GMC Sierra 2023 with 5.3

[Chief fan]

Just bought a new truck praying it will pull my ar250 ok? Anyone else pull with similar truck?

 

[Thermobrett]

Just bought a new truck praying it will pull my ar250 ok? Anyone else pull with similar truck?

We have a 2022 Yukon XL with the 5.3 and we pull our 2022 SX195 with no issue at 80 down the freeway. Years back I had a 2002 Yukon XL with the same 5.3 and drug a 24’ enclosed trailer around with no problem.
Not sure your trim level but your Yukon has the factory 22” wheels and the tires vibrate like crazy at 50mph. I’m guessing it’s the low profile tires.
My neighbor has a 242 and he pulls that with a non ecoboost F150 with no problem. I think you will be just fine.
Congrats on the truck!

 

[2kwik4u]

We have a 2022 Yukon XL with the 5.3 and we pull our 2022 SX195 with no issue at 80 down the freeway. Years back I had a 2002 Yukon XL with the same 5.3 and drug a 24’ enclosed trailer around with no problem.
Not sure your trim level but your Yukon has the factory 22” wheels and the tires vibrate like crazy at 50mph. I’m guessing it’s the low profile tires.
My neighbor has a 242 and he pulls that with a non ecoboost F150 with no problem. I think you will be just fine.
Congrats on the truck!

Nice ride!

Go find a tire shop local to you with a Hunter 6000 Road Force Balancing machine. Then pay the tech an extra hour of labor to get the balance right. Shoot for under 15lbs of imbalance force.

My Sierra had the "chevy shake" for the first year or so I owned it. When I found the right tire balancing machine and a trained tech to operate it, I've had silky smooth riding cars ever since.

 

[2kwik4u]

Just bought a new truck praying it will pull my ar250 ok? Anyone else pull with similar truck?

I'll echo @Thermobrett comments. I had '03 5.3L and a '15 5.3L. Both were exceptionally reliable engines that produced adequate power and towed well. You're not going to win any drag races, but it'll get you to the lake and back with your boat, family, and all your "stuff" without any drama, and for many years.

 

[Thermobrett]

I'll echo @Thermobrett comments. I had '03 5.3L and a '15 5.3L. Both were exceptionally reliable engines that produced adequate power and towed well. You're not going to win any drag races, but it'll get you to the lake and back with your boat, family, and all your "stuff" without any drama, and for many years.

I believe the 5.3l is a GM 327 and has been in production FOREVER. We did have a lifter issue on our 2022 Yukon XL but seemed to be a very minor issue across the entire build lot and has been corrected. You should have a switch either on the shifter or dash (our truck has push buttons for shifting so we have a knob), just switch it to tow mode to take it out of OD to get that extra torque if you have any topography in your area. Florida (where I live) is flat but the designed it for a reason.
Just an FYI, our Yukon takes about 8qts of oil during its oil change… significantly more than I’m used to on my old 5.3l.

 

[kgower]

We have a 21 Sierra 1500 AT4 with 5.3. Tows our 195s without issues. Obviously the AR 250 is heavier, i think you'll be good.

 

[zipper]

I used to tow the Yamaha with a duramax, never an issue. Yamaha sold, now I tow other boats with the 2015 5.3. Bought at 62k, No issues to report as of today. Love cooled seats! I do use tow mode occasionally.

 

[Robbyw]

I had a 5.3 Trail boss and pulled my AR250 pretty good. I did upgrade to the 6.2 with my new truck, but it was a want not a need

 

[biffdotorg]

Just bought a new truck praying it will pull my ar250 ok? Anyone else pull with similar truck?

My Favorite story.

Bought a new Sierra Denali with 5.3 as it was a great buy as everyone thinks they need the 6.2ltr. Drove 1500 miles to buy our 242ls. Averaged 22mpg on the superslab locked in at 75mph!

Towed the 242LS 1700 miles back at 70mph and averaged 11mpg. Tow haul mode kept here in the sweet spot of rpm's. No issues at all. A 250 is a bit heavier, but like others have said, just about any 1/2 ton truck should be able to handle these things.

This year I rolled 70,000 miles, and I commute on back roads to campus, and average 23mpg regularly at 64mph. Love this engine combination and it's my third Sierra with it.

Here is the real question, new truck and new boat? Someone got on the good side of their wife?

 

[2kwik4u]

Someone got on the good side of their wife?

Or the good side of the lottery!

 

[adrianp89]

This is a bit of a silly thread. A quick look at tow ratings shows even the lowest Sierra will tow well over the 250's weight.

 

[2kwik4u]

This is a bit of a silly thread. A quick look at tow ratings shows even the lowest Sierra will tow well over the 250's weight.

Well we do live in the land of "Better have a 2500 to pull that pop up camper", so I can see where someone that doesn't know much about towing would get the impression a midsize boat would need a big truck.

You're not wrong though.

 

[kgower]

Getting ready to tow from GA to ME (round trip 2400 miles+) in our 21 AT4 with the 5.3. while it is plenty of truck for our 195s, if there had been an HD/2500 available at the time I would have bought it as we would like to get a 5th wheel.

 

[WV Hillbilly]

You have plenty of truck. Pulled my 195S and my 20’ trailer with two side by sides all over the place in the mountains and out west. It was time for an upgrade and went with a 2022 2500 Denali with the 6.6 Duramax and the Allison 10 speed. Now I have to keep looking in the mirrors to see if anything is still back there. Way more truck than I need.

 

[biffdotorg]

This is a bit of a silly thread. A quick look at tow ratings shows even the lowest Sierra will tow well over the 250's weight.

Not to generalize, but most folks asking this question will not read a tow rating or believe it if they do.
Or some sort of humble brag mixed in there. New boat, new truck etc.