I have the same truck - it does indeed have the newer hitch and seems to be a better setup then the round tube pictures in previous hitch failures. I have enjoyed the truck thusfar, I picked it up last fall after Chevy sent me a invite to drive the 08' and gave me a owner loyalty deal and they had a Northeast promo package which gave me the steering wheel mounted controls, full DIC controls, auto 2 zone climate, 6 disc CD, auto start, etc.
I think you need to keep the weight under 10K to really be happy. My rig is about 7500lbs and I pulling the trailer with a Equal-i-zer hitch.
Michael 2 DD's and my DW 6 Acre's of Maine SunnyBrook 312 BHDS, 2009 Crossroads Cruiser CF31SB on order! Chevy Silverado 2500HD EXT. Cab LT 4X4 2007 Camping Pictures
I have a 04 2500 Dodge Hemi 3.73s and the 5spd auto. I get 7.5mpg with a 5000lb travel trailer. If i would of known we were buying a camper i would of got the 4.10s. The company i work for has 20 or more chey/gmc work trucks with 5.7s and 6.0s. They pull trailers daily and do preety well. Most have 4.10s.
i have the one in my sig and do just fine with around 9000# of TT.
tow rating on mine is 12000 on the hitch and 15300 for a 5'er
pulled in some hills(Mo,Ak(ozark area)) and had no probs at all.
MPG not the best but around what i had with a 350' 1500 express van and 1/2 the TT (8-10 towing/12-14 solo) but i don't have to be the 1st one there or the last to stop.(light foot)
hiway speed usually around 60(give/take a few) seems like the best speed for mileage-set the cruise, stick to the right, and let the 'packs' catch up, and pass then enjoy till the next pack
2004 silverado 2500HD crew cab 4x4 long bed 8.1L gas hog
2006 skyline nomad 3260 platium edition, prodigy, reese dual cam
1 very part time camping son and 3 full time camping, 4 legged fur balls
1 SU (spousal unit) who loves rv'in as much or more than me
I have a '04 Chevy 2500HD CC 2x4 with the 6.0, 4.10. I tow over 9000# probably close to 10,000 with no problem. Like others have said, you will notice on steep terrain that it slows down but don't feel bad about running at high rpms. The 6.0 can take it and makes its hp at high rpms. Enjoy your new truck.
8800 pounds is the most our trailer has weighed loaded with everything including a full fresh water tank, but our van with the same engine transmission and rear axle does just fine in OD pulling the TT on the highway.
Steep hills or strong headwinds and I lock in low 3 and don't beat on it.
Really steep highway grades, it will shift to 2 but I am no where near the slowest climbing them and it's not the temperature gauge that has issues, it's the gas gauge!
Well, thanks everybody for the great advice. There is good news and band news since my original posting. First, the bad news: GM called my dealer. My dealer then called me. Telling me that Since American Axel Mfg (AAM) has been on strike for over 6 weeks, GM exhausted their axels and drive shafts as of April 4th. GM basically depleted their inventory of axels for the Sierras and Silverados. GM told my dealer that my special order 6.0L gasser that was slated for production on April 14th, was now cancelled "until the stike is resolved by AAM."
So, not being a Ford or Dodge man (nuthn wrong with them It's just personal preference) and since my dealer checked the inventory of all dealers within the state and a 500mile radius, there were no Silverado 6.0L 4x4's with all of the options I wanted on it.
What to do....what to do..... I had to act because my special order trailer is ready for pick up. So, I just bit the bullet. I bought the Duramax/Allison Diesel. Not only did the dealer have EVERYTHING I wanted on it (4x4, Z71, locking rear differential, dual alternators, EZ lift tailgate, color, trailering heated mirrors, heavier suspension, trailering integrated brakes, added leaf springs, larger air-intake and larger radiator), but he had it in his inventory! The last one in the state!
Well, the good news is that I have a truck I've always wanted but the bad news is that the fuel price is killer (now $4.24/gal). I seriously gave it some thought about the fuel prices. If I were really really really loosing sleep over fuel, I probably would have purchased a Ford or Dodge. However, in the back of my mind, I would be saying, "that's not what I wanted."
I had to get what I wanted and that was a Chevy. My wife and I figured out that we could actually afford the high cost of diesel. The truck is not going to be used as an everyday commuter vehicle. That was never the intention regardless of the type of engine being used.
So, we're happy and at least I know that I can pull anything now when out camping. I used to have an old Ford Diesel over 20 years ago and always wanted one again. Fuel prices just held me back. Actually, I can say that I'm glad the AAM strike forced me to buy my dream truck.
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