Need a tow vehicle...

[SicMonte]

I know I know...trailers are for boats. I get it. I just like the security of knowing that if I do break down then my a$$ is covered!!

That being said I am in the market for a truck. I am a chevy guy so I am looking at a 1500 or 2500. It needs to be 4x4 and that is my only need. This opens up the discussion as to what model to get?? Gas vs Diesel...Crew cab vs Ext cab....long bed vs short bed vs the "bath tub" 5.5 bed.

What do you all have and just give me some of the pros and cons as to what you have.

Thanks!!

[rsk68]

I have a 2011 Silverado 1500 crewcab short bed 4x4 with the 6.2, i wouldnt go with the available 5.3, the 6.2 pulls my 20 ft enclosed trailer loaded with ease.

[Johnny Blaze]

Had a 5.3 for awhile, it wouldn't pull well. 6.0 pulls with ease!

[oestek]

Just pulled a 24ft enclosed with '68 Camaro inside over 4000 miles to SEMA & back with '01 Silverado 1500HD 6.0, no troubles.

[parsonsj]

Get the 4 door model (forget what it's called "Crew Cab" or something); the longer wheelbase makes a difference. I'd recommend diesel power if you can afford it. It makes a 50% difference in fuel mileage.

Chevy Duramax, Ford Super Duty, Dodge Cummins -- all good.

[Randy67]

With an open trailer, a 1500 would do it, if it is enclosed, then a 2500/3500 would be a better choice. Mainly because you will end up putting more stuff in the trailer than you think and the 2500/3500 gives you more "breathing" room before you overload it weight wise.

[the dan]

Duramax all day for towing anything, They have the smartest tow package ever, and the tranny shifts so well during it. plus it doesnt kill your millage towing. LBZ

1500 5.3 isnt worth your time. you need something larger motor wise and with a stornger rear end.

[DesertFox]

Love my Duramax ( actually on DMax #4). It'll pull my 4 horse GN (fully loaded # 12,000lbs) up a grade at 70 + with no problem. Car trailers are no problem either.
Made the move from the 5.3 1500 to the diesel 2500 HD in 2002 and never looked back. We just have truck ADD and trade in every 4 years or so.

[Dolmaner]

get a dodge 2500 diesel, wont regret it

[tommycomfort]

I started with an 01 1500 5.3 and towed a 16' loaded trailer all over the country picking up parts cars. Then went to an 04 F350 dually quad cab 6.0Powerstroke and loved it. Decided I could save some money and get a cheaper truck so I bought an 02 1500HD 6.0 and was disapointed going through the mountains on the way to Run to the Hills. So, now we have a 06 2500HD with a duramax and will never look back. Short bed crew cab and it tows like there is nothing back there. Absolutely love it. Oh yeah, they were all 4x4.
Tom

[SicMonte]

Man earlier today I was sold on a 1500 with the 6.0 engine.....now i'm thinking diesel b/c I'll be towing through mountains...

WHAT TO DO??!!??!!??!!??

[parsonsj]

Get a diesel. They cost more, but retain more value, and have longer lives.

[71RS/SS396]

^^^ X2 I have an 07 Classic ( old body style ) Dmax crew cab, it has 125K on it now still has the original brakes with half the life left. I'd say 50% of those miles have been with a 28 ft enclosed trailer. The only things I've replaced outside of tires and normal maint. items have been the trans cooler lines, idler arm, and pitmen arm. I would recommend the 4 door over the extended cab as those suicide doors on the extended cabs get old fast. I've owned both a Dodge and a Ford, the Dodge had a great engine, rode terrible, trans sucked, and the front end fell apart after 50K miles. The Ford had constant problems with the engine and ate brakes.

[damannhw]

I've towed w/many different makes in gas 1/2 and 3/4 tons, and I have used every Ford Powerstroke diesel since the mid 90's and a Duramax. I assue you are looking at used ? IMO, I think the later model ('04 up) 5.4 Ford tows the best of the bunch for gas engines. It has really good torque, and recently towed my heavy Firebird through the mountains to RTTH very well. The GM 6.0 is OK too, but really is tough on fuel. If you plan on towing alot, go diesel. If you are like me, and have to drive your truck daily, and tow once a month maybe, go gas. The later model Duramax is a great engine, but I LOVE F250 Powerstrokes.

Go test drive a few different makes/models and take 'em home and tow with them to find what you like. Trucks are dang expensive, even used, so make sure you get one you like.
Good luck

[DriverzInc]

I drive a 08 2500HD 6.0 Gas motor, 2wd every day. Love my truck. Mileage isn't the best, but its lifted which doesn't help. Tows our 22ft trailer well, with our displays/or a car in it just fine to shows. I've always has chevy's... I find the seats comfortable, and I like the overall outside appearance better than the other options. ITs my second HD 2500 (previously had an 05) and both have never let me down.

[Bad94]

I have a 09 2500 HD with the 6.0L and 6 speed auto trans, Not sure if i really like the 6 speed, but then again it has 3:73 rear gears, and needs 4:10's. I wish i would have saved more money and got the Duramax. I get around 10-12 MPG, with or without a trailer.

My brother has a 05 2500 HD with the 6.0L and 4L80E and he gets about 15 MPG.

I pull my open trailer with a car on it, no problems.


Buy a 2500 or bigger. If you ever go rent a bobcat or something along those lines, they wont let you out of the lot with a 1500.

[tommycomfort]

Buy a 2500 or bigger. If you ever go rent a bobcat or something along those lines, they wont let you out of the lot with a 1500.

Funny you should say that, I didn't know any better and rented a bobcat with our 1500 5.3 and used our old trailer with worn out brakes. I learned a lot when I blew through my first intersection....

[MonzaRacer]

If going to tow, dont skimp, buy a Duramax if your into GM, but cant knock new Ford Powerstroke either, new Dodges just do not impress me yet.

[BuddyP]

Randy above stated it well, 5.3 would be ok if an open trailer but not with an enclosed trailer. And now that you noted pulling through mtns throw the 5.3 out all together. Personally I'd just go for the Diesel if cost isn't a issue. I pull a 7' wide enclosed with our 5.3 Tahoe and it struggles. The manufacturers got so caught up in the HP wars with trucks that they forgot about the torque. The old late '90's 5.7 with 35 less hp pulls WAY better than the new GM 5.3 and Ford 5.4. Torque peaked down low also vs higher in the RPM range.

[vintageracer]

Buy a GOOD used Rollback!

Haul YOUR cars to shows and make money Junking on the side!

Rollbacks go good in the snow as they are always called to pickup the cars/trucks that are stuck in the snow!