Bert Dirschell

I'm thinking about a new 07 or myabe an 08 Silverado. I want a crew cab. At least twice a year I want to be able to pull a 30', 7-8,000# travel trailer 400 miles, down into TN. I have no need for a 4x4, if the snow is so deep can't get around with 2WD I can stay home. I only want a half ton chassis since most of the time the truck will be used more like a car. It looks like a 1500 2LT with the Max Trailering Pack should do the job.

I currently have a 96 Ram 2500 with a V10. I get 14 mpg highway, typically at 8-10 mph over the limit. What can I expect with the 1500?

Old Coot

Ihave an extended cab with the 6.0 engine and 3:73 gears. We have something over 1400 miles so far and overall average by the computer is 14.5 overall. I have not made any trips, but do live in a rural area.

matador

I get about 16 with mine

Bert Dirschell

Thanks for the response. A good looking truck but 10 year newer technology than my old Dodge, only about 80% of the torque, weighs less and gets viturally the same mileage. I don't understand it. I think my rear axle is a 3.5? so that probably helps some.

blackmax

I am getting about 16.8 average on the hwy. 13 city
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Bert Dirschell

Thanks for the reply.

Bert Dirschell

Just curious, why did you decide to go to the 6.0 instead of the 5.3? Is yours a 2WD? Also, are you happy with the truck?

Old Coot

Bert
I had a 66 442 that came from the factory with the timing gear one tooth advanced. It had so much low end power but nothing on the high end. I would eat everyone up out of the hole but they would run away from me on the last part of the quarter mile, andit would only turn about 95 mph. When I found the trouble and changed it,I turned a much better quarter time and a speed of 102mph.but didn't have the low end torque.I always wanted something to give that low end power and not fall down on the top end. Even though I don't race anymore and I never did drive fast on the street, I still like the power. My second car is a C6 Corvette with the 6.0 engine.

So when I saw GM was bringing one out with the varible valve timing I was interested.I'm not at all disappointed with the performance for a 5000+pound vehicle. It is a 4X4 and we really like it. They have done their work well. Much quieter the our 03, interior is like a Caddy, and handling is great with the Z71 package.
I order it with the Stabiltrak, but, the dealer screwed up anddidn't order it. So I got the rear drum brakes, which seem to be fine. Sure stops quicker then the 03.

Sorry to make it so long.

Bert Dirschell

Thanks for the information. Never had one but I remember the 442's well.I like the grunt in myRAM 2500V10 (IMHO a V10 sounds like crap compared to a V8, my old 318 van sounds 10 times better than the V10). I do a lot of my commuting to a clients plants, 60 mile round trip, on a Kawasaki Concours. Twisting the gripon it gives me quite a charge. I stuff a soft side brief case containing my 17" notebook, files, etc in one saddlebag and a hardhat, safety glasses and other misc stuff in the other one, and I'm off.

My truck is still in good shape. It only gets drivenwhen I have more to haul than I can pack in my saddle bags, or if the roads are slippery or have salt on them, or when we occassionally haul our 30' travel trailer to or from TN (most of the time we just leave the trailer in TN).My wife's Odyssey has over 100k on it. It is still very reliable, and she still likes it, but I'm looking for something a littlemore civilized than my RAM so that she can use it when she makes trips away from the area.I'm a self-employed structural engineer and the truck would be a "company truck" that we would occassionally use for personal use. Thedeductibility of a 6000+ GVWR makesa new truckattractive.She liked driving and riding in the RAM 1500 our son used to have but my 2500 is much more of a "truck".

2007 Lt1/5.3/3.73

awww Your request sounds so familier, I traded a old harley last spring for a 18ft Toyhauler that wieghs 4500# empty and gross weight of 7700#, at the time my everyday ride was a 89' s-10 with a 4.3, I receached trucks for a year or so while i saved money, lol anyway I was looking for a truck that gets good mpg and would pull the toyhauler, I purchased a 07' new body style Silverado, extended cab, short bed with the Gas 5.3 v8 and the larger rear end gear 3.73 and of course the towing package, the truck is perfect for me I get between 16 to17.5 mpg in the city, the 4.3 s10 got 18.5 mpg and the truck will pulll my loaded Camper with ease, I also hauled 425 gallons of water/ #3000 last month but that was pushing it a bit. If you have a 30ft camper I think id consider a longer wheel base that I have and possably load distributing hitch. ( my truck has the very short bed which is somewhat rare) check the specs on chevys site im sure you would be happy with the 5.3/ larger rear end combo