Towing ability

Drumnatural · August 9, 2020

New member coming from a 6.7 powerstroke. I was curious to see what you all are towing with these new 6.6s. I plan on getting a 5th wheel soon at about 12k pounds loaded. I’m done with diesels hopefully.

GAS-CAN · August 10, 2020

Like the new 6.6 gas [ had a 6.0 ] pull a 35' Flagstaff around 10,000 lb.. also pull a 30' cargo trailer around 9500 lb. Has good power, mileage is 8 - 8.7 pulling in the Midwest. 17+ mpg empty.

Ray Pickle · August 10, 2020

I have pulled a 37' 5th wheel, 12k, over 4k miles. Averaged 9.3 mpg while towing, it pulls fine. My only wish is for 4:10 axle ratio, I believe it would pull better, yet not negatively impact mpg while towing. I will be leaving on a 5k plus loop of the west at the end of month it will be more of a test than what I have done to date. I don't expect that it will have any issues with the mountains. My last truck was a 16' 6l gasser w/410 axle and it was adequate even while climbing up to the eisenhower tunnel and this truck pulls better than that.

Ray Pickle · September 19, 2020

Back from 4500 mi trip Cincy to badlands then grand tetons and finishing in yellowstone. Hand calculated averaged 9.08 towing. DIC was .3 to .4 optimistic. As an aside the range indicator was slightly more optimistic than the dic. Best tank was 9.9 with a slightly favorable wind and relatively flat ground. Worst tank mileage was 8.3 with 15 -20 mph winds out of s.w. while traveling west and some mountain passes. Speeds while towing between 63 and 69 throughout trip. No power issues whatsoever 2nd gear one time on trip climbing mountain pass from Dubois Wy. To Grand Teton valley.

BarC · October 22, 2020

I’ve got 2020 2500 crew cab short bed 4x4 and it pulls great, hauled 30’ gooseneck, skid steer, ATV and lots of supplies To help out with hurricanes, kept up with all the souped up diesels I was running with, I averaged about 7.5mpg but I was running 70+ more than should have been (little fast but we drove for a long ways) Also haul hay and cows all the time and does great... I’m very impressed and don’t see myself ever going back to diesel unless I go to hauling for a living.

Five out of Five stars from me

2020_3500HD · October 23, 2020

Maxed the truck out the other day hauling dads 5th wheel no issues here. These trucks do their best when around 3500 to 4000 rpm keep it there and have never noticed a lack of power.

TrailBoss1 · October 24, 2020

I’m waiting delivery (build code 4200 -shipped) of a 2021 3500 CC LTZ with the 6.6 gasser. I went from a 2016 duramax dually (we towed a RV until we bought a permanent place near the beach) to a 2019 1500 Trail Boss 5.3. I tow a 23’ boat (maybe 6000 lbs) and the TB does ok but I miss the weight and size of the HD. I don’t want to pay for the diesel if I don’t need it and believe the 6.6 gas should be fine in this application. I’ll check back after towing and provide some feedback! Like others, I’d like 4.10’s or a 10 speed but the 3.73/6speed should work for my application.

Hagar68 · October 28, 2020

We have a folding golf cart and 30' TT and travel at about 16,500 gross combined. It's fun to drive towing or solo. And I love the integrated brake controller, absolutely seamless.

Mdb · June 1, 2021

I just got to tow our camper for the first time. 24' TT, 6k gvwr, say 800 in the truck including us, dog, firewood, gear. I am very pleased with towing performance. Acceleration is not an issue at all. On cruise w/tow mode, ran 75 up and down a few grades on I-70 in eastern Ohio. Truck would not have to drop to 2nd @4500 to maintain like the old 03, 6.0 hd did. It did drop to 70 and stayed at 3200 while climbing and that's OK I guess, the limit is 70 after all. Descent was controlled and no speed gain at all. Avg. 9.2 mpg on this trip, again better than the 8 or so from the 6.0. Integrated controller was effective, set at 4.5 and worked perfect. There is an engine/tranny braking effect when in tow if you tap the brakes to slow, the trans will downshift and noticeably reduce vehicle speed. Trailer light test mode is a handy option, between that and the b/u camera I don't need to bother the family while they do their tasks. All in all, a bad ass towing package for us, so much more pleasant.

Jimmy-Mack · June 1, 2021

Yep, I'm impressed and sold with this 6.6 gas. Tow a 35' TT weighing about 9500 with all the extras. Had a LLY Duramax and could top out on Fancy Gap in SW Va. about 67 mph. This gas, what a HOSS! Slowed to 60 for a truck in the third lane (no trucks) about halfway up and still topped out at 75 mph! Glad the wife wasn't along for this test!!!!

crf450r · June 2, 2021

Curious, do people actually wait the recommended 500 miles before towing?

Limelight · June 3, 2021

4 hours ago, crf450r said:

Curious, do people actually wait the recommended 500 miles before towing?

No! Lol

I towed my 37’ camper the day after I got mine.

Nickp1 · June 6, 2021

I came from a f150 ecoboost with a good bit of mods. The truck tows great compared to the f150. I’ve been easy on it since it’s only got a few hundred miles on it. Picked up last Friday towed the boat twice now. Only 5k loaded. Only big difference I’m noticing is like what others said about the power much higher in the rpm range. She’s shines around 3500 rpm and up where the ecoboost would pull a lot stronger at 2000rpm. Just a learning curve for me personally.

Mdb · June 13, 2021

Alright, just towed the boat yesterday, pretty much the same results as the camper from prior post. The boats a 22' tri toon, with a 150, sitting on bunks, about 5k. Again a pleasant drive. Headed to Lake Cumberland this summer, can't wait.

RND4mGuy · June 22, 2021

You know, after reading all your comments I think I'm sold on getting the gasser instead of the Duramax to haul a truck camper around. Sounds like a solid engine and setup for not maxxed out towing. Just worried about resale with the gas engine.