cheap tow rig? 5.3?

[fullforce]

Looking to buy a truck soon to pull our camper maybe 5 or 6 times out of the year. Weight is around 8000lbs loaded plus whatever we put in the tow vehicle so just say 8500lbs.

As much as I would LOVE to get a 3/4 ton with a 6.0 4l80e combo I just cant seem to find any in my price range (under $5,000) that are not beat to death.

So basically Im wondering what everyone else is using to tow with or if there are any other suggestions, prefer to keep it chevy because its gonna be old and there cheapest to repair lol.

Also I will probably swap in a set of 4.10 or 4.56 gears if I get a 5.3

[Sahara54]

I've pulled my neighbors steel decked dual axle car trailer (4K empty) with a New Edge Cobra on it and I'll tell you the def. truck felt every bit of it but it was manageable. Still had the balls to accelerate into traffic without an issue and tongue weight was just right so no floatiness in the front end. This is on my 2012 Sierra Crew Cab 5.3/6L80.

[AL 9C1]

Honestly the Chevy SUVs are set up better for towing. Tahoe or even an Avalanche. They have the coil spring set up and are usually pretty stable towing. I have a 05 1500 5.3 crew and I'm telling you it can't tow for shyt. Weak and unstable towing. The newer platform trucks are somewhat better but I've towed with our suburban and it's much more bearable. The avalanche shares the Tahoe suspension. The 20in wheels help also over the 17s.

[fullforce]

Wow, I was actually thinking the Coil springs would be to soft for towing? I was REALLY wanting a 3/4 ton suburban (leaf springs) but there like finding a needle in a haystack around here for a decent price.
I might borrow a tahoe or suburban and just see how it does towing it around.
I wont be in any hurry my main concern is just melting the 4l60e on hills.

What have you towed with your 1500 cc that was unstable?

[AL 9C1]

I've really only towed my 18ft bay boat with it but even that gave me hell. Not really unstable but weak and yes the trans catches hell. Those coil springs can always be beefed up unless you find one with the load leveling system.

[Sahara54]

I'll agree on the Burb's towing. My friend has a 03 2500 Burb with a 8.1/4L80 and it's a monster. It towed the same trailer with my neighbors 6.5 diesel Silverado like it wasn't there. Silverado and trailer weighed close to 12K per the grain truck scale by my house.

[fullforce]

yea wish I could find one of those!

[popo8]

U ever think of an yukon or escalade with the 6.0 (since thats the motor u really want)?

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[fullforce]

I have and for the price I think that might be my best option.
The only thing that bothers me is the AWD and 4l65e But I will just have to budget in a decent rebuild I suppose.
With AWD I will need to regear the front and rear axle obviously.
Unless I can find a 2wd or swap in a manual Tcase

[tazman71]

Biggest issue you are going to have is weight. If you are starting with an 8000lb trailer empty, you are already overloading a 1/2 ton truck. My new 14 Sierra is rated at 9k with the 6 speed trans. It is much better than my old 99 Silverado(rated at 7k).

I would also bet that you are putting in more than 500lb of gear in there also. If you don't already have it, a weight distribution system is a must.

I pull a 3200lb enclosed trailer plus cargo/car. Sure I am just exceeding 7k loaded, and I know it is there, but is not bad though if I am not in the hills.

[fullforce]

Yes I will probably be over the towing capacity, but I dont drive like an idiot and have hualed stuff WAY over the "capacity" before (I used to be a truck driver too)
I have actually hauled about 13,000lbs (6,000lb equipment trailer and 7,000 lb tractor)with my dads old silverado with a 5.3 but it was on a goosekneck trailer with massive brakes, and it was only for about 100 miles round trip 2 times.
Obviously couldnt use overdrive and hills required 2nd gear lol But it also had 3.73 gears and 33" tires

But I plan on taking longer trips 400-500 miles one way, about 3 or 4 times a year other than that it will be close to the house. So hopefully with no more than 9000lbs it would do ok...

I have also been reading good things about the nissan Armada towing, although the indipendant rear suspension kinda scares me.

[popo8]

Im by no means a towing expert but my caddy handled this 24' enclosed with the ta inside it no issues and we made sure it wasnt over weight (i believe the caddy could do 12k)...

Trans never got hot...stock gears with 22" rims, the 6.0 pulled like a champ even lowered with an adjustable hitch, although fuel mileage sucked, and the trk with awd kept very stable even with no anti sway bars used... and that was for nearly 900miles one way... same on the way back.

