DD/Tow Truck Recommendations
09-21-2010, 09:36 PM
#46
We use a 2010 Toyota Sequoia Platinum - 5.7L, active air suspension, etc. to tow a 20ft steel enclosed trailer. With car, etc. it is close to 7000# loaded. Add another 300# of stuff in the cargo area.
Tows without issue using only a load distributing hitch - no sway control. Goes and stops great. Regularly tow 150-350 miles over mountain passes in the summer. Recently towed from Orange County to Laguna Seca over the grapvine in 100F heat without so much as a wimper or signifcant sway.
Will a 2500 long bed do better in an emergency? Absolutely, but we keep it modest (~65 mph).
For the 345 days a year I am not towing the Sequoia is an excellent DD and works bitchin' on the 20 days I do.
Then again, I race a mid engine hard top barbie car so my opinion is probably wrong. It does seem, at times, that unless you tow a Cup Car in a 30 ft box with a F-ing semi truck that you do not know crap.
Cheers,
Tows without issue using only a load distributing hitch - no sway control. Goes and stops great. Regularly tow 150-350 miles over mountain passes in the summer. Recently towed from Orange County to Laguna Seca over the grapvine in 100F heat without so much as a wimper or signifcant sway.
Will a 2500 long bed do better in an emergency? Absolutely, but we keep it modest (~65 mph).
For the 345 days a year I am not towing the Sequoia is an excellent DD and works bitchin' on the 20 days I do.
Then again, I race a mid engine hard top barbie car so my opinion is probably wrong. It does seem, at times, that unless you tow a Cup Car in a 30 ft box with a F-ing semi truck that you do not know crap.
Cheers,
09-22-2010, 08:25 AM
#47
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I just bought a 2010 Silverado 1500 with the "HD trailering package" and the 5.3 engine....with the 3.42 rear end its rated to tow 9700lbs....which is far more than I will ever need..... I figure even if I make every single race thats not at my home track...I'm towing at most 15 days a year....that leaves me with a DD truck for the other 350 days...& it is quite comfortable and handles surprisingly well for a full size truck...I think the 20" wheels help?
Its averaging about 17mpg with a mix of city and highway (70% highway) driving and isn't even broken in....at 60mph the computer says it gets about 22-3 but drops to about 18-19 and 70mph....unloaded of course....I haven't towed with it yet....but I would imagine it will get the standard 10mpg towing that most gas trucks get....
Another factor is the SERIOUS rebates offered right now...I got $6k cash + a discount off MSRP....great deals on the remaining 2010's right now....
Its averaging about 17mpg with a mix of city and highway (70% highway) driving and isn't even broken in....at 60mph the computer says it gets about 22-3 but drops to about 18-19 and 70mph....unloaded of course....I haven't towed with it yet....but I would imagine it will get the standard 10mpg towing that most gas trucks get....
Another factor is the SERIOUS rebates offered right now...I got $6k cash + a discount off MSRP....great deals on the remaining 2010's right now....
09-22-2010, 09:43 AM
#48
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Jay,
I just picked up a 2010 Silverado 4x4 crew cab with the hd trailering package. With the 3.42 gears it can tow 9,100. I just got back from the Glen towing my car on a open steel trailer and averaged 14.5 mpg while doing 70mph on the highway. This would be good rig for you. You have seating for six, you have the bed for hauling stuff plus it's comfortable as a daily driver. Mine listed for $38k+ and I got it out the door for $28,100. You are more that welcome to try when I see you in three weeks or sooner if you're in the area.
I just picked up a 2010 Silverado 4x4 crew cab with the hd trailering package. With the 3.42 gears it can tow 9,100. I just got back from the Glen towing my car on a open steel trailer and averaged 14.5 mpg while doing 70mph on the highway. This would be good rig for you. You have seating for six, you have the bed for hauling stuff plus it's comfortable as a daily driver. Mine listed for $38k+ and I got it out the door for $28,100. You are more that welcome to try when I see you in three weeks or sooner if you're in the area.
09-22-2010, 09:46 AM
#49
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Thanks Brian! That is a NICE price you got there. What dealer did you go to? My Dad has a crew cab too, but I am thinking about doing just the extended cab as I am always needing more bed room for the Harley, boat, car stuff.
14 MPG is great for all that weight! I hope the glen was good and I will maybe take it for a drive at the track. Thanks bud.
14 MPG is great for all that weight! I hope the glen was good and I will maybe take it for a drive at the track. Thanks bud.
09-22-2010, 09:50 AM
#50
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Get the 4 door, I got the crew cab and have regretted not getting the 4 door ever since. I believe you can get a 6 or 8 foot bed with either and the 4 door only adds a few inches overall...
09-22-2010, 09:52 AM
#51
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I shopped everyone in NH and got the best price with my trade from Cantins in Laconia. If you're planning on having it 10+years the crew will be more fitting for kids.
Had a great time at the Glen, but boy was it a crash fest. There was easily 6 cars into various walls. Not pretty, but hey the weather was great and my car made it home in one piece.
Had a great time at the Glen, but boy was it a crash fest. There was easily 6 cars into various walls. Not pretty, but hey the weather was great and my car made it home in one piece.
09-22-2010, 09:53 AM
#52
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..
09-22-2010, 09:58 AM
#54
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Thanks VR, but I need a truck to haul other things and an SUV just won't do that for me.
09-22-2010, 09:58 AM
#55
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One was under development, a 4.5 litre light duty turbodiesel....but it got mothballed when GM schit the bed & went nipples skyward into taxpayer-subsidized bankruptcy.
The tested drivetrain exists--I hope they eventually produce it.
Professional Racing and Driving Coach
The tested drivetrain exists--I hope they eventually produce it.
Professional Racing and Driving Coach
09-22-2010, 10:05 AM
#57
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Brian,
Did you get the 5.3 or the 6.2 for an engine? I would prefer the 5.3 as that would get better MPG I would think. I just don't know if you can get the HD without the 6.2 from what it looks like on the website.
Did you get the 5.3 or the 6.2 for an engine? I would prefer the 5.3 as that would get better MPG I would think. I just don't know if you can get the HD without the 6.2 from what it looks like on the website.
09-22-2010, 10:07 AM
#58
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GM 1500 Crew is only available with the 5.75' bed. With the 2500 you get your choice of 6.5' or 8' bed. Guess you need to decide what is the MOST important features you want. For rubbish runs and trips to Lowes the 5.75' works for me.
09-22-2010, 10:12 AM
#59
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I have the 5.3 with the option called power plus package. It adds a Vortec 5.3L V8 SFI FlexFuel engine, heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential, Trailering package and 17" x 7.5" 6-lug aluminum wheels.
There is also a max towing package which includes Vortec 6.2L V8 SFI engine, heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential, Handling/Trailering Suspension Package, 9.5" hybrid rear axle, 3.73 rear axle ratio, 17" x 7.5" 6-lug aluminum wheels, P265/70R17 on-/off-road blackwall tires, fog lamps, front and rear disc brakes and trailering package.
There is also a max towing package which includes Vortec 6.2L V8 SFI engine, heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential, Handling/Trailering Suspension Package, 9.5" hybrid rear axle, 3.73 rear axle ratio, 17" x 7.5" 6-lug aluminum wheels, P265/70R17 on-/off-road blackwall tires, fog lamps, front and rear disc brakes and trailering package.
09-22-2010, 10:15 AM
#60
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I like the sounds of the 5.3, my Dad's truck has that and it does fine. But I would like the beefier tranny like you have. Sounds like you have what I need sir!!!!! (the truck that is)