Travel Trailer Towing

[Jim Robinson]

I have a 1990 Silverado with 384,000 miles on the engine. However, it has it's third transmission in it.

 

Within the next few months I will be giving it to my grandson and buying something else to pull a 25-35 ft. travel trailer that I have yet to purchase.

 

What would you recommend as the engine and/or transmission that I should get?

 

The truck will be a 1/2 ton size because I will use it mostly for other things but it needs to be hefty enough to tow the trailer.

 

I was told that I should get the MT1 transmission for sure.

 

Also, I am considering a diesel engine.

 

I will NOT buy a new truck. It will be 2 to 5 years old.

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

Jim the soon to be retired guy.

[ABQFirefighter]

Jim,

I'm not sure why you are stuck on a 1/2 ton truck. Honestly, I would go with a 3/4 ton without a doubt. If you plan on towing a 25-30 foot bumper pull, you will need the extra towing capacity. Chevy came out with the Duramax in 2001 with the Allison transmission. I personally have a 8.1 with the Allison. You also could get the 6.0, but without the Allison tranny. If you plan on towing, and not putting too much strain on your truck, it's better to have too much than not enough. I tow a 33' 5th wheel trailer w/o any problems at all. Good luck on your decision!

[99silveradoz71]

Not likely to get answers here in the for sale area...going to Full Size Light Duty with this.

[seamonster]

Look for a used 1500HD!

It will have the 6.0 and will

tow a travel trailer well! Mine did!

 

I dont think you will find a diesel in

a half ton.

[MS3DALE]

I dont think you will find a diesel in

a half ton.

 

 

 

 

 

No,the only diesels in the 1/2 tons were the 6.5's (both turbo and non-turbo)in the old body style trucks.None in the new body style.

[sjspor]

For the size camper your talking about, I would'nt go with any less the a 3/4 ton. Someone suggested a 1500HD, which is fine becasue that is a 3/4 ton truck.

 

Use the Rule of 75, never tow more than 75 percent of rated tow capcacity, loaded.. thats all of your gear, passengers and camper included. Next time you hit a campground, look at the rigs people are towing your size camper with.

 

The small extra cost of the 3/4 will pay you back big time.

 

As far as your trannys go, 3 trannys in 384000.. your above plan. Remember.. until only very recently GM's design life of things like engines and trannys was only 75000 miles. Within the last 6-8 years they have moved that target to 100,000 miles.

[Bart2500HD]

IMO go with a 3/4 ton right away. I didn't. I had a Dodge 1500 and went from a 21.5' to a 28' fifth wheel travel trailer. I thought the 1500 would handle it, but it really lacked the power and I didn't like how the truck handles with the extra weight. Rather than spend money on gears and power add-ons, I put that money into buying my 2500HD instead. Best thing I ever did. My advice on towing is that is is best not to push the limits of your truck. For your use, a 1500HD would be fine, but you could probably find a decent used 2500HD for the same price.

[intruder217]

I tow a 20 year old 24' travel trailer that must weigh 5000 lbs loaded up with a 99 Suburban 1500 with the 5.7l Vortec. It's a nice combination, I can run at highway speeds all day, getting 11 mpg. Decent power to accelerate up grades. The transmission is a 4L60E. The truck has all the factory installed options for towing (oil cooler, aux tranny cooler, high output alternator, heavier brakes, etc. When I am not towing (which is most of the time, as we use the trailer 5-6 times per year) we get 16 mpg and enjoy a comfortable vehicle. You'll want to strike a balance that will give good comfort and mileage for the bulk of the driving, yet give good towing capability.

[Bud]

I have a 1990 Silverado with 384,000 miles on the engine.  However, it has it's third transmission in it.

 

Within the next few months I will be giving it to my grandson and buying something else to pull a 25-35 ft. travel trailer that I have yet to purchase.

 

What would you recommend as the engine and/or transmission that I should get?

 

The truck will be a 1/2 ton size because I will use it mostly for other things but it needs to be hefty enough to tow the trailer.

 

I was told that I should get the MT1 transmission for sure.

 

Also, I am considering a diesel engine.

 

I will NOT buy a new truck.  It will be 2 to 5 years old.

 

Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

Jim   the soon to be retired guy.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

 

I can tell you what I have. I have a 2001 GMC

Sierra 2500HD with the 8.1/Allison combo. I have a

2001 Prowler 31G travel trailer. The Prowler is somewhere between

7K and 9K, all depends on how much my wife packs. I don't know

if any truck could do any better towing. I've always

heard people say that they couldn't even tell the trailer was

there, well with this truck it almost true! You have to

really watch on the interstate or you will be doing 80mph!

In my opinion the 8.1/Allison, with a 4:10, can't be beat!