Dodge/Ram/Chevy pickup?

[snide]

Originally Posted by Iron Chef

Yeesh!

Maybe Kanye West would like it.

It's not big enough for his ego.

[Brett K]

A 250/2500 is definitely overkill for a 20 ft trailer. I pull a 27ft trailer with a 2013 Ecoboost and 3.73 rear and it does very well and we have some decent elevations around the Poconos. However, if this is a starter trailer soon to be upgraded to something over 30ft as many people do, by all means get the diesel and have enough power to go bigger.

[Fastguy]

I have an 01 F250 5.4/automatic. It tows nice, but man does it rust.

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by erickpl

Not exactly sure on the weight. My Avalanche can pull it, but the gears are ALWAYS downshifting on the slightest of grade, speed drops off quite a bit, barely holds 65-70. It is a 2005, before the changes to make the 5.3 more efficient. Not sure what the HP/Torque numbers are for it, but even after driving a fairly flat route from Huntsville out to Florence, AL, you could smell fluids in the transmission.

With us planning to take it to Arizona for a Grand Canyon trip, I'm just not feeling confident in its long-term durability.

Now the newer 5.3's may be stronger. I just dunno. I was thinking diesel strength with a stronger drivetrain would be a better way to go with less damage to a system designed for heavier duty pulling chores.

I also pull my Jeep on a trailer and even THAT taxes the Avalanche.

Ah. The problem isn't the truck or the 5.3 V8- both are more than adequate. The issue is the 4L60E transmission. Four cogs forwards (most modern transmissions have 5 or 6), and a rear axle ratio that's either a 3.42 (iffy for towing) or 3.73. If you put bigger wheels/tires on the truck, that effectively reduces the final axle ratio.

Bottom line, any of the new trucks (including the aforementioned Tacoma) will tow that trailer nicely because of the wider spacing of gearing.

[Truck Guy]

Originally Posted by polarbear

Bottom line, any of the new trucks (including the aforementioned Tacoma) will tow that trailer nicely because of the wider spacing of gearing.

This...

Most all of the new trucks in the market are very good. People are usually brand loyal, but you can pick from the lot and not get a bad vehicle.

The big three (Ford, GM & Ram) are all great trucks. The Toyota's have been strong the last few years and even the new Nissan trucks have finally stepped up.

For a 20' trailer that I'm guessing weighs in the 4000 to 5000# range, you really don't need a 3/4 ton or diesel.

[erickpl]

Originally Posted by polarbear

Ah. The problem isn't the truck or the 5.3 V8- both are more than adequate. The issue is the 4L60E transmission. Four cogs forwards (most modern transmissions have 5 or 6), and a rear axle ratio that's either a 3.42 (iffy for towing) or 3.73. If you put bigger wheels/tires on the truck, that effectively reduces the final axle ratio.

Bottom line, any of the new trucks (including the aforementioned Tacoma) will tow that trailer nicely because of the wider spacing of gearing.

I think you nailed it. It does have the 3.42 gearing. When I checked my build sheet on it (actually still had it), it showed 3.42 axles. Dammit. And I do have 20" wheels, but the overall diameter of the tire isn't much bigger than factory (maybe an inch bigger overall). And I DO hate the transmission.

That may help my search as the HD's REALLY retain value quite well.

I don't know if we'll upgrade to a larger trailer any time soon, so the standard size trucks may be back in the hunt. So what transmissions are the newer Chevy's using? Are the transmissions in the Ford, Dodge, or even Toyotas and Nissans better in the standard fullsize truck lines?

[Stangkiller]

Buy my Chevy 2500hd diesel, I'll cut you a hell of a deal.

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Duramax

I vote diesel Chevy.


The duramax architecture has been around quite a while, fords engine is too complicated and dodge is too new. So Chevy all the way.

[erickpl]

Nice lookin' truck! Looks about the same as the interior of my Avalanche.

Any issues with the gauge cluster going south on ya? Problematic for that gen Chevrolet.

[MrPeabody]

Originally Posted by Stangkiller

Buy my Chevy 2500hd diesel, I'll cut you a hell of a deal.

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Duramax

I vote diesel Chevy.


The duramax architecture has been around quite a while, fords engine is too complicated and dodge is too new. So Chevy all the way.

I worked as a service writer at a Ford dealership for awhile in 2009-10. We had two Diesel mechanics there. They both owned and drove Chevy Duramaxes.

[NavyC5]

Have you looked at the 3.0L turbo diesel in the 1500 Ram? Should have plenty of power for towing and gets 29 MPG on the highway. I love mine.

[Stangkiller]

Originally Posted by erickpl

Nice lookin' truck! Looks about the same as the interior of my Avalanche.

Any issues with the gauge cluster going south on ya? Problematic for that gen Chevrolet.

Yes, I replaced the entire cluster last year.

