GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

[mnypitboat]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

I wont get into who is best. I will give you my experiance. I currently have a 05 Trailblazer with a 5.3 DOD with a 4L60E transmission. Not one problem ever. Tows my 5k boat without issue at all. I had a very slight sway on the highway, but fixed it with a WD hitch.

I have owned a 06 Suburban 3/4 ton 4x4(454, 480LE, beast), a 99 Silverado Z71 with a 5.3l, 96 GMC Yukon 4x4(5.7l), 99 Lincoln Navigator, 06 Navigator MK LT, and several others.

No problems with any of the GM vehicles at all, and all were nearing 200k when I got them. The 99 Navigator was a great tow vehicle, but I think I had a lemon. It was terrible. I had to replace 7 of the 8 coil packs at diffferant times, and at about 50k we has to put a transmission in it. The MK LT is actually my Dad's. It hasnt had any problems, but it really struggles to tow my boat. When I say struggle, I mean it is really bad. Strange because it has the 5.4l, just like my 99 had and it does not seem to be up to the task like mine did.

Now my buddy has an 07 Avelanche. Transmission at 60k, but otherwise is strong at 120k. Another buddy has a Tundra. Great vehicle, lots of power, and no problems at all at 135k. Its just ugly and boring. Buddy had a Ram back in 99 and it was in the shop constantly for various issues, including 4 transmissions under warranty, and he sold it the day the warranty ran out and bought a Silverado.

Personally, I love the Trailblazer EXT with the 5.3. Great gas mileage with the DOD, and has lots of room inside. Now that the wife isnt driving it anymore as her DD, I just leave all the boating gear in it. It is a shame GM stopped making that platform. Now the only thing in a small SUV that will tow my boat is the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the top end Overland package with a towing package. And it is a very short wheelbase, I am thinking it will not tow anywhere near as nice as the TB.

Anyway, that has been my experiance. When I was a kid, we used to tow 30ft travel trailers in the 70s with a 69 Chrysler Newport, so there ya go.

 

[jkust]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

I I currently have a 05 Trailblazer with a 5.3 DOD with a 4L60E transmission. Not one problem ever. Tows my 5k boat without issue at all. I had a very slight sway on the highway, but fixed it with a WD hitch.

I'd be hard pressed to find a more capable body on frame suv with a nice sized v8 than a Trailblazer SWB or EXT or the similar cousins. I'd venture they are the best bang for the buck out there. It's a wonder why you can be in a traffic line with a half dozen of them...they are the answer to the need for a decent tow vehicle but not pay decent tow vehicle money. Only downside is you need an 06 and above to get stability control to mitigate rollover risk.

 

[palace]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

We are considering upgrading to a 22-24 footer open bow. I want to get a tow vehicle before I get serious about the upgrade. Towing right now with 2006 Caddy SRX, 4.6 NorthStar. I can load up the bayliner with my gear and tow up hills to Lake Powell no problems. Ran fine to Lake Mead two years ago. Would just like to have 4WD so I can launch any where. Appreciate everyones input. I am leaning towards 2500 gasser. Thanks!!!!! Working on getting this old bod in shape for a great season of sking.

You say a 19 foot Bayliner? You need very little to tow that boat. I tend to go GM because I like to keep as much money as possible and spend as little as possible. GM's are great for massive depreciation but very capable. My current daily driver GM built SUV with a 5.3 liter v8 with displacement on demand, AWD, 3.73 rear end, LSD rear end (G86 not G80 locker), 2 tone french stitched, heated Leather, Factory Nav, Rear TV plus Factory HID headlights with built in washers, Stabilitrac, Rollover airbags and every other option on the list you could buy retailed at 49k...I got it 4 years old for $13,500 with 55,000 miles as a one owner in perfect shape 2 years ago and haven't spent a red cent on it. It would be newsworthy to get a better deal than that. It looks like I'm living large but I'm just frugal. The equivalent Toyota, Dodge, Ford or whatever would have never been been attainable for such a low price yet it tows just fine. The 5.3 is a sort of mid level engine for HP and TQ but it does the job good. Regardless you could easily get by with a 6 cylinder with a body on frame suv or even several of the crossovers available.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

I'd be hard pressed to find a more capable body on frame suv with a nice sized v8 than a Trailblazer SWB or EXT or the similar cousins. I'd venture they are the best bang for the buck out there. It's a wonder why you can be in a traffic line with a half dozen of them...they are the answer to the need for a decent tow vehicle but not pay decent tow vehicle money. Only downside is you need an 06 and above to get stability control to mitigate rollover risk.

