Need new tow vehicle

[Barry Parkof]

I have been towing my 07 International with an 07 silverado 1/2ton. Tow rating on it was 6800 lbs with the 342 rear. Never seemed to have any problems. It towed well, and rode very smooth. This past Saturday I was involved in an accident and the truck is totaled. (I seem to be fine)
So now, I will be buying another truck probably this week, and I am aware that most people here, would say that a 1/2 ton is marginal, and a 3/4 ton would be much more suitable for towing.
My questions are; will a 3/4 ton be smooth riding for everyday use? What about getting a 1/2 ton silverado with the 6.0 liter engine that tows up to 10,400? What about the new Ford F 150 that claims to tow up to a similar amount? I never had a diesel before, and once again, I want something that I can drive everyday that is comfortable and smooth.
One final note. My decision will be based on the information that I receive from this forum rather than any dealer.
Thank you in advance.
Barry

[tphan]

What you need is debatable, and depends somewhat on where you will be towing- just the flats? mountain passes? the beaches of Padre? To have every capability you might need, I think a 3/4 ton, 4wd with a diesel would be unstoppable. There are quite a few nice tow vehicles for sale in this site's classifieds- check 'em out.

[mutcth]

Barry, I've driven quite a few recent trucks. A 3/4-ton doesn't have a smooth ride everyday; hooking up the trailer improves the ride a lot.

Given that you were happy with your Silverado, I would stick to a 1/2-ton truck. The new (2009+) Dodge Ram has a very comfortable ride, a nice interior, and the rather pleasant and torquey Hemi. I'd have a hard time not leaning towards that for a daily driver truck, unless I bought a Chevy Avalanche. Based on the Suburban, the Avalanche rides very comfortably - even better than the Dodge.

A new Silverado with the Z85 towing suspension (not the Z71 off-road package) also rides pretty well, and feels a bit less hulking than the Dodge to drive. The F-150 feels more "trucky" and ponderous to drive and its 5.4-liter seems to just get by. It's quiet and has a roomy cab.

Tom

[n2916s]

I have towed my 31' Sovereign over 38000 miles in the last 4 years (just back from Wyoming) with a 1/2 ton (2004 Nissan Titan).

IMO, any of the V8 1/2 tons with tow package and good WD/Sway gear will work just fine.

mike

[Gene]

Barry, the GVWR specs on your trailer are the same as mine; tongue wt. is 10 lbs. less. I tow our Safari with an '07 Tundra and have had no problems. The 2nd generation Tundra appears to be built with many parts characteristic of a 3/4 ton, but it rated at 1/2 ton. And they make them in San Antonio.

The Sequoia is the same vehicle with an SUV body and will have less payload, but rides smoother. The Tundra rides quite well in our opinion, and even more so since we replaced the OEM Goodrich tires with Michelins.

So long as you don't carry your ATV, anvil collection or gold bars in the truck, most, if not all, recent model 1/2 ton trucks can handle a 25" Airstream quite well.

Gene

[Mikethefixit]

Please don't jump all at once.There are literially 1000's of repo's at auctions waiting for you and new TV's at dealer's who will go to any length to get rid of them. The market today is in your favor .It sounds like you were not completely satisfied with the performance of the previous TV.
If you like the Chevy, I'd go 2500 Silverado with a DuraMax. I would not suggest Ford with a 6.0 PowerStroke , to many problems. F250 with a 7.3 and 3.73's is a different story. U will want to wait on your insurance co or the other guys insurance if it was his fault. Hold your ground ,insurance co's don't like to pay out money,and will want to get away as cheap as they can.

I have driven diesels for yrs,its all in gettin use too. Some people don't like the noise or the smell,but you get use too it.Diesels go longer between services and last longer down the road.They are how ever a little more expensive to service.But the difference is made up in longevity.
You ask about the ride.MyF350Crew Longbed rides better than my F150 Supercab.Today's suppensions are much better and ride better.
Good Luck to you in your search for a new TV.
Roger

[moosetags]

We have a 2005 25FB, named Lucy, that weighs 7400# ready to camp. We have pulled Lucy over 50,000 miles in the last three years all over the country. We have two tow vehicle because we travel so extensively. They are also our daily drivers. Both of our tow vehicles are Suburban 2500's. One is an '04 and the other is an '05. Both have the 6.0 liter gasoline V-8 and 3.73 final drives. The '04 is a two wheel drive, and the '05 is a four wheel drive. Both of these tow vehicles do an excellent job of pulling Lucy in all conditions. We also find them to be very nice daily drivers and touring vehicles.

At one time, we had an '04 Tahoe (1/2 ton) that we used to pull Lucy on occasion. This worked OK, but I would not buy another half ton anything for Lucy. I like the comfort margin of a 3/4 ton tuck's capabilities when towing nearly 8000#. There's more to it than the engine. A 3/4 ton truck has better brakes, stronger wheels, heftier frame, an oil cooler, a transmission cooler, and they even come with load range E tires for heavy towing.

