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2017 Chevy as tow vehicle

wtmtnhiker
Explorer
Explorer
Hi all,
I'm looking at a 2017 Chevy Silverado half ton with a 5.3L engine and 3:32 ratio rear axle and 37k miles. I know it has plenty of pulling power for what I need but will it be a dependable vehicle? It has the Active Fuel management which I'm a bit leary of. Is this system reliable? Seems a little clunky to me. I'd like to hear from those of you who have actual ownership experience with and especially those of you who have been towing with one.

Thanks
bgbassman(bluegrass bass man)
21 REPLIES 21

bazar01
Explorer
Explorer
ktosv wrote:

I am not towing a large travel trailer but I would take my 3.08 equipped grocery getter over the towing 3.42’s any day unless I was going to be towing at the limits. On a recent non towing trip on two lane roads at 60mph I was pushing 29mpg. Memorial Day weekend with eight of us and a roof top carrier I was getting over 22mpg on the highway. I never saw those numbers with my 3.42 equipped Yukon XL. The Suburban also gets 2mpg better towing than the Yukon XL did.


I also have a 2018 Suburban Z71 (4WD) with the 3.42 diffs that gets about 22 mpg on long trips. When towing my 4500 lb travel trailer, i get about 12 mpg with the 6 speed tranny set to manual 5th so it stays on V8 all the time. I don't use the tow/haul on drive because it still shifts to 4 cylinder which is not good when towing.

wtmtnhiker
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks to all who replied. I did buy the 2017 Silverado 5.3. Will take my trailer out at the end of the month and see how it goes.
bgbassman(bluegrass bass man)

Thermoguy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Before the current truck, had a Yukon with the 5.3 and AFM. Ran great, no issues with the AFM or anything else. Sold it in 2014 with just shy of 100K. Did not tow with it, but since you are concerned about the AFM, I would say it is nothing to worry about.

ktosv
Explorer
Explorer
We had over 120k miles on our 2012 Yukon XL when we replaced it two years ago with the 2017 Suburban. No mechanical issues with the Yukon XL when we replaced it. The Suburban now has over 70k miles on it and again no mechanical issues.

When the AFM first came out there might have been some issues, but if you stay up on the maintenance there shouldn’t be any problems today. Other than a slightly different exhaust note the change from 8 to 4 cylinder and back is nearly unnoticeable in our Suburban.

I am not towing a large travel trailer but I would take my 3.08 equipped grocery getter over the towing 3.42’s any day unless I was going to be towing at the limits. On a recent non towing trip on two lane roads at 60mph I was pushing 29mpg. Memorial Day weekend with eight of us and a roof top carrier I was getting over 22mpg on the highway. I never saw those numbers with my 3.42 equipped Yukon XL. The Suburban also gets 2mpg better towing than the Yukon XL did.
Kevin and my...
Wife and six kids
2017 Suburban (5.3L/6A/3.08)
6x12 Enclosed Utility

Sold...2011 Express 3500 (6.0L/6A/3.42)
Sold...2010 Passport Ultra Lite 2910

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
bazar01 wrote:
I have a 2001 Suburban 1500, 5.3L 2WD, 3.73 rear end with 280k miles.
I tow a 18 ft, 4500 lb travel trailer 30% of the time.
Still shifts very smooth.
It's all about maintenance.
Rear end gear oil change every 50k miles. Synthetic 75W/90
Transmission fluid/filter change every 50k miles. Synthethic ATF.
Oil changes every 5k miles. Mobil 1 synthetic 5%/30


Literally a completely different drivetrain,save for engine long block is very simliar and the axles.
But I agree, 01s are good trucks.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

bazar01
Explorer
Explorer
I have a 2001 Suburban 1500, 5.3L 2WD, 3.73 rear end with 280k miles.
I tow a 18 ft, 4500 lb travel trailer 30% of the time.
Still shifts very smooth.
It's all about maintenance.
Rear end gear oil change every 50k miles. Synthetic 75W/90
Transmission fluid/filter change every 50k miles. Synthethic ATF.
Oil changes every 5k miles. Mobil 1 synthetic 5W/30

miltvill
Explorer
Explorer
Not sure about the new 5.3L but my DB has 256K on his 2000 chevy with a 5.3L which is his daily driver.
2020 GMC Denali\Duramax 3500HD Dually Crew Cab
Sold-Trail Cruiser TC23QB

