Best Gear Ratio For Fuel

[wyrman]

Ordering a 2011 5.3L. What is the best gears for towing a 2000 lb. boat and getting the best fuel ecomomy when not towing?

[Stevens03]

IF thats all your ever going to do, 3.08's will work fine. But It's subjective in my opinion. The trucks heavy and in town mileage will suffer with such hi gears but the highway will see good mileage. 3.42s would be a compromise for both long and short trips

[DwayneJ]

Granted I don't have such a new truck but based on my experience with other vehicles 3.42 is not anywhere near deep enough a gear to hurt highway fuel economy in the real world. Lugging an engine is NOT the answer to economy.

[wyrman]

Well it looks like 3.42 will do the trick. I'll double check with my salesman today.

[Z45]

3.08 is standard (default) ratio, 3.42 is optional at no extra cost. Those are your only 2 choices UNLESS you order the MAX Trailering Pkg (incl. 6.2L) and then the only axle is 3.73 ratio. 3.73 cannot be ordered with 5.3L engine, included with the max trailering pkg.

 

 

3.08 would be the best economy

3.42

3.73 would be better for towing

 

But if you get the 3.42 and tow in M5 (5th gear) your final drive ratio will equal a 3.73 with a 4sp a/t in Drive.

 

 

FWIW - I have a 2010 with 5.3L, 6sp AT; in the first 10,000 miles (about 1 yr) my combined avg mpg is 17.4. That include driving all winter (approx 4 month) in AUTO mode on the 4x4.

Note--mpg computed over the full 10,000+ miles using total gallons used, not random comps or cherry picked trips etc

[GMstrong]

i love my 3:42s

[HawkScot]

Best fuel economy for towing a 2000lb boat is a minivan.

[wyrman]

<br />Best fuel economy for towing a 2000lb boat is a minivan.<br />

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That will be a rainy day. Ordered the 3:42's