What Do You Tow With 5.3 And 3.08?

rodallg · July 20, 2010

I'm looking at a 2010 Silverado with a 5.3 and 3.08 gears and I was wondering what other people are towing with this combo? I'm thinking it will be good for me, I have a utility trailer and a ATV now and possibly purchasing a smaller toy hauler so I was curious as to how it does towing a load of about 4k to 5k lbs.

Thanks

AirForceAngler · July 20, 2010

I wasn't aware of 3.08 gears availabe but maybe that's new for that year. Would not recommend those gears for any kind of towing. 3.42s for light towing and 3.73 for heavier stuff like campers, car trailers etc.

bluArrow · July 20, 2010

As long as you have the six speed transmission you're in the 6500-7000 pound range for towing depending on the exact model configuration. Get a toyhauler that's mostly aluminum and you'll have nothing to worry about.

Prokopchuk_9 · July 20, 2010

whats it rated for? 3.08 seems like pretty tall gearing man...are you sure its 3.08? if it was me, i would look for something with 3:42 or 3:73

pm26 · July 20, 2010

They use 3.08 axle gear ratio on some 6 speed transmission equipped trucks. And they offer a heavy duty towing package with that ratio too.

Z45 · July 20, 2010

I wasn't aware of 3.08 gears availabe but maybe that's new for that year. Would not recommend those gears for any kind of towing. 3.42s for light towing and 3.73 for heavier stuff like campers, car trailers etc.

3.08 is the default ratio on most all e. cab 4x4 trucks. 3.73 no longer available unless you order the max trailering package with 6.2L engine (no Z71 with this option). 3.42 is a no cost upgrade option but they will be hard to find in dealer stock, most will be a 3.08 ratio. They are going to 3.08 for fuel economy.

History is repeating itself. The were down to 2.56 gears in truck back in the 80's trying to meet economy standards. These trucks have to get 35mpg by 2015ish or the gov't won't let them sell any.

When I was looking for my 2010 the ratio of 3.08 to 3.42 was like 20 to 1 and all those that had a 3.73 had the 6.2L engine.

Pumper · July 20, 2010

My dad just brought home a EC Sierra with a 3.08 in it. I thought it was the worst driving truck that I had ever driven. That gear just makes the truck feel like garbage on the interstate. It is OK around town, but on the interstate it is constantly down shifting whenever it sees the slightest incline.

tbourgoy · July 20, 2010

I'm in the same boat as the original poster. I am hunting hard for a new truck. All the Chevy crewcab 4x4 around here are 3.08. Dealers won't even consider ordering the 3.42 for stock. Special order only.

Anyone else care to chime in with what your towing and how you like it? Loaded and unloaded?

JRLZ71 · July 20, 2010

I'm in the same boat as the original poster. I am hunting hard for a new truck. All the Chevy crewcab 4x4 around here are 3.08. Dealers won't even consider ordering the 3.42 for stock. Special order only.

Anyone else care to chime in with what your towing and how you like it? Loaded and unloaded?

Have you considered searching for an 07-09 with low mileage? That way you can get something beyond 3.08s and still have a somewhat newer vehicle. Just an idea.

2k7gmcsierra · July 20, 2010

My truck came with the heavy duty towing package with 4.10 gears. With the electonic transmission I can tow all of my toys (car trailer and SS Chevelle) and motorcycle with trailer and still average a heavy footed 17 MPG with daily usage. Of course mileage is less while towing but this combo has made for a great all around truck. Also, given the mileage estimates provided by others, I find it hard to believe that I would have much to gain with anything less than 3.73 except towing manners and great acceleration.

66vetteman · July 20, 2010

The 6 speed with 3.08 gears is DEEPER in every gear than the 4 speed with 3.73 gears. Notice that 5th gear in the 6 speed is essentially the same as 4th in the 4 speed.

6 speed

1st: 4.02 x 3.08 = 12.38

2nd: 2.36 x 3.08 = 7.27

3rd: 1.53 x 3.08 = 4.71

4th: 1.15 x 3.08 = 3.54

5th: .85 x 3.08 = 2.62

6th: .67 x 3.08 = 2.06

4 speed

1st: 3.06 x 3.73 = 11.41

2nd: 1.75 x 3.73 = 6.52

3rd: 1.00 x 3.73 = 3.73

4th: .70 x 3.73 = 2.62

There is more to gearing than the differential. You must include the trans gearing to know the final gear ratio.

pm26 · July 20, 2010

The problem will be with be the 6th gear, which will cause the truck to downshift on every incline, no matter how slight. I have seen this same phenomenon with a 4.3 V6 truck with a 4 speed auto and 3.23 axle gearing. Downshifting was very annoying. It downshifted when driven empty on every overpass on I95 here in very flat Florida.

