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Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche #13067393 02/19/19 01:46 PM
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Thinking of upgrading from my 2002 Silverado Stepside regular cab 4.3 v6 to a v8. I recently purchased an older Triton TR21 on a tandom axle trailer and even though the old truck pulls OK, I may be ready for an upgrade. My thinking and budget center around a 2007/08 Silverado v8 4x4 crewcab +- $10g. The other half thinks we need an Avalanche. Maybe a little classier but would it be up to the task with similar equipment?

Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13067488 02/19/19 03:04 PM
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Either could pull a TR-21 just fine.

I've owned both and I'm not sure you'll notice a ton of difference in the towing department. I had a 2000 Sierra 4.3L V6, 2001 Silverado 4.3L V6, and 2004 Silverado 5.3L V8. All towed my Triton TR-17 about the same. I've always thought the 4.3L V6 was one of the most under-rated engines out there. Over 200k miles between the two we had and never had a single issue except for one fuel pump and one self-induced distributor cap/rotor problem.


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Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13067558 02/19/19 03:53 PM
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There isnt a bass boat or bay boat made that any truck or medium to large SUV cant handle.

I am a full time guide and tow my 26ft bay boat with my BMW x5 every day. Even a twin engine offshore boat. They are significantly heavier than any bass boat made. After towing with 3/4 tons and duallys my whole life the BMW x5 was my first choice tow vehicle as a full time guide. Had 3/4 ton Chevys for the previous 15 years. Sold the truck after towing with my wifes BMW x5. Tows, handles, and stops better than that truck ever thought about. Sold the truck to get my own BMW x5 as my first choice. On the used market it was much cheaper than equally equipped F150s. And get double the fuel mileage. 82k miles later and it has been flawless. Would get another one tomorrow.

You will be fine with any truck made. Get what you like and budget allows for.

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Last edited by Sgrem; 02/19/19 04:01 PM.
Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13067774 02/19/19 06:43 PM
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If on a budget you might check prices on the Avalanche before you get your heart set on one. Everyone I have seen advertised was a fair amount higher than a comparable pickup truck.


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Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Stump jumper] #13067849 02/19/19 08:00 PM
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Thanks guys, I think you have helped me put it into perspective.
Sgrem, I love the BMW story. She has an x3 just sitting in the garage that she never drives so I might have to steal it one day and see how it pulls.

Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13069891 02/21/19 01:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Bucketlist
Thanks guys, I think you have helped me put it into perspective.
Sgrem, I love the BMW story. She has an x3 just sitting in the garage that she never drives so I might have to steal it one day and see how it pulls.

The important word there to take away is STORY, because that is exactly what it is. It may pull it a couple miles to the boat ramp but it damn sure don't do it better than a 3/4 ton pickup. lol.

If you do get a 1/2 ton GM pickup I would buy one without the AFM (active fuel management) that is the cylinder deactivation. It came out in 2007, so the '06 and before wont have it. Not all of the '07's and later had it, but I wouldn't buy one with it.

Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13070010 02/21/19 03:05 PM
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Not sure if you read my direct experience. Had a 3/4 ton Chevy side by side with my wifes BMW. That BMW with 3L diesel pulls it, stops it, and handles everything better than that 3/4 ton ever thought about. Sold the truck to get my own BMW diesel.

I am a full time guide. I guide up and down the coast trailering every day. Tournaments all over. Tow hundreds of miles at a time with cruise control set at 70 mph. My towing 2015 BMW has 82k miles. My boat is 6500 pounds. That offshore boat is 7500 pounds.

Its all about the lower center of gravity, short break over leverage between the rear axle and the hitch point, traction and stability control, higher performance brakes, higher performance suspension, and higher performance steering.

It simply works better. Especially if your big 3/4 ton is lifted with off road tires then the BMW would be head and shoulders tow better for the stability and traction alone.

But if you can negate my direct experience towing side by side with a 3/4 ton and a high performance SUV please feel free to share your experience towing with other than a 3/4 ton.

Over 7500 pounds or over 750 pounds of tongue weight for sure get a truck.

Last edited by Sgrem; 02/21/19 03:25 PM.
Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13070085 02/21/19 04:05 PM
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Oh don't worry I read it. You either don't know what as good as or better than means or your just telling bald face lies. I have a 3.0 liter diesel too and it pales in comparison to the towing ability of any of the big 3 diesels... miserable performance compared to them in towing large or heavy loads. Even IF it did (which it doesn't) tow half as well as a 3/4 ton truck it wouldn't handle or stop the weight worth a Sh!+ compared to the HD trucks. Its ok to lie to yourself, but don't do it to other people.

Im not saying you cant do it and im not saying it doesn't work for you. Im saying it isn't a better tow vehicle than a 3/4 ton truck.

Last edited by redchevy; 02/21/19 04:07 PM.
Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13070160 02/21/19 05:04 PM
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What vehicle is your 3L diesel in?

Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13070183 02/21/19 05:18 PM
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Its an ecodiesel in a ram 1500.

I know it will do it. I have towed quite a bit with mine and it does surprisingly well with a load even a big wind catching one. I don't doubt at all your bwm tows it fine, my hitch is that it tows it better, handles it better, and stops it better than a 3/4 ton pickup truck. You might like it better than a 3/4 ton but that is where the truth in it stops.

Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Bucketlist] #13070197 02/21/19 05:25 PM
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I had to look this up. The BMW X5 is rated to tow 1,600lbs without trailer brakes. 5,900 with trailer brakes. Sorry if I'm not buying that it tows better than a truck that is rated to tow three or four times that much.


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Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Chris B] #13070208 02/21/19 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Chris B
I had to look this up. The BMW X5 is rated to tow 1,600lbs without trailer brakes. 5,900 with trailer brakes. Sorry if I'm not buying that it tows better than a truck that is rated to tow three or four times that much.


If me and Chris B agree it damn well better be right... cause that's as right as its ever gonna get!

Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: redchevy] #13070223 02/21/19 05:45 PM
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Originally Posted by redchevy
Its an ecodiesel in a ram 1500.

I know it will do it. I have towed quite a bit with mine and it does surprisingly well with a load even a big wind catching one. I don't doubt at all your bwm tows it fine, my hitch is that it tows it better, handles it better, and stops it better than a 3/4 ton pickup truck. You might like it better than a 3/4 ton but that is where the truth in it stops.


I agree. The eco diesel is a dog and runs out of any oomph at all at about 2800 rpm.

The BMW 3L is an animal in comparison and still pulling strong past 4800rpm.

I stress the lower center of gravity and short leverage from axle to hitch point, high performance handling and braking.

You are comparing apples to pork chops based on engine displacement alone. The two share nothing in common other than the transmission. Race inspired high performance SUV compared again to a truck. The Dodge ecodiesel truck is a pretty pathetic economy tower in comparison.

Just an FYI. Braking force to bring a race inspired vehicle down from 190 mph is far better performing than any truck brakes. The force required to stop a vehicle at high speed is much more demanding than than just to stop a heavier truck from normal highway speed.

Last edited by Sgrem; 02/21/19 05:52 PM.
Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Chris B] #13070239 02/21/19 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Chris B
I had to look this up. The BMW X5 is rated to tow 1,600lbs without trailer brakes. 5,900 with trailer brakes. Sorry if I'm not buying that it tows better than a truck that is rated to tow three or four times that much.


Sorry that is also incorrect. BMW USA derates the x5 to 6000 pounds towing and 600 pounds tongue weight due to the US hitch manufacturer they decided to use for factory equipped vehicles.

However BMW the manufacturer rates the vehicle at a full 7700 pounds towing and 600 pounds tongue weight with the appropriate hitch. Which i have.

There are numerous guys towing 13,000 pound RVs with over 150,000 miles on theirs.

I dont recomend that at all. But up to about 7500 pounds it is simple physics. The high performance SUVs are outstanding and in my case most certainly does tow better than the truck ever thought about. I get 36mpg empty and 14 mpg towing my large 26ft boat with ttop weighing 6500 pounds at 70 mph. Every day.

Last edited by Sgrem; 02/21/19 05:54 PM.
Re: Upgrade to Silverado or Avalanche [Re: Sgrem] #13070256 02/21/19 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Sgrem
Originally Posted by redchevy
Its an ecodiesel in a ram 1500.

I know it will do it. I have towed quite a bit with mine and it does surprisingly well with a load even a big wind catching one. I don't doubt at all your bwm tows it fine, my hitch is that it tows it better, handles it better, and stops it better than a 3/4 ton pickup truck. You might like it better than a 3/4 ton but that is where the truth in it stops.


I agree. The eco diesel is a dog and runs out of any oomph at all at about 2800 rpm.

The BMW 3L is an animal in comparison and still pulling strong past 4800rpm.

I stress the lower center of gravity and short leverage from axle to hitch point, high performance handling and braking.

You are comparing apples to pork chops based on engine displacement alone. The two share nothing in common other than the transmission. Race inspired high performance SUV compared again to a truck. The Dodge ecodiesel truck is a pretty pathetic economy tower in comparison.

Just an FYI. Braking force to bring a race inspired vehicle down from 190 mph is far better performing than any truck brakes. The force required to stop a vehicle at high speed is much more demanding than than just to stop a heavier truck from normal highway speed.


Ive been around other vehicles than my current ride. Have you driven an ecodiesel? I would also consider it a dog, but going over 2800 rpm has nothing to do with the doggy ness, it waskes up at a little over 2000 and pulls harder through red line than it does the first half of the spectrum. Sports cars stop faster because they don't weigh anything... that's why they go faster too.

You are wrong. Period.

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