Truck Advice...

[Tault145]

I have an 05 silverado with the 5.3L and 4.10 gears to tow my 22v. The tranny works like a champ, and the towing package added a tranny fluid cooler and an extra oil cooler that comes in pretty handy for long trips. Overall it has been awesome but a little more HP would be nice for long grades. I think the http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...&highlight=tow might have some good info in it to as to some pro's and con's for rigs people are running! Happy Hunting! Although, if $$ was not an option, I'd probably be upgrading to this lil' fella...

[robert theisen]

The Ford ecoboost will tow best and get best fuel economy.The toyota will have better resale,but you will make up the difference with better fuel economy with the Ford.I have a diesel but they are more expensive.Nothing tows like a diesel.Ford is also the official vehicle of the Dallas Cowboys.

[ragboy]

Thanks guys, very helpful. I guess I need to take the boat down and test it. There is a good hill up the mountain right next to the dealership.

I guess what a lot of people don't realize, is I don't tow often. The time we spend boating is on the lake. I used to tow out to lake mead when in SoCal, what a pain. I moved up here to NOT tow like that anymore. Boats in slips. I tow maybe a few times a year, but it seems those few times are up north over the shasta and siskyou grades.

My dad just bought an F150 after YEARS of chevy. Its funny, he is not on good terms with brothers anyway, but if he was, he wouldn't be now. 2 of his brothers and several other family members worked at the GM plant in Van Nuys before it shut down, lots of history. So I grew up with nothing but GM. I will test a Ford with that Ecoboost. 400+ lbs of torque for a V6 with 23 MPG sounds amazing. I do like the GM 4x4 with the 5.3 though, feels like home. We will see, thx.

[wakeboarderfil]

Order the truck the way you want it...

[txmxer]

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.

The denali and the SS both come with the 6.0 Im not sure if your looking for a brand new truck or not? I would keep an eye out for denalis, awd and 6.0 motor and the larger gears too. Also iirc they come with tow package. Not 100% on that but I believe thats true. I got mine used with 56,000 miles and every option but sunroof for considerably less than a new truck would cost. The only thing everyone says is the 6.0 and 6.2 will get less mpg than the 5.3 but its a truck and gets way better than my old truck so im fine with that.

[jmoore15]

Clearly a topic folks are passionate about For me it is a diesel hands down. Better re-sale, better mileage, better power. I have a Dodge 3500 4x4 diesel dually and a Yukon 2wd with the 6.2. The Yukon is simply a 1500 with a big motor. It has great power but is absolutely terrible on fuel economy (11 w/o the boat and I don't want to know w/ the boat) and does not tow well in my opinion. As posted previously I almost had my Yukon pulled back into the water on a steep wet ramp and I only have a Z1 (Yes, I know how to pull a trailer so let's don't get that conversation startedMy truck gets 22mpg and will pull anything. I am a Cummins guy all the way but don't think you can go wrong with any of the diesels.

[ragboy]

Wow, bummer on the yukon. I can tell you that our yukon xl with the 8.1, it will tow our 30foot travel trailer up a grade at 60. You can't tell when you pulling the RZ2, and barely feel the 24Ve. Other than fuel economy, that motor pulled hard. Never an issue with it either. Both it and the Sierra 5.3 are up to like 150k miles. The Yukon is completely stock, but has the auto leveling rear end and all that. Been a great tow vehicle and family bus. But where we moved to last April, we can camp on our property, selling the travel trailer. 24Ve/Z3 will be the biggest thing to tow, and not to often, but that Shasta and Siskyou grades can be quite fun. ;-)

[jmoore15]

To clarify: my Yukon is not the XL which would help add some additional weight to the rear for towing. And yes, the 6.2 in the GMC/Chevys will pull a house down but it takes a lot more fuel to do it than a diesel Either way it is a nice problem to have when you get to pick out a new tow vehicle for your new Z3!!!

