Truck for towing

[Gotofish]

I'd appreciate any comments, thoughts, or suggestions on the following vehicles for towing my boat. I've searched the site and got some great info but wanted more specifically related to towing.

2000-2003 Chevy Silverado 4x4:
For those with experience, would you recommend the 4.8l or the 5.3l for towing a boat that weighs about 3500-4000 lbs fully loaded?

90% of the trips are to the ramp 3 miles from my house with no hills. Remaining 10% are 120 mi. round trips from Newport to the Cape with limited hills. I expect to put under 5k miles a year on this vehicle.

Obviously, fuel economy is going to be an issue here but I want to balance that against "stress" on the motor.

Also, any thoughts on similar year F150 would be great as well. 4.6l vs. 5.4l? Any problems etc.....

Thanks in advance.

[dman25]

Check out my truck in the for sale section. There's no trade off when going with the 5.3 over the 4.8 except more power. Mine is tuned for towing and better gas mileage. Right now on highway cruises I can get it right at 20 mpg. Find a V8 in it's class that can do that. It's priced to sell and had tons of extras. I did tons of research before buying this truck new for the same purpose you are looking for, but i never bought a boat because I spent so much time mating. Now the wife wants a new car so it's time to let her go if I'm not gonna use her.

[Gotofish]

Your truck is awesome, and it seems to be worth every penny of your asking price and then some but it's 5 hrs from me and my budget (which is strict) is a little lower. I gave it a bump when I was searching threads....

[dman25]

Gotcha. The 4.8 will definitely work but there really is no reason to go with the 4.8 over the 5.3. I wold also steer clear of trucks with the 3.42 rear end for towing.

[B-faithful]

I got sick of my 2001 Ford Expedition causing problems. I sold it with about 50,000 miles on it. I now have two chevies with the 5.3l (suburban and silverado). I tow around 6000lbs. I am much happier!

[fishy]

you can't go wrong

[seavee capt]

Prior to my current rig (04 Chevy 2500hd) I had a 2000 chevy 1500 w/ 4.8 and 3.73 rearend. The truck pulled my old boat, a Wellcraft 230 coastal, about 4700lbs loaded with fuel and gear, no problems at all. Mileage was about 16 at best, not towing and no chip in it. Towing, the mileage was down to about 11mpg. Good trucks, no complaint from me at all.

[dman25]

With the intake, headers, exhaust and bed cover I can get a tic over 20 mpg on the cruise contorl on long trips. On the tow she does about 14 mpg.

[Gotofish]

Thanks for all the help. I ended up with an 03 eerily similar to Dman's-minus all the good stuff his has.

[blueoceaneyez]

Good choice!!

We have a 2003 5.3L Silverado Z71 1500 4x4....

We pulled a 20' Mako & 23' Sea Hunt with EASE. You'd forget it was behind - lol.

We now tow a 26' Sea Hunt & the truck still handles every aspect of boat towing exceptionally well - stopping, speed, climbs, ramps, etc etc... The only complaint I have now with the bigger boat behind is a NOTICEABLE decrease in MPG at speeds > 50mph.