APT
Explorer
Explorer
A quick search on Autotrader or Cars.com shows many 200k+ mile 5.3L. I have a 2011 6.0L which is the same engine design (minus AFM) with 125k trouble free miles. I expect another 125k if I choose to keep the vehicle that long.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

blt2ski
Moderator
Moderator
60k for shocks, brakes etc, sound normal from y 40 yr experience with GM rigs.
Granted most of mine have been 8 luggers, I get 150-200k miles over 10 years generally speaking with no major issues using in construction.
My son has an 05 4.8 with 130k no issues. My 2000 C2500 I use more like a half ton now, no issues other than 20 yr old sensors etc going haywire.....

Just remember, frontal area and aerodynamics of a trailer can effect performance towing etc more than weight. 25k lbs with 70 SQ ft of frontal area needs 135 HP to gon60 on a level. 15k lbs with 90 SQ ft of FA ALSO needs a whopping 135 HP.
Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
I have a 2016 5.3, 3.42 truck. It does well for what it is.
Yes, occasionally hook 10k plus and typically pull over Snoq or Chinook pass.
Reliably? Truck has 85k miles. Had it since new, only "early maintenance" has been shocks and struts around 60k. And brakes wore out about the same mileage. But this is a company truck, work truck so it gets used like a truck or at least for the first coup,e years it did.
Reliability? Trans went out at 60k under warranty. Torque converter something let loose which fouled the valve body. Warranty ended up replacing transmission, but the dealer was not too competent. Maybe due to how I used the truck but I think there was something wrong with the torque converter from new. It always had an odd shutter when taking off with a load.
We have a fleet of the same or similar trucks from 2016 up. Mostly all old body style. 4.8s and 5.3s. Many approaching 100k lime mine and no other major repairs that I'm aware of.
AFM is seamless and hasn't been a problem on the newer ones. Older trucks we've had issues with it.
I've driven some of our trucks that don't get "worked" hard and 60-80k they drive as tight as new. Mine drives great still too but I can tell the subtle differences of being worked.
I wouldn't hesitate getting one for your use, unless you're towing 50% of the miles or more maybe.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Grit_dog
Nomad III
Nomad III
eHoefler wrote:
Really not a towing vehicle, more like a grocery getter. High axle ratio will indicate a lower towing capacity.


Well that wasn't helpful, lol.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

wtmtnhiker
Explorer
Explorer
blt2ski wrote:
Most common AR is 3.43, next 3.08, very rare a a 3.73 behind that motor. I believe grit dog is pulling upwards of 10k with his work rigs. Granted equipment trailers vs an RV trailer.
Altho someone above commented on tall axle ratio, the 6 so auto has a 4.10 in first gear. So overall low is better than my C2500 with 4.10s in axel, and a supertall 2.48 in trans.
I personally would not worry about it. I've been looking at 4 3s with 3.23 in red, or 3.42 in 4wd. Not worried about it towing a 7000 lb trailer with a mini excavator.
Marty

Not so worried about towing. Looking for info on reliability and longevity from those who own one if there is anyone out there.
bgbassman(bluegrass bass man)

blt2ski
Moderator
Moderator
Most common AR is 3.43, next 3.08, very rare a a 3.73 behind that motor. I believe grit dog is pulling upwards of 10k with his work rigs. Granted equipment trailers vs an RV trailer.
Altho someone above commented on tall axle ratio, the 6 so auto has a 4.10 in first gear. So overall low is better than my C2500 with 4.10s in axel, and a supertall 2.48 in trans.
I personally would not worry about it. I've been looking at 4 3s with 3.23 in red, or 3.42 in 4wd. Not worried about it towing a 7000 lb trailer with a mini excavator.
Marty
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
2014 Chevy 1500 Dual cab 4x4
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer

wtmtnhiker
Explorer
Explorer
APT wrote:
Please recheck the axle ratio. If you are able to look at the sticker in the glove box for RPO codes, look for GU4 or GU6 which are most common.

The 5.3L has been around for over 20 years with refinements over the years. There are plenty of them with over 300k miles. GM's small blocks are some of the most reliable and cheap to maintain of any engines.


You're right sorry it's 3:42 ratio rear axle
bgbassman(bluegrass bass man)