[tnvolgrad]

Here is my two cents - I tow with both a 2011 Escalade and a 2011 F-150 Platinum (5.3). The Escalade is nice, but sucks the gas down like a druken sailor, but the F-150 (super crew - short bed) is a much better ride. The ecoboost is awesome, but I wanted all the bells and whistles of the platinum and it was not available. If you tow up lots of mountains then you definately would want something stronger, but otherwise I would stay with the smaller V8.

I trade cars like I change underwear - the F-150 is the only car after 6 months that I still really enjoy getting in everyday.

[Ewok]

Wow, bummer on the yukon. I can tell you that our yukon xl with the 8.1, it will tow our 30foot travel trailer up a grade at 60. You can't tell when you pulling the RZ2, and barely feel the 24Ve. Other than fuel economy, that motor pulled hard. Never an issue with it either. Both it and the Sierra 5.3 are up to like 150k miles. The Yukon is completely stock, but has the auto leveling rear end and all that. Been a great tow vehicle and family bus. But where we moved to last April, we can camp on our property, selling the travel trailer. 24Ve/Z3 will be the biggest thing to tow, and not to often, but that Shasta and Siskyou grades can be quite fun. ;-)

I know you need something bigger than a 4runner but I pulled my RZ2 full of household moving stuff up the grapevine hill north out of LA and of course up the Shasta hills too on my way to WA and had no problem, the truck wanted to stay at 60mph up the hills. The new Sequoia is based on the Tundra and should pull the 24Ve just as well. I only bring these up since you don't tow that often, you might not need a towing beast that you don't even feel the boat behind you. You definitely feel the boat behind my 4runner. A friend of mine has a Tundra and the boat is less noticeable there, but you know you're towing something, and thats ok with me. Family considerations have me in a 4Runner right now. I would love go have a diesel suv to tow with, but my wife likes smaller trucks, for now, unless we have more kids.

[IDBoating]

I guess what a lot of people don't realize, is I don't tow often. I moved up here to NOT tow like that anymore. Boats in slips. I tow maybe a few times a year, but it seems those few times are up north over the shasta and siskyou grades.

Sounds like you've optimized your life to minimize towing. If so, then perhaps you shouldn't give too much consideration to the towing ability of the vehicle. Make sure what you get CAN tow, when it's necessary, but otherwise optimize for what the vehicle will be doing the other 95% of the time. You can always downshift and crawl up those infrequent grades at 45 MPH with terrible mileage - if you don't have to do it very often.

Just a thought.

[ragboy]

Just turned in the Audi, on the way to test drive the Ecoboost 4x4 with 3.73 gears and electric locking diff. Should be fun. Man, never thought this Mexican would ever buy a ford.

[brody66]

I have had tons of 5.3s, it seems to have less power in the 07-08s I have had opposed to the 04-06s I usually have on the lot. I really think that the chevrolet is the way to go (little bias) but if you can find a 6.2 you will be absolutely in love with the power and the transmission. I have not had any besides escalades and denalis but they are the best powertrain I have drivin. I have no history with the ecoboost but am a little nervous what the longevity is going to be, you can get 1000hp out of a 2.2 4 cylinder but when you boost everything up I would have to say that it is going to hurt the motor a little but like I said I do not have one nor even driven one. The guy that owns the rental store a few doors down just got a new ecoboost and loves it, just drive everything and look at the warrantys, I think gm is the best in every department, from the looks of it looks like you drive cars for a long time, so make the right choice so it doesnt cost you in a year or two.

[Fiveflat]

Man, never thought this Mexican would ever buy a ford.

Joo like da Cheby eh?

Good luck with your decision. I'll guarantee noboby wants to hear my opinion these days. I thought you specifically asked about the Chevy. Good luck with that Ecoboost! I'm excited about that motor a little bit too...

[j2dna]

I'm going through the same dilemma. Thanks to some input on here I'm going with a 2011 Suburban. No more than we tow it should do just fine.

If anyone is interested in 2010 F250 hit me up on PM...