Help deciding on a "new" truck...

[RMK SeVeN]

Currently drive an 03 silverado 1500. I'm looking at upgrading to a newer truck 08-09ish. I have an open two place aluminum trailer as well as a steel 4 place. I'd like a truck that can tow both of them. I will probably not tow the 4 place much but would like the option to be able to do so.

I was looking at an 08 Chevy/GMC 2500. But began to realize if I can get away with a 1500 again I would like to do so because most of the time the truck is just a daily driver.

So then I look at the F150's and most reviews showed worse towing than dodge/gmc. So now I'm lost.

And the stories of the hemi fuel mileage scares me away from them.

I know some people out there tow enclosed 4 places with a 1500 with bags but I do not agree with that.

Thoughts on a new truck?
Thanks!

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I run a 11 gmc seirra 1500 denali with the 6.2 motor..rated to pull 9700 pds..pulls my buddies steel 4 place with 4 sleds on it like nothing up thru the hills...trailer weighs about 5000 pds with 4 sleds...truck gets about 10 mpg pulling that trailer at 60 mph...dealer has same truck but an 09 and he says it does great as well..........

 

[winter4ever]

wait for the new 6.2 in the f150. over 400 horse. they also have a 5.0 comin out right at 400..

 

[RMK SeVeN]

wait for the new 6.2 in the f150. over 400 horse. they also have a 5.0 comin out right at 400..

The 5.0 has 360HP....less than their 3.7 V6 EcoBoost.

I am beginning to look at the '09 dodge Ram 1500 now...I am impressed by their style. No integrate brake controller tho...easy fix though.

 

[AndrettiDog]

The good news is all three are making some cool 1/2 ton trucks. I really like the Sierra Denali but unless I'm mistaken, you can't lock into 4 low. It's just all wheel drive. The new F150's aren't bad. I would take a GM or Ford myself.

I can tell you that it would be hard to go back to a 1/2 ton after having my Duramax. But I can also say a 1/2 ton is a better daily driver and all around truck. Nothing tows like a diesel on a heavy framed truck though. It's not just the motor...it's the brakes, full floating axles, frame, springs, altenators, batteries, etc.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I've always had 3/4 tons...absolutely love the 1/2 ton denali..400+ hp under the hood..drives like a caddy...and you wont notice the missing 4 by shifter..but..just so you know...the chevy version, the LTZ..does come with a t-case..high/low range 2by/4by....with an even higher 10700 pd load rating(it uses the 9.5 3/4 ton rear axle)..but my buddy builds t-cases/axles for a living...he says they never see any caddy/denali full timers for axle/t/case issues other then the frts burnt up from peeps not servicing them enough....and they go thru pallets of new t-cases /axles each winter up here..

 

[Jaynelson]

If you want to look at 1/2 tons, do yourself a favor an check out an 07+ Tundra with the 5.7L. 2 sizes of crew-cab available, comfy, good ride, huge brakes, awesome turning radius, all models have standard tow packages, 18" wheels standard, dual zone a/c standard, 5.7L + 6 speed sport-shift auto is bulletproof and shifts smoother than any domestic, particularily under load while towing. It's worth checking out, I work at a Toyota dealer, we sell lots of these trucks and nothing but satisfied customers....all we really do to them in the shop is change fluids. Hell I'm at 90,000kms on my personal 06 and haven't even put in a set of front pads yet.....fluids and a headlight bulb if you can believe it.

There are some good deals out there on used ones right now too....just a thought.

 

[Leardriver]

I had an '01 silverado, and loved it, and went to buy another newer one. I made a quick stop by a Toyota dealer and drove the Tundra. I almost had a heart attack at how close I was to buying anything else so inferior. The Tundra is an amazing piece of engineering, and American made.

The magazines call it a light 3/4 ton because the parts on it are so beefy.

You can't really buy a lousy truck except for Dodge, but you are cheating yourself if you don't look at Tundra's. Four years later, I'm still amazed at the quality.

 

[Mafesto]

Nothing tows like a diesel on a heavy framed truck though. It's not just the motor...it's the brakes, full floating axles, frame, springs, altenators, batteries, etc.

Awe phooey!
I've read on here that all you gotta do is add air bags & it makes up for all that!

 

[shafe7]

my 2 cents

I owned a chevy 1/2 ton 4 door crew with 5.3 I took it out west several times pulling a 20 ft aluminum trailer with 4 sleds it was very hard on that truck especially that pull up the mountain at cenntenial at the snoweys all the shifting it did not to mention at 5000 rpms good luck talking to anyone in the cab. A year and a half ago I bought a new 2009 chevy LTZ 4door crew 1/2 ton with the 6.2 motor and I couldnt be happier. The 406 horsepower motor was worth every penny I had to spend. Dont get me wrong a duramax chevy still has about 12 more ft pounds of torgue but if you dont want to deal with the things that come with owning a diesel dont be afraid of this truck. She will pull. Its nice to just set the cruise at 70-75 and just relax behind the wheel. mileage is around 9-10 if you backed it down to 60 it would be much better. But we run the interstate from fargo to snoweys and cookecity every year. My folks have several duramaxes on the farm so I am very familiar with them Ive taken them several times out west. But for taking a chance on this gas truck I couldnt be happier with it it truly is the nicest riding truck Ive ever owned and she will pull if you are looking to stay with a 1/2 ton truck as I was

 

[badass1000]

direct from chevys website.
•The Vortec 6.2L V8 engine with 403 horsepower and 417 lb.-ft. of torque


2011 duramax 397 horses and 765 lb.-ft. of torque

thats 348 more lbs tq.
with a simple economy tune like I and most others run you can easily add another 65hp and 150 tq and still be stock reliable.

I do agree that a half ton chevy with the 6.2 would be a great choice for your inteded use though. But you just can't compare the power of a gas to a diesel.