Silverado SS or 2500?
10-07-2004, 11:01 PM
#13
The SS may not be a tire fryer in stock form, but it doesn't take much to wake it up. I'm more than pleased with mine. I tow a small trailer some with no problems. The all wheel drive setup is great in poor weather conditions. I'm amazed at how sure footed it is.
10-08-2004, 09:44 AM
#16
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I tow a max of about 5,000lbs with my SS. It's a older 24' travel trailer. It handles it well.
I'll never have enough power, but it's like any gasoline engine pulling on the highway.... downshifting out of OD/Lockup on hills, having a bit of a hard time holding 70mph up smaller hills in a headwind. (the huge brick shape of the trailer probably doesn't help)
Around town and at slower highway speeds, it's excellent. I'd have no problem pulling our trailer across the country right now.
One thing to note, I *NEEDED* to get a weight distributing hitch for the trailer. If you're pulling cars, where you can adjust the tongue weight, this might not be needed for you. With the travel trailer, I'm limited on how I can adjust TW.
Supposedly the SS uses the Z71 suspension, minus the 2" lift blocks above the axle. My old Avalanche, with it's butt way up in the air, handled the tongue-weight perfectly. The SS popped a wheelie. (front wheel wells higher off the ground than the rear). If it was a regular Z71 truck (with those lift blocks), the thing would have leveled out perfectly.
I have a Reese 800lb setup, and it works awesome.
I'll never have enough power, but it's like any gasoline engine pulling on the highway.... downshifting out of OD/Lockup on hills, having a bit of a hard time holding 70mph up smaller hills in a headwind. (the huge brick shape of the trailer probably doesn't help)
Around town and at slower highway speeds, it's excellent. I'd have no problem pulling our trailer across the country right now.
One thing to note, I *NEEDED* to get a weight distributing hitch for the trailer. If you're pulling cars, where you can adjust the tongue weight, this might not be needed for you. With the travel trailer, I'm limited on how I can adjust TW.
Supposedly the SS uses the Z71 suspension, minus the 2" lift blocks above the axle. My old Avalanche, with it's butt way up in the air, handled the tongue-weight perfectly. The SS popped a wheelie. (front wheel wells higher off the ground than the rear). If it was a regular Z71 truck (with those lift blocks), the thing would have leveled out perfectly.
I have a Reese 800lb setup, and it works awesome.
10-08-2004, 09:54 AM
#18
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This is great info guys. After i pick one up im going to be looking a tri y header to make for it to increase torque. I can leave anything stock 
10-08-2004, 10:19 AM
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I kinda just went through the same process. I was thinking about a 2500HD with the 6.0 or even the 8.1 BBC. Then I found a good year-end deal on a 2004 SSS and went for it. I am real happy with the truck and the LQ9 under the hood which evidence shows can gain another 30 HP just from tuning and maybe an aftermarket airbox or filter.
Mine will be getting some serious "intake" work soon in the form of a Radix.
Mine will be getting some serious "intake" work soon in the form of a Radix.