5.3 1500 vrs 6.0 2500

426power · February 6, 2018

Guys I need some help. I have a 2014 GMC sierra 5.3 3:42 gear with a five star tune. It runs great , but I have a question. I purchased a toy hauler this past year that weighs 6500 lbs empty. My truck pulls it fine, but was curious if the 6.0 2500 would pull it better. With the tune I believe I have better numbers than the 6.0 as I have an cold air intake, and a Corsa exhaust that was factored in with the tune. Not sure I want to get a diesel and yes I know that would be the best way to go. So I am just looking for the info on the two trucks for my issue. Thanks guys.

Donstar · February 6, 2018

Of course the 2500 with the 6.0 will be a superior tow vehicle. However, your 1500 with the 5.3 will be a better daily driver. If you plan to toy this trailer on a frequent basis, I'd definitely switch to a 3/4 ton.

reardiff · February 6, 2018

Donstar is spot on, a 2500 would no doubt be an all around better tow vehicle. If this will be your daily driver, have you thought of a 1500 with 6.2 / Max Tow package? This will let you keep the comfort of the 1500 for daily use and much better MPG than a 2500 but give you some extra pulling power when you need it. 6.2 with max tow can tow up to 12,000 pounds.

amxguy1970 · February 6, 2018

50 minutes ago, reardiff said:

Donstar is spot on, a 2500 would no doubt be an all around better tow vehicle. If this will be your daily driver, have you thought of a 1500 with 6.2 / Max Tow package? This will let you keep the comfort of the 1500 for daily use and much better MPG than a 2500 but give you some extra pulling power when you need it. 6.2 with max tow can tow up to 12,000 pounds.

Power is moot because of his modifications and the ability to run E85 his power levels will be approaching the 6.2, not to mention the tow rating is well short of his current rating as well and close to a Max Tow. I would keep the truck unless I was traveling all over the country ever weekend, for a weekend trip 10-15 times a year with in a descent range of home or an occasional yearly longer trip the truck is more than adequate. Can always add a rear helper to assist the springs as well.

Tyler

426power · February 6, 2018

1 hour ago, amxguy1970 said:

Power is moot because of his modifications and the ability to run E85 his power levels will be approaching the 6.2, not to mention the tow rating is well short of his current rating as well and close to a Max Tow. I would keep the truck unless I was traveling all over the country ever weekend, for a weekend trip 10-15 times a year with in a descent range of home or an occasional yearly longer trip the truck is more than adequate. Can always add a rear helper to assist the springs as well.

Tyler

I already added the SUMO springs to the rear so the truck no longer sags like the photo. I will pull this five to six times a year and may be one long trip to North Carolina to race GNCC with my son.

Donstar · February 6, 2018

I agree that power is not the issue. My 4.3 is rated to pull 7400 lbs. The same truck with a 5.3 is rated to pull 9500 lbs. A dry 6500 lb toy hauler will quickly become a very heavy trailer especially if you use it as a toy hauler. A half ton with helper springs and good tires will work but a stock three-quarter ton would make for a much more competent tow vehicle. I wouldn't hesitate to pull a 6500 lb trailer with my truck but not on a regular basis. Driving a truck at its maximum load rating is stressful especially when road conditions are poor.

NWI Denali · February 7, 2018

You need a weight distributing hitch before you need a new truck.

cperk · February 7, 2018

Of course the 2500 with the 6.0 will be a superior tow vehicle. However, your 1500 with the 5.3 will be a better daily driver. If you plan to toy this trailer on a frequent basis, I'd definitely switch to a 3/4 ton.

The 2500 6.0 would probably have a 4:10 gear ratio. That means sucky mpgs.

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cperk · February 7, 2018

Power is moot because of his modifications and the ability to run E85 his power levels will be approaching the 6.2, not to mention the tow rating is well short of his current rating as well and close to a Max Tow. I would keep the truck unless I was traveling all over the country ever weekend, for a weekend trip 10-15 times a year with in a descent range of home or an occasional yearly longer trip the truck is more than adequate. Can always add a rear helper to assist the springs as well.

Tyler

Tune a 5.3 all you want, your not getting close to a max tow 6.2 with 8spd tranny and 3:42 gears. Plus you have stronger springs on the rear. Still gets almost as good mpgs as an untuned 5.3 and a boatload more torque through the rpm range.

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wforrest08 · February 7, 2018

I disagree with 90% of this logic you don’t need more power since your in Ohio if you were pulling mountains every trip then yes you would need more power. What your lacking is gearing I own a 15 crew cab 1/2 toner 5.3 3.43s and a 01 2500HD reg cab 6.0 4.10s. The 15 is tuned exhausted and intake and oddly enuff both trucks are on 285/17s. The 01 is rated hp/tq at what the 15 was stock or close to it I’ve had both trucks on my car hauler towed by the other. I’ll take the 01 any day of the week the difference is all gearing. No I don’t recommend 4.10s in a daily my 01 is my plow/trailer/haul truck I bought the 15 for a daily the biggest trailer it usually pulls is a 8x14 with a side x side on it and it does that effortlessly if I were towing anymore with it I would definitely step up to a 1500 with the tow package to get 373s which is a nice compromise between the two. Also you can get 2500s with 373s if you decide to step up to one.

stock 2500HD with 4.10s = fun to drive. 1500 with mods and 343s = point a to b spirited driving.

