Looking to buy a new 2015 Silverado 1500 4wd extended cab. I will be towing an 8 x 16 Ice Castle. Will the 3.42 ratio be sufficient for towing this load? Or do I need to go with the 3.73? I am also wondering if the 5.3L V8 engine is enough motor for the job.
Thanks for any help.
Stan (and Vickie)
I don’t know how much your ice castle weights but I would think the 342 should be alright.
The motor is plenty, assuming the majority of your miles are not towing. I have the 3.42 and have plenty of power towing my boat which is around 2200 total (boat, motor, trailer, gear). The tow haul mode really helps on hilly terrain. Mileage sucks towing, about 12, but getting 18 empty (which is 65-75% of the time) isn’t too bad. I had the 3.73 in my last silverado, had more ‘snap’ and better mileage towing at about 14-15, but only slightly better empty at about 16 so in total I’m using less gas with the newer truck.
If it’s going to pull double duty as a daily driver the 3.42 can get the job done well without burning extra gas, if it just a towing vehicle the 3.73 may be more effective (or a 3/4 ton for that matter).
I looked for a 3.73, both new a used and was able to find one in a 1500. Still don’t know what we will do for the next two vehicle.
If you drive and haul on the flat, 3.42 will be fine but it will look for gear changes a lot more in the hill / mountain country. I prefer low end power so I gravitate to 3.73 or 4.10 but I also tow a lot heavier than you will be towing.
Hope I’m not too late. I have a 2014 crew cab with the 5.3L & tow package: 3.73, transmission cooler, and a couple other things.
Motor is more than enough. There’s one thing you should check on how they package. Does the 3.42 come with a tow package? Possibly more important than the ratio is if it comes with goodies like the transmission cooler.
Pat, it should or at least it did in 2009, guess they have maybe changed options up. Can’t get their build and price to work on my phone to verify.
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