2014 5.3 vs 6.2 MPG while towing?!

Jon A · June 26, 2014

I towed a 6000 lb trailer and had over 1000 lbs cargo 150 miles last weekend in moderately hilly terrain and got 12.5 at an average speed of 65. That's a 6.2, 3.42's with 34" tires.

Newm · June 26, 2014

I towed a 6000 lb trailer and had over 1000 lbs cargo 150 miles last weekend in moderately hilly terrain and got 12.5 at an average speed of 65. That's a 6.2, 3.42's with 34" tires.

Just curious....where are you running the transmission? T/H mode OD, M-5 w/TH mode, etc.?

Thanks

diannabill · June 27, 2014

I think any engine/gear choice will handle a 3500# bass boat with probably close to similar fuel economy, but with something that small (relatively), I think the 5.3 will give you slightly better mileage.

Jon A · June 27, 2014

Just curious....where are you running the transmission? T/H mode OD, M-5 w/TH mode, etc.?

That was pretty much all in D with T/H mode, using cruise for much of it. I've done a bit of tuning on T/H mode to make it a bit more friendly and it worked perfectly.

ace ventura · June 27, 2014

I think the 6.2L would be fun but to get it you have to move up in the models. Some other things that I kept in mind are that the 6.2L they recommend premium fuel (No E85). You do have the option to run the 5.3L on E85 which will change the hp and torque. 380 hp on E85 (vs 355 hp on gasoline) and 416 lb-ft on E85 (vs 383 lb-ft on gasoline). It will eat fuel on E85 but if it's cheap enough then it's ok. If your towing on a long trip I'm not sure I would want to stop that much for gas though running on E85. I towed my 6K lb camper with the 5.3 and 3.42 gears with 34" tires. I have to say it was a lot better than my 05 silvy with 5.3L 3.42 4 speed that was tuned. I didn't run on E85 but I would like to try it. The one thing I am missing a lot is the power fold in mirrors. The only way to get those is again to move up in the upper models. I may get tow mirrors and they don't power fold anyway so no loss I guess. You have to drill one hole to add the tow mirrors. I think If I would do it all over again. I would just order the max tow package with the 5.3 for the best of all worlds. The gas mileage, the option to run e85, 3.73 gears, tow mirrors, and the overall price of the truck. All IMO though.

Newm · June 27, 2014

That was pretty much all in D with T/H mode, using cruise for much of it. I've done a bit of tuning on T/H mode to make it a bit more friendly and it worked perfectly.

Nice. I would love to be able to get the transmission to hold 6th with more throttle input but I would have to get someone to do it for me....definitely above my pay grade.

calgator73 · September 10, 2014

5.3 3.73 here. I pull a 10k, 37' travel trailer. I get 9-10 at 60 when towing and closer to 23 at 73.

nards444 · September 10, 2014

Depends on your thought process. If awesome is your factor go with 6.2l, if you cant afford the upgraded trim level to get the 6.2(dumb idea by GM by the way) get the 5.3, if you tow a lot and heavy i.e over 5-6k all the time(like every week) get the 6.2 As If your towing small weights and not that often I don't think your going to see the difference. The logical man would put it all together and make the smart choice.

But if your talking money and money only you'll never win with the 6.2 its a $2400 option for the 6.2 but that's not the whole story, you have to get the LTZ and above, which means before adding anything your talking a 7k K just for the LTZ vs an LT. So at the end of day your going to be close to 10 grand more give or take, you will never make that up. Maybe some at resale, but not enough to make it up. So again not a knock, but you will not save money however you justify it by buying the 6.2

KARNUT · September 11, 2014

Depends on your thought process. If awesome is your factor go with 6.2l, if you cant afford the upgraded trim level to get the 6.2(dumb idea by GM by the way) get the 5.3, if you tow a lot and heavy i.e over 5-6k all the time(like every week) get the 6.2 As If your towing small weights and not that often I don't think your going to see the difference. The logical man would put it all together and make the smart choice.

But if your talking money and money only you'll never win with the 6.2 its a $2400 option for the 6.2 but that's not the whole story, you have to get the LTZ and above, which means before adding anything your talking a 7k K just for the LTZ vs an LT. So at the end of day your going to be close to 10 grand more give or take, you will never make that up. Maybe some at resale, but not enough to make it up. So again not a knock, but you will not save money however you justify it by buying the 6.2

Sometimes its not what you can afford, I refuse to pay for stuff I don't want to get a 6.2. I don't use half the stuff in the Texas package. The GM B.S. for the big motor almost sent me to Dodge till I test drove. If I was going to pull a load I go 3/4 ton anyway. The money you save with the 5.3 you can S/C and bank some money.

nards444 · September 11, 2014

Sometimes its not what you can afford, I refuse to pay for stuff I don't want to get a 6.2. I don't use half the stuff in the Texas package. The GM B.S. for the big motor almost sent me to Dodge till I test drove. If I was going to pull a load I go 3/4 ton anyway. The money you save with the 5.3 you can S/C and bank some money.

I agree sometimes you just dont want. And I dont want to take from the merits of the 6.2, I would still contend GMs packaging is stupid. But I would also 110% agree that if I was towing in 10+ range all the time, it wouldnt be in a 50k plus half ton regardless of what motor it had in it.

Jon A · September 11, 2014

I understand the comparison is legit for you guys, as ones who want the big engine in a stripped down truck. But keep in mind for every one of you there are about 50 people out there driving a LTZ/SLT/Denali/High Country with the 5.3 for whom the 6.2 would have only been $2000 more.

Just because the comparison is applicable to your specific needs, doesn’t mean that comparison is meaningful to everybody else. When comparing apples to apples (loaded truck to loaded truck) you get a lot of real-world capability for the money. Add in the 8-speed for next year (unless they charge a bunch more for that too) and it’s a no-brainer for anybody who is going to be doing much towing. The 6.2 will give people a much better tow vehicle, and if they wanted a loaded vehicle anyway, it doesn’t cost much in the big picture.

And for most who will daily drive it and only tow anything approaching 10K occasionally, getting a Duramax for that is also a waste of money too.

redwngr · September 19, 2014

I understand the comparison is legit for you guys, as ones who want the big engine in a stripped down truck. But keep in mind for every one of you there are about 50 people out there driving a LTZ/SLT/Denali/High Country with the 5.3 for whom the 6.2 would have only been $2000 more.

Just because the comparison is applicable to your specific needs, doesn’t mean that comparison is meaningful to everybody else. When comparing apples to apples (loaded truck to loaded truck) you get a lot of real-world capability for the money. Add in the 8-speed for next year (unless they charge a bunch more for that too) and it’s a no-brainer for anybody who is going to be doing much towing. The 6.2 will give people a much better tow vehicle, and if they wanted a loaded vehicle anyway, it doesn’t cost much in the big picture.

And for most who will daily drive it and only tow anything approaching 10K occasionally, getting a Duramax for that is also a waste of money too.

and the $2000 ($2745 in Canada) more includes the change to the 8 speed as well