Towing with a Silverado

akmark

I have a 99 2500 LS XC SB towing pkg, fiberglass cap with 45,000 miles on it, most of it towing a 23' S/C Wilderness with generator, extra gas cans, extra spare tires, lots of food incl. canned goods, and water tank in trailer filled 3/4 full. We just returned from a 23,000 mile trip from our home in Alaska through Canada into Montana, WY, IA, SD, NB, MO, KS, OK, TX, AR, TN, KY, VA, AND MD. There we rested for a week before heading north to Boston and then South to FL and Disney World. After a week there, where we changed the Amsoil oil and filter, we headed for San Diego. Then up the coast, incl. the grapevine grade, to the SF Bay area. And finally through OR, WA, and Canada back home.
I know you are probably not interested in all of those details but I just wanted you to know that we drove through, over, around, and in about every type of weather and terrain the US and Canada have to offer, in a little over two months. We had 0, zero, problems with the truck and used only two quarts of oil, other than the oil change. We ran at or above the posted speed limit to keep from being passed by all of the long haul truckers. There were only a couple of mountains where we could not actually gain speed while climbing, even with the A/C on. Gas mileage never saw double digits the entire trip, but with the kind of power, speed, and weight we had I wasn't surprised. Back home here I have babied it up to 17 mpg on the hwy but it so hard not to play with all of that power and 55 seems like a crawl ;-). Hope this info helps!
Mark

markbuck

Whats the worst fuel econ you got during your road trip?

I saw a min of 7.5 to 8 fairly repeatedly outta my 4.10 rear ended 4.8L manual running 75 pulling a 26' TT with the bed full of dirtbikes

Have a 2001 HD Crew Cab on order, 5speed, 4.10. Curious what I'll get. Have a similiar rig to yours.

Get any ping on 87 octane while towing?

rayt2

In past 3 weeks I have towed my 19' Shasta to Kingston Ontario Canada, Saco,Maine, then Great Sacandaga Lake NY and this weekend to Brockville, Canada.

2000 LS Shortbox Ext.Cab(3 dr.) 5.3, 2WD, 3:73 axle, HD Susp. Trailer Pkg. 245R7516 Steeltex AT upgrade.

Truck runs flawlessly w/plenty of power. Only thing I've noticed is as discussed when in tow/haul mode & OD the tranny hunts a lot at the slightest grade change. I have resloved to keep it in 3rd gear with tow/haul engaged and no more problems. Towing @70mph in 3rd tow/haul I am pulling 2000 rpm's and getting 10 mpg.

I LOVE this Truck.

Ray T.

obyone

long time no hear...you forgot to add 2500

Dean

jeffs00z71

I have a 00' Silverado Z71 Lt w/ the 5.3L vortec v8 i think its 317 c.u.i. A also have a 1998 Dodge which my son has he has the equivlant motor the 5.2L 318 c.u.i. My chevy will tow that boat up a steep grade with no sweat, where the dodge struggles and runs into the high rpm's. 3000#'s is not alot of wieght but im very happy how it handles and performs!

sallydad

I have a y2k 1500 silverado 3.73 rear end 3 door x cab. The 5.3 engine is close to327cid. On a 1500 mile trip last month I waas getting 11 to 12 mpg. No sounds from the engine as others have complained about.

One caution. If you tow either in or out of tow haul mode (I used it for the entire trip) do nt use cruise control in hilly areas. The engine will try and satisfy cruise setting and keep kicking the trans back a gear until you are really turning some rpm's

rayt2

Thanks Dean I did fail to mention it was a 2500 (3/4 ton). haven't had much time to visit this site much any more, to much work..........

