Silverado 5.3L V8 1500 Crew Cab vs 2500 HD **Gas**

[Hellionprime]

I have a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with 5.3L V8, Crew Cab Short bed. I have a 2020 Imagine XLS 23BHE, about 5,500lbs. Equalizer E2 hitch

I drove the rig from Minneapolis to the Black Hills in South Dakota with my wife and kids, 30mi/hr winds both ways, this past Fall.

I have been to Yellowstone twice with my previous Pop-Up camper, and we are going again this summer in the 23BHE.

My question is this: Without bringing up numbers, should I upgrade to a 2021 Silverado HD gasser? And for those that have upgraded, how does it “feel” compared from a 1500 to an HD? How do you like the larger mirrors? Gas tank size? Power? Stability? Etc....

[NB Canada]

If your current truck is due to be traded go for it but if not why would you?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload

[Hellionprime]

If your current truck is due to be traded go for it but if not why would you?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload

Good question. The truck is paid for, and has 150,000 miles on it... but I felt like I was stopping a lot to fill up gas, the wind was making me want more power in the truck, and just overall comfort for long drives I am wondering if a HD would really be better.

This being said, the truck works very well on 2-3 hour drives.

[NB Canada]

Good question. The truck is paid for, and has 150,000 miles on it... but I felt like I was stopping a lot to fill up gas, the wind was making me want more power in the truck, and just overall comfort for long drives I am wondering if a HD would really be better.

This being said, the truck works very well on 2-3 hour drives.

I can’t imagine for your size trailer an HD would be noticeably better

Question I would ask yourself is how often do you tow?

My half ton rides rough enough empty that I definitely don’t want an HD empty

As far as power well...I am never in a rush and my truck gets my heavier trailer up to 63 mph pretty quick

Bigger fuel tank will make for fewer stops but how far do you travel in a day to make a difference?

An HD is going to have worse fuel economy on average so that will be an increased expense

But go for it if you want a new truck


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload

[Calbar]

@Hellionprime I doubt that the 2500 truck will use less gas and power might still feel the same when towing into a headwind. The 10 speed transmission will likely help with towing but unless you want a new truck or need a new truck, I agree with @NB Canada.

Rob

[Hellionprime]

I can’t imagine for your size trailer an HD would be noticeably better

Question I would ask yourself is how often do you tow?

My half ton rides rough enough empty that I definitely don’t want an HD empty

As far as power well...I am never in a rush and my truck gets my heavier trailer up to 63 mph pretty quick

Bigger fuel tank will make for fewer stops but how far do you travel in a day to make a difference?

An HD is going to have worse fuel economy on average so that will be an increased expense

But go for it if you want a new truck


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload

Thank you, I appreciate your feedback!

[Pipefitter597]

I have a 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD and I get about 12 miles per gallon empty, and I tow a reflection fifth wheel that weights in at about 12,000 lbs and I get 9 miles per gallon while towing.

[Buckskin]

Have 2012 Tundra with 5.7L and 4.30 rear end and it will outpull some 2500s with 6L gas due to rear end gear ratio but it loves it's gas. Get about 9-10 mpg towing 2250RL Imagine.

[Tommyp228]

Had a 2016 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3. Towed my side by side on a open trailer, around 3000 lbs. would be 10 to 12 mpg towing @ 70 mph. Just got a 2020 Silverado 2500 4x4 6.6 gas. Towing same trailer at same speed got same mpg. Granted it only had 500 miles on it when we went to West Virginia about 1800 miles round trip. It tows much better than the 1500. May down shift once on a grade. Overall a much better towing experience. At 55 on level road with cruise it will get 19, on interstate at 70 it will get 16 to 18 depending on traffic. Just bought a Momentum 21g, about 7500 lbs and it got 8 to 9 towing at 68 bringing it home. Haven been anywhere yet it it. The 2500 has no AFM so transmission shifts much better and engine is smoother.

[NB Canada]

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