[markids77]

Here's my unbiased opinion FWIW. If a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel truck is the minimum requirement to tow a 5000 pound load; you need to try and buy a truck from a manufacturer who builds a 1/2 ton which might actually do the job. That might require a "towing package" with additional cooling capacity, a heavy rear suspension, a 3.73 or higher numeric rear end ratio etcetera. It should NOT require a dual rear wheel setup, 1 ton rating, diesel engine/ Allison transmission, or 4.56 or shorter gearing. Shop specifications and drive the qualified trucks, then make an informed decision based on experience... not "Internet truths".

[polarbear]

Originally Posted by erickpl

I think you nailed it. It does have the 3.42 gearing. When I checked my build sheet on it (actually still had it), it showed 3.42 axles. Dammit. And I do have 20" wheels, but the overall diameter of the tire isn't much bigger than factory (maybe an inch bigger overall). And I DO hate the transmission.

That may help my search as the HD's REALLY retain value quite well.

I don't know if we'll upgrade to a larger trailer any time soon, so the standard size trucks may be back in the hunt. So what transmissions are the newer Chevy's using? Are the transmissions in the Ford, Dodge, or even Toyotas and Nissans better in the standard fullsize truck lines?

One of the better reviews I've read concerning the comparison of the new pickups. Basically, there are six to choose from, and they're all good. Final choice will be balancing your priorities with what the individual truck has to offer.

Pickup powertrains have come a long way. To put this into perspective, my wife's 4 cyl. Camry would smoke the Avalanche off of a stoplight. And you probably wouldn't even have time to read the Charger's licence plate before it disappeared from sight.

[erickpl]

Originally Posted by NavyC5

Have you looked at the 3.0L turbo diesel in the 1500 Ram? Should have plenty of power for towing and gets 29 MPG on the highway. I love mine.

The Rams are on my list currently too, but I was only looking at the 2500's at the time. A 1500 with a turbo diesel sounds promising. You know the torque/hp numbers by chance or have a link to them?

[erickpl]

Originally Posted by markids77

Here's my unbiased opinion FWIW. If a 3/4 or 1 ton diesel truck is the minimum requirement to tow a 5000 pound load; you need to try and buy a truck from a manufacturer who builds a 1/2 ton which might actually do the job. That might require a "towing package" with additional cooling capacity, a heavy rear suspension, a 3.73 or higher numeric rear end ratio etcetera. It should NOT require a dual rear wheel setup, 1 ton rating, diesel engine/ Allison transmission, or 4.56 or shorter gearing. Shop specifications and drive the qualified trucks, then make an informed decision based on experience... not "Internet truths".

Oh, the test drive time with the trailer will come.

[snide]

Originally Posted by erickpl

The Rams are on my list currently too, but I was only looking at the 2500's at the time. A 1500 with a turbo diesel sounds promising. You know the torque/hp numbers by chance or have a link to them?

Compare the tow ratings for RAM here:
RAM Trucks - Towing & Payload capacity

[Black94lt1]

Originally Posted by erickpl

The Rams are on my list currently too, but I was only looking at the 2500's at the time. A 1500 with a turbo diesel sounds promising. You know the torque/hp numbers by chance or have a link to them?

I know a guy who tows a ~20' race trailer withboat, quad, etc inside with a crew cab ecodiesel, trailer is probably 5000 lbs full, no issues but I think he did install air bags on the back

[NavyC5]

Originally Posted by erickpl

The Rams are on my list currently too, but I was only looking at the 2500's at the time. A 1500 with a turbo diesel sounds promising. You know the torque/hp numbers by chance or have a link to them?

240/420

[vtelvr]

Keep in mind that the current Ram 1500 series trucks are coil-sprung in the rear. I found that a set of air bags that are encapsulated by the coil springs helped sag when I had an 800lb Polaris 4wheeler. NOTE: They DO NOT increase your towing/payload capacity. They only help hold the truck more level than if not installed.

That said, if you need torque, a Ram 1500 would be one of my top choices. My Ram had the hemi 5.7 and a 3.91 rear end gear. It was a hell of a torque monster. With a little computer programming, I'm sure it would be more fun than work if you catch my drift.

[NavyC5]

Originally Posted by vtelvr

Keep in mind that the current Ram 1500 series trucks are coil-sprung in the rear. I found that a set of air bags that are encapsulated by the coil springs helped sag when I had an 800lb Polaris 4wheeler. NOTE: They DO NOT increase your towing/payload capacity. They only help hold the truck more level than if not installed.

That said, if you need torque, a Ram 1500 would be one of my top choices. My Ram had the hemi 5.7 and a 3.91 rear end gear. It was a hell of a torque monster. With a little computer programming, I'm sure it would be more fun than work if you catch my drift.

Dodge actually offers a fully adjustable air suspension in their 1500 model. Can be manually or automatically controlled.