I have been looking at buying a newer truck and im looking at the 2008-2012 Silverado 1500's. I was wondering how does the 4.8L pull a full size bass boat vs the 5.3L? Ive passed up a bunch of 4.8L trucks. Im thinking I should stick with a 5.3 but just wanted some more opinions. I asked in the bassfishing section because I figured more people would read this and respond. Thanks

If you tow with regularity of any distance, get a 3.73 rear axle or better. Don't just worry how many liters the engine is.

I have a 4.7 in my 05tundra and it pulls my 17 bass tracker just fine 30-120mi round trip. If your towing fiberglass not sure.

I have 2008 Sivlerado 1/2 ton with 5.3L engine. I pull a HEAVY Stratos, with no problems.
You should be fine. That engine has lots of power.
The year.?? whichever one you get the best deal
You might try Monte Coons at Moritz Chevrolet. He is new car sale manager BUT, he would hand you off to used cars/trucks.
I bought my 'certified used' , had 21K miles on it.
Oh, it's club cab if that makes any difference..

If you're considering the 4.8 for fuel mileage, then don't get your hopes up. Go 5.3 and don't look back.

Yes, towing capacity is as much a function of rear end ratio as it is torque, horsepower and displacement. A 5.anything with a 3.1 to 3.5 (generic numbers that aren't branch specific) won't do you much good. Get something in the 3.7 something to 4.1 or lower and you will be fine. Many correctly equipped V6's will easily tow over 6000 lbs.

I towed my buddies 198 Ranger with my V6 4runner from Austin to Fayetteville multiple times, 3 hour round trip with relative ease, the gas mileage really suffered though. I've heard the bigger the engine the lesser the difference in fuel economy from non-towing to towing. Torque is important. I stepped up to a 6.3L Denali and it's a night and day difference obviously , don't even feel the boat. It can be done with a smaller engine when all is said and done.

I've got a Dodge 1500 and 4.7 and can't complain pulling the 22' boat... I'll probably go bigger the next go 'round though. Just because a couple of picky things like 'saving gas milage' while still wanting to drive 75 when I can with or without the boat. There's a big drop from 70-75 regardless of if there's anything on the hitch or not. If there's a little wind, I just shut off the mpg display and try not to think too much about it. Go with the 5.3 with the right ratio axle and don't look back as jsaego said...

I towed an 18 foot Ranger and Nitro all over east Texas and north Louisiana with the 4.3 Litre V6 and had zero issues. I had two different trucks with this engine and probably logged a 100k miles between the two of them pulling a bass boat......I think either V8 would suit you fine........

Actually just traded my 4.7 Tundra for 5.3 4x4. There is a big difference. I do believe the pull is better, but would have kept the 4.7 if it was 4x4. I pull a 21 ft fiberglass. Gas wise, I think the 4.7 is better without the boat. Good luck. You cant go wrong with going big in the beginning or go 4.7 Tundra.

I say no way in heck. Actually, I wouldn't even get a 5.3L. I had an 04 5.3 with 3.73 gears and hated pulling my 20ft ranger. I now have a 5.0L ford and it is night and day. I also get 4mpg better everyday driving and 3mpg better pulling.

I pull an 18.5' triton with my Jeep Wrangler, v6. No issues

A few years ago I drove a 4.8 in a crew cab for a week while my Tundra was in the body shop. That was the most gutless truck I've driven in a long time. I can't imagine you would be happy pulling any load.

DODGE, HEMI, thank me later.

get a 3.55 rear end and a hemi and pull a house down while kicking chevy gas mileage in the butt.

consider this too, gm just had to recall over a million vehicles due to some kind of major problem. some say it will cost them billions.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/recall-could-cost-gm-billions-103236847.html

I had 2010 4.8 and hated that gutless turtle. Stomp it and count 1, 2 before it even starts to move. Downright dangerous until you get used to it. Traded for a 2013 with 5.3 rocket. Day and night difference. Turtle vs rocket.