1/2 ton truck isn't cutting it

[chukarchaser]

My 2001 Silverado with tow package is fine until I get into long climbs or mountains. So looking into a 3/4 ton gasser. I only drive 10,000 miles a year so don't need a diesel. Anyone have input that has bought what I am looking for lately

[lrrowe]

What weight are you pulling?

[Gonefishin]

You might look at a newer 1/2 ton, as the newer engines just have more pull, power, or whatever you want to call it. The difference between my 2003 F-150, and my recent 2011 and current 2014 are night and day. All 3 had/have the 5.4 v-8. Better mileage on the new ones too. The newer ones don't slow down anywhere. Boise to Missoula? Easy. Sun Valley to Stanley? Zip right over. Missoula to Salmon? Speed limit all the way. I don't even consider terrain any more when choosing my route.

So, find yourself a 2011-current F-150 with the 5.4 V-8. On a side note, did you ever put a Dickinson in your trailer? Gotta love 'em this time of year!

[NO David!]

Gonefishin, as usual has posted wise and accurate advice, but I have struggled with this same issue.

I'm a Ford guy, but if you have the Vortec 5.3L in your truck, you still have one of the most capable motors for the era. If the truck is still good, consider changing gears in the differential. Use this calculator, plug in your tire size, target your max torque RPM at speed for your engine and choose the closest gear that will get you there when towing in Drive (3rd). Let the small block run when you get to the hills, it will handle it.
http://vexer.com/automotive-tools/speed-rpm-calculator

I pull a 7x16 tandem with my anemic 5.8L 1995 Ford Van and 3.55 gears. An upgrade to 4.10 would make a big difference in the hills. For now, I just slow down a little, and do pretty well. I have way less HP and torque than you, It would be great to have that power on tap, and a gear change is a night/day difference in using the torque you have available. If it is a ride/tongue weight issue, there are several fixes for that. You list two propane bottles, and an extended tongue, which might give a 1/2 ton reason to complain, especially if the bed is holding a lot of stuff, but I'm sure you already know about this.

If you really want a new truck, then my top choice these days is believe it or not, a Ram 6.4 gas Tradesman 2500 package. Most truck for towing for the least money, a good read on a diesel owner that switched to a Ram 6.4L gas here:
https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27567786.cfm

Since I'm so frugal (cheap), I'm probably going to do the gear swap and keep on rolling with no payments.

Good Luck

[NO David!]

I really like the 5.4L as well, I read where many folks don't like to let it rev while towing in the hills. The modular motors love to work and generate HP and torque at much higher RPMs than we all are used to, so let it sing and do the work.

Here's an example of the new Ram from our neck of the woods, 6.4, 4x4, crew, towing package, etc.
http://www.jamesonealchryslerdodgejeep.com/new/Ram/2015-Ram-2500-bremen-atlanta-dd2747540a0a000261e288bd830e24d5.htm

For those of us who play with gears purely speculating:
A 5.3L makes 285HP @ 5,200 rpm and 325 ft lbs. torque @ 4,000 rpm. Most would suggest ideal towing (working in the hills) would be near or above 4,000 rpm (max torque) in whatever gear you were in.

To get that in drive, at 65 MPH with 235/17/16 tires and a 4L60E trans, you would need at least 4.10 gears (and then you would only be at ~ 3,200 rpms). Pull into 2nd drop the speed to 52 mph with a 4.10 and then your at ~ 4,100 rpms, right at max torque, and your engine should be pretty happy pulling the load.

If you're interested, you can play with the numbers on the calculator posted above, It was a real eye opener for me. and lots of fun as you can guess. I had no idea I was missing the max torque mark so much in my van, I now tow most of the time out of overdrive, (for rpms with 3.55 gears, in addition to conserving the trans), right under 65 mph (near my max torque number) quit worrying about gas mileage, since I'm really pulling a barn door down the road behind me anyway, and enjoy the ride. It made a huge difference for me.

4L60E gearing:
Gear ratios:
1 2 3 4 R
3.059 1.625 1.000 0.696 2.29

GM sticker codes
GU4 is a 3.08
GU5 is a 3.23
GU6 is a 3.42
GT4 is a 3.73
GT5 is a 4.10

More than you asked for, but I'm for fixing what you have if it is still in good condition and meets all your other needs.

[MtnDon]

My 2001 Silverado with tow package is fine until I get into long climbs or mountains.

What mountains are we talking about? Eastern US or western US? There is a world of difference .

How much load is being pulled? And what engine/transmission in the TV?

Hard to know what to recommend without knowing the equipment and the location.

[chukarchaser]

I am going to go with the 3/4 ton gasser regardless of what my current truck is. Western mountains or eastern mountains I am covered with the 3/4 ton

[chukarchaser]

Gonefishin
Yes I put the larger Dickinson heater in 2 years ago. It's a workhorse. Salmon Idaho is on my shortlist to retire to. You familiar with Orofino? It's at the top of my list

[Steve 70]

I had a 2012 Silverado with 5.3L V8 with a 3:42 rear end. I was pulling a 7000 lb Diamond Cargo trailer. Within 30 minutes of pulling this trailer on I 64 in eastern Kentucky, the trans temp had reached 208. Knowing the plan was to pull this trailer to Florida, I traded for a 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD with the 6.0 L gas engine. Simply put, Jelico Mountain at 65 with cruise on. No problem.

[Gonefishin]

Gonefishin
Yes I put the larger Dickinson heater in 2 years ago. Is a workhorse. Salmon Idaho is on my shortlist to retire to. You familiar with Orofino? It's at the top of my list

Orofino? Steelhead. The river. Gorgeous. Very "livable." Wait, nobody go there, its cold and isolated. Way too far out of the way. Ya, get all the power you can stand, you'll never regret having too much towing capacity or power, especially roaming around the Sawtooths and vicinity.

You may already have found this out, but I just discovered I can turn the fuel level anywhere I want on my Dickinson, it doesn't have to be in either the high or the low position. I checked with them and they said it was still perfectly safe, and it would shut off if it lost flame. So, the Dickinsons do have variable heat! I have been turning mine down to just a tiny little flame this fall, it doesn't roast me out and the prop. lasts longer.