GMC 2019 1500 Sierra Tow Vehicle

[amaier7771]

There have been a lot of discussions regarding the 2019 1500 New Design GMC/Silverado as a tow vehicle. I thought I would share my experience with this new TOW vehicle.

I custom ordered a 2019 1500 SIerra SLT Crew Cab/short box, with the 6.2L engine and the new 10 speed transmission. I ordered it with the Max Tow package and the trailering camera package.

The *6.2L L87 V8 Ecotech3 is rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Based on the trailering sticker on the door frame, the trailer towing capacity is 10,500lbs, more than enough for my Airstream Flying Could 25FB. The rated toungue capacity of my vehicle is 1210lbs.

Trailering Extendable Mirrors are NOT available for the 2019 Sierra!! Just this week, GMC just announced that trailering mirrors will be available on the 2020 1500 Sierra with the Max Towing package. It is is expected that 2019 versions that were ordered with the max towing option and the the 3 camera towing option will be able to be upgraded with the mirrors when the 2020 vehicles are made available, but this has yet to be confirmed by GM.

My experience so far has been positive. (BTW, my previous Tow Vehicle was a 2007 2500HD Duramax). The 6.2/10 speed transmission combination very comfortably pulled the AS up into the Colorado Mountains. The Tow/Haul engaged did a great job of engine braking down Monarch Pass. I expected the feel the engine working harder up the passes, as I was used to the Duramax, but the 6.2L was more than adequate.

The Trailer Camera is HARD-WIRED, so I needed to install a cable from the rear of the Airstream to the camera connector on the Sierra. The cable supplies both power and video, so no power connection is required on the Airstream. The Towing application is great. The cameras make hitch up a snap, once the camera shows the hitch ball exactly under the AS hitch, the vehicle automatically sets the parking brake, so the you do not have that "roll-back" issue.

While driving, the cameras in the side view mirrors give a reasonable view down the side of the AS, and the rear camera provides a very clear view from the rear of the AS. I did however purchase some clip-on trailering mirrors(until I can upgrade to the GM mirrors next year), because I am used to that wide view.

Without towing, I got a solid 22MGP for the first 500 miles thru the Colorado Mountains. (no towing until 500 miles break-in and oil/filter change per the manual). My initial MPG towing appears to be in the 11-14 MPG, but I have not towed enough with a full loaded set up to establish a good set of expectations.

It was a huge leap to move from a 2500 Duramax to a 1500 gasser, but we really wanted the smother ride, the driver safety features, and the integrated cameras, and Navigation of the newer vehicles.

I would be interested in any other impressions of this set up. As we gain more experience I will share my experiences.

[SSquared]

Thanks for the report! May you have many happy miles.

And the big question:. What is the payload number on your door sticker?

[thewarden]

I just do not understand some truck manufacturers, you order a tow package and they do not have tow mirrors available.

[Topshelf]

I have a 2018 Chevrolet 1500 Silverado with the 6.2L engine and the 8 speed transmission, and the max tow package. It is the double cab with the standard bed. I special ordered the vehicle and got the extendable trailering mirrors that power fold in when you park the vehicle. I am surprised that they are not available on the GMC.

As far as the engine, it is excellent. I have a 1979 31foot soverign and my fuel economy has been in the 12.2 - 13.5 in the mountains of Pa, WV, Va, and Tn. On the flatland in western Oh I was able to get 14.4mpg. All of the is possible even traveling at 65-70 mph.

I see no need for the diesel option to pull ANY Airstream. The cost of the option, the cost of the extra maintenance, the extra cost of the fuel and DEF are not worth it when you can get the 6.2L gas engine, and yes, the 6.2L does require 93 octane gas for proper performance.

I have also found out that Chevrolet is going to offer a 6.6L gasoline engine in the 2500 and 3500 for 2020. I do not know the HP or torque specs on it yet, but it should be better than the 6.2L. BTW- the 6.2L is not available in the 2500 or 3500.

[cru-in]

Confused by your use of the term "tongue weight capacity" . Do you mean payload capacity of the Truck?

[cru-in]

Staying within the payload specs of our half ton truck was the driving force to our purchase of a 25RB vice a 25 FB. Given the location of storage waste water tanks, hot water heater, second A/C, etc. folks report loaded tongue weight of 25 RB in the 800 pound range. As opposed to reports of 1200 pounds on the 25 FB.

Try as I might, we really wanted a globetrotter (only available in the 25FB), I could make the payload numbers work for the 25FB and our half ton.

[lsbrodsky]

Originally Posted by cru-in

Confused by your use of the term "tongue weight capacity" . Do you mean payload capacity of the Truck?

I feel certain he means the tongue weight capacity for the hitch, but I doubt the payload is much more.
Larry

[gandttimes]

Originally Posted by lsbrodsky

I feel certain he means the tongue weight capacity for the hitch, but I doubt the payload is much more.
Larry

I think with the max tow it's usually nearer 2000lb. Examples from a 2019 on the lot.

