TwinDuro
Well-known member
@phsycle I know the AFM issues are not to be overlooked, but figured I'd share my experience helping my brother buy a newer, lower mileage used truck since it's in the same wheelhouse as some of the trucks you're looking at.
He tows a Grand Design 2600RB travel trailer fairly regularly (29ft long, 5800lbs unloaded, 7800lbs GVWR on the trailer) and was looking at F-150s and Silverado 1500s mainly. He went back and forth between a 1500 and 2500HD truck (a Silverado 2500HD with a 6.0 or a F250 with a 6.2 gasser) but decided that in the end, for his and his significant others uses, a max towing/payload package 1/2 ton made more sense 90% of the time. We then narrowed the hunt for a 2014-up F-150 with the max tow package and either a 3.5L or 5.0L or a Silverado 1500 with the NHT (max tow package) option and either the 5.3 or 6.2 V8.
After a long and exhaustive search, I ended up finding them a 2015 Silverado LT 1500 4x4 double cab with the 5.3, 6-speed auto, NHT/Max Trailering package with all the options they wanted (its definitely not a base model) with 25k miles in the mid $20k range from a dealer in a nearby state. The max towing capacity is 11,000lbs, the max combined trailer/vehicle weight rating is 16,700lbs and the payload is 2,270lbs. It has the 9.6" rear axle with a G80.
I know you don't trailer/tow, but some of the upgrades in the max-towing/payload/trailering packages in both the Ford and Chevy/GMC (I'm not schooled up on the dodges unfortunately) are ideal for someone who spends more time off-pavement: lower gear ratios, slightly heavier springs, heavy duty cooling etc. The tow mirrors are an added plus too. Just something to look into.
So far the truck has worked great for them, rides really nice (despite the heavier springs) and regularly returns 20+ mph highway. One 700 mile round trip I went with them and they broke (just barley) 25mpg unloaded driving 70-75mph, I was impressed.
Lots of options here, so best of luck!
He tows a Grand Design 2600RB travel trailer fairly regularly (29ft long, 5800lbs unloaded, 7800lbs GVWR on the trailer) and was looking at F-150s and Silverado 1500s mainly. He went back and forth between a 1500 and 2500HD truck (a Silverado 2500HD with a 6.0 or a F250 with a 6.2 gasser) but decided that in the end, for his and his significant others uses, a max towing/payload package 1/2 ton made more sense 90% of the time. We then narrowed the hunt for a 2014-up F-150 with the max tow package and either a 3.5L or 5.0L or a Silverado 1500 with the NHT (max tow package) option and either the 5.3 or 6.2 V8.
After a long and exhaustive search, I ended up finding them a 2015 Silverado LT 1500 4x4 double cab with the 5.3, 6-speed auto, NHT/Max Trailering package with all the options they wanted (its definitely not a base model) with 25k miles in the mid $20k range from a dealer in a nearby state. The max towing capacity is 11,000lbs, the max combined trailer/vehicle weight rating is 16,700lbs and the payload is 2,270lbs. It has the 9.6" rear axle with a G80.
I know you don't trailer/tow, but some of the upgrades in the max-towing/payload/trailering packages in both the Ford and Chevy/GMC (I'm not schooled up on the dodges unfortunately) are ideal for someone who spends more time off-pavement: lower gear ratios, slightly heavier springs, heavy duty cooling etc. The tow mirrors are an added plus too. Just something to look into.
So far the truck has worked great for them, rides really nice (despite the heavier springs) and regularly returns 20+ mph highway. One 700 mile round trip I went with them and they broke (just barley) 25mpg unloaded driving 70-75mph, I was impressed.
Lots of options here, so best of luck!
