We’ve got a Chevy Silverado LT in the Trail Boss trim. It has the 10-speed tranny that GM and Ford developed together (I think). The engine is the 5.3L V8. We were pulling a 30 foot travel trailer. Loaded weight was probably around 6,000ish pounds but that sail profile is no joke when the winds pick up.

I was a bit worried about power on the mountain passes, rear squat with the trailer (the Ranchos are solid for the truck but I don’t think towing is their strong suit), and definitely worried about transmission cooling.

I would absolutely love to have the 6.2L V8. However, I now must fully admit that desire is entirely because I am a V8 snob who would cold start that thing over and over just so I could stand around making Tim Taylor grunts. The 5.3L did not leave me wanting at any point on this trip. Acceleration and passing were never a problem and I always had more I could have coaxed out with added pressure on the gas pedal. It never felt like engine power was a limiting factor. Yes, I want the 6.2L… or even the supercharged 6.2L that is destined for the Bison trim... but the 5.3L is absolutely solid.

I have said it before but adding a weight distribution hitch is a game changer. Truck rode flat, sway never took me off track, I felt the wind but always felt in control of the vehicle. If you’re towing on freeways… or really more than neighborhood towing get yourself a properly installed anti-sway hitch. Had exactly the squat I’d want to keep weight on all four wheels. It gave the Ranchos the help they needed to keep the ride smooth and comfortable.

I watched the transmission heat anywhere I thought there could be trouble. A couple of spots took the temp to 200 but never above that. I still think I’d like to look into more robust cooling as I still think current design on this is a bit of a weakness for Silverados. But overall it never took me too high and stayed in normal temps regardless of terrain and weather.

Really the truck did as well as or better than I could have hoped for. While I have moments where I think a 2500 would be a better tool, especially when towing, this 1500 is doing the work really well. I’ve loaded the bed a few times and pushed it’s cargo limits. So far so good as a tow vehicle, as a YW/YM camp support truck, and as a weekender for projects or outdoor fun.