Looking at new trucks

[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.

[ARoamer]

[QUOTE=DeeBee;1067259] 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.


Is this because it's all they have in stock? There are more engine options than 2.
My opinion- 5.3L would probably be a better choice than the 2.7L. If lots of mountains are anticipated I'd go with a 6.2, but it looks like it's only available with 4WD. Probably not recommend the 3L diesel, more maintenance and up front cost. Duramax 3.0L diesel, a $2,390 option over the standard 2.7L.

[Happy wife / happy life]

I am also looking at a new truck. I am leaning towards the Chevy “ trail Boss”. 6.2 v8 gas 410 hp. I tow a baby trailer and will not upgrade to a larger trailer so the k1500 ( 1/2 ton ) will work just fine for us. Down side to the 6.2 is gas mileage but I am willing to trade fuel mileage for horsepower.

[Jerry713]

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.

Get the 5.3 with the 3:42 without question. You'll notice a difference in towing if you go to 3:23 and not in a good way. I'm a big fan of their 3.0 diesel and pulls better than the 5.3 and gets upwards of 30 mpg highway but they are having lots of transmission failures at 40k-70k miles.

[Jerry713]

I'm sure you know you'll be paying minimum MSRP for that new truck. Still scratching my head in the MSRP thing. Aren't you concerned with being upside down for a lot longer?

[DeeBee]

"Get the 5.3 with the 3:42 without question. You'll notice a difference in towing if you go to 3:23 and not in a good way."


I would get the 5.3 with the 3.42 if it was available...the salesman told me if I want the 5.3 it will come with a 3.23....only the 2.7 would come with the 3.42. He did have both of the trucks available...but said if I order one right now, many options are not available.
I guess what I wondered is if I would feel a big difference between the two different axle ratios with the 5.3....and if they have actually improved trucks so much in the last 7 years, the 2.7L would actually pull that trailer through the mountains. The salesman told me it said right on the truck it would pull 11,000 lbs!!! (I was sitting in the truck when he read that to me). I found that rather shocking...should have looked myself....no doubt.

[Happy wife / happy life]

DeeBee, it might be worth your time to talk to a couple more dealerships. Something about what you are being told just doesn’t sound right.

[DeeBee]

I think you are right! I will be visiting more in the next week or two. My salesman had a truck but didn't tow anything...so I need to find one that know about towing and what is offered.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts on this subject.

[JayLo]

I have the 2.7L Elevation

It has 430 lb ft at 1500 rpm. Max towing is 8800lbs.

It is a beast.

My last truck was the 2.7 and I didn’t even look at anything else because it towed so good and that was with 380 lb ft in the older model.

The V8 and the Diesel are 460lb ft at I believe 3600 rpms, so you don’t need to fuss at 5500 lbs. my trailer is 5000 for reference.

[DeeBee]

Wow! Have you been in the mountains with it? Do you have the Max trailering package or the regular? Do you know your axle ratio?

[JaycoQuest294]

A couple of links , hope this helps.

Ordering the right axle ration can further help tailor a new GMC truck or SUV to your particular needs, especially if trailering. https://www.gmc.com/gmc-life/how-to/...for-your-truck

Towing weight for a 5.3 with 3:42 gears https://www.silveradosierra.com/thre...-gears.698514/

[DaveT]

Add this to your price estimate


https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a4...ion-mandatory/

[JaycoQuest294]

Wow that's really brainstorming for a sale - not! That's absolutely not right, if the buyer walks away then what, loose a sale for an option someone doesn't want or is this another negotiation tactic...

[JayLo]

Basic trailering package. To get Max Trailering it has to be the V8 for no reason that I can tell. Ratio is the 3.42 which is standard.

I have towed through a seasonal pass, 2 lane up and over with serious grade on both sides. It was my first major pull and our first trip in new camper. The truck did so well that braking was minimal due to trailer mode (holds gears longer) and I calmed down pretty quickly, lol.

Again: with the 2.7L you cannot get the Elevation Premium Package or the Max Trailering Package. If you build it on GMC website you will see what all that means. Can’t remember if you are looking at Chevy or GMC, but mine is GMC in Titanium Rush.

Here is my truck https://youtu.be/O_nuYWbXVe8

[SkyBound]

I have one of the more capable half tons out there, above and beyond both of your options listed. I pull a 5,500lb empty, 7,000lb loaded trailer. I've ran this set up for 8 seasons. It pulls and handles things fine, but I will never own another half ton again. Food for thought.

Disclaimer - We are a family of 5 with lots of fun stuff we bring along, so truck weight is more the issue than towing ability, but still.

[Scott91370]

Don't get too hung up on just the axle ratio. What transmission does it have?
A 6 speed vs 10 speed will make a world of difference and more than likely make up for the rear end.

I pull 4000ish with a 3.31 rear axle and a 6 speed transmission. Same axle with the newer 10 speed is overall pretty close to the same experience because of the extra gears and how low 1st is.

[Gregory Peck]

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 have a 2022 Silverado LTD, 6.2L, LTZ, max trailer package, standard box and it pulls my 5,893 lb. 2020 Jay Feather 27RL with ease. The flex gate and bumper steps come in very handy when camping and the multiple cameras make navigating a breeze.

[alwalk63]

To be fair to the sales guy if he didn't have any real-world insight he was better saying that than feed a line of bs...

We have a customer who just used the 2.7 to tow their trailer that's about the same weight and where happy with how it performed. The truck has pretty high torque numbers, higher than my 5.3.

Their only comment was fuel economy was pretty low when pulling.

My vote would be the V8 if you are keeping it for a long time.

[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.

[Genr8rs]

I owned a Pilgrim 8000lbs + TT pulled with a 2.7l Ecoboost F150 and now own a 8000lb Jayco 5th wheel pull with a 6.Ol Silverado 2500 3.73 gears. Ecoboost pulled way better. Much more torque. Do your homework but dont settle.