anybody own a Silverado?

[maddog21]

I plan to trade my 04 silverado in for newer silverado LT or LTZ with 6 speed auto transmission. with Z71 and towing package.. I heard the tow rate is up to 9000 lbs?
any one of you who own one like LT or LTZ, how do you like it with towing a 4 place snowmobile enclosed trailer? steel or aluminum.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I plan to trade my 04 silverado in for newer silverado LT or LTZ with 6 speed auto transmission. with Z71 and towing package.. I heard the tow rate is up to 9000 lbs?
any one of you who own one like LT or LTZ, how do you like it with towing a 4 place snowmobile enclosed trailer? steel or aluminum.

Sounds like maybe you are talking the 1500?

 

[CO 2.0]

'08's and newer you could get the Z71 package in the 2500 HD with the Duramax.

My LLY '05 2500 Dmax with a dirty chip got way better MPG and more power than my '08 2500 Dmax stock. The 6spd is nice to have with the '08 though.

 

[maddog21]

sorry I was talking about 1500.. I dont mind to get LBZ duramax.

 

[AndrettiDog]

'08's and newer you could get the Z71 package in the 2500 HD with the Duramax.

My LLY '05 2500 Dmax with a dirty chip got way better MPG and more power than my '08 2500 Dmax stock. The 6spd is nice to have with the '08 though.

Yeah, well he mentioned 9k towing, so I'd like to think he wasn't thinking Duramax or 2500HD.

I'd get the 6.2 with the 6spd and it will be strong. I had a 5.3 and the truck did well but the tranny just didn't have enough gears.

 

[MORSNO]

I plan to trade my 04 silverado in for newer silverado LT or LTZ with 6 speed auto transmission. with Z71 and towing package.. I heard the tow rate is up to 9000 lbs?
any one of you who own one like LT or LTZ, how do you like it with towing a 4 place snowmobile enclosed trailer? steel or aluminum.

I have been driving 1500 Z-71 Silverado's with tow packages since '88 ('88, '97, '01) all worked fine for me pulling open trailers. The '01 with the 5.3 had plenty of get up and go, but it liked to shift a lot and scream at 4,500 RPM up the hills. I ordered a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT Z-71 with the 6.0 and 6 speed last January. It finally arrived in April and has been pulling my 16' open trailer with ATV's this summer. What a difference from my past trucks. Now I never see over 3,000 RPM on the same hills and the truck pulls effortlessly. The 6 speed makes a HUGE difference. My towing mileage also went up.

 

[milehighassassin]

Yeah, well he mentioned 9k towing, so I'd like to think he wasn't thinking Duramax or 2500HD.

I'd get the 6.2 with the 6spd and it will be strong. I had a 5.3 and the truck did well but the tranny just didn't have enough gears.

Everything with the 5.3 has a 6-speed auto with manual and tow/haul mode.

5.3 does just fine. 6.2 is a beast.


Edit... only way to get the old and outdated 4-speed is with the 4.8L V8, which is really only on work trucks.

 

[milehighassassin]

towing capacity with the 6.2 is 9400 (Denali/LTZ crewcab 3.42 axle), 10,400 with Crew Cab (non LTZ/Denali with 3.73 axle)
You can tow up to 10,400 with a 3.73 axle and an extended cab, regular box.

5.3l with crewcab can tow 9,500 with a 3.42 axle (only option)

http://www.gmc.com/sierra-1500-pick...s/capabilities.config=crew_cab_short_box.html

 

[tmk50]

I tried using a 5.3 to pull my very light 4 place enclosed aluminum (triton) - no thanks. I traded the truck off before the next season started*

6.0 or 6.2 with the 6 speed is the minimum for a 4 place aluminum enclosed IMO, especially if you pull some steep grades or deal with strong head winds. 4 place steel enclosed = diesel based on my experience.

Are you set on a 1500? You may want to look at the 2500HD with the 6.0. The new GM HD chassis is awesome - plus there is a 36 gallon tank on the short boxes (I know it is on the diesel, just guessing that it is on the gas ones too).



*I traded my 5.3 off on an LB7 duramax (2002) that I ran until last December, I now have a 2011 GMC Dmax CCSB.

 

[Chubbydog]

I've got the LTZ package in mine, and I love it. The fit n finish is awesome IMO! I went from the 04 1500 LS, to the 08 2500 Duramax, and would have a hard time going back to the 04. I'm not talking about the pulling power, but the interior is just so much better on the new ones. The 6 speed transmission is awesome also. You won't regret it if you do it.

 

[bigbone]

I have a 2012 crew cab ltz with the tow package and the 6.2. Pulling a lightweight flatbed goosneck with 4 sleds on it I get 9mpg. Let me know if you want to buy it.

 

[niles]

I have an 08 with a duramax. If you dont tow every day i would go with the half ton. I pull every day as a contractor and if i did not i wouldnt own the big heavy fuel eating monster. The half ton will be cheaper on fuel, maintanance and the purchase price. just my .02

 

[niles]

I average 8mpg pulling an enclosed 4 place with the duramax. It pulls it effortlessly but sucks the fuel down.

 

[bigbone]

I had a 07 duramax and sold it to a buddy. It would get 14mpg pulling the same trailer. I tried to trade him even up and he laughed at me. Empty they both get 17mpg, but the duramax has twice the power.

 

[Mafesto]

I average 8mpg pulling an enclosed 4 place with the duramax. It pulls it effortlessly but sucks the fuel down.

Same #'s we get at 80mph with duramax or pwrstroke

 

[Nytroty]

Same #'s we get at 80mph with duramax or pwrstroke

NO WAY! Doesn't everyone get at least 25mpg with there diesel doing 80-90 MPH?

8-10 is all i have ever seen with duramax's, 6.0's and 6.4's and one 5.9 cummins we took once. They have all the power in the world but the mileage is about the same...

My 1500 chev has made alot of trips out west with an open 4 place trailer from MN to Wy but i wouldn't even think about pulling a four place enclosed with it unless it was a floe protektor or a canvas covered open 4 place. You need a bigger truck or at least the 6.0 or 6.2 if your in a 1500.

 

[M8Chris]

I have a 1500 Sierra crew SLT which is the same as the ltz for Chevy. It has the 5.3 and it pulls a 26' mirage trailer pretty good not like a diesel that's for sure. But if your set on a half ton get the 6.2 I can only imagine how that motor feels. Like others have said I would really look into a duramax. My next truck will be a 2500 duramax. These days the new HD's do ride very good IMO.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I average 8mpg pulling an enclosed 4 place with the duramax. It pulls it effortlessly but sucks the fuel down.

Wow, I do better in my Duramax. I pull a two place 18' enclosed steel. I understand there is less weight but I bet the trailers (empty) are close to the same weight. So the extra two sleds and gear make up most of the difference. I see 11mpg pulling that here in Colorado.

 

[AndrettiDog]

Everything with the 5.3 has a 6-speed auto with manual and tow/haul mode.

5.3 does just fine. 6.2 is a beast.


Edit... only way to get the old and outdated 4-speed is with the 4.8L V8, which is really only on work trucks.

My 2005 did not have a 6spd. I was comparing my 5.3 from back then. It did have tow/haul mode though.

 

[maddog21]

My 2005 did not have a 6spd. I was comparing my 5.3 from back then. It did have tow/haul mode though.

6 speed on 5.3 silverado started in 2009-newer