Pickup ownership experience

[IMCA38]

Well, I think the CFO might finally let me get a new truck. I want something that I can drive back and forth to work if I want, (12 miles one way, over half of that highway) and still pull my trailer (24' enclosed car trailer 7000# max). Due to circumstances, my racing will be greatly curtailed this year and maybe longer /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif so probably not that much trailer pulling going forward. I think I've narrowed my choices down to the Chevy Silverado 1/2 ton crew cab with the 5.3L V-8 or the Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab with the 5.7 Hemi. With the deals being advertised around here, I should be able to pick up either one for about $26,000 +/-. I also like the new Nissan Titan, but I would be looking at about $28,000 to get into one comparably equipped.
My Questions--
Is anyone out there currently running one or the other of these trucks?
What are your experiences, likes, dislikes, etc?
Would you buy another one?
One of the big issues to me is fuel mileage. The Dodge shows 13/17 while the Chevy shows 15/19. Are these numbers accurate?
What about towing capability- will they do the job?
Are there any options that anyone would say to definitely get or not get?
Thanks in advance- I'm all ears!

Todd

 

[buckle97]

<font color="blue"> Chevy Silverado 1/2 ton crew cab with the 5.3L V-8 </font>

That setup is being advertised here for $22,995 with 4wd. Although I'm sure there is some catch to qualify for all of the discounts /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif.

Lawrence

 

[Av8r3400]

IMHO: 24' enclosed trailer = 3/4 ton minimum.

Reguardless of weight of the trailer the wind will play havoc with a light duty pickup towing that rig. A gas 3/4 ton will not cost you much more than a 1/2 ton, and will get nearly the same type of milage.

BTW mileage on a pickup has alot to do with how you drive and how "heavy" your right foot is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jwstewar]

I've got a '99 Silverado (first year of the current body style) with almost 90k. It is an Extended Cab short bed (6.5') 4WD/Z71. I have the 5.3 V-8 w/ 4 speed automatic, 3.73 gears and a locking differential. I've only had a couple of minor problems with it. Most expensive being a 4wd selector switch at about $40. I've done quite a bit of towing with it and no problems. Even towing 13k a couple of times with it. Power wise was fine, though the suspension bottomed out pretty good w/ that much weight. Now towing Mom & Dad's 32' camper at about 7500#s, you don't even know it is back there. I've haul a lot of gravel/dirt for the house & garage. I will typically get a ton of gravel in the bed and ton on my tiny 2 wheel trailer. It handles all of that weight just fine - wish I could say the same for the trailer. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif We average in the 19 - 20 MPG range of running empty - that is usually 2 adults & 2 kids in car seats.

Thought I would have a response to Av8r2230 heavy foot comment. I'm fairly heavy footed, but the wife is fairly light footed. We do about the same or sometimes mine is a little better. Go figure. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[jwstewar]

Forgot the F-I-L has had a 1/2 ton 2004 Dodge Crew Cab 2wd w/ the Hemi and now a 2005 3/4 ton Crew Cab/4wd/long bed. The 2004 got around 13 and the 2005 is doing around 10. He is a very light footed driver. Never gets on the gas and never goes over about 40 - maybe will do 50 on the highway.

 

[Glenn9643]

I’m driving a 2001 GMC Sierra 1/2T extended cab with the 5.3L and towing package. Normal driving without a load (65 on 2-lane and 80 on Interstates normally) mixed with some town stop and go gets a consistant 17mpg. Tows my trailer/tractor w/FEL and Bush-hog OK and that’s over the limit for my 7K trailer. I’ve serviced it regularly, changing oil and filters at about 5K and have no complaints after about 75K miles. Really can’t think of anything to complain about other than the cost of Mississippi plates... When I get ready for another I’ll probably go with GMC or Chevy, depending on who has the best price.
For your rig I would second the recommendation for a 3/4T, and I’ll probably look at that next

 

[Bird]

I have no idea which pickup is best but figure either one will be good. Personally, I've owned Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford and have been happy with all of them. Just simple curiosity, but why have you eliminated the Ford with the 5.4L engine from consideration?

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Forgot the F-I-L has had a 1/2 ton 2004 Dodge Crew Cab 2wd w/ the Hemi and now a 2005 3/4 ton Crew Cab/4wd/long bed. The 2004 got around 13 and the 2005 is doing around 10. He is a very light footed driver. Never gets on the gas and never goes over about 40 - maybe will do 50 on the highway. )</font>

Dodge has a thing with decent mileage. I had a 2004 Dodge Dakota with the 3.9L V6 and even on the Interstate never got better than 15mpg. Now I have a 2002 Chevy 1500 Silverado 4x4 with the 5.3L V8 and consistently get 17+mpg

Pete

 

[LarryD]

I've been driving a ¾ ton '98 Sierra with the 6.5 diesel for almost 2 years and have no issues to relate. I've had over 4 tons behind it and never lost speed or the 17 mpg it gets regardless. My only complaint right now is the price of diesel...$1.70 on the island. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
It was just the other night on the news that GMC sales are way down so ther might be some big incentives coming out soon...might even go "look" at the Duramax prices.

 

[Jimbrown]

I have an 01 GMC exteneded cab 4.8 4x4 and an 03 Chevy avalanch 5.3 4x4 both with 3.73 gears. Both 1/2 tons. They both average about 17 mpg empty. They are both rated to tow 7000lb. They will tow that but not very fast. I regularly tow a three horse trailer with two horses in it. Neither one will run the speed limit on I-10, 75mph in 4th gear with the trailer. I have given up and just run third gear when towing. I do not know what the milage is towing and don't want to know. If you gotta tow you gotta tow. I suspect in the 13 to 14 range or less. Running empty they will run 80 all day long. I actually like the 4.8 better than the 5.3, it seems to run smoother and the transmission shifts better. May just be the trucks. Personally I would go look at the big three pick the one I liked the best and just buy it provided the dealers were equal. Any of the trucks will do you fine in Nebraska. They are all going to be poor towing 7000lbs if you go west of the Co state line.