well the wife and I got a new tow rig today. We got a black 2011 chevy silverado 1500 extended cab 4X4 with the 5.3, 6 speed auto and 3.42 gears. Unfortunately the subaru had to go.
I'd have rather had it too but seeing this is my daily driver I wanted something decent on mileage. I don't need that much towing capacity. The truck is capable of 9600lbs as it is now and my boat is only about 2700 ish loaded.
Your new truck should do very well for towing but don't expect great fuel mileage with it. Most trucks suck gas. Especially in the winter. If you get 14 or better consider your self blessed.
Your new truck should do very well for towing but don't expect great fuel mileage with it. Most trucks suck gas. Especially in the winter. If you get 14 or better consider your self blessed.
Actually I travel mostly highway and with the 5.3 it has active fuel management, which means it runs on 4 cylinders when cruising and only runs on 8 when it needs the extra get up and go. A guy at work has one almost identical and it gets 19-24 highway. I'm already seeing over 15 and only gone 90 miles so it should get better than 15mpg
Actually I travel mostly highway and with the 5.3 it has active fuel management, which means it runs on 4 cylinders when cruising and only runs on 8 when it needs the extra get up and go. A guy at work has one almost identical and it gets 19-24 highway. I'm already seeing over 15 and only gone 90 miles so it should get better than 15mpg
Now that's a slick system. My 3 liter Ranger gets 24 on the highway but only 16 pulling the boat. It sounds like you'd have the best of both worlds... cheap when you don't need the strength but it has the guts to pull just the same. The difference between yours and mine is that mine's pretty much at its limits pulling my boat while yours is still loafing with the same load.
Your new truck should do very well for towing but don't expect great fuel mileage with it. Most trucks suck gas. Especially in the winter. If you get 14 or better consider your self blessed.
You'd be shocked what a 5.3 will do. I've got a 03' Avalanche with 3:73 rear gears that gets 21mpg highway. He should do at least that with the 3:42 rear gears. (not towing of course!)
You'd be shocked what a 5.3 will do. I've got a 03' Avalanche with 3:73 rear gears that gets 21mpg highway. He should do at least that with the 3:42 rear gears. (not towing of course!)
