Looking at new trucks

[Scott]

I recently traded in my 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L and 3.42 transmission for a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 3.0L Duramax Diesel and the 3.73 10 speed transmission that comes with the max towing package. My trailer is max 6250 pounds. With the 2014 I used to get 9mpgs towing on the interstate at 65mph. On my last trip with the 2022 I got 15mpgs towing on the interstate at 65mph for a 180 mile trip. Around town solo I get 22mpgs, on the local highways at 55mph I got 39mpgs and at 70 on the interstate I got 32mpgs. It was totally worth the extra thousand dollars for the diesel.

[CBCOCRBO]

Originally Posted by DeeBee

Yesterday we went to look at new Chevy trucks. We now own a 2015 GMC 1500- 5.3 L with a 3.42 axle ratio. We pull a 5500 lb trailer (with top limit of 7500 lbs loaded). The salesman told us we now have 2 choices for the 1500: 2.7L with 3.42 axle ratio or 5.3L with 3.23 axle ratio. Does anyone have any insight into which one would be best for towing our trailer? We vacation 3-4 times a year...sometimes in the mountains. The rest of the time this truck is my husband's everyday vehicle. The salesman didn't really have any insight into this...he told us...our choice. My husband really want to get a Chevy or GMC truck.

Without question I'd go looking for a gasser V8 and most definitely 3:73 rear end gear ratio. I'v had many trucks and full size SUV's in my many years. Best truck I ever had was a 1979 Ford F250 with a 400 ci gasser and 3:73 gears. I'v had 4 full size Ford Bronco's - a '77, a '80, a '89 and a '95. all of them with the 351ci/5.8 litre with 3.73 gears. All towed great. I now have a 2015 Silverado with a 5.3 gasser and 3;42 gears. To be candid it is not worth a s__t for towing our 2020 Jayco 29 RKS. Next vehicle ??? The Ford Expedition can be had with an HD trailering package with 3:73 rear end. Problem for me as an old V8 guy is they only come with the V6 motor. If I could get my '79 F250 400ci/3;73 I'd be all over it in a heart beat. Cheers, Rick

[hankstone]

if you can't find what you want new, take a look at Carmax. they have a ton of inventory so if you can find just what you want that is fairly new with lower miles fairly close to you, you'll be set. I found my truck about 200 miles away, paid $200 to have it transferred to a local carmax with no commitment, got a 24 hour test drive free... we fell in love with the truck and bought it. They don't deal on the price and they aren't cheap, but I got just what I wanted, no compromises!

[gymracer]

I see you have plenty of expert advice here, but my personal opinion, I would not consider towing with anything less than a 2500HD.

[Jerry713]

I live in the central Texas area. I've talked to several people in the car business in the past week from a dealership manager to a couple of buyers. At least in our market vehicle stock of 2022's is now improving overall and used prices are falling and falling pretty fast. Granted they have a long way to fall but prices are falling. The fact that inventory on new is getting better comes at a bad time for dealers since they could have a full lot going into fall which is typically their "off season". They don't want to head into December with a bunch of inventory for obvious reasons. If this happens end of the year could be a great time to buy new. No way I would buy anything new or used right now.

[ARoamer]

Originally Posted by Scott

It was totally worth the extra thousand dollars for the diesel.

When on the chevy build you own site, when I switch from the base engine to the diesel I'm seeing around a $4100 difference. Am I missing something?

[Scott]

Originally Posted by ARoamer

When on the chevy build you own site, when I switch from the base engine to the diesel I'm seeing around a $4100 difference. Am I missing something?

When I go to the Chevy site, I see $1,195 for the 3.0L Duramax. This is the same price I paid and is on my window sticker. The link is basically my truck, which is an LTZ.

I'll give you that I cannot get a 2.7 turbo with my trim package, but on an LT where you can, the price difference is $2,340. So the upgrade cost does vary based on the base engine for the trim you are interested in ($895-$2,540), but none of the configurations came close to $4,100.

Sorry, I don't know where you are seeing $4,100. I don't think it is a regional thing as the only price difference when you change the zip code is the destination charge.

[linedriver]

Originally Posted by DeeBee

Yesterday we went to look at new Chevy trucks. We now own a 2015 GMC 1500- 5.3 L with a 3.42 axle ratio. We pull a 5500 lb trailer (with top limit of 7500 lbs loaded). The salesman told us we now have 2 choices for the 1500: 2.7L with 3.42 axle ratio or 5.3L with 3.23 axle ratio. Does anyone have any insight into which one would be best for towing our trailer? We vacation 3-4 times a year...sometimes in the mountains. The rest of the time this truck is my husband's everyday vehicle. The salesman didn't really have any insight into this...he told us...our choice. My husband really want to get a Chevy or GMC truck.

I ordered and received a 2022 1500 with the 3.0 duramax with the max tow package. Heavier shocks, springs, 373 rear end. Outstanding mpg loaded and unloaded. I would highly recommend this option.

[curver900]

Originally Posted by marbles

Go to chevrolet.com and select Build. That will give you all of the options possible and when done building, show the inventory of the nearest dealers.

I am a fan of the 3.0L V6 diesel. Only $995 extra and 20% more torque and 75% better mpg.
That much torque should pull your 5,500lbs up any grade with ease and do it with much less fuel.

I would check the payload available on this set up....

[Yooper906]

Originally Posted by curver900

I would check the payload available on this set up....

A great idea to check payload on any setup. A little peace of mind. No CAT scales up here, so I use the trash transfer station scales. Accurate, and useful info.

[RedHorse1]

In my experience (limited) the “max tow” number is worthless. My 1st TT weighed 4500# and my TV had the “unicorn” tow number of 9000#. Dude! I’m gold, right? A visit to the CAT Scale showed I was 200# below my Rear GAWR.
The 2nd misleading number is “payload”. Payload is split (not evenly) between the axles. If you have 2300# of payload and 2000# of hitch or pin weight you are likely over the Rear GAWR.
YMMV.