Feedback on 2015 Silverado 1500 V8 5.3 Eco with 3.42 rear

[KariRich]

Everything I read says that my truck, which has the tow package, can do 9,500 pounds of towing. Truck says 1,800 pounds cargo weight, with total GCVW of 15,000 pounds.

We are going to be pulling a 2016 International Signature which is dry weighted at 5,824 pounds.

Just me, the Mrs, and three small dogs, and about 50 pounds of stuff in the truck plus to bicycles in the bed. Figure we have about 300#s of stuff in the trailer, so seems like a no brainer. Am I missing something?

Using a WD hitch so actual tongue weight will be fab below the 900 it can handle.

Thoughts welcome

[dznf0g]

You'll be fine. Just a bit slower in the mountains

[CaCraig]

That's the truck I have but I have the max tow pkg. It pulls the Airstream fine, even up hills on the freeway but I always keep it at 60mph or less.

[J. Morgan]

My 08 5.3 with 3.73 gears makes 315 HP, my trailer weighs about 6,700 lbs ready to camp. (I imagine that the newer trucks make more power?)

The worst Hill I climb is an 8% grade south of Globe AZ that knocks me back to about 35 mph. I can pull any grade I have encountered on the interstate highway system between Little Rock, AR and Tucson, AZ at 70 mph plus.

99.9% of the time when towing with your truck I think it will make the speed limit and more with no problem. (And yeah, sometimes I pull 75 and 80 mph across west Texas)


Superat stultitia.

[CaCraig]

355hp on the 2015

[J. Morgan]

If memory serves me correctly, the most powerful 454 made by GM after 1977 made about 280 HP.

A new 5.3 will pull that trailer more than satisfactorily.


Superat stultitia.

[cbrittan]

We are averaging 10 to 12 mpg with our 2014 GMC, consistent on north to south, south to north 5000 mile round trip fully loaded each way for 6 month winter stay in FL. We have the tow package which is the best brake controller we have ever used over 20 years towing.

In our opinion, the 5.3 engine is more than adequate at our tow speed never exceeding 65mph.

Having owned 5 diesel duallies over the past 18 years, this GMC All Terrain is perfect for where we take our AS.

[JCWDCW]

I pull with a 4.7 and 3.53 rear end (Dakota..same drive train as the 1500). It does the job...and yes you lose speed on the hills if you can't get the engine speed up into its torque speed. A friend of mine was disappointed in the 5.3, but newer models have more HP and Torque. I have always been pragmatic about the under sized engine, since I enjoy better mileage when not pulling the AS. A few slow hills is not a deal-breaker for me. Going to try reprogramming the engine/tranny to get the intermediate gears to hold in longer. Hopefully it won't result in poorer mileage.
JCW

[wbrisett]

I have the GMC with the same setup and it seems fine pulling my 23D. I get between 10 and 11 MPG towing with it, but otherwise it seems to handle the load without any issues.

[dkottum]

You will do fine. Use transmission and select the gear that keeps the engine in enough power range for smooth interstate travel and climbing, and to get up enough engine speed for compression braking (assisted by truck and trailer service brakes if/when needed) descending steep grades.

The third element for comfortable towing is the hitch setup. Research and pick a high quality model with sway control or elimination, and tapered weight distribution bars for flexibility. The sway control of the hitch is also dependent on the stability of the truck's tires, air them up and/or change to a tire with a stiffer sidewall if things are squishy.

[cando]

After over ten years of towing with a bigger more powerful half ton and a lighter AS and wiu the max trailer tow package I think you might possibly be quite disappointed. Re read the responses above regarding concessions they make hill climbing and maintaining speed with the other traffic out there and think lomg about it.

[dkottum]

It always comes out doesn't it, calling a sensible procedure a concession or some such nonsense.

[J. Morgan]

I maintain uphill interstate speeds faster than a lot of people who post on this forum tow on the flats.

#JustSayin


Superat stultitia.

[Plasma800]

I like reviews from these guys who real world test trucks under 9000 lb loads up an 8% grade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wkqw0GC63rI

[B00merang]

Based on pulling my little 20ft FC with my '05 Yukon or '12 Tahoe, both with the 5.3L engine, I'm partially agreeing with Cando above...you'll be disappointed wit the 5.3L engine heading up mountain passes, but you'll be fine everywhere else, including merging onto freeways and interstates. Safe travels. jon

[ijustlee]

You should buy the truck that you like to drive, either one will do the job. The Ford will probably be more cost effective over it's life cycle for you but I'm just guessing at that since I don't know your overall circumstances. People worry too much about uphill speed when it's downhill speed that really matters. To me the main concern I have is that all the weight you are in charge of when rolling down the road is on contact patches of tire that just aren't all that big. I like cruise control because it keeps my speed down around 60mph! If a fancy hitch could save a tow combo from losing control in an unexpected emergency maneuver, or if you tow lots of miles and it makes driving less tense for you it would probably be a good investment. If it was me I'd buy the Ford and try a Reese cam type hitch and hit the road. If the combo doesn't feel good to you then you still have money to spend on a pricey hitch.

[wbrisett]

Originally Posted by Plasma800

I like reviews from these guys who real world test trucks under 9000 lb loads up an 8% grade.

I watched this and it's impressive. The only downside is this isn't exactly how the original poster's TV is setup. This is what GM calls their max tow package with the 3.73 gear ratio and 11,000 max towing. With the 3.42 gear ratio that weight drops to 9400 lbs. Still the video will give folks some idea of the capacity and performance. I've yet to take my 23d on any steep inclines (coming soon as I make my way from Texas to North Dakota in a month or so). But right now it has no problems towing the 6,000 lbs in a configuration the original poster also shares.

-Wayne

Edit: One other thing to note is I added the trailer mirrors (they didn't come on my 2015 GMC without getting the max tow package). Those mirrors will set you back a pretty penny ($6000 pennies ... or $600 dollars ... plus installation because they have to do a software upgrade for the lights). However, I wouldn't tow the AS without them.

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by wbrisett

I watched this and it's impressive. The only downside is this isn't exactly how the original poster's TV is setup. This is what GM calls their max tow package with the 3.73 gear ratio and 11,000 max towing. With the 3.42 gear ratio that weight drops to 9400 lbs. Still the video will give folks some idea of the capacity and performance.

They also didn't mention manual shift mode, which is on my 2015 1500. That should help eliminate some braking on the downhill portions.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by wbrisett

...Edit: One other thing to note is I added the trailer mirrors (they didn't come on my 2015 GMC without getting the max tow package). Those mirrors will set you back a pretty penny ($6000 pennies ... or $600 dollars ... plus installation because they have to do a software upgrade for the lights). However, I wouldn't tow the AS without them.

That would be 60,000 pennies!
I never understood the need for trailer mirrors until I bought a set of the McKesh mirrors for our trailer mirror less F-150... Holy cow! What a difference!
When we upgraded to the 2500 diesel Ram (sorry Doug, it is an upgrade!) it came equipped with towing mirrors. Now I sing the song of the mirror converted...

As to the original poster's question... I'm sure that with a load capacity of 1800 pounds that truck will be just fine if underpowered on hills. If I were looking for a non diesel I'd likely look at the GM 6.2, it is a very nice engine with an awesome 8 speed. Other than the turning radius and those fender flares the 1500 was high on my list before I went to the "dark side" and bought a Ram...

Bruce

[m.hony]

Sounds good to me.
Hook it up and go campin'!