Truck Advice...

[ragboy]

My trucks are getting long in the tooth. We have a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 4wd with a 5.3 and the Granetelli pull hard kit, which tows the 24Ve well as far as power, even up grades, just poor brakes.

Also a 2001 Yukon XL 2500HD 4wd and 8.1L engine that will tow anything with ease, but horrible mileage.

RJ is getting the Sierra and I am thinking of a new Silverado. The question is, how is the power and brakes for towing the 24Ve? The thing is, 3.42 axle and 5.3 with trailering package, 6 speed tranny is easy to find. I can't find the 6.2L version unless I go with leather and all kinds of stuff I don't want.

How is the 5.3L, 6 speed tranny, 3.42 rear end with trailer package for towing a 24Ve, RZ4, Z3 or the like? Anyone have one?

[bspot]

Get a 6.2 litre!! Believe it or not it gets almost the same fuel mileage as the 5.3 but much more power.

[ragboy]

I would, but so damn hard to find unless I get a truck that costs $6k more with a ton of extra stuff I don't want.

[srtsplitty]

ragboy are you opposed to getting a dedicated tow vehicle? I used to work for Bullydog as a tech and saw every truck and issue you can imagine...I can't say enough positive about the Ford 7.3l diesel! I have owned quite a few rigs and none have performed anywhere close to the 7.3's that I have had.

Over all a pre-owned diesel truck is the best route you can go IMHO. The duramax is a stout motor as well paired with the Allison tranny. If you tell me a price range I can find you some deals out by you...let me know. I would be glad to help!

[majestic]

I have a 2007 Silverado 2500HD with the 6.0 and 3.73 gears and would not do it again it really struggles in the hills. The Ford f-150 in the 5.0 3.73 and Ecoboost 3.73 towed way better.

[srtsplitty]

On another note if diesel's aren't your cup of tea...the Ecoboost is an absolute beast of a motor!

[IDBoating]

Diesel is the only way to go. You truly can have your cake and eat it too. Example: My 5.9L bone-stock Cummins gets an honest 25 MPG in mixed-mode (freeway and surface streets) driving, AND has more power than you'll ever need. I too am towing a 24Ve and don't even feel it back there. I've also carried just shy of 3K pounds in the bed (an entire pallet of limestone tile). I've never felt the engine strain. Not once, ever.

I prefer Cummins, but the key here is a turbocharged diesel. It's what you really need. And as the other respondent noted, used is a great option to control cost.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

[da.bell]

ragboy are you opposed to getting a dedicated tow vehicle? I used to work for Bullydog as a tech and saw every truck and issue you can imagine...I can't say enough positive about the Ford 7.3l diesel! I have owned quite a few rigs and none have performed anywhere close to the 7.3's that I have had.

Over all a pre-owned diesel truck is the best route you can go IMHO. The duramax is a stout motor as well paired with the Allison tranny. If you tell me a price range I can find you some deals out by you...let me know. I would be glad to help!

X2 on the Ford 7.3 l diesel. I just got one 5 months ago and I don't have any issue with the rz2. I also know someone that tows his 27 foot boat (ocean boat) with the same engine and he doesn't have any issues.

[ragboy]

This is also going to be a family vehicle, you know? Never been too friendly too diesel. I may give it a second look. My dad got a new F150, test drove the ecoboost V6, said it had a lot of turbo lag. I will have to try one, Chevy is offering like $5k cash back on 1500s, another reason I was looking in that range.

[txmxer]

Fwiw, the denalis arent the only ones that come with the 6.2. There are also the vortecmax (vmax) trucks that have the 6.2 and iirc they dont have all the interior options that you do not want. Are you set on the 6.2? I hear its pretty fast and powerful compared to the 5.3 and even the 6.0 (by not alot). The 6.0 should be able to do what you want, and since its been out longer theres a bigger used market for denali's with the 6.0 or 1500hd's with the 6.0

I drive a 2005 Sierra Denali but I havent gotten to tow with it much so I cant really tell you much about if the difference is much over a 5.3

edit: But I also would be looking for a diesel if it was within the price range, and for towing as often as you do, im guessing.

[ragboy]

They don't offer the 6.0 in the 1500 it seems, just 6.2 after the 5.3. I looked on web for inventory all over the place, can't find a 6.2 LT without the leather and other stuff I don't need. Dealer is looking for me. I like the 5.3 motor, runs so nice on my 2002. Never a problem with it.

[NICKYPOO]

I can't imagine towing boats as big as yours without a diesel. I came from a 454 and will never go back to gas. I love my Duramax/Allison combo. I've got 114k and have done the brakes twice, the last time being at 110k. I'll never buy a 1/2 ton gas truck. Although, I do own a '72 K10 shortbed fleetside. It's just a hotrod though.

[ragboy]

Agree on the 454, our suburban 2500 before the yukon was a 454. But the 8.1L has been exceptional for towing. Just not so great on Gas.

[eggomonkey]

I just went through this process for towing my RZ2. Test drove 4 trucks with my boat attached. (none desiel and no 3/4 ton trucks)
GMC/Chevy-Silverado/Seirra: tranny responded well but still took a lot of the engine to pull up hills
Chevy Avalanche: I love this truck but it is not meantfor towing. I loved my 03 so I test drove a new one.I love these trucks but... not a great towing vehicle
Ford F150 with Ecoboost: this by far was the best of the trucks for just straight towing. This engine rules. I actual smoked the tires with my boat attached to it. no joke..11,500lbs of towing and its a half ton. v6 twin turbo.. towing was completely effortless and the truck responds well to steering and almost no role when cornering. worth the test drive. I am certain anyone would be impressed.(if the back seats didn't suck.. I would have this truck)
Toyota Tundra: This is the truck I went with, more so cause the towing was really good. (no Ecoboost F150 but did a good job). over all with getting the crewmax cab,resale and toyota quality is why I went with it.

For me when I go to the Lake I am a 4 hour commute. I needed something more than just a towing monster. overall comfort of the truck including the back seats, played huge role in my decision.. I was seriously 50/50 between the F150 and the Tundra.. my family loved the Tundra and only liked the F150. If it was all my decision I would have had the F150 with Ecoboost. Here in Alberta, Canada.. every 3rd vehicle on the road is a truck, and every 2 truck is a F150.. another reason I loved the Tundra.. a little more unique in my neck of the woods.

[wakeatx]

I have an old 2003 Silverado SS with the 6L V8. It tows just fine, but I can't say I don't know the boat's back there. Especially on the hills. I think it takes a diesel to be able to say that.

One thing I really like about my truck is it's all wheel drive, so I never worry about slipping on a steep mossy ramp. I think the Denali's are AWD too. And don't hate on the leather too much. It's nice not to worry about wet kids soaking up the seats till they get moldy and stink.