2500 Duramax or 1500 5.3

[jamin87ss]

Honestly from the sounds of it the OP should be considering a 6.2 max VS a Duramax,

 

I have no issues, I tow several times a week but within 5 miles each time, I also take a few trips every year and have no issues, last trip was 250 round trip. 9.7 mpg,

 

[Sierra Jon]

Honestly from the sounds of it the OP should be considering a 6.2 max VS a Duramax,

 

I have no issues, I tow several times a week but within 5 miles each time, I also take a few trips every year and have no issues, last trip was 250 round trip. 9.7 mpg,

 

That's awesome!

 

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[jamin87ss]

I should add, 5.3 3.42, about 10500lbs, I can set the cruise at 64mph and relax

[galliher_nc]

What size trailer are you looking to upgrade to? The OP isn't really clear.

[amc019]

I had a 2011 Duramax before my 2015 6.2 AT (Not max tow, but with trailer brakes) and towing isn't comparable between the two. My HD being a heavier truck, bigger brakes, beefier suspension, and having much more torque made towing the same load I tow with my 6.2 now seem like it wasn't there. The load consists of a 20ft car hauler with brakes on the back axle and a Polaris RZR 1000XP. Around 5k total weight. If I don't get the Rzr positioned just right on the trailer, I can feel the tongue weight bucking on the truck that I never felt on my HD no matter where I left the RZR. Now my truck has plenty of power, it just isn't set up for towing with my gear ratio or tire size, and I average around 10 mpg at 75 pulling 5k. However, I went from the HD to the 6.2 1/2 ton strictly because I didn't need the HD. It sounds to me like you do.

 

I daily drove my Duramax every day for 5 years, never felt any ill effects in doing so. I think as long as you get your truck out and give it a good running down the road every so often, driving around town won't hurt it. I would not waste your time on a gas burning HD. They are a dog to drive like many have mentioned with a 6.0, even when you aren't towing.

 

Get the duramax or you'll always wonder what it would be like if you did.

[Sierra Jon]

What kind of upgrades to your brakes are you making?

 

My brakes work pretty decent on the truck and the TT. If I set them too high, they do lock up to easily though. But I can say the GM integrated brake controller is much nicer than an aftermarket inertia controller.

Probably just pads to see how it goes. I don't want a ton of noise.

 

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[Mark140]

Digging the feedback y'all. Our 5.3 has the 3.42 it hauls the trailer fine, wish it had the integrated trailer brake though.

 

We were thinking of upgrading the trailer that weighs about 8k-9k max. To me it just seems like it is to close to the max towing capacity of this truck. Did some internet searches and it appears the 6.2 1500 is no longer available with 3.73 gears.

 

Some good points on the DEF fluid it it the only thing that goes wrong with the Peterbilts at work. Worst invention ever.

[SouthpawHD]

I really think you should look at a 2500 gasser, the best of both worlds.

 

While the 6.0 is a somewhat weaker motor, it is a very strong workhorse with a proven track record.

[smrr1]

Digging the feedback y'all. Our 5.3 has the 3.42 it hauls the trailer fine, wish it had the integrated trailer brake though.

 

We were thinking of upgrading the trailer that weighs about 8k-9k max. To me it just seems like it is to close to the max towing capacity of this truck. Did some internet searches and it appears the 6.2 1500 is no longer available with 3.73 gears.

 

Some good points on the DEF fluid it it the only thing that goes wrong with the Peterbilts at work. Worst invention ever.

the new max tow does not use 373 gears but it does have an 8 speed with very aggressive transmission gears. much stronger than the previous 6 speed with 373. i would not be concerned about that at all.

[Newell33]

I've owned a 2007 era 1500HD with the 6.0 (back when they offered those), a 2007.5 2500HD Duramax, a 2011 1500 6.2, and a 2014 1500 5.3. I used the 1500HD 6.0 to tow a 28 foot enclosed race car trailer for a while. It struggled and drank fuel, even when unloaded. That's why I traded for the Duramax so soon. The Duramax was amazing, and my favorite truck to date. Stepping up to the 2500 Duramax not only gives you amazing towing capabilities, but it gives you way more stability and braking. The 2011 6.2 towed my open car trailers fine, but you definitely notice less stability and the braking isn't as good. The 2014 5.3 is definitely my least favorite truck by far. It tows open car trailers fine, but it's definitely less powerful than my previous trucks (except maybe the 6.0), and again, it's less stable with heavy loads. It likes to make a lot of noise, but it doesn't go like the others.

 

If I were knowingly going to tow any kind of travel trailer for an extended period of time, I'd absolutely go for the 2500 Duramax. You know it's going to do the job comfortably, and it's always going to hold its value.

[2018GMC]

I had a 2011 Duramax before my 2015 6.2 AT (Not max tow, but with trailer brakes) and towing isn't comparable between the two. My HD being a heavier truck, bigger brakes, beefier suspension, and having much more torque made towing the same load I tow with my 6.2 now seem like it wasn't there. The load consists of a 20ft car hauler with brakes on the back axle and a Polaris RZR 1000XP. Around 5k total weight. If I don't get the Rzr positioned just right on the trailer, I can feel the tongue weight bucking on the truck that I never felt on my HD no matter where I left the RZR. Now my truck has plenty of power, it just isn't set up for towing with my gear ratio or tire size, and I average around 10 mpg at 75 pulling 5k. However, I went from the HD to the 6.2 1/2 ton strictly because I didn't need the HD. It sounds to me like you do.

