newer truck...Vortec max or 1500hd

[boondocker1]

Its about time to upgrade from my 01 1500 hd to something a bit newer.

Really like the 07-08 Vortec max 1/2 tons but dont know anybody with one so not sure how they would pull my 30' camper (10k weight all loaded up)

Considering another 1500hd (03-06) as i know what these can handle.

Any idea what a vortec max gets for mileage running empty? how do they pull?

I really like the 6.5' box of the 1500 hd but wud like the new body style and dont need a full blown 3/4 ton

 

[Nytroty]

Just my opinion but if you are going to be towing a 10,000 lb. camper you should definatly be looking at a 3/4 ton. If you are going to get the 6.0 then you might as well get the 3/4 ton. My 1500 with airbags in the back is sketchy pulling a 28 foot 6,000 pound camper. My brohters 3/4 ton is night and day difference with that load behind it. I do like my 1500 but if i was towing a camper that big i wouldn't even think about a 1500. Just my .02 though.

Tyler

 

[AKM208]

I have an 07 2500HD with the 6.0L and get 13.0 MPG on average. I have bigger tires that do not help MPG, and i will downsize tires slightly when they are worn out. I have got as high as 14, and low as 12. I have investigated performance chips to get better mileage but the price is not worth the small gain it might provide.

Truck pulls hard and drives good for a 3/4. Trailer will drop you 3-4 mpg.

I dont understand why we cant get a good fullsize truck that can get decent mileage.

 

[boondocker1]

nobody has expierience with a v-max?

 

[MT rydn]

do you tow often? how many times a year, distance, in mountains or flat, summer only or winter and summer?

if flat land, summer, infrequent towing then 3/4 ton 6 liter gas, long or short bed (assuming is a crew cab, also). i think 10,000 is really pushing on a 1/2 ton, especially if in mountains, and I feel better pulling that weight with bigger truck with my wife, kids, and dog in the truck with me! my 1/2 ton 08 suburban 6 liter does pretty good job with my 6000 trailer.

if up/down mountain roads, lots of towing miles, snow-ice / both summer/winter I'm going 3/4 or 1 ton, diesel (never going back to gas towing that kind of weight, in all season conditions), long bed.

good luck in deciding!

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Well, I am going to go against what everyone else is saying here...a properly setup 1/2 ton will tow a 10,000 pd trailer just fine...will it do it as smoothly as a 3/4 or 1 ton truck in big cross winds ...no..but it will do it safely and reliably...if you will find a 2011 chevrolet LTZ silverado, it comes as a crewcab, shortbox, 4x4 with the max trailer towing package which gets you the 403 hp ,430 ft lb torque 6.2 liter motor, a 9.5 rear diff and a rated trailer towing capacity of 10700 pds..now..my 2003 3/4 ton yukon xl (suburban) with a 8.1 liter motor was only rated for a 10,000 pd trailer rating, with a motor rated at 360 hp, 465(?) ft pds torque... and I pulled 10,000 pd trailers thru the mountains with it several times with out any fear of control...or issues with enough brakes or power for the load hooked to it..its all about selecting the right truck with the right options...I currently own a gmc seirra denali 1/2 ton crewcab..it rates out for only a 9700 pd trailer...(the denalis get the smaller axles then the chevy ltz version), mine pulls great..no issues with power/handling, or comfort...fuel economy is actually quite good with the 6.2 motor as well...8-12 with a big 4 place on running 70 (we dont have much for flat roads up here..all of ours are pretty nuch up/down every where)...empty..if you keep it down at 55 she can pull 20 mpg..although most of the time she gets 14-17 mpg on the hiway..in town...again ..if you keep your foot out of it..it will get 12-15..foot in it...7-9...but ..you can get there in a hurry...nothing wrong with the right 1/2 ton if its optioned out right..now if you will pull a 10000 pd trailer every weekend all year long..i would opt for a 3/4 or 1 ton..but for a few trips a year..not an issue......

 

[Coldfinger]

I would go by the MFG tow ratings and compare yours vs a new one and decide what you want it to do.

Personally, I have a 2002 2500HD Crew with 4.10 and 265s, 6.0L and think that anything more than a few hundred miles of towing on the flats is ok but for longer trips I always wish I had more, but I don't pull the camper often so I put up with it. Mileage is 6-7mpg avg pulling 9,000ish trailer tow camper.

