CT03911

I am looking at 2009/2010, gas, 1/2 ton pickups, crew style rear and short box.

I am comparing Chevy/GMC, Ford and Toyota.

My concern with both the Chevy/GMC 1500 and Ford 150 is that their high tow ratings are achieved by stiffening the frame but also by the rear end gearing and tranny. Both only have 310/315hp and 365/338 torque. Both are rated at around 9500lbs with 3.55/3.42 axles.

While those numbers sound impressive and are well above my current '05 Tundra, I am wondering what you all may have experienced towing around 5500lbs (car, steel trailer and junk).

The Tundra has 380hp/401 torque. It can tow 10,100lbs. While not a huge amount more than Chevy and Ford, my assumption is it must do it easier and with less tranny shifting/wear etc than the competition as it clearly has a class leading engine.

I'd appreciate real world input on these trucks. I am not going to a 3/4 ton and no diesel. Real world towing experience with 5500lbs and gas mileage as a daily driver would help me. I guess I am leaning towards a Ford or Chevy for interior and options but don't want to make a change and then wish I had more grunt like the Tundra offers.

Thanks.

IPguy

My 2 cents (worth what you pay for it) is stick with the Tundra. Install transmission, oil and power steering coolers if not already present, get a good trailer brake controller and use a load leveling hitch. The last part is not really necessary, but you really won't notice the trailer much at all then.

Silver Box

I bought a 5.7L 2010 Tundra a year ago to replace my 2000 Chevy 5.3L. I can say that the difference in towing either my open steel trailer and car or my 21' center console boat are very noticeable. The Tundra barely even notices they are back there. It's a great tow vehicle. Fantastic turning radius for a big truck.

With that said - I still very much miss my Chevy. Highway driving unloaded I always got 20 MPG. Tundra I'm in the 17-18 range. The Chevy had a lot more standard features - just niceties that I miss. Makes the Tundra feel like it's stripped despite being the SLR trim. The Chevy seats fit me better and were more comfortable on a long haul and I really miss the fold down arm rests. This is the first Toyota I've ever owned and I was surprised at the lack of any notable quality differences with all the years of hearing the Toyota quality hype (now somewhat tarnished).

At the time I bought my Tundra, GM was really struggling and I couldn't even find inventory of trucks. What I did find was expensive. Toyota had a ton and were dealing. Dollar for dollar - I'm still satisfied with my Toyota decision. But if dollars weren't a factor -I'ld probably be in a Chevy 2500.

jpk

I use an older silverado 1500 with the 4.8l and 4-speed transmission. My trailer is probably just a bit lighter than yours, but I compensate with a fiberglass topper and usually load my truck up with way more stuff than I need.
In 1999, the engines were de-rated a bit, and mine is rated 255hp/285 ft-lbs. I have the taller gears in my truck, probably 3.48 or so. When I tow, I use the tow/haul mode for the tranny, and keep it in third instead of OD. It's adequate; acceleration off the line isn't bad, and cruising at 65-70 on the highway is not a problem, as long as it's pretty flat. The tranny doesn't hunt much, but I do feel the torque converter locking/unlocking for slight grades. If the grade is long and steep, I have to run second gear at 50-55 mph (I-77 climbing out of North Carolina into Virginia for instance...) The flip side is that I can get 20mpg on the highway light and 12-13 towing.
A friend on mine with an F150 (similar trailer load) said she had no problem running in OD on the same trip to Nelson Ledges last weekend.
If I had to get another truck, I'd probably get pretty much the same, but with the 6-speed tranny.

CT03911

Anyone out there towing around 5500lb's actively with:

2009-2010 Chevy/GMC with the 5.3 motor?

OR

2009/2010 Ford F-150 with 5.4?

I know the Tundra will do better but I'd like to know if the other two are really pretty good as well. The numbers say they are, their motors are less capable.

Chris M.

I tow the same weight with an 04 Ford 5.4L that has 260hp and 3xx torque and it is no problem at all. I also got 13mpg round trip going to Watkins Glen last month. If you are never going enclosed then any of your options are more than adequate.

P.J.S.

2007 F150 CC 4x4 short bed
5.4 v8
3.55 rear end IIRC
Tekonsha brake controller
Reese dual cam wd hitch

roughly 12 mpg towing the pictured load with a realtively full bed of wheels and gas

Not fast off the line but once up and moving, it handled fine.

I think the empty trailer weighed about 1500 and was appx 5K all in loaded up.

any of the trucks you mentioned will easily handle a 5500lb trailer IMHO

KaiB

My biz partner regrets trading his Tundra in for a F150. He hauls a bigish boat and farms on the side; says no comparison and is actually pissed at himself.

Juan Lopez

Avalanche 5.3lt towing ATC 22 enclosed (approx 2500#s) + car and tools add another 2500 approx.

I have towing package (extra oil cooling and tranny cooler).

Highway, no issues once you are up to speed, hills it struggles. 9mpg towing.

Daily driving comfort and MPG great. For serious towing, get a 2500.

Rceron

If you are concerned about Chevy power go with the 6.2L GMC Denali crew cab/1500. I have a 2010 Denali Yukon with the 6.2l that moves 5000 lbs likes its not there. Get 12.3 mpg towing.

CT03911

Thanks everyone. Still would most appreciate feedback from anyone actually towing with the 2009/10 Chevy/GMC 5.3 or Ford F150 5.4

Have ruled out others, 2500/6.2/diesel etc for various reasons. I need to drive this thing as a daily driver too. I know the Tundra is good from a tow perspective. Trying to hear if the Chevy 5.3 or Ford 5.4 really get it done in the hills or should I just get a Tundra.

Thanks

My '05 Tundra 4.7 is fine on the flat but struggles on steep grades. Don't want to get into a Chevy or Ford 1/2 ton and see it is nearly the same.

ltc

There is no substitute for wheelbase and (diesel) torque.

And 15w-40...and a H&N restraint....

winders

If you are dead set on a 1/2 ton, look at the Ford with the 3.5L V6 EcoBoost:

http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/towing/

Scott

Juan Lopez

As I mentioned above, I tow with a Chevy 5.3, it will struggle on the hills. The solution is to get the optional rear end 4.10 rather than the 3.73 which will kill your MPG if you plan to drive it daily.

I tow in flat Florida and seldomly thus not as big of a deal for me. When we go long distance car goes in an 18 wheeler.

shustermeister

I used to tow with 2007 F150 Lariat Quad-cab 4x2 5.4L w/tow pkg; 3.73 limited slip; rated to 9,500lb towing . Towed steel open trailer, 3100 lb. car, tools, etc., with the bed full of extra wheels/tires, popup canopy, tarps etc. from Charlotte to VIR with myself, 4 other people, luggage for the weekend. Averaged 13.5 mpg, was plenty comfortable ride for everyone, and it pulled absolutely great. Over 3 years, I never had a single problem with that truck. If I didn't get rid of the track toys due to growing family, I'd still have it. Wonderful vehicle, and the newer ones 2009/2010/2011 are supposed to be even better.