I dont see a real roll over risk. I have an 05 and have never been in a situation where this was a problem, and I dont exactly drive it easy.

 

[T_Herrod]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

I work as a mechanic for a company that has a lot of ford pickups with the 6.0L engine in them. These engines have more issues than you can count. Avoid them at all costs.

 

[jkust]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

I dont see a real roll over risk. I have an 05 and have never been in a situation where this was a problem, and I dont exactly drive it easy.

My wife rolled hers on the highway a few years back 2.5 times with kids inside on a patch of icy highway. Of course it was completely demolished as you see in rollover situations and their seatbelts saved them. It was a SWB Rainier (Trailblazer clone for the uninitiated) with a 5.3, AWD and G80 rear locker. While the intent of the unusual oil pan set up in this platform is a lower center of gravity on the Trailblazer and cousins like the Rainier...they still roll over with ultimate ease without stability control. You wouldn't believe how easily it rolled. The Stabilitrac doesn't allow you to either over correct as in an emergency maneuver on dry pavement for instance or get sideways to get into the position to roll when on ice. I know since I try to beat the system every day on the ice here in MN for fun. The difference between the Rainier with and without the stability control is like a pro hockey skater compared to a first time on skates child...it is that big a deal on ice or in an over correct situation. While in icy conditions you will notice it ever single day in minor ways...in Florida you won't know you need it until you do. It is like a bike helmet...you never need it until you do. One of my biker buddies has had his life saved twice on his bicycle by his helmet yet I know others that have never been in such a situation.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

My wife rolled hers on the highway a few years back 2.5 times with kids inside on a patch of icy highway. Of course it was completely demolished as you see in rollover situations and their seatbelts saved them. It was a SWB Rainier (Trailblazer clone for the uninitiated) with a 5.3, AWD and G80 rear locker. While the intent of the unusual oil pan set up in this platform is a lower center of gravity on the Trailblazer and cousins like the Rainier...they still roll over with ultimate ease without stability control. You wouldn't believe how easily it rolled. The Stabilitrac doesn't allow you to either over correct as in an emergency maneuver on dry pavement for instance or get sideways to get into the position to roll when on ice. I know since I try to beat the system every day on the ice here in MN for fun. The difference between the Rainier with and without the stability control is like a pro hockey skater compared to a first time on skates child...it is that big a deal on ice or in an over correct situation. While in icy conditions you will notice it ever single day in minor ways...in Florida you won't know you need it until you do. It is like a bike helmet...you never need it until you do. One of my biker buddies has had his life saved twice on his bicycle by his helmet yet I know others that have never been in such a situation.

Ice? Whats that?

 

[jkust]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

Ice? Whats that?

I know you don't have ice there but you can have overcorrections which are worse since you never know when it's gonna happen. Pull up some youtube videos of what the system is capable of...it is truly amazing. I couldn't believe it back when I got my first suv that had the system to replace her Rainier. It's like magic.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

I know you don't have ice there but you can have overcorrections which are worse since you never know when it's gonna happen. Pull up some youtube videos of what the system is capable of...it is truly amazing. I couldn't believe it back when I got my first suv that had the system to replace her Rainier. It's like magic.

I wonder how we ever survived the first 100 years of cars and trucks?

 

[littlerayray]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

honestly if i could i would disable my abs brakes my traction control and all that other safety junk when i drive i shut off the traction control in my vehicles
i like to play on ice
nothing is more amazing then getting my truck to go over 1km sideways down a straight road

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

like its been said your rig isnt that heavy im a gm guy
if you want tons of power go with ram. but you will be paying big bucks at the pumps.
if you want fuel economy go with either gm or ford.
gm 5.3litre v8's shut down four cylinders when not underload.
and the f150 eco boost is great on gas but you are stuck with 6 cylinders.
my boat weighs in at just under 3000lbs, with the trailer and i dont even notice it behind the truck when im pulling
and i have a 2008 gmc sierra slt with the 5.3litre.

and the f150 eco boost is great on gas but you are stuck with 6 cylinders.

