Towing boat with Chevy Silverado

[Wackyjig]

I have 308’s and my SIL has an 2018 Silverado with the 3.42’s and both pull a 21’ without any problems whatsoever. Listen, for the non believers, they’re Chevys, they’ll pull anything.

They'll pull anything, they just won't stop it!

[HOGIE]

standard gear on the current generation 1/2 ton is a 3.42. If you're talking a '13 or older, standard ratio was a 3.73.

[grayline]

The reason I traded my 13 Silverado was because it was HORRIBLE towing my Z7
It had 3:55 gears but it was a 6 speed 4.9 liter V8 it seemed to struggle and was always hunting for a different gear
Not towing anything it got around 19 mpg but towing it got 12 mpg.
My best friend bought a 15 with the Eco-tech V8 that drops cylinders on the highway it towed better than mine but he said while towing his boat on the interstate it never knew what mode it liked to be in it shifted in and out.. he traded last year for a Ram.

[PASCOFISHBOY]

2015 1500 5.3 Rally 2 4X4
puling 21TRX just fine no issues

[Rider99XX]

Any of them will pull a boat down the highway. It's those steep ramps and mountainous roads that will get ya.

I remember when most bass boats were pulled with cars. Guys pulled boats all over this country.

[Lape0019]

2013 Sierra with 5.3, 6 speed and 3.42. As mentioned above, it pulls just fine. But in my opinion, it means literally just fine. I had an F150 with 3.73 gears and it pulled way better. I don’t think I would even consider a gear ratio lower than 3.42 to pull anything of real weight.

[clearlake outdoors]

For a couple years gm didnt offer 3:73 in a half ton. the 3:42 pulls boats and loads up to about 6000 pounds just fine.
you could get 3:73 or 4:10 in a 2500

[richs]

No idea but just bought a 2018 Silverado LTZ and it pulls my 19TRX great. I am getting just over 15mpg according to the computer.

[BigSexyPhoenix]

standard gear on the current generation 1/2 ton is a 3.42. If you're talking a '13 or older, standard ratio was a 3.73.

I think 3.73 is only available with the max trailering package. 90 percent of GM trucks from about 08 til now will have 3.08 or 3.42.

[n2ratfishin]

The cars had frames and torque monster V-8’s in them compared to the cars of today. Plus most bass boats back then were of the 18’ varieties. I just made a pull to Florida with a Ram Laramie Longhorn dragging a huge 21’ Skeeter 21 FE/LE. While my little Ridgeline might handle that one around town once and a while. I’m not tackling a 1700 mile round trip pull with everything that can happen in that distance with it.

The big Ram handled it with ease. As would any full-size truck on the market today. As soon as we hit a parking lot with that rolling road block I remembered why I downsized. It was AWSOME, ABSOLUTYLY AWSOME on the water! And equally that much of a PITA to get stored in a tight hotel parking lot.

Thats is the third long trip I’ve taken in a Laramie Longhorn, I’ve taken several more in my FIL’s regular Longhorn Eco Diesel. Where Chevy used to be known as the comforttruck...go try a Ram.

[Maverick1988]

2017 chevy ltz 6.2 l believe 3.23 gears pulls without a problem

[BigSexyPhoenix]

Any of them will pull a boat down the highway. It's those steep ramps and mountainous roads that will get ya.

I remember when most bass boats were pulled with cars. Guys pulled boats all over this country.

Those cars were built like tanks. I had an 82 Oldsmobile and I think it would have pulled the wheels off of a Chevy 5.3.

[artdevilish]

I know in a ford the 3.73 is king for pulling. I couldn't get the 3.73 this year due to the package structure ford put out and have a 3.55 and it does pretty good, but not like the 3.73. I definitely wouldn't want a 3.15 for towing.

[Murph44]

I run a 2014 Silverado double cab 4*4 , with 3.42 , does great with my 2017 Triton 20 TRX Patriot..

[ClarkBird]

Look for a 6.2, 8spd trans and 3.42. Great combo.

[billius]

I've had 3-4 GM trucks with a 5.3 engine and 3:08 gears, they pull fine, never had any issues with them. My new to me truck is a 2017 Silverado 5.3 with 3:42 rear end. I've yet to pull my boat with it. I've had several different rear end gear ratio trucks, I really haven't noticed any difference from one ratio to another. I think unless you're drag racing while pulling your boat, gear ratio would never be a deal breaker to me.

[ifishinxs]

Newer trucks with 3.08 and six speed equates to the older trucks with a 4 speed and 3.73. The Newer trucks with the 3.42 equates to a 4.10.

My 2014 GMC 6 speed with the 3.08 pulls waaaay better than my 2007 Silverado 4 speed with 3.73.

[smalljawguy]

I've had 3-4 GM trucks with a 5.3 engine and 3:08 gears, they pull fine, never had any issues with them. My new to me truck is a 2017 Silverado 5.3 with 3:42 rear end. I've yet to pull my boat with it. I've had several different rear end gear ratio trucks, I really haven't noticed any difference from one ratio to another. I think unless you're drag racing while pulling your boat, gear ratio would never be a deal breaker to me.

Pretty much the same for me. My Titan has 2.94 gears and pulled my Champion 198 with ease. Never felt like it was struggling.

[n2ratfishin]

Newer trucks with 3.08 and six speed equates to the older trucks with a 4 speed and 3.73. The Newer trucks with the 3.42 equates to a 4.10.

My 2014 GMC 6 speed with the 3.08 pulls waaaay better than my 2007 Silverado 4 speed with 3.73.

Maybe in 4th gear they equate to those ratios? I remember reading all that when I went from my 2008 Avalanche with 3.73’s. You don’t get the abrupt downshifts with the newer transmission, but there is no longer a true 1-1 gear either. I’ve had several GM 3.73’s including a 6.0 with 3.73’s. And I’ve owned a 5.7 with 4.10’s. You might come close with the 6.2 and 3.42’s, no way with the 5.3.

I think you could pull most anything with that old 5.7 4.10 combo.

[Bassin Bob71]

Some of the information in this thread makes for good entertainment. I give you:

The reason I traded my 13 Silverado was because it was HORRIBLE towing my Z7
It had 3:55 gears but it was a 6 speed 4.9 liter V8 it seemed to struggle and was always hunting for a different gear
Not towing anything it got around 19 mpg but towing it got 12 mpg.
My best friend bought a 15 with the Eco-tech V8 that drops cylinders on the highway it towed better than mine but he said while towing his boat on the interstate it never knew what mode it liked to be in it shifted in and out.. he traded last year for a Ram.


GM has never offered 3.55 gears in a half ton truck nor a 4.9 liter V8. For the '15 truck, if its like my 15 6.2, unless you have DIC set on fuel mileage and are watching the V8/V4 indicator on the dash, you can never tell when it drops 4 cylinders.

Those cars were built like tanks. I had an 82 Oldsmobile and I think it would have pulled the wheels off of a Chevy 5.3.

Maybe you mean '72? My parents had a 82 Oldsmobile with the biggest engine they offered in 82.......a 140hp wheezing 307 V8. That thing wouldn't pull the hat off your head let alone outpull any truck.

Thanks for the entertainment though guys....its a fun read