How do you like your Sumos? Do they take all the sag out with your trailer? I put a set on mine after I hauled that 01 around but haven’t had any real weight on them since. Only thing I noticed is there is a couple roads I drive on where I bottom out with a empty truck...

2whlzstan · February 7, 2018

Last October I traded an '11 1500, Blackbear tuned 5.3, 3.42 1500 2x4 for a '17 2500 HD, 4x4, 6.0, 4.10. Did that because we traded a 4,000# dry camper for a 6,100# dry camper. The 1500 was rated to pull 9,300# and the 2500 will pull 13,000#. The 1500 pulled that first trailer just fine. No problems, complaints or issues whatsoever. But pulling isn't the issue. The weight the truck can carry is.

The 1500 could carry 1553# and the 2500 will carry 2900#. Yellow sticker on the bottom of the b-pillar. A safe rule of thumb is to use the wet, or GVW, of the trailer when making calculations. It is a more realistic value of what the camper will weigh once you have all your gear, food, etc. in it.

Our new camper GVW is 7600#. A 15% tongue weight is 1140. That left a useful payload of 413# for the 1500, 1760# for the 2500. Add in the truck topper, bed slide, the wife and I, fuel, bicycles and everything else we carry in the truck for a camping trip and the 1500 was over loaded. There is still close to a 1000# margin with the 2500.

The 2500 is a heavy duty truck. It's weighs about 1400# more that the 1500. It has a 10.5" rear vs. the 8.5" of the 1500. The rear brakes and springs are massive in comparison. I'm not going to say it doesn't know the trailer is back there, but it tows it easily. As easy as the 1500 pulled the first trailer. We made a four hour run in January, after a full day at work, and I was fine when we arrived at the campground.

The 6.0 does use some fuel. Running empty on the highway the 1500 would turn in 20 mpg running 72 mph; 16 around town; pulling the Miata to the race track around 14; that first travel trailer around 9. The 2500 just turned 3K miles. Haven't done an empty highway run yet, but I don't expect anything close to 20; around town so far 13; pulling the Miata to the track around 12; the new trailer 8.5.

As others have said, if you're not pulling the trailer much or far, you may be okay. Get a good weight distribution hitch and anti-sway, set them up well and take it easy on the road. But if you're going to be covering a lot of ground tugging the trailer, I'll suggest you consider a HD.

426power · February 9, 2018

On ‎2‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 7:28 PM, NWI Denali said:

You need a weight distributing hitch before you need a new truck.

I have one. I purchased an very good one and its on in the picture. Since that was taken I added Sumo springs to the rear

426power · February 9, 2018

On ‎2‎/‎6‎/‎2018 at 10:41 PM, wforrest08 said:

I disagree with 90% of this logic you don’t need more power since your in Ohio if you were pulling mountains every trip then yes you would need more power. What your lacking is gearing I own a 15 crew cab 1/2 toner 5.3 3.43s and a 01 2500HD reg cab 6.0 4.10s. The 15 is tuned exhausted and intake and oddly enuff both trucks are on 285/17s. The 01 is rated hp/tq at what the 15 was stock or close to it I’ve had both trucks on my car hauler towed by the other. I’ll take the 01 any day of the week the difference is all gearing. No I don’t recommend 4.10s in a daily my 01 is my plow/trailer/haul truck I bought the 15 for a daily the biggest trailer it usually pulls is a 8x14 with a side x side on it and it does that effortlessly if I were towing anymore with it I would definitely step up to a 1500 with the tow package to get 373s which is a nice compromise between the two. Also you can get 2500s with 373s if you decide to step up to one.

stock 2500HD with 4.10s = fun to drive. 1500 with mods and 343s = point a to b spirited driving.

How do you like your Sumos? Do they take all the sag out with your trailer? I put a set on mine after I hauled that 01 around but haven’t had any real weight on them since. Only thing I noticed is there is a couple roads I drive on where I bottom out with a empty truck...

It sags a little sill since I have a leveling kit on it. But overall very impressed.

wforrest08 · February 9, 2018

53 minutes ago, 426power said:

It sags a little sill since I have a leveling kit on it. But overall very impressed.

Thanks for the reply. I’ve been wondering if they were worth it or not.

426power · March 10, 2018

OK guys I test drove a 2017 2500 HD 6.0 and all I can say is it's a dog stock. With the heavier truck my tuned 5.3 has a lot more power. I understand about the suspension and the rear end on the 2500, but at this point the 1500 is going to be tasked with pulling the trailer until I have had enough and bite the bullet for a Duramax.