Gear ratio of new truck. Please help a newbie!

Weshawk5 · May 6, 2021

I’m in the market for a used 2019-2020 Silverado 1500. I decided on the RST trim as I’m not really into lifted trucks and I think it provides a lot over the LT, also I like the color matched bumpers and bucket seats. This will be a 5.3L V8 truck as I don't want to spend the extra on a 6.2, buy premium gas, and really I don’t think I need it. I am just wondering what rear axle gear ratio you would recommend for my current situation. I tow a 19ft boat that loaded weighs around 4000lbs. I don’t currently, but want to start fishing lakes in other states so I want the ability to tow the boat all over the country on different terrain (hills ect…), which is the main reason I’m upgrading from a midsized truck (v6 tacoma). The trailer does not have brakes but I can install surge brakes if needed. I also will be occasionally towing a double axle hydraulic dump trailer that weighs around 3000lbs empty but with the skid loader on it weighs more in the 8000 range. I won’t be towing this often (less than 10 times per year) and it will only be at in town speeds. The trailer has electric brakes so stopping is not a problem.

Would I benefit from the 3.43 ratio max tow package versus the 3.23 ratio z71 package? I was set on getting the z71 but now I’m really leaning towards the max tow after researching topics on this forum. Ride quality isn't really important to me as I’m sure it will ride like a truck either way and both will be much smoother than a 2500. The savings in 1-2mpg is somewhat important but I feel the towing capacity would outweigh that since we can always take my wife's vehicle on longer trips (30mpg). The duel exhaust tips look great but isn’t a deal breaker for me.

I'm not apposed to buying new if I cant find exactly what I’m looking for but I only put 7-8K miles on a vehicle every year so saving some money by buying a used with 20k or so miles appeals to me.

Thanks in advance!

aliveguy5 · May 6, 2021

You will be fine with the 3.23's towing your boat with the 10 speed. The final ratio is almost if not exact to a 3.73 in a 6 speed. The truck is going to feel the 8k trailer in town but if you aren't traveling far and less than ten times a year you will be fine with your current choice. I tow a trailer at 8k with my 3.23's allover the our state and have no issues anywhere with power.

Grover67 · May 7, 2021

Have you considered the 3.0l in that trim? Towes great and be in the range of your wife's ride mpg wise

-grover67

Weshawk5 · May 7, 2021

Thanks for the response. That’s good info. I haven’t considered the 3.0l as I was pretty set on going with a gasser vs diesel.

Weshawk5 · May 7, 2021

Thanks for the response. That’s good info. I haven’t considered the 3.0l as I was pretty set on going with a gasser vs diesel.

internet lagged... apologize for duplicate post.

Edited May 7, 2021 by Weshawk5

garagerog · May 7, 2021

OP I'm mainly going to address your boat trailer brake issue. Most states require trailer brakes on any trailer over 3000 lbs so if you're at 4000 lbs boat and trailer (probably more with extra gas and gear if you're traveling far and wide) this needs to be a priority. Does the trailer already have the brakes and hydraulic lines in place and you're just missing the surge cylinder or does it need a rebuild or replacement? If the bones for a brake system are not already in place it would be easier and maybe cheaper to look for a different boat trailer. As far as the gear ratio, if you don't end up with the 10 speed, get the highest numerical gear ratio you can. I'm old school and would go that route even with the 10 speed which has 3 OD ratios for crying out loud.

Edited May 7, 2021 by garagerog

Weshawk5 · May 7, 2021

No the trailer does not have the hydraulic lines in place already. I’ve looked into adding them and it looks like it wouldn’t be too expensive as I would just do the work myself. I didn’t know that about some states requiring them over 3000k. 4000k with my boat would be fully loaded with a full tank of gas. 18.5ft aluminum Lund. Sounds like I would need to do that before starting to take fishing trips to other states. Once again good info!

So does that mean you would recommend the 3.42 (max towing) if I went with the 8sp transmission? Buying used it’s just harder to find some options vs others but I’m in no rush to buy and not apposed to buying new if I can’t find exactly what I want after looking for a while.

Edited May 7, 2021 by Weshawk5

blckblt · May 10, 2021

No matter what truck you get I would strongly recommend the 10 speed transmission.

I just went from the 6.2 to the 3.0. I loved the fun power of the 6.2 but the 3.0 is amazing and can easily get 25-30 mpg (I have an AT4 with the duratracs).