Which year/model GM truck/suv should I stay away from?
 

I can't get an idea of a pickup truck out of my head and it finally feels like the stars have aligned for me to get one. I'm interested in swapping my Jeep and Camry for a GM pickup truck but I'd probably be okay with an SUV if it had a trailer hitch and could tow a car. I know that the motors had slight changes to them depending on the years but I'm not sure which ones have been known to have problems. Which year vehicles should I be primarily looking for? I don't mind getting an older truck but I don't want a car payment so newer trucks are out.

My maximum budget at the moment is 15k and I'm also interested in the Tundra if you have any experience with them.

Duramax

Don't Toyota frames still have rust/flex issues?

I think any GM 1500 series truck with a 5.3 or 6.0 is a safe bet.

6.0 PSD

I haven't looked into Tundra's that much but I do know that there are several on original motors with 1,000,000 miles. I also know that doing routine repairs on them can be a huge pain in the ass.

How stupid would it be to get a 4.8 4x4 RCSB to tow a car with?

How regularly? 4.8 4 spd is not a great setup, at least get the 6 speed. I have a 4.8 / 4 spd van and it's a dog. 6 speed livens it up but if you're going to tow much more than once in a while get a 5.3

anything in a 1500 is not ideal to tow a car with, it will work but isn't a lot of fun. If you do go 1500, get a 5.3 at minimum

Don't you have a truck for sale?

I'm thinking the 2005-2006 might have had engine problems with the 5.3 or 6.0. My cousin's truck had engine failure so I'll check with him to see what year it was. I've had several RCSB trucks with the 5.3 and A4 with 3.73 gears and they had plenty of power. The best option would be the 90-93 454 SS pickups which had a 9000 lb or higher rating I think. But they get 10-11 mpg.

I feel like a little fishing boat vs a 3600# car + trailer isn’t the same :lol:

bet.

The body has a nice patina to it but the drive train is solid.

Absolutely.

It can be done, but it ain't ideal.

Bet.

That boat is closer to the car than you think. But I wasn't comparing a boat to a car, those trucks have plenty of power to tow with. The short wheelbase will probably scare people but realistically, how many times are you going to be towing the car/trailer?

I may know of an 07 silverado 2500 gasser for sale soon if youre looking

Nonsense poopy pants!!!! :rofl:

I care more about the brakes and suspension, personally. He’ll just have to see what the tow rating is on the specific vehicle he is looking at.

you wouldn't need a diesel if your car didn't weight as much as a house :bertstare:

See above.

Anything can and will pull a car/trailer, I just worry more about stopping it.

Trailer brakes

I definitely saw a white C7 corvette towing a freakin boat on a trailer just last week. I did not have time to get my phone out and snap a photo because it was coming towards me in the oncoming lane of traffic. it was bizzarre to see that.

I skipped on the RCSB even though they are my favorite. I'll look for a 6.0.

a 6.0 likely means a 2500. you towing a lot or far on a regular basis? if so what are you towing? what trailer? my 5.3/A6 avalanche towed my Z on a steel trailer to the middle of PA, hills and all, no problems. integrated brake controller and the trailer setting that alters shift points worked great.

My 07 1500 5.3 towed my camaro and trans am (not at the same time) up to my new house in the mountains with no issues on a uhaul trailer. I would want trailer brakes if I got my own trailer.

Its not a GM, but my ram tows my steel full deck trailer with no issues at all. Ive had everything from a miata to a huge caddy on it and no issues at all.

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