Brian

[Pat Conway]

I know folks are concerned about a smooth ride to limit jolting to the trailer and I can understand that, but with my 07 Duramax (2500) using the Reese equalizer hitch, it seems to ride smoothly enough pulling our 25 footer. I don't have 4 wheel drive, however it did come with positraction and it does pretty well, but admittedly we could have used 4wheel drive in New Mexico (daughters steep gravel driveway) and had to pass up courtesy parking in the mountainous area of La Luz,NM as property owner said it was a necessity to navigate his driveway.

The Allison transmission really comes in handy for towing. It downshifts when you hit the brakes which helps limit trailer brake wear and tear. You can manually select each gear with the touch of an up/down button. I don't normally need to manually select, but it does come in handy in Mountain areas and is a good safety feature, particularly if you loose your trailer brakes. Does the HD gasoline 1500 model come with the Allison transmission? If so it may have all the features available to diesel Allison transmissions. I know one couple who tow their 23ft A/S with a new Roadtrek van camper said he really misses the Allison he previously had and it wasn't available on Roadtrek.

One item I wish I had paid attention to is the size of the gas tank. For some reason my WT model came with the small tank, 20 gallons, and we can only get about 250 miles max out of it. Also, we went with the crew cab, which is great for rear pax leg room and seat folds down for a nice storage area. However, it is too long to fit into our garage, even with the 6ft 6in bed. I knew this when I bought it and figured I could live with it that way, but hate to see it sitting out in the hot sun and humidity here in Florida.

I wanted a 2500 Duramax/Allison and feel I got a good deal with the WT model. It only has the vinyl floor and manual windows and locks, but the dealer sent someone out to the house to add cruise and he only had to remove the turn signal lever and install the new one with cruise. It plugged right into computer access on the steering column and works fine.

A friend has the "chip" for his Duramax (aftermarket item) and I was amazed at the performance enhancement with it. This makes a big difference with diesel, but am told not as much for gas powered. You can easily reprogram it back and forth for performance or towing.

Hope this helps, Pat

[ROBERT CROSS]

Have used 3/4 Burbs since 1995. Currently have an 06 8.1 with Autoride,(with out auto-leveling), very comfortable ride with or without the Stream. It will get 12mpg towing with the Hypertech programmer in the eco-mode.

It works for us, but do your research, there are a LOT of very capable TV out there.

Stream Safe

[Barry Parkof]

Excellent information. Just as I expected from this group. Thank you. My concern about the smoother ride is not so much for my Airstream but for my neck and other joints. I actually was very happy with my previous truck, but now that I need to buy preferably a new one, I want to make the best informed decision that I can. I am leaning towards a 1/2 ton pickup, GM product with the 6 or 6.2 liter engine, 3.73 and max trailering package.

[c177tx]

I sure do like the Dodge with the lifetime powertrain warranty, something to think about. I am a Jeep Commander driver with the 4.7l pulling a 19' Bambi, 4500lbs, I have made 2 trips to New Mexico and Colorado. Last trip was up to Utah and Wyoming and have never had any problem maintaining speed limit on any of the roads. The new 2009 Dodge with the storage compartments in the Bed does look like the next truck I go with. I know I have less weight then you but a Full size Dodge truck with the 5.7 Hemi should have plenty of power for the 25'. A friend of mine rented a 25' Flying Cloud FB and towed it with his Hemi 1/2 ton and it pulled it without problems.

[safari 28]

Go and drive 3/4 ton for about an hour and pick the roughest roads in your area you can find. I did, and if I need that then an all air ride renegade or prevost is in order.

Some one help me. I have never, ever, seen an average over 13 mpg when towing. Usually less. I bought the truck from its lease and now really think about caring for it. So,like all my gas engines I starting running Lucas fuel and oil conditioners and for good luck threw in a K&M air filter. I thought the gas needle was going down slower, running west on I80, heavy head wind and lots of hills in Iowa etc. Why is this thing averaging over 15 mpg? Maybe it is getting broke in, just over 40k miles. Still, this is a huge increase not expected.

Are you sure you want to spend thousands more for diesel??

[rangebowdrie]

Can you get the 6.2 in a 1/2 ton GM vehicle?
The 1/2 tons, (new), I believe, use the 6L60 trans., and the 3/4 ton rigs use the 6L80, which is a much heavier duty trans. for towing.

Assuming you don't have the Allison, which is used in the diesel units.

[wayner61]

Barry -

Over the summer, I went through the same decision process you are going through now.

I wanted to stick with a GM product for my own reasons and narrowed the choices down to the Silvarado CC short bed gasser and the 2500HD CC standard bed with the diesel. I studied everything I could find on both weighing the extra costs of the diesel along with the larger size and the harsher ride, noise and smell against the more "civilized" Silvarado.

