New here - 1500 CC ?'s

[campertime]

Howdy all - I am looking for feedback on the new Chevy 1/2 ton crew cab with the short box and 5.3L engine.

 

I have a family of four and tow a 4,800lb trailer so I am looking to move from my current Dodge Ram QC 1500 4x4 to the more roomy Chevy. Any feedback you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

 

How's the gas mileage? How's the towing performance? How's the interior fit your family? etc.

[foghorn23]

I just bought my crew on the 30th of September. So far I love it. I was in a Chevy 1500 Ext cab, but previously owned an 01 Ford Supercrew. Four real doors are great for a family. I probably would have kept my Ford except for the horrible gas mileage. I would only average around 11-12 with the Ford 15-16 on a trip if lucky. One super advantage of the GM trucks is their ability to get good mileage (for a truck) if you keep your foot out of it. Twenty on a trip is not unusual for these trucks. I generally get 15-16 in everyday driving (mountain 2 lanes-NC) I can't tell a lot of difference between the Chevy Ext cab z71 I had and the new truck as far as mileage. New truck has 3.73 gears old one 4.10, but weight of the crew is greater so about the same mileage. As far as comparing to the Dodge, I know you're going to improve MPG by going with the Chevy. Also I sat in the rear seat of a RAM in a local mall. Truck is way more crowded than the Chevy crew. I have two sons, one age 4 1/2 and another 1 1/2 old, two car seats and there's PLENTY of room for a FULL size adult in the back. As far as towing I don't think you'd have any problem with the Chevy at all based on what you said your needs were. Although I've noticed the 05's are coming with 3.42 rearends on some models. Might want to go a little lower for towing. Anyway I hope what ever you do you're happy. The crew seems like a great truck. I know I'm biased, but I don't think you can find a better balanced truck than that made by the General. Good luck

 

Vroten

[foghorn23]

BTW

 

Since you're new here......welcome. This is a great forum with a great bunch of guys. Another advantage of owning a GM truck. You won't believe all the questions answered by talking to those on the board. Welcome aboard.

 

Vroten

[campertime]

Thanks for the welcome and the review. I look forward to hearing more.

 

Reason I bought the Ram was because I don't like Ford's, I get a discount thru my brother, and the Chevy only offered crew cab on HD's. I don't want an HD because I only tow approximately 10 times per year and I have to use the truck as my daily driver.

 

The Ram does a great job of fitting the family (wife, daughter#1 - 7yo, daughter#2 - 4yo, cocker spaniel and myself), it also does a good job of towing my trailer. I am just looking for a few more inches of leg room in back and a few more mpg's The GM's also ride a bit nicer. I have riden in and driven all three domestic crew cabs and GM is currently tops in my book.

[Mike G]

I've been thinking about retiring the old 92 for one of these new trucks. My only issue is that it does not have a full bed as I get the pleasure of hauling the motorcycles and home improvement goodies.... The new truck appears very similar in creature comforts to my wife's Ave. There is plenty of interior room for the full family and the my neighbor pulls a rather large boat behind his with no troubles.

 

I do not think you can go wrong, but then I will probably be saving on coffin costs and just have dirt piled on while I sit at the wheel...

 

--Mike

[campertime]

Theres gotta be a few more 1/2 ton crew owners out there. Any more feedback?

 

I am very dissapointed GM discontinued the 3:73 in the 4x4. Anybody know the difference in gas mileage between the 3:73 & the 4:10?

[Matt_]

i have the 05 CC. we took it from NJ to vermont to go skiing a week ago. Averaged 18 MPG... that included the steep inclines in the mountains and not being light on the gas pedal at all (it was a new truck so i wanted to play).

 

i also have the 4.10's. Haven't towed yet with it- but man is it torque'y. I just put on a single in/dual out flowmaster with 3.5" tips straight out the back.. at work yesterday i wanted to give the guys a taste of how it sounded- romped on the gas in the parking lot and did an excellent burnout (totally by accident). they all thought i did a brake-stand.. but i didnt. i justed wanted to rev it up really quick.

 

And the Auto-4x4 feature is a life saver; because of the reason stated above.. its got so much torque. I haven't had any problems with my tires spinning in the rain though with the Auto turned on. And that's saying a lot because im used to a 4.0L explorer with 35" tires.. so im used to romping the gas and not loosing traction

[jeffbf89]

My 2004 Silverado CC 4X4 is the greatest pickup I have ever owned. I get from 18 to 20 mpg on the highway with an average speed of 70, I have towed a 16 stock trailer and 18ft camper several times with no problem. I have also pulled a flatbed with a John Deere Skid Steer with no problem. If I pulled all the time I might want more. I have the 3.73. Jeff

[Ric]

Theres gotta be a few more 1/2 ton crew owners out there. Any more feedback?

