$10K Question ...... Literally!

[Diamondpilot]

My first tow vehicle was a '90 F150 with the 4.9 six and 3.08 gears, the factory tow rating was 5,000 pounds and after I added a secondary trans cooler, a Flowmaster cat-back exhaust system, and a secondary cooling fan in front of the radiator, it did respectably well at towing a 6400 pound loaded TT. I never really needed more power, and it would stop the combo okay, yet I always babied the truck because it was over the tow rating.

Upgraded to a 3/4 ton Yukon XL, the peace of mind not having to worry about breaking something made towing a lot more fun...I don't think I would ever be comfortable towing a near 3 ton load with a half ton truck again. Odds are, down the road, your friend will want to haul more than the 5,500 pounds you mention. If that is a remote possibility, get a 3/4 ton chassis vehicle. Just my nickle's worth.

I respect what you are saying but comparing a 1990's truck with 1970's technology is not even close when comparing a Mid-2000's era truck. The improvements between my 2002 and 2007 F-150 were night and day for example.

I would venture to say a 1/2 ton made by any manufacture 2007 or later is more truck then the best gas 3/4 ton made ten years earlier in 1997.

Chris

 

[MikePA]

are you telling us that GM put the trans sensor, wiring, etc in your Silverado and all you had to do was buy the dash cluster to have the temp gage operational? Thats something I am sure a lot of owners wish they knew.

Yes, all the wiring is there, just change the instrument cluster and you have a dash with the tran temp gauge. I am looking for the place I bought it from. I had to FAX him my mileage, he put that into the refurbed cluster. He also loaded the latest code into the cluster so the message center was up to date. Not that big a deal, but it was a nice touch. You had to pay double for the cluster and got a credit when he received mine. I used the same box to send mine back. You could also opt for different styles, e.g., SS, black on white, Denali gauges, etc.

EDIT: Look for digital_dash_solutions on eBay.

Basic repair starts at $90.00 (includes 1 gauge stepper motor only)....

$50 additional to replace all gauge stepper motors.
$10 additional to replace all back lighting bulbs.
$15 return S&H.
$5.00 shipping insurance.
$170.00 Total for a full rebuild with shipping insurance.

Additional options that can be added to your cluster (full size trucks only, with full rebuild service only)....

$30 additional to add a transmission temperature gauge.
$50 additional to convert to the SS style (includes trans temp gauge).
$50 additional to convert to the Denali style (includes trans temp gauge).
$80 additional to convert to the Escalade style (includes trans temp gauge).

$70 for mileage correction if needed. Fill out this ODOMETER DISCLAIMER and include it with the cluster.

 

[JDgreen227]

Yes, all the wiring is there, just change the instrument cluster and you have a dash with the tran temp gauge. I am looking for the place I bought it from. I had to FAX him my mileage, he put that into the refurbed cluster. He also loaded the latest code into the cluster so the message center was up to date. Not that big a deal, but it was a nice touch. You had to pay double for the cluster and got a credit when he received mine. I used the same box to send mine back. You could also opt for different styles, e.g., SS, black on white, Denali gauges, etc.

Thanks for info, I don't need to do anything but to me if GM went to all the expense to install sensor, wiring, etc, in the half ton trucks why not just spend another $8 to $10 and install the trans temp gauge...on a $35 grand truck what's another ten bucks? Makes me wonder.

 

[JDgreen227]

I respect what you are saying but comparing a 1990's truck with 1970's technology is not even close when comparing a Mid-2000's era truck. The improvements between my 2002 and 2007 F-150 were night and day for example.

I would venture to say a 1/2 ton made by any manufacture 2007 or later is more truck then the best gas 3/4 ton made ten years earlier in 1997.

Chris

Good point there, I will agree.

 

[MikePA]

Thanks for info, I don't need to do anything but to me if GM went to all the expense to install sensor, wiring, etc, in the half ton trucks why not just spend another $8 to $10 and install the trans temp gauge...on a $35 grand truck what's another ten bucks? Makes me wonder.

I agree. When you add in the fact there are 2 part numbers for the 2 instrument clusters, you'd think it'd be easier and cheaper just to include the tran temp gauge.

 

[Maxamillion]

I have pulled four horse 27 foot gooseneck trailer with a 1998 Chevy 1500 pick-up. It had a 350 vortec and 3.73 gears. I installed Firestone air bags in the pick-up so it was level when I hooked up to trailer. Around here in North Dakota in the flats it did fine with the load, going 55 or 60, and made sure the brake control worked good.

I now have 2006 Chevy 2500 HD with the 6.0 and it pulls great, I feel the load is more stable with the 2500, but the 1500 did a good job pulling. If she is only going to be pulling a two or three horse then I think a half ton will be fine, but a 3/4 ton will better. Just my two cents.

 

[deerefan]

I have pulled four horse 27 foot gooseneck trailer with a 1998 Chevy 1500 pick-up. It had a 350 vortec and 3.73 gears. I installed Firestone air bags in the pick-up so it was level when I hooked up to trailer. Around here in North Dakota in the flats it did fine with the load, going 55 or 60, and made sure the brake control worked good.

I now have 2006 Chevy 2500 HD with the 6.0 and it pulls great, I feel the load is more stable with the 2500, but the 1500 did a good job pulling. If she is only going to be pulling a two or three horse then I think a half ton will be fine, but a 3/4 ton will better. Just my two cents.

Holy smokes that is a big trailer for a 1/2 ton truck. How bad did it sag without the air bags?

 

[Haoleguy]

Many thanks guys. I have a good handle on what to look for in a Ford and the ford150.net - Ford cars Resources and Information. site gives good specifications for all recent years from 2000. One question I have does the factory tow package include transmission cooler, wiring(lights, brake, extra battery), and hitch? Is it worth getting this upfront in the truck purchase? Also can someone provide me an idea of what to look for in Dodge and Chevy/GMC 1500 trucks or better yet what not to look for. Any Dodge/GM sites with tow specifications to the year and motor/axel ratio combinations?......Thank you, Gary

 

[Diamondpilot]

In general a tow package includes the hitch, wiring, larger battery and alternator some times, larger tranny cooler, larger power steering cooler some times, ect. It has no reflect on the gearing. For example you can get truck X with a 3.08 gear, 3.42 gear, or a 3.73 gear. The tow rating for each will be very different. The 3.08 may be 6,500#, the 3.42 may be 7,500#, and the 3.73 may be 9,500#.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

[dusty3030]

I agree any decent later model 1/2 ton would do her fine. I pull with a 2004 1/2 ton 4wd Silverado a 3 horse slant with two horses and tack regularly.
One question, how does her trailer pull and lay out?
I've got a 3 horse slant load bumper pull with tack room. I got lucky that it is an extremely balanced, easy pulling trailer, even though it is on the heavy side for what it is. I only pull two horses at a time, but I put my fat girl in the middle section over the axles and it pulls level with no need for sway control or weight distribution.
The same amount of weight on my big utility trailer that is about the same overall length and I don't feel good about getting on the interstate without WD hitch bars on it just because it's a little tounge heavy to begin with.

Biggest thing to help her out would be to make sure she puts in a top notch brake controller and her trailer is in good shape (tires, bearings, brakes, hitch, etc.)