Then I went and drove both of them. Same roads. About an hour apart so they were both very fresh in my mind.

While the 2500HD was certainly a firmer ride, it was far from harsh. Both were 4WD. The Silvarado was a Z-71 package and the 2500HD was the base 4x4. It was no where near the difference I was expecting.

The new exhaust system makes for a very clean running diesel. With the DPF (diesel particulate filter) there is no belching black smoke. No soot. Very little smell with ULSD.

Power, especially torque, with the diesel is unmatched.

In the end, we went with the 2500HD. We have been very happy with the choice. It delivers excellent mileage as a daily driver. Usually in 19-20 MPG range. Towing, I usually get 13 or so, but I tow a lot of highway miles at 70 MPH or more. Certainly not the recipie for good fuel mileage ;-)

I don't think you will go wrong with either truck.

Good luck!

Wayne

[Barry Parkof]

Great information. Thanks Wayne. I was almost at the point where I was going to rule out the 2500 diesel, but now am reconsidering. As an everyday driver, do you feel that it is too much truck?

[Barry Parkof]

OK. I saw some trucks today, and I really liked a 2009 1/2 GMC Sierra 4x4 with the same set-up that I had in my 07 Silverado 2 WD, with the 5.4 liter and 342 rear The only difference is that the new truck has the 6 speed transmission with a rated towing capacity of 9400lbs vs the 6800 lbs on my Silverado.
As I said before, I really did OK with the Silverado towing my 25' Ocean Breeze International.
So do you think that I will be doing the right thing with this new setup? I drove the 3/4 ton and also the 1500 with the Z-71 offroad suspension and thought that the ride was too stiff for my neck and joints.
Also, I saw and drove the new F150s today, both the 2 WD and the 4x4, and thought they were very nice, but I felt the ride was also a bit too stiff and not as smooth as the GM product. I am thinking that maybe I am still a bit stiff and achy from the accident, and I should wait a week and test drive them again.
Your input is very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Barry

[NashBuff]

Like Mike we have a 2004 Titan 4x4 tow package.
Love the truck, recently pulled our trailer from Philly to Nashville through the hills of WV and TN and never missed a beat. Trailer is 8400lbs.
Use it for everyday and it works great.

[wayner61]

Originally Posted by Barry Parkof

Great information. Thanks Wayne. I was almost at the point where I was going to rule out the 2500 diesel, but now am reconsidering. As an everyday driver, do you feel that it is too much truck?

Barry -

I don't have any issues driving it as a daily driver. It can be a bit tight in a parking lot every once in a while, but other than that, it's fine. I really don't think the dimensions are much different than a suburban. The ride is just fine for me. I know it isn't a luxury car, but it isn't too bad. Certainly nowhere near as stiff as my old Toyota 4X4 truck. Now that thing was STIFF...

Like I said above -- You won't be going wrong with either choice. It really gets down to your personal preferences. Both will do a good job for you.

Wayne

[xonvldz]

if you get a diesel it is perfect for a daily driver.diesels love to run and you cant beat the towing mileage.last trip to aasateauge md from pa avg was 13.3 mpg.2005 ford excursion 6.0 diesel limited,with 65000 miles totally stock.only thing i have done is change oil, filters and fuel filters.plus holds 44 gallons of diesel.heading to fort wilderness in november and can make the 1030 mile trip on less than 2 tanks of fuel.i run this truck everyday and always take it everywhere i go.i am going to try to get 500,000 miles out of this truck if the body and interior will last.

[Barry Parkof]

OK every one. Thanks for all of your input. After driving a 3/4 ton today, it was very apparent to me, that the extra stiffness is not something that I would be happy with for everyday driving.
I ended up buying a new 4x4 1500 Sierra, fully loaded top of the line, with navigation, back up camera, sun roof, heated seats, absolutly the works. It has the same 5.3 fuel flex engine that I had in the Silverado and the same 3.42 rear end. The only real difference is the gearbox is that new 6 speed which brings the tow rating up to 9500 lbs. So being that the 07 Silverado did well for me with a tow rating of 6800 lbs with the old style 4 speed, I am comfortable that this will do exceptionally well. Truck rides very well. I should have it by Tuesday after the bed lining is sprayed in and the pinstriping painted on.
The sad thing is at the last possible moment I decided to trade my Jaguar XK-8 roadster in for the truck. It was just sitting in the garage looking pretty. I drove it no more than 1200 -1500 miles a year if that much, and had that car for 9 years. The other car I recently parted with was an MG-TD 1952 that I have owned for 41 years. My very close freind in Seattle wanted it badly, so we put it on a truck and had it delivered. Many interesting storys hidden in the door panels of this beauty.
Life Change is a good thing. I am grateful that he will get the opportunity to live like we did 40 years ago, at least for a small time.
So once again, thanks for all of your help and input. My decision was based on all of your thoughts. Barry
I will keep you posted after our first trip.