2021 Silverado 1500 recommendations needed

[gmucha]

I am in the market for a 2021 Silverado to tow our 26' travel trailer (7600 gwvr). We camp 40 nights/year with our longest trip being an 8 hr ride (no mountains).

I have always had a 5.3Lv8 with a 3.42 axle ratio and have had very good luck. It has been next to impossible to find that combination. Most have a 2.7 L turbo, which I do not want or a 5.3L v8 but with a 3.23 rear axle.

Does anyone have any pros or cons about the 3.23 for towing vs the 3.42? Will it be sufficient?

Any help would be appreciated.

Glenn

[Lake Huron]

We have a 2001 Yukon Xl w/5.3 and a 4 speed trans. It puts out a whopping 285hp. Only once did I tow my 7x24' inline enclosed snowmobile trailer with 2 sleds in it weighing about 4500#. What an absolute slug! Had to keep it in tow/haul mode and rolling down the highway had to keep it out of 4th/overdive.
Fast forward to 20 years later, the new 5.3 puts out 355hp and is coupled to a 10speed trans. That's a 75hp increase which is a lot for a gas engine. We are looking at new 2021's and I'm a little torn between the new 5.3 or just go big and get the 420hp 6.2. There's no replacement for displacement. AND considering the stated 1mpg difference city and they get the same on the highway,.... the 6.2 might be getting the nod for us.
My neighbor has a 16 or 17, can't remember, silverado 1500 w/6.2 and loves it. He had an issue within 500mi with the torque converter. I dont remember if it was a recall or just a tsb on that, but they replaced the torque converter and hes not had one issue with anything on that truck. He said it gets about 19mpg on the highway too.

[Jay2504]

What transmission? A 10 speed? Jay

[MichaelO]

Why do the 5.3? I’ve heard a lot of good about the 6.2.

[Jay2504]

I looked at the Chevy website, and the 325 cubic inch engine is available with a 6,8, or a 10 speed transmission depending on the trim level. It makes a big difference what transmission you get. Please let us know what you are considering. Jay

[TxLoser]

I’ve got friends with both the 6.2 and the tried and true 5.3 with the 10 speed. Both are very happy with their trucks. The 10 speeds going into many vehicles these days are awesome. We’ve got an Acura SUV with a 4 cyl turbo and mated with A 10 speed is impressive and fun. The only negative I’ve heard of with the 5.3 is he unknowingly got the e version which I think cuts out some cylinders occasionally which he didn’t like, but there’s a work around for that.

[curver900]

if buying new the 6.2 with a 10 speed is the only way to go.. with 3.42's if you can get them...the cylinder deactivation cheat may still work about 200 bucks..

check the payload... make sure you have LT tires at least...

DO NOT buy anything with an 8 speed transmission.. 6 or 10 but the 8 is a no no!

[Jay2504]

Just curious, why is the 8 speed a no no? I’ve only had 4 and 6speed Chevy transmissions. Jay

[curver900]

go read the chevy forums on the 8 speed problems.. it was only made for about 3 - 4 years... and for good reason...
you won't have to worry about it there are no 8sp in the 2021 lineup.. it would be if you were to look at a used truck...

[GHen]

Slightly off subject, I started with a 1500 Silverado, after two years traded it in for a 2500 for towing. Bigger everything that’s important for camping and towing, especially brakes but also for all that stuff that get but in the bed of the truck. It’s so easy to overload a 1500. Now after 3 years I wish I paid the little bit more for the 3500.

That said a 1500 for a small trailer and limited mountain pass crossing is fine. I’m sure they have a good towing package available that will help.

[Bmiller]

3.23 will work fine with either trans with the 5.3. Look at the lower gear ratios and you will see they will be plenty low to pull your trailer. Last year I went to a 6.2 and a 10 speed with. 3.42 is a monster for towing and it gets approximately the same mileage with out a trailer on the highway as my 5.3 with the 3.23. Hard to get the 6.2 in a half ton, if you don't mind the somewhat stiffer ride along with a little less mileage you may want to think about a 3/4 ton for the better towing. Cant say enough about the torque of the 6.2.

[Mmartin]

I have a GMC 1/2 ton with the 6.2, 10 speed grant and 3.42 rear. Tow a Whitehawk 27RB with 7200 GWVR. The engine is a beast and tows with no problem. Average about 9 miles per gallon while towing. Only downside is the gas tank in the GMC and Chevy is small - 26 gal. Highway not owing I get 22 MPG and around town about 14. I am very pleased with this truck.
My previous truck was a 2018 GMC Sierra with the 5.3 and 8 speed trans. Turned it in on the lemon law because of constant transmission issues.
Having owned both motors I would recommend the 6.2 as the power and torque difference is quite substantial.

[nynethead]

if you have the 10 speed the 3.42 is what you get. If you have the 6 speed i would go for the 3.73 for towing, 3.42 or lower will not perform as well under load

[dwoody49]

I had to have my 2015 chevy Silverado 5.3L with a 3.08 rear ended updated to a 3.42 rear end. It tows just done about 7000 pounds. It now has a tow capacity of around 9000 pounds.

[marbles]

This thing pulls and gets good gas mileage.

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

If you are going to buy a new truck to tow a 7,600 lb. trailer why go with a 1/2 ton? I can see if you already have a 1/2 ton and trying to decide to keep it, but you have already made up your mind. If you ever get a larger trailer you’ll be searching for a new truck again and I’m speaking from experience. I went from a 26’ to a 28’ and guess what, that 1/2 ton wasn’t cutting it.

[alwalk63]

Originally Posted by gmucha

I am in the market for a 2021 Silverado to tow our 26' travel trailer (7600 gwvr). We camp 40 nights/year with our longest trip being an 8 hr ride (no mountains).



I have always had a 5.3Lv8 with a 3.42 axle ratio and have had very good luck. It has been next to impossible to find that combination. Most have a 2.7 L turbo, which I do not want or a 5.3L v8 but with a 3.23 rear axle.



Does anyone have any pros or cons about the 3.23 for towing vs the 3.42? Will it be sufficient?



Any help would be appreciated.



Glenn

The transmission and the rear end are tied to the trim levels and whether it has the max tow package.

If you can get the 6.2. Best all round choice of power and fuel economy.

[Velz]

I have the 6.2 in my 2018 Silverado. It has the 8 speed tranny, which I've not had any issues with. I'm very happy with the truck. It pulls our 24.5 Baja like it isn 't there. I traded in my 2018 Duramax for the 6.2 (I actually got cash back :-). The Duramax was used for our 29' Jayflight. I'm a "gas" guy rather than a "diesel" guy, but for anything substantially larger than what we have now, I'd go Duramax again. You're probably on the verge.

[nynethead]

I just got my 2020 Chevy 2500 HD with the new 6.6L gas. I pull a 29.5bhds. I had an 06 2500Hd diesel prior and for a 10,000. Lb trailer there is not much difference. The towing capacities on the new gas is higher than my old diesel
Gvwr on 06 was 9200 new 20 is 10450

[Velz]

I didn't know they made a 6.6. The 6.2 w/ 420 HP & 623 ft lbs. (max) of torque is no slouch. The 6.2 also has 11700 lb. trailering capacity. The 6.6 should be a real workhorse.