Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > TRAVEL TRAILER, 5th WHEEL & TRUCK CAMPER FORUMS > Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-31-2023, 03:07 PM   #1
Member
 
Vermont_Darren's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Montgomery Center, VT
Posts: 82
Is Stepping Up From A Gas Silverado 1500 to Gas 2500 Going To Net Me Much?

We've been pulling our 23-foot Dutchmen Sport with our 2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 and it's been a great tow vehicle. Handles our load well, on flat roads, hills, curves, and still drives much like a car.

We're about to upgrade to a Grand Design 2670MK, and know we're going to need more capacity to take it down the road. But we don't want to go the diesel route for a number of reasons documented in other threads.

Looking at the towing capacity for the 2500 V8 gas engine, it doesn't look significantly more powerful than my 1500 V8 with a 6.2L engine and tow package. Obviously if I went to diesel the torque and power would jump significantly, but would a gas 2500 be able to pull my GDRV much better?

Here's the numbers on my new TT with the 1500 in front of it:

Silverado 1500
Curb Weight 5,100.00
GVWR 7,100.00
GCWR 15,000.00
Payload (Passengers, Cargo & Hitch Weight) 2,000.00
Towing Capacity 10,900.00

Estimated Payload
Passengers 475.00
Cargo 300.00
Total payload (minus hitch weight) 775.00

Hitched
Available Payload 535.00
New GVW 6,565.00
NEW GCVW 14,370.00
Conv. TWR (Trailer Weight Rating) 9600
Max Tongue Weight 960

Grand Design RV
UVW 6,845.00
GVWR 8,495.00
Hitch Weight 690.00

So on paper, a 1500 could pull an 2670MK and 835lbs of additional payload after the 2 of us are in the truck. But we all know that's a bad, bad idea.

Now, if I take those numbers and convert to the 2500, the numbers don't get much better. Without recalculating all them, let's just note that the GCWR increases by 9,000 pounds, but I'm not sure anything else improves. The Towing Capacity listed by the dealer rises from 10,900 to 14,500, but what am I missing here?
__________________
Vermont Darren
2023 Grand Design Imagine 2670MK
2024 Chevrolet 2500HD
Vermont_Darren is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 03-31-2023, 03:43 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
tuffr2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
A 2500 GM truck will out tow a1500 GM truck. You are probably missing a lot. The gas GM 2500 trucks have a 6.6 litre gas engine. No more 6.0. The payload will be over 3,000lbs. The rear axle capacity will be a lot more. The wheelbase will be longer and the 2500 will weigh more.

Since you already have the 1500 you could always try it and see. It might be ok or maybe not. If not ok then you know for sure you need the 2500.
tuffr2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2023, 06:00 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Foxboro Ma.
Posts: 1,087
at 6500 lbs your 1/2 ton is fine for a 24' but as you move towards 10,000 lbs the 10 speed and high gear ratio of th3 3/4 ton truck will give you much more confidence . If your think your going to tow heavier then 10K get a diesel truck, preferably a 1 ton (brakes and payload are much better)

stability wise there will be no comparison with a 10,000 lb trailer , 3/4 ton truck will feel safe (1/2 ton will scare you at 65 mph).
__________________
2015 42' Redwood RL38 Morryde IS , disk brakes, 1920W of solar with Victron everything,5 Battleborn, 2024 GMC DRW 3500HD ,60 gallons of fuel in the bed,Hensley BD5 air ride hitch.
xc-mark is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2023, 06:21 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
tuffr2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
https://youtu.be/PVd7p91rBjc

Here is a good video towing with the new redesigned Chevy 2500. This guy says it is a step up from his older 2500 truck.
tuffr2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2023, 06:22 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,620
I actually think the 1500 with the 6.2 and tow package might work for the 2670. Thats a slightly beefier truck the 1500 with the 5.3.
Of course the 2500-6.6 gas is better all around but like tuff said give the 1500 a try. Nothing to lose. My money would be on you getting the 2500 after trying the 1500 though as it's a more capable truck. You will notice the difference everywhere except maybe in the power department.
Cumminsfan is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2023, 07:47 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,230
Quote:
but what am I missing here?
Quite a lot.
The 1500 is a light duty truck and the 2500 is a HD truck .
Granted the 1500 with a 6.2 with 420hp/460 torque is a stout motor.
But so is the 6.6 gas engine with 400 hp/464 torque.
However pulling performance is just part of towing trailers.

The big part is load carrying capacity and thats where the 1500 isn't in the same league as the 2500.
The 1500 6.2 "may" have the NHT package with a 7300 gvwr and small 3900-4100 rwar that will carry all the weight in the bed.

The 2500 can have up to 11550 gvwr and even better is a 6390 or 6600 rawr for all the load in the bed.

