5.3 vs 6.0 for Towing

DEEZRACING · October 20, 2004

I CURRENTLY HAVE A 99 CHEVY 1/2 TON 5.3L AUTO 4X4, WITH A 7 INCH LIFT AND 456 GEARS. I PULL A TRAILER THAT WEIGHS JUST OVER 8,000LBS AND IT SUCKS. IT PULLS THE TRAILER OK ON FLAT GROUND PUT IT SERIOUSLY STRUGGLES UP STEEP HILLS. I AM LOOKING AT PURCHASING A USED 2500 HD 6.0L CREW CAB 4X4 TO PULL MY 8,000LBS TRAILER. HOW WELL WILL IT PULL IT. WILL IT BE WORTH THE PURCHASE. IF I COULD AFFORD A DURAMAX I WOULD HAPPILY BUY IT BUT ITS JUST NOT IN MY BUDGET JUST YET. I AM JUST WORRIED ABOUT BUYING THE 6.0L AND IT NOT HANDLING THE WEIGHT.

XTOAK · October 20, 2004

Of the problems I've had with my truck, the 6.0 isn't one of them. Every time I tow or "haul", that engine has plenty to go with room to give more. Granted, I'm in the same boat as others with the intermediate steering shaft work that needs to be done (under warranty) and tailgate cables that need to be replaced...but, the engine makes up for the hassle.

I owned a Duramax and it was fantastic but just not my thing...great for those who love and can afford a diesel but just wasn't for me. The next best thing in my opinion for my application was the 6.0. A great engine!!

dannyukonxl · October 20, 2004

my 8.1 pulls a 5000 pound boat plus some up a fairly steep grade... i think 11% in 3rd gear 2200 rpms at 60 mph, its 1000 more than the 6.0 it does use more gas but not that much, the difference would be bigger than the 5.3 to the 6.0, the 6 liter is a great engine though, lots of potential especially with tuning and intake and exhaust, but the 8.1 also has that potential there, i imagine you have bigger tires on your truck and that wont help at all, maybe your 4.56 gears might compensate but it still takes a lot to turn over the tires

rascal · October 20, 2004

6.0 is a good pulling motor, but wish i'd got a 8.1. I like manual trans and for a money, you get alot of motor and better trans with a 6 speed. I understand the auto that goes with the 8.1 is a major up grade. really best upgrade, bang for your buck, they made was in the trans. if the deal is good, I think you'll be happy with the upgrade.

whitesnake01 · October 20, 2004

I AM LOOKING AT PURCHASING A USED 2500 HD 6.0L CREW CAB 4X4 TO PULL MY 8,000LBS TRAILER. HOW WELL WILL IT PULL IT.

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This depends on where and when you tow with it. For most common towing, the 6.0L should take care of your 8,000lbs. If you do a lot of hills or mountains in warm weather, the 6.0L might be on the light side. If you're not using your truck as a daily driver, but more as a tow truck, I'd go with the 8.1L.

Roofer · October 20, 2004

For towing alot I always say diesel is best, but like stated above it is not for everyone. The 6.0 will be a big improvement, but you will notice how much heavier duty the truck is also. Another biggie is the 4L80E instead of the 4L60E in the half ton. It is so much better for towing heavier loads. I wouldn't worry about the engine handling it. It will do just fine.

vhato · October 23, 2004

7" of lift and 4.56 gears. You could go as big as 35" tires and be fine. However 4.56 gears+35" tires+8000 lb trailer isn't gonna work.

I dunno what size tires you have but the largest tire you could with is a 33" with 4.56's and pull 8000 pounds with ease. The increase in height and weight is a big issue. If you were to jump to 4.88, 35's would decent for pulling that trailer.

My old 00 z-71 had 9" of lift and I used both 4.56's and 4.88's with 10 ply 37" Swampers. Pulling our 8000 lb trailer was a DOG with either gear. I dropped from 4.88 to 4.56 because I lost ABS.

My new 04 2500HD 6.0 4.10 CC Auto pulls the trailer with EASE. At 60 MPH i Was getting 10 MPG. The 6.0 is a strong torquey engine.

DEEZRACING · October 26, 2004

WELL I DO HAVE THE 456'S WITH 35 INCH TIRES AND I CAN PULL MY TRAILER AT 65 WITH NO PROBLEM ON FLAT GROUND BUT WHEN I ENCOUNTER A HILL THINGS QUICKLY CHANGE. IF THE GRADE IS STEEP I CAN GET OUT OF THE TRUCK AND GET A COLD DRINK OUT OF THE TRAILER AND GET BACK IN THE TRUCK BEFORE IT GETS TO FAR AHEAD OF ME.

vhato · October 26, 2004

WELL I DO HAVE THE 456'S WITH 35 INCH TIRES AND I CAN PULL MY TRAILER AT 65 WITH NO PROBLEM ON FLAT GROUND BUT WHEN I ENCOUNTER A HILL THINGS QUICKLY CHANGE. IF THE GRADE IS STEEP I CAN GET OUT OF THE TRUCK AND GET A COLD DRINK OUT OF THE TRAILER AND GET BACK IN THE TRUCK BEFORE IT GETS TO FAR AHEAD OF ME.

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4.88's would be better suited, but not by much and you would lose ABS. That year the 5.3 put out 270 HP and 315 lbft Torque at the Flywheel. You gotta find a way of getting more torque to ground. In 1999-2000 the 4x4/Z71 1500 NBS could only lay 191 HP to the ground in stock form with 3.73 gears and 265's for tires. The transmission and T-case really soak up the power. The AutoTrac T-case always having to turn the front driveshaft is the main problem.

Either beef up the engine, go to a lower gear ratio or roll a smaller tire. Any one of these should allow the tranny to stay in gear and not downshift as much.

Eitherway, you asked if a 2500HD would solve your problem, yes it would. But the lifted truck is so much more fun to pull with. It would suck to have just a truck to tow with without the glory of a lifted rig.

DEEZRACING · October 27, 2004

YES ITS SO MUCH MORE ENJOYABLE TO HAVE A LIFTED TRUCK ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU GO THE BEACH AS MUCH AS I DO. YOU MUST HAVE A 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND A GOOD LIFTED TRUCK WITH BIG TIRES TO BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE SAND WITH YOUR TRAILER. IM LOOKS LIKE I MAY JUST BE BETTER OFF SELLING MY TRUCK AND MOVING ON TO A DIESEL AS SOON A I CAN AFFORD IT. I COULD REALLY USE THE TORQUE AND POWER PULLING THROUGH THE SAND.