I'm thinking of trading in big blue for a Chevy Silverado. I'm pulling a small boat, about 2500 lbs. I've been pulling this type of boat with 1/2 ton 2WD Ford vans for 20 years. Big blue is just too heavy for its own good.
So the questions are:
1500 or 2500? Is the suspension different or just stiffer? I could be getting into a bigger boat during the lifespan of this tow vehicle, so maybe the 2500 is required.
5.3L vs. 6.0L gas motors, any preference, likes, or dislikes?
Is the 6.0L truck motor similar to the LS2 6.0L Corvette motor?
I really don't want the diesel.
This Chevy is real nice looking, but will it pull for 100,000 miles like my Ford vans have?
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Steve,
I have been running GM trucks since I stumbled into my '97 Z71 xtra cab step side, 5.7L with a few exhaust mods only....pulled it a$$ through any situation I placed it in. Once hooked up to a heavy duty trailer with a Bobcat and several gang boxes loaded on it and didn't bother it a bit.
I now run a '04 Sierra Z71 xtra cab, 5.3L and I used to tow my 24' flat bed car trailer with the Z loaded up (2500# trailer and 3100# car) and the bed of the truck had 2 sets of wheels/ tires and misc tools....managed just fine. I have coil over helper shocks and run 285/75/16 all around. Not as much bottom end as the old truck but it's okay.
The new GM trucks are very nice...HP is way up on the newer 5.3 than mine, 325 vs 255 for me and the mileage rating is much better also, although the rear ratio is up to 3.42 instead of 3.73 in mine. The 6.0 is bit a harder on $$ and not that much difference in real power.
Oh, as for engine mileage.....I sold the '97 with 297K, didn't burn a drop of oil and the guy still drives it.
My '04 has 142K and still kicking.....actually added a little boost to help with the bottom end pulling...but then sold the car/trailer setup. But that's okay...now my '04 can keep up with the newer ones.
I think you'll be happy. That is a real nice truck you're looking at.
I have always driven chevy trcks. I just traded an 05 Duramax which was overkill for what I tow and got the GMC 1500 Sierra SLT. I got the crew cab w/ the new 5.3 w/ engine mngmt. It shuts down to 4 cyl at some no load points. I usually have some sort of buyers remorse but I have had this truck for 3 mnths and I abolutely LOVE this truck!! It pulls beautifully. I'm getting as high as 21 MPG!!! I average 18-19 most every tank city and hwy combined. Need I say more. Very comfortable ride and nice interior. I have owned many P/U's w/ the 5.7 and other 5.3's. And as I mentioned the Duramax. The 6.O in the 2500 is very powerful and a great for towing but would probably be more than you need and then your daily MPG will suffer a little more. The 1500 w/ the new 5.3 will pull that boat and then some and still give you good MPG. It has the best in class MPG and was truck of the year. Did I mention I LOVE this truck. Drives great. Good luck PM me if you have any questions Jim
that looks like the GMC Serria Denali, it is set up the same it has the 403hp engine, and that ought to pull that boat just fine
Peelin' Out
Ted
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Well, Steve ... I'm part owner with my son in an '07 3500 6.0 Vortec with towing package. Extended cab, clamshell rear doors ... full 8' bed. BIG mutha!
My son picked it out ... went from a '94 Dodge 2500 V10 ... he likes "real trucks" He shopped them all, and decided that the GM line was the best available thru '07.
Vortec is LS architecture, but Iron block.
'07 has 6 sp automatic, so it works ok with the 4.10 gears of the towing pkg.
He's had it since end of July ... but it's errands only ... I just drove it around the block once ... but we opted for the 3500 over the 2500 for the extra margin of capacity (extra rear spring). When I use it, I'll be towing a trailer ... dunno if it will be enclosed or open. We opted not for the diesel or dually as it is not going to get high miles or sustained heavy towing use.
My gut says for a lot of towing, the 2500 series is better ... for your intended use, the 1500 may be fine.
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^VIR Turn 3 '08^-MungoZ06-'03 QS/ModRed - NCCC, NASA NCM Member - Z06 Fest IV,V,VI,VII
2500 lbs. is no challenge for the 5.3 in a 1500...and even less in a 6.0 2500-Series.
