Good evening all, so looking to consolidate. Right now I have a 19 F150 as my daily driver and an LBZ as my tow rig. Looking to go to one vehicle that can do both. I'm looking at a low mileage 2022 Sierra 2500 AT4.

My question is, is anyone currently towing with a similar setup or have experience doing so? My trailer is about 6,000 lbs fully loaded and about 26ft long. We often go into the mountains for trips and really want something that just does the job that i dont have to worry about. Also considering a similar year F250. Would love to hear any feedback the group may have.

Thank you,

That trailer is not big; why not just pull it with the F-150?

Any HD pickup from any year will handle that thing effortlessly. You won't need the diesel but you may benefit from it due to the exhaust brake, availability of auxiliary fuel tanks, and ability to use big-rig pumps (although with a relatively short trailer the auto pumps are still an option).

To answer your question directly, yes, I used to pull a larger (31 feet / 10k lbs) travel trailer with my truck. Took it back and forth across the country twice and on many shorter trips; up and down long grades and on some extremely steep and twisty mountain roads -- some of them unpaved -- where I really had no business being; and through blizzard conditions over Wolf Creek Pass with chains on the truck. No problems, just profit.

 

Thank you for the input JD. I used to pull this same trailer with me F150 and while it was "ok" we're looking to do some longer trips now and wanting the stability of a 3/4 ton. Really like the look of the Sierra so I think that's where I'm leaning. Appreciate the feedback.

 

I am towing with a 22 AT4 coming from a chipped 03 7.4 4wd. My toy hauler weights maybe 7800 all in and another 400 in bed. Front load toy hauler so heavy tongue at maybe 1k. Truck pulls it very gracefully, honestly I think I would have been just as good off with the smaller DMax but I wanted some extra cushion. I was surpirsed how much better my setup towed thatn the 03 7.3. A lot has to do with the suspension and handling characteristics. Twisty country roads at speed limit are comfortable. All the grief with emission systems and other lifestyle of diesel consider if that is what you really need. My son's F150 EcoBoost would tow that 6800 regular and it handles it very well. I think his is a 17 with all the tow stuff package.

If you are OK with the cost, care and feeding of a diesel the Duramax,in my opinion, is a much better choice than the Dodge or Ford. Each truck has its merits and soft spots. From research the others may have more or less merits in certain areas but each have their own problem areas. With the Dmax I found no known issue areas. The 22 is a solid choice pricewise andbuild quality. Some did have some issue with them but nothing like the teething problems of the 24's. AT4 vs Denali, High Country- many of the AT4 came with the extra "stuff" package and has every much features as the Denali or HC except some stuff you don't want such as power running boards.

 

Thank you much. It's a big purchase that I really only want to do once so want to get it right (as right as I can anyway). Drove a few F250's and they seem quicker but not as planted as the Sierra which I like the stability. Appreciate your input.

 

All you need to do is look under the truck on a 3/4 ton and compare it to a 1/2 ton. brakes, suspension, axles.....there is no comparison. Sure the 1/2 ton will do it but with a lot more effort. I towed 5klb travel trailers with my f150 and it worked very hard to maintain 70 mph. It would do it but it labored quite hard......I liked the truck but there is no comparison to my 21 Dmax 2500. The extra ~3k lbs of weight really makes it feel stable and planted on the highway vs the 1/2 ton. I dont think one can justify the 3/4 diesel economically in most cases but if you can swing the cost, you will be impressed.

 

When I had my Duramax Yukon I considered towing with it and then I remembered how bad I thought the brakes were unloaded. 3/4 ton brakes alone make it worth it let alone the powertrain and stability. MPG is actually probably better with the bigger trucks under load too, since the engine isn't working that hard in comparison.

 

If you want comfort, and not have to worry about a thing towing what you have an AT4 HD is a great choice. You won't even know the trailer is back there. If you get the Duramax, you'll enjoy the exhaust brake on hills. It controls the weight very well.

 

I had a 28 ft 6600 pound trailer with a 2023 tundra and it pulled it well. We traded up to a 33 ft 8800 pound unit and went ok with the tundra but it was to close to max capacity. I now pull with a duramax at4 hd and it travels like there is no trailer.

 

I pulled my 6000lbs trailer with a 2017 Nissan Titan and have just upgraded to a 2024 3500 Duramax. While the Titan pulled the trailer well, it made it work pulling it through the BC mountains which, in turn, tuned my attention to what the truck was doing constantly. The new truck is a beast and pulls the TT without even thinking. It has made the driving experience much more pleasurable and way less stressful.
I keep my Duramax solely as a tow vehicle and I use a SUV for work and bomb around town vehicle.

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I pulled the trigger on a 2024 Sierra 2500 AT4 and ABSOLUTELY love it. Shortly after picking her up we did a 3200 mi round trip to Montana and with a 5,500 lbs trailer behind it we cruised. Appreciate everyone's feedback!!