free to buy whatever vehicle/ engine you want. its your money.

michigan2500hd · March 28, 2017

I agree..I was just saying for me personally. I have had a 5.3 in a 2000, 2002, 2005, and a 2007. They all did well until I wanted to have " fun". After stepping up to my 2011 6.2 and now the 2015 6.2 I realized what I had been missing. Anyway the op has a 4.3 and I think it's a great engine with a lot of usable power and for those who don't need or want the big horsepower numbers it would do just fine towing and hauling with the right gears.

Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

Sierra706 · March 28, 2017

To me it seems that it all has to do with money. My truck cost right at $20k and I'm happy with it. The max tow package would have been twice as much...not worth it!

They seem to want to make you buy options you don't want to get the ones you do. In my case it meant I didn't buy any of them.

That's how the money is made. Same as how you subsidize the Oprah network when you only want to pay for ESPN.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk