Looking at new tow vehicles

[Gary H NC]

I have been looking at a few 05 and 06 model trucks.My 99 Tahoe has got 90k on it now and i'm considering trading it in.
Found a 06 Chevy Silverado king cab 1500HD.
Anyone have any input on those Chevy 6.0 engines? I think it said it was rated at 345 hp or maybe 325.
This truck is loaded and has the factory tow package,Onstar,Bose sound system.It has the full center console that i have been looking for.
The only thing i don't like is its black.It looks good but black is a pain to keep looking good.
The truck has 29k on it but the price is fair.21,900 The bluebook on it is about 27k
Bad thing is my Tahoe is emaculate,new Michelins,new brakes and i just replaced wires,cap,plugs.serviced trans and rear end.
They offered me 6500 trade in....i just laughed and drove off..
Anyway,you guys have any input on the 6.0? I really don't want the 5.3..

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

One question. Why do you need anything that big to tow a 21 ft. boat?

I tow mine with an '03 Grand Cherokee v8, and sometimes with a Dakota V6. Why do you want a fuel hog? It's not like you're towing a 33 ft. Cabin Cruiser or anything. Again, I'm just curious, and I'm not trying to be hard to get along with I'm just curious.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

I always just liked the full size trucks.Before my Tahoe i had a Dodge Ram 2500.Before that a GMC full size.
The Tahoe pulls the weight fine i just don't like the way it handles while towing.The short wheel base is a big factor towing wise.That and it being 4WD it has a lower tow rating than a 2WD truck.
Just tossing the idea around.Not sure if i want truck payments again..

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

If you are insulted by the trade in value of the Tahoe.... the dealer is on the money. Sell it on your own if you want. The 6.0 liter is a gas hog and the 5.3 will do fine for towing. The 6.0 does not get good mpg check fueleconomy.gov


Do you really need that much power? What about an Avalanche? or a used Tundra (I work at a Toyota Dealer and used to work for Chevy

 

[redfury]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

Dunno about the engine, but the tranny on my step dad's 1500 gave out pulling a 5th wheel travel trailer right as they got home from a long trip. He upgraded to the 2500HD, and never had a problem with the tranny ( towing mode rocked! ) and has now gone diesel and has no plans to get rid of the truck, plus got a bigger 5th wheel.

I agree with the full sized vehicle and a longer wheel base though....you can pull that trailer with a Dakota, but I don't want to see how long it takes to stop it at highway speeds. I'm a little leary about pulling my 17ft glastron once I get it seaworthy with mine ( no trailer brakes ).

 

[jimr]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

The 6.0 is a good motor. We have a bunch of them in our fleet. If all you are going to tow is a 21' boat a 5.3 would work heck the 4.8 I have in my truck pulled my old 77 24' travel trailer with no problems.

 

[i386]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

I love my Nissan Titan. They'll pull 10K pounds with the tow package which includes a different rear end, mirrors, and tranny temp guage. I believe my truck is rated at 6500 pounds (w/o "big tow" package). It'll haul arse too. It's big inside. Not quite Tundra Crewmax big, but very roomy. I wouldn't get a used one older than an '06 though (brake and rear end troubles on some of them). Navigation, DVD, XM/Sirius are available factory options too. The utilitrack tie-down system in the bed is REALLY nice. I have the LE model which has a lockable compartment on the bottom of the left rear fender. I keep my hitch, trailer light adaptor, gloves, jumper cables, and tie-down straps in there. I wasn't super impressed with the outside appearance of the truck when I was shopping, but when I saw the inside I fell in love with it. I don't know what Chevy/GM is trying to do with their new body styles but I don't like them at all (Well the Avalance is still pretty nice). Ford on the other hand is making some really good looking trucks as of late. There may be a King Ranch F-150 in my future one of these days.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

Thanks for the input guys.I really don't need that much of a truck although my boat is pretty heavy for a 21 footer.I think wind resistance is what is getting me too.The front of the boat sets about a foot or so higher than the roof on the Tahoe.
The new nose on the GMs does look kind of strange.Thats why i was looking at 05-06 models.
Not really concerned with gas mileage,the one i have now is not that great on gas anyway. 14 to 15mpg maybe.
Was just tossing the idea around.I may wait until the first of the year to see if i can get a better deal.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

Gary the 6.0 is just what VT say's a big pig. Well i cannot speak for chevy's eek now is very good time to buy a 05 or new Ford..06..