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[1QUICKZ28]

FYI. DOT has started cracking down on the light duty pickups. If it looks overloaded and you pass a DOT stop they will more than likely pull you over. Another thing to remember is braking. 3/4 tons have a heavier braking system. Yes a 1/2 ton may tow it but will it stop it in an emergency? I always say it’s not my driving that scares me, it’s everyone else’s driving that scares me. I live in PA and we would go the Bristol race every year. Take Interstate 81 down, can’t tell you how many close calls we’ve had because of idiots. I’ve never been dead stopped so many times on an interstate than that damn 81. Cruising along at 65 and next thing you know you’re slamming on your brakes and coming to dead stop. People cutting you off, everybody riding ass trying to push people out of their way and it’s nothing but bumper to bumper traffic. Now my trailer and gear is about 10k lbs and I tow with a 3/4 diesel. It’s always been the stopping when you need to for me. If your sticking to the 1/2 ton or an SUV I would recommend a weight distribution hitch, air bags on the back of the vehicle, and the best brakes money can buy. Don’t forget good tires. And remember DOT is cracking down. Be safe out there!


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[shownomercy]

What about grabbing a 3/4 ton srw truck with a blown motor/trans and dropping in a junkyard 6.0/80e? If you get parts cheap enough you may get your budget of 5k.

Stopping is a big thing and if you start to wag the tail and that 5.3 doesn't have the oomph to straighten it back out, well, you will make a great viral video. :lol:

Another thing to perhaps look at, getting a lighter trailer? Or, just be damn sure the trailer brakes work 100% and your controller is set on the sensitive side with the oh shit button close at hand.

[fullforce]

I really just dont want to buy a long heavy truck and have it sitting in the yard 10 months out of the year because noone wants to drive it.

Also I can sell my wifes current ride and raise my budget quite a bit on the tow vehicle as long as its something she can still daily.

The escalade/denali should be OK the Armada looks to be nice, im starting to think a 5.3 tahoe/suburban might be a little weak without a gear change but could still make it work.

Also the trailer has great brakes and will VERY rarely see the interstate, I already purchased a Weight distribution hitch with sway control.
Never seen DOT pull over a camper/Rv in the south but that doesnt mean it wont happen!

Max combined weight for escalade/denali is 14,000 lbs
Max combined weight for armada is 15,000lbs

Im pretty sure I would be under that on either one but it would be VERY close.

[fullforce]

Borrowed my brothers 2004 escalade and hooked it up.
I must say, it pulled it extremely well for a short wheelbase, I hooked the Weight distribution hitch and sway control up took it up to 70 on the highway and it's windy today and did great.

[fullforce]

Also pulled a few hills and was able to maintain speed much better than I thought I would, that lq9 is stout!
I did keep it in 3rd but this this geared so tall you have to.

[popo8]

Also pulled a few hills and was able to maintain speed much better than I thought I would, that lq9 is stout!
I did keep it in 3rd but this this geared so tall you have to.Idk that id drop it down to 2nd...My 02 i just leave in od, but use the tow button, worked great too and fro Kentucky...

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[fullforce]

Idk that id drop it down to 2nd...My 02 i just leave in od, but use the tow button, worked great too and fro Kentucky...

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I just dropped it down to 3rd, I tried 4th but it would stay in, I'm sure if I would have been going faster it would have on the flat areas but crushing around 65-70 was between 2700-3000rpm with very light throttle. 4th would drop down to around 1900 or so and would loose speed if I hot any kinda hill. It's a whore out truck and the trans was not very happy on the 2-3 shift (flaring up about 300 rpm before engaging) so I was being easy on it.

[popo8]

I just dropped it down to 3rd, I tried 4th but it would stay in, I'm sure if I would have been going faster it would have on the flat areas but crushing around 65-70 was between 2700-3000rpm with very light throttle. 4th would drop down to around 1900 or so and would loose speed if I hot any kinda hill. It's a whore out truck and the trans was not very happy on the 2-3 shift (flaring up about 300 rpm before engaging) so I was being easy on it.Were u using the "tow" button? It should hold it where it needs to be.

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[fullforce]

Yes the tow hual mode was on it seems that just basically raised the shift points but it did seem to keep the converter locked in to keep trans temp down

[popo8]

Yes the tow hual mode was on it seems that just basically raised the shift points but it did seem to keep the converter locked in to keep trans temp downReally??? In my truck it helped control trans temp with the load and i believe it also kept it out of overdrive...
Cahall whats the tow button doing to the trans?

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