 

I am very dissapointed GM discontinued the 3:73 in the 4x4. Anybody know the difference in gas mileage between the 3:73 & the 4:10?

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I suggest taking another look at 1500HD from GM

you get the 6.0 (lotsa torque) and 3.73 gears for towing and reasonable economy around town.

I asked the questions you are asking and I drove both and I tow as well but it's also my daily driver

about 13-16mpg is what I see and I DO NOT baby it

I am constantly receiving citations from the local authorities to prove it!

Good luck and I think you should go HD my friend

(note: I say all this having NOT found a 1500CC with 3.73/5.3 combo for 2005)

[speedyjp]

I "mostly" love my Sierra 5.3/4.10 Z71 crew for its all around versatility. I spend alot of time with my family, wifey and 3 kids, doing recreational things. We all fit comfortably in the crew with all of our gear in the shortbed. I use to tow my 5000lb boat/trailer with my dad's 2500 (he sold it last year) so now when I tow with my 1500 I feel like it could use more power. But from what I have read and from people I have talked to, it's just me being greedy for more power (I am sure there are others just like me though). Don't get me wrong, but the 5.3 pulls okay.

[bac078]

I bought my 2005 cc GMC Sierra on 26 December, and love the hell out of it. It rides smooth, has way more room than the Dodge Quad cab. When you put the rear seats down, you have as much space as the rear cargo area in a 5 seater Tahoe. I am in Washington state at Ft Lewis and have been in the mountains driving on 6 inches of snow and haven't slipped a bit. I added 200 lbs of sand in the bed. The ride is quiet, the Bose stereo needs no upgrade. In the mountains I have gotten 18.4 mpg. In 4X4 I go 16.1 on my last ski trip....that included up the mountain 54 mi and back down 54 mi. This is a great truck. The rear seats sit with the backrest slightly leaning back, a much more comfortable ride for the back passengers. My Dodge wasn't this comfy.......04 Dodge Hemi 1500 4x4.

[campertime]

Ric - I took a test drive in both the HD and the LD. The LD rides much better. I will also use this truck as a daily driver so I want the better mpg of the 5.3.

 

boc078 - what engine and rear gear do you have? One of the reasons I am going GM is to get a bit more elbow room in the back

 

speedyjp - What do you mean "mostly"? Is that cause you want more power for towing? My current Dodge tows my travel trailer like it isn't even there. Only time I feel it is when merging on to freeway and going uphill. The CC can't be much different. I only tow the TT about 8 times per year so I don't think I need the 4:10's

 

Thanks for the responses

[speedyjp]

speedyjp - What do you mean "mostly"? Is that cause you want more power for towing? My current Dodge tows my travel trailer like it isn't even there. Only time I feel it is when merging on to freeway and going uphill. The CC can't be much different. I only tow the TT about 8 times per year so I don't think I need the 4:10's

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I just want more towing power that's all. My CC tows fine.

[WyRam]

Ric - I took a test drive in both the HD and the LD. The LD rides much better. I will also use this truck as a daily driver so I want the better mpg of the 5.3.

 

boc078 - what engine and rear gear do you have? One of the reasons I am going GM is to get a bit more elbow room in the back 

 

speedyjp - What do you mean "mostly"? Is that cause you want more power for towing? My current Dodge tows my travel trailer like it isn't even there. Only time I feel it is when merging on to freeway and going uphill. The CC can't be much different. I only tow the TT about 8 times per year so I don't think I need the 4:10's

 

Thanks for the responses 

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

I love mine with 4.10s though I would have taken 3.73s.as far as 1500HD,I already had one bad mileage truck(Hemi)>If i wasn't getting a 5.3 it would be an 8.1?Allison.............way more truck with almost the same mpg.

[OCBC]

I have the 04 CC GMC Z71 with the 3.73 and love it. I tow at FULL capacity and it could use a little more power, but its LOADED. My MPG is 13 in heavy traffic here is So. Cal. and about 16 on the open highway.

 

THe 05 trucks have the electric fans and bigger radiator, so their milage is going to be better. The 3.43 should be ok for light towing, but I think id get the 4.10. the truck is heavy and could use some more low end.

 

After exhaust, intake, and tune my truck is fairly quick, I love it. There is plenty of room for the kid and all the crap that goes along with it.

 

You cant go wrong with the 1500 CC.

 

Late