You should be able to find some scary deal's look for the 5.4 with a 3.73 rear end and she will pull 6-7000 real nice..... and yes there rated for 10,000 but this cowboy isnt going there with any 1/2 ton truck and not Toy boy's truck either..........geesshh 4.10's rear and a 350 yep that's revolutionary..........

 

[Monkaroo]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

One thing's for sure . If you can afford the fuel for it . The 6.0 should be a hoss . I'll have to agree on the cleaning on the black paint though . It looks sharp , but it's hard as heck to keep clean . I don't think there is much you can do to keep them from showing water spots everytime you wash em . This is one of those deals where your gonna get an answer from everyone according to their preference though . A Ford man is gonna say buy a Ford , a Chevy man is gonna say Chevy , a Dodge man is gonna say go Mopar , I say if you like it and can afford it ,Go for it !

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

Well,Test drove the Chevy HD with the 6.0. Did not like it,It had 20k miles on it and the engine sounded like crap.
So i drove a couple more 1500's a 2500, and a couple Avalanches...
The prices are way out of line on these trucks.
The only one that i liked was an 05 1500-Z71 with 19k miles,fully loaded with a hard top bed cover.It was 23k with the tax tag fees ect. Heck for another 4k i can get a brand new one.
Guess i will hold off and see if they come down at the end of the year...
Bad thing is i got the new truck bug now...

 

[tommays]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

well i think rebates are peaked right NOW and when there giving 5000 back on a new truck it really kills resale value



Tommays

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

well i think rebates are peaked right NOW and when there giving 5000 back on a new truck it really kills resale value



Tommays

..........

 

[Monkaroo]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

Well,Test drove the Chevy HD with the 6.0. Did not like it,It had 20k miles on it and the engine sounded like crap.
So I drove a couple more 1500's a 2500, and a couple Avalanches...
The prices are way out of line on these trucks.
The only one that i liked was an 05 1500-Z71 with 19k miles,fully loaded with a hard top bed cover.It was 23k with the tax tag fees ect. Heck for another 4k i can get a brand new one.
Guess i will hold off and see if they come down at the end of the year...
Bad thing is i got the new truck bug now...

I would like to hear your opinion on one of the newer Ford pickups . Most people I know who are partial to Chevy , won't even try a Ford , and vice versa . Even if you hate em and you're deadset against owning one of them , I would love to hear your honest opinion after a test drive . I don't think your friends and coharts @ Nascar would dissown you for a test drive .

 

[penst8grad]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

Next year Ford is releasing an F150 Diesel. I don't usually buy 1st year vehicles, but I think I'm making an exception for this one. I've been happy with my 4.6L towing motorcycles and my 19' cuddy. Not happy with the mileage and my truck is getting old ('99).

 

[i386]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

So is Nissan. I'd be scared to buy either of them until they take 3-4 years to work the kinks out.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

I have nothing against Fords.i used to drive a 06 F-350 for work,it was a really nice truck.
I have been looking at a couple Fords today online and will probably do a test drive in the next few days.
At work we have all 3, The Dodges pull the best,The Fords Drive the best and the Chevys have the best ride.
All of the company trucks are fully loaded and i like the seats and interior on the Chevys the best.The new Chevys with the 6 speed Allison tranny are one heck of a truck.All these being the 3500 series says a lot about the ride.
The 1500's are a whole different ball game,softer ride for sure.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

So is Nissan. I'd be scared to buy either of them until they take 3-4 years to work the kinks out.

That's old thinking there 386, Ford's truck stuff has been on the shelf for year's, there just bolting it up now....

Think not Ford has released a new......... Fusion.......Edge...........Hybrid........500...........and the new 08 heavy duty.......No issues opp's and Mustang and have just recently passed Toyota in intial customer satisfaction...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

Tried to post a link to the one i drove today...Can't get it to work...

 

[i386]

Re: Looking at new tow vehicles

That's old thinking there 386, Ford's truck stuff is that has been on the shelf for year's there just bolting it up now....

Think not Ford has released a new......... Fusion.......Edge...........Hybrid........500...........and the new 08 heavy duty.......No issues opp's and Mustang and have just recently passed Toyota in intial customer satisfaction...

Well I hope I'm proved wrong. I'd love to see us get our reputation back for the best automobiles. I just wish we'd make more of them here.