[lsbrodsky]

Good to know!
Larry

[thewarden]

Originally Posted by cru-in

Staying within the payload specs of our half ton truck was the driving force to our purchase of a 25RB vice a 25 FB. Given the location of storage waste water tanks, hot water heater, second A/C, etc. folks report loaded tongue weight of 25 RB in the 800 pound range. As opposed to reports of 1200 pounds on the 25 FB.

Try as I might, we really wanted a globetrotter (only available in the 25FB), I could make the payload numbers work for the 25FB and our half ton.

The TW of the 25RB is actually more than the 25FB. I suspect that the differences in the reported weights that you are seeing is due to different loading.

If I was concerned about TWs, I would have looked at the 27FB, which has a lighter TW than either of the 25s.

[amaier7771]

Here is the door sticker data:
GVWR: 7300 LBS
GCWR: 17800 LBS
GAWR RR: 4150 LBS
MAX PAYLOAD: 1750 LBS
MAX TOUNGUE WT: 1210 LBS
CURB WEIGHT: 5521 LBS

[amaier7771]

Originally Posted by thewarden

I just do not understand some truck manufacturers, you order a tow package and they do not have tow mirrors available.

I was told that the Tow Mirrors were intended to be available with the 2019 1500 and HD Sierria's and Silverado's, but due to a supplier?? problem they were not available for the 2019 1/2 tons. They will be available for the 2019's HD's which are just becoming available in July/August. BUT will not be available to be ordered for the 2019 1/2 tons, but will be order able for the 2020 1/2 tons. No one could explain to me why? But i was told that when the tow mirrors become available thru parts, I will be able to retro-fit as long as as my 2019 Sierra as long as it has the Max Tow Package and the trailering camera package. DOn't like it, but we will see when the dealers actually start seeing the new Tow Mirrors show up in parts.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by amaier7771

Here is the door sticker data:
GVWR: 7300 LBS
GCWR: 17800 LBS
GAWR RR: 4150 LBS
MAX PAYLOAD: 1750 LBS
MAX TOUNGUE WT: 1210 LBS
CURB WEIGHT: 5521 LBS

What's missing... No GAWR Front?🤔

Bob
🇺🇸

[cru-in]

Originally Posted by thewarden

The TW of the 25RB is actually more than the 25FB. I suspect that the differences in the reported weights that you are seeing is due to different loading.

If I was concerned about TWs, I would have looked at the 27FB, which has a lighter TW than either of the 25s.

From AS Website
For Serenity 25FB 837 pounds
For Serenity 25RB 835 Pounds
For Serenity 27FR is 791 pounds

The difference is absolutely loading. in a 25RB, most storage, Grey/BL Tanks, 2nd AC, Hot water heaters, etc. is all behind the axles.

I found 5 members, who all reported 800ish TW with a 25RB fully loaded and ready to camp. Do a search, this forum is full of folks who are shocked when thier 25FB weighs in at 1200+ pounds ready to camp. See this discussion:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f516...ht-127670.html

We did look very carefully at the 27FB, Given the location of storage, tanks, 2nd AC, etc. It was fairly low with many folks reporting Loaded TW in the 950 to 1050 pound range. Note the 25FB in this thread with a tw of 1175.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...bt-178126.html.

[thewarden]

Originally Posted by cru-in

From AS Website
For Serenity 25FB 837 pounds
For Serenity 25RB 835 Pounds
For Serenity 27FR is 791 pounds

The difference is absolutely loading. in a 25RB, most storage, Grey/BL Tanks, 2nd AC, Hot water heaters, etc. is all behind the axles.

I found 5 members, who all reported 800ish TW with a 25RB fully loaded and ready to camp. Do a search, this forum is full of folks who are shocked when thier 25FB weighs in at 1200+ pounds ready to camp. See this discussion:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f516...ht-127670.html

We did look very carefully at the 27FB, Given the location of storage, tanks, 2nd AC, etc. It was fairly low with many folks reporting Loaded TW in the 950 to 1050 pound range. Note the 25FB in this thread with a tw of 1175.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...bt-178126.html.

It looks like published weights differ year to year. AS published TW for my 2016 27FB Serenity is 770lbs. Loaded for camping it weighs 865lbs per my Sherline scale. It only has the single A/C, so there is certainly a weight savings there. I also do not travel with anything in the gray or black tanks, and as the fresh water tank is located between the axles, any water in there does not contribute to TW.

[Daquenzer]

Thanks for the information. Good to know your experience. Do you get a 36 gallon tank with the max tow package? That’s one thing I like about my F150. I am going to put a Roadmaster suspension kit on my F150. It’s suppose to really make the ride smoother while towing. How is the ride on your GMC while towing? And do you have to burn premium? Probably the main reason I would not buy the 6.2L is if I had to burn premium. But it would still be better than the cost of a Diesel engine all said.

[nvestysly]

Originally Posted by amaier7771

...
Without towing, I got a solid 22MGP for the first 500 miles thru the Colorado Mountains. (no towing until 500 miles break-in and oil/filter change per the manual). My initial MPG towing appears to be in the 11-14 MPG, but I have not towed enough with a full loaded set up to establish a good set of expectations.
...

