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Giving this a bump! I've must've gone through this thread several times now, and lots of good info. Was def a fun read each time.
I recently got myself a towing rig! I pretty much consider it a basic gasser/bare bones as most here have really nice diesel/gas setups compared to mine. But it will get the job done for me.
03 Silverado Ext-Cab w/ 71 pckg and 4x4. (5.3L)
Got most of the general maintenance done to it already. For mods, will be looking at getting
-Tru-Cool Trans Cooler ( OEM one is so little )
-Tow Mirrors
-Purchasing my own car trailer ( likely a econo trailer )
Plan on having those done/purchased hopefully before the shootout this year as I'll be towing the Evo. The Trans-Cooler at minimum.
I think I've also settled on one. 2005 Suburban. I was thinking Tahoe at first, but gas mileage between the two are pretty similar. At least enough to justify the added room in the back. I wanted something enclosed to keep my track stuff safe at the motel. The bonus is I can take the family camping or a long road trip. The woman and I plan to do some overnighters at the beach, now that we have a place to crash. It's even the color I hoped for. I'm REALLY familiar with the failures of these trucks (I already have a replacement transmission for the dreaded 130k mile failure LOL) and other stuff ready to go, thanks to friends that own these and have collected parts.
I think I've also settled on one. 2005 Suburban. I was thinking Tahoe at first, but gas mileage between the two are pretty similar. At least enough to justify the added room in the back. I wanted something enclosed to keep my track stuff safe at the motel. The bonus is I can take the family camping or a long road trip. The woman and I plan to do some overnighters at the beach, now that we have a place to crash. It's even the color I hoped for. I'm REALLY familiar with the failures of these trucks (I already have a replacement transmission for the dreaded 130k mile failure LOL) and other stuff ready to go, thanks to friends that own these and have collected parts.
Nice! That should be pretty much the same power/drive-train my truck uses which is the 5.3 with the 4L60E trans. I've already towed once with my truck from VA to South FL and did very well. Trans temp got a bit up there (217F) in very steep towing, but a larger trans cooler was already ordered yesterday. Should help quite a bit.
Also ordered my first trailer which is the 15F Econo-Trailer! So excited, can't wait to take delivery of it!.
Nice! That should be pretty much the same power/drive-train my truck uses which is the 5.3 with the 4L60E trans. I've already towed once with my truck from VA to South FL and did very well. Trans temp got a bit up there (217F) in very steep towing, but a larger trans cooler was already ordered yesterday. Should help quite a bit.
Also ordered my first trailer which is the 15F Econo-Trailer! So excited, can't wait to take delivery of it!.
I borrowed a Tahoe with a similar setup and was impressed. My trailer is very light, so between that and the car, I couldn't even tell I had anything behind me. Seeing how handy it was to keep everything locked up at night (as opposed to stuffing it all in the car), I was sold. The Suburban was only after recommendation from a friend. He showed me MPG ratings, so then I was sold on that Having all the extra room in the back will be amazing. Instead of just a tow rig, I get a poor-man's RV, too haha. It was a no-brainer.
Oh... I did think about buying a van instead. I think that could have been even more useful, but then I remembered what it was like doing engine work on them. Nah.
love those 5.3's. if you baby them you can get 20-21mpg on the freeway yet they can tow a skidsteer. i had a 2006 and put a LOT of miles towing to races. Back then it was MTB so the trailer was a bit smaller though.
Originally Posted by Chrispy0530
Giving this a bump! I've must've gone through this thread several times now, and lots of good info. Was def a fun read each time.
I recently got myself a towing rig! I pretty much consider it a basic gasser/bare bones as most here have really nice diesel/gas setups compared to mine. But it will get the job done for me.
Sean's Raptor has the coolest PS on the block. And its got a catback exhaust so you know its special.
Wish I got to tow this season but sadly car is still apart. I did get to pickup my buddies evo and lend out my trailer to another buddy. I was happy to see after sitting outside all winter that the wiring I fixed last year is still working mint.
My tow rig is a 2014 RAM 1500 EcoDiesel 2WD. Towing my old wood deck 16' open trailer and my now 18' open center trailer with the Evo on it I get anywhere from 19 to 20 mpg towing at up to 71 mph on the Interstate. I have found that towing at any speed higher the MPG starts to drop. I personally don't think you can buy a better tow rig for an open trailer. Mine is capable of 31.5 mpg on my daily drive of mostly 45 mph highway as well so it makes for a great daily. I know guys that tow enclosed trailers with them, but for that job I would move up to the larger diesels.
Having all the extra room in the back will be amazing. Instead of just a tow rig, I get a poor-man's RV, too haha. It was a no-brainer. 
Paris to Dakar, my ride!