 

I daily drove my Duramax every day for 5 years, never felt any ill effects in doing so. I think as long as you get your truck out and give it a good running down the road every so often, driving around town won't hurt it. I would not waste your time on a gas burning HD. They are a dog to drive like many have mentioned with a 6.0, even when you aren't towing.

 

Get the duramax or you'll always wonder what it would be like if you did.

 

I agree. You get so much more truck with a 2500 / 3500 duramax for not much more $$$

[JamGear]

I have a 2014 5.3L 1500, 4x4, double cab, 3.73 Max Tow (pre AUG 14). I have had it for two years as a daily driver and to tow my 11,000lb 5^th wheel RV.

 

Here are my stats:

• Live in northern New Jersey
• None-tow: 16 to 17 MPG local – 21/22 highway

• W/5^th wheel: average 9 MPG
• Front Axle = 3,440 lbs.
• Drive Axle = 4,530 lbs.
• Trailer Axles = 9,210 lbs.
• Total rig = 17,180 (passengers, full gear in truck and trailer)

 

According to the specs, I am at or under for the tow (pull) and about 500 pounds over on payload (carry) over the drive axle. I have a set of Timbrens in the rear. I am going to move about 250lbs from over the drive axle to the far rear of the trailer. That should reduce the payload over the drive axle.

The truck drives fantastically when towing. Frankly, I think this is a perfectly balanced rig. I drive 55 to 65 on the highway with no sway. The 5.3 engine is incredible! As a matter of fact, it often drops to 4 cylinder mode even when towing. I can see how a bit more torque would be nice. But it is by no means necessary in my opinion.

 

The trailer brakes can practically stop the entire rig. “Tow-mode” works like a charm. I have had this rig up and down the mountains of Vermont, PA and the flats of route 95 all the way down to Myrtle Beach.

 

I’ve driven 25,000 miles so far on this truck. 9k has been with the trailer. If I trailered more frequently, I would go with an HD (mostly for better wear and tear). But as long as I am a weekend RV warrior, my 1500 with max tow is the absolute best! Let's put it this way. My truck is not sweating when towing and, most importantly, rides safe and sure. But like others have said, a lot has to do with the driver.

 

OK, bring on the comments and questions… J

[JRL1164]

I have a 2014 5.3L 1500, 4x4, double cab, 3.73 Max Tow (pre AUG 14). I have had it for two years as a daily driver and to tow my 11,000lb 5^th wheel RV.

 

Here are my stats:

• Live in northern New Jersey
• None-tow: 16 to 17 MPG local 21/22 highway

• W/5^th wheel: average 9 MPG
• Front Axle = 3,440 lbs.
• Drive Axle = 4,530 lbs.
• Trailer Axles = 9,210 lbs.
• Total rig = 17,180 (passengers, full gear in truck and trailer)

According to the specs, I am at or under for the tow (pull) and about 500 pounds over on payload (carry) over the drive axle. I have a set of Timbrens in the rear. I am going to move about 250lbs from over the drive axle to the far rear of the trailer. That should reduce the payload over the drive axle.

 

The truck drives fantastically when towing. Frankly, I think this is a perfectly balanced rig. I drive 55 to 65 on the highway with no sway. The 5.3 engine is incredible! As a matter of fact, it often drops to 4 cylinder mode even when towing. I can see how a bit more torque would be nice. But it is by no means necessary in my opinion.

 

The trailer brakes can practically stop the entire rig. Tow-mode works like a charm. I have had this rig up and down the mountains of Vermont, PA and the flats of route 95 all the way down to Myrtle Beach.

 

Ive driven 25,000 miles so far on this truck. 9k has been with the trailer. If I trailered more frequently, I would go with an HD (mostly for better wear and tear). But as long as I am a weekend RV warrior, my 1500 with max tow is the absolute best! Let's put it this way. My truck is not sweating when towing and, most importantly, rides safe and sure. But like others have said, a lot has to do with the driver.

 

OK, bring on the comments and questions J

Unrelated, I'd like to see pictures of this rig. Not calling you a lier or anything, I just think it awesome with a 5.3.

[crushNchowda]

Honestly I think people keep forgetting a few things- first we are all jaded at this point to think 355hp and 385tq is "weak". Second, unless your are ordering a very particular truck, the pricing from a well optioned 5.3 max tow to a 6.2 usually is more substantial than just the engine upgrade.

 

Third- you can get E85 capability in the 5.3- it has been proven the 5.3 makes 90% of the hp/tq of the 6.2 stock for stock when guzzling E85, it has also been proven a tuned 5.3 on 93 octane make nearly the same rwhp as a stock 6.2, and a tuned 5.3 on E85 makes MORE power than a stock 6.2

 

I have mentioned previous, if you're looking for best bang for the buck and don't care about getting a tune (which makes the truck better to drive anyhow regardless) then a well equipped 5.3 max tow SLT E85 capable is the truck. Even taking tuning out of the equation I think it's a great compromise and deal.

[JamGear]

-crushnchowda, thanks for helping warm people up to the fact that the new Gen3 Silvy with a 5.3 and a max tow is one capable truck. Heck, it's like having a 2000 HD.

 

I am not familiar with the advantages of tuning for towing. Can you give me the highlights? I am running stock other than a set of Timbrens.