As to future usage, "that depends"... How much weight might you pull, where/when/how fast, and how important is fuel economy? Is step-in height and unladen ride characteristics important? Remember, too, the 6.0 is also available in the 1500 non-Regular Cabs, including a 2500-style 9.5" rear axle and rear disc brakes...and YES, you WILL notice a difference, overall, in almost all regards, between the 5.3 and the 6.0, including ultimate GCW... Also remember there's a curb-weight penalty by going to the 2500-Series, offset of course by a heavier-duty frame and driveline components and the new 6-speed Hydromatic with its version of a paddle-shifter (stick-mounted), so it depends on what % of OVERALL driving is spent towing. And you can NEVER have "too much truck" on the Wilkes-Barre Hill, so ALL parameters are potentially important.
Seek out a towing-savvy salesman at a local GM store, and they'll steer you right, outlining the alternatives... You wouldn't buy a Z06 from an "Aveo-certified" salesman, so don't settle for a "truck expert" who doesn't know a fifth wheel from a spare tire...
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Last edited by PowerPro01 : 12-09-2007 at 04:46 PM.
I have an 04 1500 with the 5.3 and use it to tow a boat similar in size to what you have. Handles it with no problem. How much bigger on the boat are you thinking about? The tow rating on the 1500 gives you quite a bit of cushion. I have exceeded the tow rating on mine a couple of times and it handled it with no difficulty. However, exceeding the tow rating could be a liability problem if you get in an accident. The engine management (dod) is a big step up in fuel mileage. Make sure it is available on the combination you pick.
Hey Steve, The only 2500 Chevy I ever owned was a 1974 and it was so stiff I nearly tossed my cookies on the ride home, ever sinse i have purchased 1500 series. I had a 1995 Z71 that I used for business and towed with it just about every day some where between 2500 to7500 lbs, and I sold it with a 100k miles on it and it is still going strong, and that had only 200hp. I then purchased a 2001 GMC Denali Pickup and put 86k on it towing the same thing everyday, now I have a 2003 Siverado SS with 70k doing the same work with no problems. Although I have ridden in new 2500 and 3500 series and they ride very smooth but I still prefer the car like feel of my 1500's and they seem to do a good job of the task at hand. Gary
talk about overkill,my daily driver is an '05 k2500 suburban with the 8.1 big block.it is very "torquey" and pulls my little car trailer with no prob.i guess the downside is 9.2 mpg.it will be 3 years old next month and just turned 14,000 miles last week,so mileage isn't that big of a deal.
But what it's worth, I just bought a 2500 heavy duty CTD, wasn't liken the looks of the new Chevs, and since I don't own any ford wrenches, that brand wasn't even in the running. lol
With the "max trailering package" (option NHT) you are rated to haul up to 10,500 with the HALF TON! Stiffer springs than the regular 1500, but no where near as stiff as the 2500 suspension.
I've owned Chevy trucks since the early 70's (6 total) - current truck is a Silverado with the 5.3 - and I'll never own anything BUT Chevy trucks from here on out.
Santa Got here a little late, but made it here today with this:
This is my 3rd Silverado 2500HD, the other 2 were both Duramax Diesels, and I still have the 2004 and am keeping it for a crew truck. This new one has the 6.0 Vortec motor with the 6L80E six speed auto. It's got plenty of power for towing and should be another good one. I might do a little modding to it soon, probably a good CAI and a set of LT's and dual exhaust system. FRC Tom is going to tune it for me at the Winterfest, and I know that'll free up some ponies and probably get me a few MPG's too.
My Chevy's have all been pretty damned reliable over the years, so I have been pretty loyal to GM and keep buying them. I'll keep ya all posted on how I like this one!
Jimbo
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'03 EB/mod blue VE interior, LME-LS3 Stroker, AFR 225's and a nasty cam from Pete at V-MAX, 3" custom Powerstick exhaust and lots of attitude! Any questions? Z06 Fest member III, IV, V, VI, VII, and Winterfests 1, 2 & 3. 543rwhp/493rwtq, all motor!
Looks good, Jim!
My son and I partnered up on the 3500HD version of yours ... Haven't put it "under load" yet ... 'cept he's loaded up 3000lbs of crushed rock for a ride ....
Good thing he got the full LineX treatment ...
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He shopped them all, and decided that the GM line was the best available thru '07.
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Z06 Fest member III, IV, V, VI, VII, and Winterfests 1, 2 & 3. 543rwhp/493rwtq, all motor!
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