Thank you for the information. I look forward to hearing additional comments from you as well as others with the 2019 GM 1500 trucks with Max Trailering - particularly those with the 6.2L. We decided to purchase the 2018 Sierra 1500, 4WD, 6.2L SLT, crew cab, short box, Max Trailer. The 8 speed in our truck can be a bit jerky but I've heard nothing but good reports from the 10-speed crowd.

Are your fuel economy numbers based on the electronic information displayed on the dash? Or, do you take time to calculate the mileage based on miles driven divided by the gallons of fuel put into the tank? I realize the numbers should be the same, or at least very close.

The numbers displayed on our electronic readout are very similar to those posted by other 6.2L owners. However, I have to say I'm less than enthused with the "real" fuel economy on our truck. and I'm surprised more owners don't take time to compare the MPG numbers displayed on the dash versus the real numbers. Every tank full of gas on our truck is at least 1 MPG off and some are as much as 2 MPG off. The average delta is just over 10%!

Reading through forums from a variety of vehicles this seems to be an industry trend - domestic and foreign vehicle manufacturers seem to fudge a bit to the positive to give owners the impression they are getting better fuel economy than actually achieved. I'll be curious to see if that's the case with the 2019 6.2L 10-speed equipped trucks.

[Daquenzer]

“The results: every vehicle we’ve tested has returned a significantly lower mile-per-gallon figure than the one displayed on the dash. If this was simply some kind of rounding error, you’d think that there would be a few cars that provide better fuel economy than the car recorded, but not one of the cars we have ever evaluated has ever delivered higher fuel economy than the one that was displayed.”

From a testing agency. So whatever your gauge says take between 7 and 10% off and that’s more realistic according this article stated. Hmmmmmm.....

[Atwebs]

Our 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax Diesel has pull out tow mirrors, a back up camera on the truck, connects perfectly to the trailer back
Up camera and we are getting awesome mileage, 15-16 mph towing and almost 20 without the trailer. Full tow package with exhaust brakes and a bunch of other features, but we are loving it.

[FunCajun]

I also have a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 with the Max Tow Pkg.

I stuck with the 5.3 liter engine instead of 6.2 L engine or 4 wheel drive because it actually has more towing weight capability of 11,000 pounds since the transmission and engine are 600 pounds lighter which also reduces my tongue weight.

This is a great truck for easily pulling TT in the 6-7K range if you travel many different terrains and back roads. I would stay with 26’ or less. I have 25’ and it’s just fine in mountains and back roads too.

I hope I can get the factory tow mirrors when they come out like I was promised when I bought this great truck!

post: There have been a lot of discussions regarding the 2019 1500 New Design GMC/Silverado as a tow vehicle. I thought I would share my experience with this new TOW vehicle.

I custom ordered a 2019 1500 SIerra SLT Crew Cab/short box, with the 6.2L engine and the new 10 speed transmission. I ordered it with the Max Tow package and the trailering camera package.

The *6.2L L87 V8 Ecotech3 is rated at 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. Based on the trailering sticker on the door frame, the trailer towing capacity is 10,500lbs, more than enough for my Airstream Flying Could 25FB. The rated toungue capacity of my vehicle is 1210lbs.

Trailering Extendable Mirrors are NOT available for the 2019 Sierra!! Just this week, GMC just announced that trailering mirrors will be available on the 2020 1500 Sierra with the Max Towing package. It is is expected that 2019 versions that were ordered with the max towing option and the the 3 camera towing option will be able to be upgraded with the mirrors when the 2020 vehicles are made available, but this has yet to be confirmed by GM.

My experience so far has been positive. (BTW, my previous Tow Vehicle was a 2007 2500HD Duramax). The 6.2/10 speed transmission combination very comfortably pulled the AS up into the Colorado Mountains. The Tow/Haul engaged did a great job of engine braking down Monarch Pass. I expected the feel the engine working harder up the passes, as I was used to the Duramax, but the 6.2L was more than adequate.

The Trailer Camera is HARD-WIRED, so I needed to install a cable from the rear of the Airstream to the camera connector on the Sierra. The cable supplies both power and video, so no power connection is required on the Airstream. The Towing application is great. The cameras make hitch up a snap, once the camera shows the hitch ball exactly under the AS hitch, the vehicle automatically sets the parking brake, so the you do not have that "roll-back" issue.

While driving, the cameras in the side view mirrors give a reasonable view down the side of the AS, and the rear camera provides a very clear view from the rear of the AS. I did however purchase some clip-on trailering mirrors(until I can upgrade to the GM mirrors next year), because I am used to that wide view.

Without towing, I got a solid 22MGP for the first 500 miles thru the Colorado Mountains. (no towing until 500 miles break-in and oil/filter change per the manual). My initial MPG towing appears to be in the 11-14 MPG, but I have not towed enough with a full loaded set up to establish a good set of expectations.

It was a huge leap to move from a 2500 Duramax to a 1500 gasser, but we really wanted the smother ride, the driver safety features, and the integrated cameras, and Navigation of the newer vehicles.

I would be interested in any other impressions of this set up. As we gain more experience I will share my experiences.[/QUOTE]