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

Hellionprime

Hellionprime

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Jan 3, 2021
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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....
 
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
 
NB Canada said:
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
Click to expand...

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.
 
Hellionprime said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
[MENTION=36546]Hellionprime[/MENTION] 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 [MENTION=18726]NB Canada[/MENTION].

Rob
 
NB Canada said:
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
Click to expand...

Thank you, I appreciate your feedback!
 
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.
 
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 said:
Edit.......
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.
 
Hellionprime said:
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....
Click to expand...

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
 
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.
 
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.
 
RV Sailor said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
RV Sailor said:
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.
Click to expand...

Where did he say he is getting a larger camper?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew 1840 payload
 
Tommyp228 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
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.
 
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