I will be the first to admit i did not like the ideal of Ford's ecoboost and that is coming from a ford salesperson since 1991. Until you get behind one of those engine's pulling weight and heavy weight...6-9000 lbs you cant really appreciate just how strong they are. Frankly it is my opinion they are or will make more of a impact than the 7.3 powerstroke. It took the 7.3 a few years to gain overall acceptance watch that engine close its unreal...

Now i can tell you that they have been playing with the 5.0 and ecoboosting..... If released into a truck it would be stunning to say the least. Think 5 by 5....500hp and 500ft lbs of tourqe

 

[jkust]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

honestly if i could i would disable my abs brakes my traction control and all that other safety junk when i drive i shut off the traction control in my vehicles
i like to play on ice
nothing is more amazing then getting my truck to go over 1km sideways down a straight road

GM suv's and likely all the others allow you switch off all of the safety systems with a button. Of course you can't shut abs off. I shut it off to play on the ice as well.

 

[jkust]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

I wonder how we ever survived the first 100 years of cars and trucks?

I don't know the answer...I suppose you would need to attempt to ask the people who didn't? I'm thinking you are my 12 year old punking me with that response.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

for those of you who dont get icy roads let me tell you they are either a drivers playground or a drivers nightmare.
i laugh at those who cant drive in crappy weather or are afraid to because it shows their lack of skill and nerve

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

i laugh at those who cant drive in crappy weather or are afraid to because it shows their lack of skill and nerve

I guess I would have to disagree. It may be true sometimes. But, more times than not the "lack of skill" is because of the persons location. Those of us who live in the northwoods have been driving in icy/snowy conditions for many years and many months per year. Those in the southern states, not so much.

 

[jkust]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

for those of you who dont get icy roads let me tell you they are either a drivers playground or a drivers nightmare.
i laugh at those who cant drive in crappy weather or are afraid to because it shows their lack of skill and nerve

I don't laugh at them they just haven't been driving in it since before front wheel drive like we have in the north. Black ice unfortunately isn't a playground and is more of a nightmare. Think about when a southern state gets an inch or two of snow and all hell breaks loose. That like me saying I laugh at those that can't ski double black diamond runs out west. When I drove rwd back in the day, there were also far fewer cars on the road here and there were no foreigners from sub saharan countries clogging up the roads with zero experience driving much less in the snow. Think about the rwd, open differential, no ABS, no seatbelt wearing, no onstar, no traction control, bad handling cars we used to drive.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

Yeah, throw a little weight in the trunk, slap the snow tires on(studded) and away we went.....

 

[jkust]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

Yeah, throw a little weight in the trunk, slap the snow tires on(studded) and away we went.....

I remember if you stopped for a light and it was a slight uphill and was glare ice...you'd just sit and spin with the one wheel wonder. It's been so long I can hardly remember pushing cars out of snow drifts. There was hardly a redeaming quality about any of those cars.

 

[littlerayray]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

i miss those days honestly
that is how my dad taught me how to drive in the winter he found an empty icy parking lot told me to lose control and get it back under
if it werent for that practice i wouldnt be as good as i am today when it comes to ice

 

[jkust]

Re: GMC Sierra 1500, RAM 1500 or who is the best?

i miss those days honestly
that is how my dad taught me how to drive in the winter he found an empty icy parking lot told me to lose control and get it back under
if it werent for that practice i wouldnt be as good as i am today when it comes to ice

Agreed, driving in the worst conditions is just second nature...like driving with a trailer attached. It was actually hard to get used to the fact the car no longer allows you to lose control unless you shut the systems off. I remember test driving suv's and the sales guy would tell you to floor it around the corner (in January) and it was like magic. Bet it's going to be like spell check how people don't need to know how to spell any longer since it autocorrects it as you type. Kids won't even have a clue how to handle a car on ice.