Should I buy for Towing?

TomP · January 30, 2005

I need some help from you guys.

I plan on getting a Silverado 3500 Vortech 6000 V8 SFI Gas Engine tomorrow but not sure if I should get this one due to I want to pull travel trailers with it but it has a 4.10 rear end in it and I not sure if that is good. I've heard I should get a 3.10 rear end with it.

Can some the "PROS" out there please inlighten me a bit.

Thanks Alot:

TomP

71GMC_3/4T · January 30, 2005

A 3.10 rearend is definitely NOT what you want for towing. A 4.10 is best.

The 6.0 liter might be good for towing, but the 8.1 would be much better, especially with the allison tranny. It all depends on how big and heavy the load you are towing is.

The 6 liter would be working hard towing a heavy trailer where the 8.1 would hardly be breaking a sweat. I've read that people with the 8.1 get comparable fuel mileage empty.

If you really want to tow something and enjoy it, get the Duramax and Allison.

TomP · January 30, 2005

A 3.10 rearend is definitely NOT what you want for towing. A 4.10 is best.
The 6.0 liter might be good for towing, but the 8.1 would be much better, especially with the allison tranny. It all depends on how big and heavy the load you are towing is.

The 6 liter would be working hard towing a heavy trailer where the 8.1 would hardly be breaking a sweat. I've read that people with the 8.1 get comparable fuel mileage empty.

If you really want to tow something and enjoy it, get the Duramax and Allison.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

71GMC_3/4T

Thanks for the info. I just cant see paying the amount of money for the diesel. Something arount the $7,000 extra.

But I will only be towing travel tralers.

Many Thanks for your help.

XTOAK · January 30, 2005

I went the 6.0 route first in 2004 and then ended up trading for an 04 3500 with the 8.1/Ally...don't waste your time on the 6.0 if you're getting a 3500 and plan to tow. They're a good engine but gutless when you have to tow anything more than a small cargo trailer. The 8.1 has plenty of power to spare when going up the passes and won't let you down when it's time to pass the 18 wheeler on a two lane highway. Plus, the 8.1 will come with the 4.10 rear end made perfectly for towing.

dewfpo · January 30, 2005

How much weight are you planning on towing?

DEWFPO

99silveradoz71 · January 30, 2005

Agree with the others, though I wanted to add I don't believe a 3.10 is an option...isn't 3.42 the smallest ratio offered? If you're towing as you say you are, go big. You'll be doing the truck's longevity a favor.

THE BIGPUNN · January 30, 2005

i agree with others, 8.1 or Dmax. either way u certainly want the allison tranny if you plan on towing down steep grades.

whitesnake01 · January 31, 2005

What are you planning to tow, where will you be towing it and at what time of year are y ou towing it? 6.0 might be fine or it could be a real hot-running gas guzzler with no power for safe passing and 200 miles between each gas station.

dcalex · January 31, 2005

From what I've read here and elsewhere, the mileage of the 6000 over the 8.1 is nil....the 8.1 only costs $1,000 more and you really get that back with the incentives. Since you've specifically excluded the Dmax, there's just no way I can understand why you'd go to a 3500 for towing and not get at least the 8.1.....and I'd NEVER even consider getting a towing vehicle without the Allison......you really have to tow with an Ally to appreciate it and to get the Ally, you have to get the 8.1 or Dmax........Go for the 8.1/Allison

dewfpo · January 31, 2005

Getting the 8.1 actually costs ~$2,300 since they charge extra for the Allison and you have to have the Allison with the 8.1.

DEWFPO

Daubs · January 31, 2005

I'd throw in my vote for the 8.1

Buddy has same truck as mine (2500HD, cc, 4x4) but with the 6.0. He gets 11.5 MPG city or highway. I've got the 8.1 and get 9-10 city and 12-13 highway (looking to get better...just installed Westers Tune)

Buddy is pissed that I'm getting better highway than he is.

And I can tow a bunch more than his 6.0

I really think the 6.0 is a good motor, but if you want to tow a lot, get the 8.1/Allison. I got the 8.1 because I wanted the Allison (and have this little theory about getting the biggest engine available whenever I can)

496 CUBIC INCHES · January 31, 2005

A one ton truck with a small block gas engine....................No thanks.

The resale value will be less than the 8.1 or the D-max.

Your towing experience won't be very fun.

You'll be working your truck harder than a BB or diesel.

Gas mileage isn't much different between the 6.0 and the 8.1

The 6.0 has a history of piston slap,even some of the "fixed" 04's and 05's

I like the biggest engine available theory as well.

My dad has the 6.0 in his 2500HD company truck,and I'm not impressed at all.

The 8.1 is available with the Allison,the best towing tranny on the market.

The Allison has a spin-off filter whick makes it waaaaaaay easier and cleaner to change.

The Allison is almost bullet proof.

The 8.1 has about 40 more HP and almost 100 more lb. ft. of torque.

I could go on,but I think you get the idea.

Shawn T · January 31, 2005

Go Big or Go Home! I am with the rest of the forum. A 1 ton with a small block is just too much truck with a motor that is working way too hard. A 3.10 rear end? There is no such thing. The 8.1 comes standard with the 3.73 w/ Allison 5 speed auto. It is only available with 4.10's w/ 6 speed manual. The gas mileage difference is minimal and the power difference is tremendous. I personally own a DMax and I have friends with the same trucks equipped with the 6.0. They are nice but doggy in power compared to the BBL or the diesel.