pulling power of GAS 6.0 2500hd --- not impressed

trx680 · May 7, 2017

I have a Chevy 2016 2500hd 6.0 gas. Regular cab. 4x4 . Its a work truck, not a decked out luxury truck.

Let me start by saying I had a 2006 Dodge Ram MegaCab 2500 4x4 5.7 gas. I used the Ram to pull a newer PJ 16' landscaping trailer. I though it pulled it very well.

Now the Chevy. Its a regular cab...so smaller and lighter. Its new. It has a slightly bigger engine. But It really struggles to pull this trailer compared to the Ram. There is no doubt that there is a trailer behind the Chevy. I'm really disappointing in it!! I have to keep my foot heavy on the gas. And the trailer might only have one zeroturn mower on it, not 10k pounds of dirt.

The truck is still fairly new, only 2800 miles. I thought at the beginning that it need a little breaking in. I wouldnt dare pull a camper or something tall with lots of surface area. This trailer is low and really has no wind resistance like a camper would have.

I bought the extended power train warranty so I dont want to tinker with the engine and void the warranty, unless there is something the dealer can do and still honor the warranty.

Edited May 7, 2017 by trx680

rocnrol · May 7, 2017

I'm sorry, but either you're doing it wrong or this is BS. I pull this TT and routinely pass traffic with it, on hills in the mountains no less.

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trx680 · May 7, 2017

I'm sorry, but either you're doing it wrong or this is BS. I pull this TT and routinely pass traffic with it, on hills in the mountains no less.

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I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. This is a quality heavy PJ trailer but it should pull easier that what it is.

The Chevy has the factory brake controller. I though maybe the controller was malfunctioning and applying some brake. So I jacked up the trailer and spun the wheels (with the truck running and in drive). Not the brake controller.

rocnrol · May 7, 2017

I also have a 18' car deck that gets loaded with up to three quads, don't even notice it behind the truck

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rocnrol · May 7, 2017

I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. This is a quality heavy PJ trailer but it should pull easier that what it is.

The Chevy has the factory brake controller. I though maybe the controller was malfunctioning and applying some brake. So I jacked up the trailer and spun the wheels (with the truck running and in drive). Not the brake controller.

Don't know what to say. Don't know how you broke your truck in, but I subscribe to the drive it how you're going to use it from day one camp. I drove it pretty hard during break in. Also while towing, I always use tow haul mode...always. And I let it rev, this engine needs to spin. Don't be afraid to get over 5,000 rpm

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tripleb · May 7, 2017

Hey trx680,

I pull this in normal drive with cruise at 68 mph without issue. If the road gets hilly, then I will press the Tow/Haul mode button.

jt metal · May 7, 2017

IDK.....kinda see where the o.p. is coming from. But I think the salvation is the tow/haul button.

Try it. It will hold the gears longer and feel alot stronger.

Rvduck · May 7, 2017

My Dually weighs 7800 pounds empty with just me and a full tank, I weigh 185. With my double slide Arctic Fox I weigh more than 13000 pounds and I push a lot of surface area as Arctic Foxes are high units. I can do 60 mph on an 8 % grade and I still have lots of revs and pedal left so you definitely have a problem.

Buckwheat · May 7, 2017

My 2 cents worth:

I also tow a Puma but it is the 25RBSC, twin axle about 5600 lbs unloaded. it is similar but not the same as the one in the photo.

My truck is a 2002 SB 4 door 2500hd 6.0 but the 4 speed 4L80E transmission. I stay in tow haul mode when pulling and honestly will say it struggles to go up a moderate hill at 60-65 mph, but I will also admit that I dont romp down on the engine either.....and I do think it is part of my problem because more than once I have read here and elsewhere that folks rev that 6.0 up while towing and they also say dont be afraid to do it.

It is my understanding that the 6.0 builds most of its torque at around 4000 rpms...which is probably part of my problem because I try to keep it at 3000 or less when accelerating.