General tow speed is 65 max and I usually figure 55-65 unless going with wind or downhill. It will go faster but to me that is too much stress on the 6.0L engine.

Axles, brakes, etc are all more HD on a 2500 truck.

 

[locknload]

If I were updating my pickup I would seriously consider the new f150 with the 3.5 v6. 350 hp and 425ft lb torque @ 2600 rpm. 11,500 lb towing capacity. Ive been a GM guy most of my life but I really believe ford did their homework on this one. Great mileage plus lots of torque in a V6. You can you-tube lots of info on this engine. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Coldfinger]

V6

I've been thinking about that EcoBoost v-6 from Ford myself.

The MPG unloaded is 1-2 better than a v-8.

My concern is what happens to mileage when that truck is actually pulling something - will it take a substantially larger hit than a non-aspirated, larger engine?

What if a turbo goes out, how much are they?

Just thinkin.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Yes and no..the ltz 1/2 tonner gets the same 9.5 axle as a 3/4 tonner, the 1/2 ton brakes are as big on rotors(13" frt and 11" rears. swept pad area is as large..so pretty much equal...now the 3/4 ton can get you an allison..but the 1/2 tonners have a 6 speed version of the 4L-85E which so far seems to be plenty stout(the 4l-80E used to be the toughest tranny gm made)and from my own experiences the allison is a slow tranny and not the greatest on fuel...I think if it was me I would tell the dealer I want to hook my trailer up to the trucks I am interested in and go for a road test...will tell you real quick if its compatible/comfortable with what your wanting.........

 

[007]

Just because you turn up the torsion bars or add air bags to a half ton that don't make it a 3/4 or 1 ton!

Have you ever looked past the door knob of the two? The 3/4 and 1 tons have bigger brakes maybe not bigger diameter, but rotor thickness. The a-arms are completely different, the wheel bearings are larger frames are way heavier! Tires on alot of new half tons are p rated. The list goes on and on.

Please for everybody else on the road if you are going to haul a bigger trailer do it with the right equipment!

Sorry I blew up!

KJP

 

[jcrjet]

I have a 3/4 ton Chevy with a 454 7.4l vortec. Something I discovered when I started looking at a possible replacement because I like new shiny trucks...if you look at the engine specs for HP/Torque, these tiny little gas motors they're building are great for daily drivers that want gas mileage. But, if you use it primarily for towing, you must look where the torque curve comes in...typically to get the power out of it you must rev the crap out of it. That would get annoying in the least and destructive to the motor in the long term. Something to think about anyway.

 

[Goinboardin]

There was a reason AKSnowrider said buy a half ton with the correct equipment, not just the first half ton you see on the lot. Of course the half ton towing a 10,000 pound trailer will wear faster than a 3/4 ton or tonner pulling the same load, but if you're not towing on a regular basis, a properly equipped 1/2 ton (for example LT tires and the most HD tow package available) will do what you want it to an occasion. Driving style is pretty important too, I've ridden with some fools who are scary towing a lightweight 16 foot fishing boat with a 1/2 ton. Don't tailgate and drive 80 mph.

There's a huge difference towing my mother's 21 ft boat (~4500# with fuel and on the trailer) with my truck and with hers, both are 96 F150s. Differences? sway bars, LT tires, 5.8 vs 5.0, massive radiator, oil cooler, me driving calmly...

But yeah definitely make sure the engine you're considering has low end grunt, all about the stroke.
Get some electric trailer brakes on both axles if don't have them already.

Not sure I'd do it though, I've wanted a 3/4 ton for a while now.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I have a 3/4 ton Chevy with a 454 7.4l vortec. Something I discovered when I started looking at a possible replacement because I like new shiny trucks...if you look at the engine specs for HP/Torque, these tiny little gas motors they're building are great for daily drivers that want gas mileage. But, if you use it primarily for towing, you must look where the torque curve comes in...typically to get the power out of it you must rev the crap out of it. That would get annoying in the least and destructive to the motor in the long term. Something to think about anyway.

I have the same truck as you do( my daughter drives it to school nowdays)...3/4 ton gmc, 7.4 injected motor..trailer towing package...e range tires...wont hold a candle pulling, fuel economy wise or comfort wise to my 2011 gmc seirra denali crew cab 1/2 ton...either by specs or on the road.....as I said the first time..towing a big load everyday..yeah a 3/4 or 1 ton is a better idea..but for the casual big tow..the right 1/2 tonner with the right setup..is plenty able to handle it.....