Yup, your right Z71Bill it was 3000 rpm not 2000. (the minds the first thing to go, haha)

Just got back from Canada Sunday, best mileage was 14.5 mpg worst was 10.5 mpg towing. I now have 9300 miles on truck. My trailer is fairly light @2600 but thats before you add the 30 lb.propane tank, 20 gal fresh water, battery & all the camping supplies, five Siberian Huskies w/crates, fire wood, food etc. All told 4000 lbs. would seem about right. I was able to utilize 4th gear OD in tow haul mode in upstate NY route 81 where the roads were flatter but as soon as hills come to play it starts hunting again so down into 3rd gear tow/haul mode & the cruise holds it where it needs to be without a glitch. Do I like 10 mpg? No, but I didn't buy the truck for mileage I needed something to stay together for towing purposes unlike my 88 1/2 ton ext. cab w/the 4.3 that blew it's tranny last year while I was in Canada towing the same trailer. Thank goodness for the 45% exchange rate I saved some money on the tranny rebuild at least. The best dry mileage I have gotten so far is 17.4 mpg, still not great but what are ya gonna do it's only supposed to get 19 mpg at best. I imagine if I could keep it at 60/65 mph I'd do better but the damn truck just wants to gooooooooooo.

Ray T.

rayt2

During this latest trip for the first time the oil change light finally showed itself @ 8600 miles! I have free oil changes for 1st year at dealers so it gets done every 3000 miles but I thought it was funny that the computer says it's time now.

Ray T.

mike341

Thanks for all the great info. Honest feedback makes the buying decision much easier. I Am interested in the 2001 crew cab, 6.0L, 4.10, Tow/
haul mode, HD tow pkg, LS trim. Does anyone have any feedback about the best way to go about ordering one. Order directly from the dealer, use the Automobile Club of America (AAA), Fleet sales programs, or now you can even order from several different Internet sites?. Also, don't know if you would save more just by waiting till they start hitting the lots? Whats the best price a person could expect to pay?
Thanks, Mike

markbuck

Call a local dealer that has a good local rep. Make a specific appt to meet with the "fleet mgr". Come in with a list of options, and let him know you would like to negotiate based on dealer invoice, and that ordering a vehicle and waiting a few months is no problem. If the local dealer has a GMBuypower mnger, this is even better.

chevyinfo1

Go to see your nearest Chevrolet Commercial Specialty Vehicle dealer and sit with them. List all the options you want and factory order the unit. There are some great new combinations for the 2001 Chevrolet pick-ups.

denisl

Thanks guys, this thread was a great read for a rookie looking to buy something for pulling a TT.
I have one qestion for all TT pullers.
Do you think it's really that much better pulling with a Diesel over gas for mileage?
Thanks again. - denny

rayt2

I don't have the diesel but a friend has one in his Ford F250 Van and he swears by it, the benfits being more torque plain and simple. But it also cost him $4000 more for it.

Ray T.

steveheywood

CA owners (and visitors to CA) need to remember that the max speed limit for a truck or ANYTHING towing a trailer is 55 MPH!!! The minimum fine for exceeding 55 MPH while towing a trailer is $250!!! Another point to remember is that towing in the left lane is strictly forbidden. It is OK to pass using the left lane on 2-lane interstate, but the far left lane of a multi-lane freeway is not.

tnglator

I ordered a 2500 HD with a HD NVG tranny. Did I make a mistake. I wont be towing an incredible amount. Has anybody ever driven the manual, how does it feel? I would appreciate some input while there is still time to change my order if I want to. Mileage i figure would be around the same since fourth in the auto and 5th in the manual are the same ratio and I do alot of freeway driven....please help me out with this decision..

pocahontas

Copy/pasted for Marden2:

#0 of 1: (mardan2) Sat 09 Dec '00 (08:27 PM)

Anybody know who manufactures the trailer hitch
on 2000 & 2001 Silverado 1500?
Mardan2

rayt2

Does Marden have access to a Chevy/GMC dealers? If so take a look at it for indentifying manufactorers marks. My guess is Draw Tite.

markbuck

Have the same 6.0L/5speed on order for my 2500HD. Same manual (with updates) thats in the 2500LD for the last couple of years.

Don't worry, be happy!

pocahontas

Being that it's been inactive here for quite some time, this discussion is going to be closed. Please join others in one of our active Chevy Silverado discussions. This discussion will be archived in several days.

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