The 2500 has the huge full floater 11.5" AAM axle vs a small 9.5" semi float on the 1500 truck.
The 2500 may not need a WD hitch. We can alwayz add one later if needed.

If it was my choice I would hook up the new trailer with the 1500 and give it a try. Then make a decision if a bigger truck is needed.
JMO but a trailer that size will be a maxed out load (weight carrying) for the 1500 truck.
__________________
'03 Dodge 2500 Cummins HO 3.73 NV5600 Jacobs
'98 3500 DRW 454 4x4 4.10 crew cab
'97 Park Avanue RK 28' 2 slides
JIMNLIN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 07:17 AM   #7
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2023
Posts: 9
Ford not GM

Think about ditching GM all together. There are numerous great reviews about Ford's. Ford has a new 7.8L engine called Godzilla which is getting rave reviews.[/FONT]
CAMPERS1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 01:13 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL & Helen, GA
Posts: 48
Like was said previously: Get the new Grand Design and see how your truck handles it. Your 6.2 V-8 is a very powerful motor, and you should be good to tow your trailer.

It's the suspension and brakes that come up short on a 1/2 ton. The 3/4 ton trucks are much heavier duty and do better in handling and braking.

This is not exactly the best year to trade trucks--with supplies still very low on 3/4 ton trucks and prices of new trucks up $18K or more since 2020.

Just take it step by step.
JoeJunior is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 03:09 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 168
Godzilla = 7.3
__________________
2023 F250 Lariat Supercab SB 4x4 7.3l 3.73 148" WB

Currently without travel trailer
Sbad0cko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 05:45 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Coarsegold CA
Posts: 748
In the OP's example, his 1500 has a GCVW of 15000 lbs. This rating is under perfect conditions. Probably a load similar to a low flatbed trailer carrying something like rebar.
Very low center of gravity, very low wind resistance, no weight shifting like a water tank, etc...
His TT is like a wind sail, it has weight mounted on its roof [ much higher CG], and it may have shifting loads.
My own personal view is My 1/2 ton is good for around 5000 lb trailers, my 3/4 ton up to 10000lbs, and much over that I'm looking for a 1 ton or more. DR
__________________
2019 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi
2022 Grey Wolf 29QB
Coarsegold CA.
DR60 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 06:57 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada
Posts: 3,021
1) There is a big difference between a HD 2500 and a 1500 and power is far from being the most important metric. 2) that trailer is far too big for your 1500 period. 3) I don't believe the posted tongue weight is real.

Buy the 2500 (or 3500) and go out and enjoy.
__________________
2022 Outdoors RV 25RDS, 2022 F350 dually, 6.7PSD, 10 spd, 3.55's
Dave Pelletier is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 07:41 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Swoope, VA
Posts: 362
Forget about the power ratings. Every modern 1500 truck has more HP and torque than an 80's dually.
A 2500 will have a stronger frame, bigger brakes, higher rated axles, stronger drive shaft and U joints, etc. A bigger better truck in every way when it comes to towing.
KD4UPL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-02-2023, 07:55 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 690
I am of the opinion that maximizing the work I ask a truck to do shortens the life of the truck. IN other words, I like to use more truck than is required.
If my TT and cargo are at the maximum of my truck's abilities, the truck has to work much harder. But a truck that exceeds the what I need will not have to work as hard, and it should last longer.

A 3/4 ton truck has heavier frame, heavier springs, heavier shocks and brakes and several other items in the HD category.

My philosophy is Have More Truck Than You Need.
__________________
'18 Rockwood 2109S '17 Silverado 2500HD WT. Hookups? What hookups? Mountains, please.
HopsBrewster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2023, 07:15 AM   #14
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2022
Posts: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAMPERS1 View Post
Think about ditching GM all together. There are numerous great reviews about Ford's. Ford has a new 7.8L engine called Godzilla which is getting rave reviews.[/FONT]
without searching, I am guessing that is a $25K decision.


I have the 6.6 Silverado with a 36 foot travel trailer.

For the first time, I have more truck than camper and I have to say it is a pretty nice experience.
__________________
2022 Cruiser RV MPG 3100BH

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Custom 6.6 Gas
Doss is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
gas



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2019 5.5 box Chev Silverado 1500 with a 6.2L gas with a tow pkg. mtnair2 Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 5 02-29-2020 07:58 PM
2019 Chev Silverado 1500 with a 5’8” box and a 6.2 v8 gas mtnair2 iRV2.com General Discussion 12 08-08-2019 08:39 PM
Silverado 2500 gas downhill speed control process Acheron2010 Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 3 06-21-2018 10:20 AM
Silverado 2500 gas capabilities Eltonnoland Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 27 11-07-2015 01:36 PM
Silverado 1500 axle ratio? MSHappyCampers Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion 12 07-03-2011 08:51 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:47 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.