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

[Hellionprime]

Edit.......

Alright, I am taking most of your advice and now I’m leaning toward sticking with a Silverado 1500, but getting a long box Duramax Diesel 3 liter, 6 cylinder.

I’m thinking the torque, gas mileage, long box, and 10 speed will be an improvement for towing as well as all around usability.

[RV Sailor]

Are you ignoring the difference in payload capacity between the 1500 and 2500?
1740-2200 lbs vs 3600-3900 lbs.

There is No real comparison. Sure those who have the 1500 will say it tows fine, but anyone has towed with both rarely will go back to a 1500 of any of the major brands. It’s not just the engine size and HP, but the strain on the rear end and other components. Also it may take a few years for the overloaded capacity to take its toal.

[WeirdAl]

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....

Save the "I need a bigger truck" for your next rig, when you will need a bigger truck! Don't want to become a member of the two-truck club! Lol

[RV Sailor]

OP has a truck with 150,000 miles on it. His direction is a larger camper. Makes sense for years to come that he will use a more powerful truck. It will make a large difference in his ability to haul his gear.

[Tommyp228]

I also tried towing a 7000 lbs 24 ft I closed race car trailer with a Ford F-150. Was rated at 7700 lbs so I said sure it will work. After 6 months of white knuckled towing on the interstate every time a 18 wheeler passed you, it was traded for a 3/4 ton truck. Problem solved. It towed ok but you better be on you toes with big trucks passing you. Sure you could spend money and make it better. You do your self a favor and get a bigger truck since you are buying one anyway.

[NB Canada]

Are you ignoring the difference in payload capacity between the 1500 and 2500?
1740-2200 lbs vs 3600-3900 lbs.

There is No real comparison. Sure those who have the 1500 will say it tows fine, but anyone has towed with both rarely will go back to a 1500 of any of the major brands. It’s not just the engine size and HP, but the strain on the rear end and other components. Also it may take a few years for the overloaded capacity to take its toal.

Did you ever think that some of us maybe make short trips and stay longer in one place?

Why the heck would I want a poor fuel economy bad riding truck for the other 350 days I am not towing?

Please though as well state what items are going to fail on his half ton towing this trailer?


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

[NB Canada]

OP has a truck with 150,000 miles on it. His direction is a larger camper. Makes sense for years to come that he will use a more powerful truck. It will make a large difference in his ability to haul his gear.

Where did he say he is getting a larger camper?


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

[NB Canada]

I also tried towing a 7000 lbs 24 ft I closed race car trailer with a Ford F-150. Was rated at 7700 lbs so I said sure it will work. After 6 months of white knuckled towing on the interstate every time a 18 wheeler passed you, it was traded for a 3/4 ton truck. Problem solved. It towed ok but you better be on you toes with big trucks passing you. Sure you could spend money and make it better. You do your self a favor and get a bigger truck since you are buying one anyway.

When I get passed by a semi I still have one hand on the wheel and the other on the arm rest

You obviously had a poorly set up hitch or poorly loaded trailer


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

[Tommyp228]

To keep the shiny side up and the wheels down. I towed it 90 mile one way twice a month to race. That was enough. When that 18 wheeler sneaks up on you and sucks you in then blows you other way you’ll think again about the 3/4 ton truck.

[Tommyp228]

Towed same trailer with 3/4 ton without weight distribution hitch or sway control. No more problems.