I have pulled the same camper with a straight drive 7.3 F-350 turbo diesel and of course it was a difference of night and day but diesels build power in a whole different way. Personally I dont think any gas engine is going to go up a hill passing anything other than a turtle without a whole lot of rpms thrown at it ( Now I say that without ever being behind the wheel of the bigger block Chevys and Fords, so as I say its only two cents worth of opinion) but I do think if we all take that over-rated factory tow ratings from ALL manufactures and reduce that maximum tow rating by 50%, and stay within a 50% reduction then we we will have a decent towing gasser vehicle.

In all honesty I think Im rated for 10,000 lbs and I would really hate to try to run at highway speeds with 10000 lbs at 65 and jamb on the brakes even with the brake controller at it highest setting. I think 10000 lbs going up a moderate hill...say a 1/2-1 mile long would be tough to do without losing speed.

However, the OP's trailer with a zero turn in it should pull without any trouble at all...I do think there is a problem somewhere...I have a drive on trailer but its a single axle equipment type and the other week I had a zero turn on it and it towed it with no problem at all...Im thinking i was probably around 2000-2500 lbs and didnt really feel it back there

Edited May 7, 2017 by Buckwheat

Chevyguy85 · May 7, 2017

Shorter wheel base will make you "feel" the trailer behind you. That's a small trailer so maybe you just have unrealistic expectations of what the 6.0 is supposed to do? GM doesn't build them to win races, I know I couldn't beat civics with any of my 2500HDs. Put your foot into it more if it feels sluggish. We've had 5 6.0s since 99 when they were introduced and except for the 2001 1500HD all towed the travel trailers just fine. Only reason the 1500HD wasn't cutting it was the rear end. 2002 2500HD with 6.0 and 4.10 rear end towed exact same trailer night and day better than the 1500HD. 7k-9k trailers over the years. As mentioned previously a lot of people are afraid to put their foot into it and let the engine wind out. It won't hurt a thing, let it rev. Good luck, hope you get things figured out.

i82much · May 7, 2017

pretend like it is a 327 and let it wind!

2016HD · May 7, 2017

Something is wrong. That engine and truck combo will out pull and out work the 5.7hemi without an issue. Either you have a brake issue on the truck or trailer or there is a warranty issue with the truck? BAD gas is also possible! Just my 2cs.

I pull a 20ft travel trailer 6800lbs dry with 2 bike a boat and geny and gear in the truck without issues up and around our local mnts. 8% grade and 80km. In the summer!

Something is wrong. That engine and truck combo will out pull and out work the 5.7hemi without an issue. Either you have a brake issue on the truck or trailer or there is a warranty issue with the truck? BAD gas is also possible! Just my 2cs.

I pull a 20ft travel trailer 6800lbs dry with 2 bike a boat and geny and gear in the truck without issues up and around our local mnts. 8% grade and 80km. In the summer!

These engines. Just like the old 350cu like to be up around 4000-4500rpm for best torque and Hp. Thats where they live.Dont lug it. Its not a big block or a diesel. And its safe to run around 5000rpm all day long.

Edited May 7, 2017 by 2016HD

magnum74 · May 7, 2017

Something is wrong. That engine and truck combo will out pull and out work the 5.7hemi without an issue. Either you have a brake issue on the truck or trailer or there is a warranty issue with the truck? BAD gas is also possible! Just my 2cs.

I pull a 20ft travel trailer 6800lbs dry with 2 bike a boat and geny and gear in the truck without issues up and around our local mnts. 8% grade and 80km. In the summer!

Something is wrong. That engine and truck combo will out pull and out work the 5.7hemi without an issue. Either you have a brake issue on the truck or trailer or there is a warranty issue with the truck? BAD gas is also possible! Just my 2cs.

I pull a 20ft travel trailer 6800lbs dry with 2 bike a boat and geny and gear in the truck without issues up and around our local mnts. 8% grade and 80km. In the summer!

These engines. Just like the old 350cu like to be up around 4000-4500rpm for best torque and Hp. Thats where they live.Dont lug it. Its not a big block or a diesel. And its safe to run around 5000rpm all day long.

Especially with the awful transmission gearing the quasi-5 speed auto Dodge used in the 4.7 and 5.7 motors of that era. I don't buy it either but to each their own, I guess.