For a 4 speed auto truck with 3.23 rear gearing, this will be 0.7X3.23 is 2.26 in the 4th gear, which is still better than the 3.08 geared, 6 speed auto truck in 6th gear, which gives the final ratio of 2.06.

Conclusion: A truck equipped with 3.08 gears and 6 speed auto transmission will downshift often from 6th gear to 5 th gear due to that gear being very tall. My truck with equipped with a 4 speed transmission and 3.73 gears only downshifts to the 3rd gear on long steep inclines when cruising.

GM is pushing the 3.08 gear ratio to improve the fuel economy numbers, That much is certain. I suspect that dealers are getting better prices on buying fleets of trucks thus equipped. If would not buy a 6 speed truck with anything smaller than 3.42 axle gear ratio. 3.73 is still logical for heavy towing and that is what GM offers with the max tow package.

kdixer · July 20, 2010

What it comes down to is do you mind a downshift or not? The 6 speed is smoother and turns fewer rpm's after a downshift than a 4 speed in the same scenario. I have 3.42 gears with no complaints. I have not driven a 3.08 geared 6 speed but i would dare say it is not nearly as disadvantaged as some 4speed enthusiasts claim.

People are going to have to learn to live with vehicles shifting more because every manufacturer seems to be putting more gears in the box. Lexus and Rolls Royce has 8 speed automatics. BMW has a 7 speed auto. I dare say these trannies downshift alot but that does not mean these vehicles are underpowered at all.

With a 4 speed the downshifts are overkill because 3rd usually revs too much and provides more power than neccessary. But with the newer transmissions with more gears, the downshifts are more economical because the engine is not over revving yet still provides adequat power to perform the task.

terzmo · July 20, 2010

The problem will be with be the 6th gear, which will cause the truck to downshift on every incline, no matter how slight. I have seen this same phenomenon with a 4.3 V6 truck with a 4 speed auto and 3.23 axle gearing. Downshifting was very annoying. It downshifted when driven empty on every overpass on I95 here in very flat Florida.

For a 4 speed auto truck with 3.23 rear gearing, this will be 0.7X3.23 is 2.26 in the 4th gear, which is still better than the 3.08 geared, 6 speed auto truck in 6th gear, which gives the final ratio of 2.06.

Conclusion: A truck equipped with 3.08 gears and 6 speed auto transmission will downshift often from 6th gear to 5 th gear due to that gear being very tall. My truck with equipped with a 4 speed transmission and 3.73 gears only downshifts to the 3rd gear on long steep inclines when cruising.

GM is pushing the 3.08 gear ratio to improve the fuel economy numbers, That much is certain. I suspect that dealers are getting better prices on buying fleets of trucks thus equipped. If would not buy a 6 speed truck with anything smaller than 3.42 axle gear ratio. 3.73 is still logical for heavy towing and that is what GM offers with the max tow package.

I went to Carlisle Pa a few weeks back and Towed a single car trailer(approx 1800 lbs wt) and a 67 GTX on it (approx 3600 lbs) from Buffalo NY. Used My new siverado...5.3...6 speed...308 gears. 4WD. I've been towing for decades and just got rid of a 97 ford diesel dually. The chevy will kick down on roads with slight inclines at low speeds(45) with no trailer. At speeds of 65 and up, it doesn't kick down as much. With the loaded trailer, I towed in "tow mode" and still was turning 2000 rpm at 70 MPH. (loaded trailer)

The truck did kick down on steep hills but not as often as I thought. I ran A/C over half the trip and got almost 13 MPG towing. It's not a diesel but I'm not all that disappointed in the capability. (the tow mode changes the shift points but still gets into 6th gear) I have been told on other topics that 342 gears and 4 speeds are getting anywheres from 8 to 11 mpg. I took the truck and empty trailer to Akron OH to bring back a 70 satellite. Empty one way...loaded the other and I got almost 15 average with the A/C running. I get over 18 local. I don't have a heavy foot for jack-rabbit starts but the truck has the capability to haul if needed.

In this case, I believe the best of both worlds are here. The 6 speed still gets the truck rolling quick and the 308's get better economy. It's not a "race truck" but still goes ok. I had a 97 silverado with a 350/5 speed stick and got better mileage and performance. That was a very nice combo.(don't recall gear ratio on that one)

Bottom line is,as I see it, a utility trailer with ATV's or whatever is nothing for this truck to haul.