Engine/Gear Combination for Towing and MPG (1500)

[Gozer]

Looking at ordering a new style 1500 crew cab truck. I'll be towing a ~7000# travel trailer occasionally. I'm wondering what the best engine/rear-end would be for this in terms of adequate power but also MPG given this will be used as a daily driver. GMC's website lists the following towing capacities:

 

5.3L / 4.10 - 8500#

6.0L / 3.73 - 8500#

6.0L / 4.10 - 10500#

 

I think either the 5.3L / 4.10 or 6.0L / 3.73 will work from a power standpoint, but I'm wondering which would be better MPG when not towing. I'm thinking the 6.0L / 4.10 will be too low gears to get decent MPG for daily drive.

 

Any thoughts or experience on this would be appreciated!

[95Sierra2500]

I'd guess that the 5.3/4.10's and the 6.0/3.73's would probably average about the same mileage, but I'm no expert. I just know that 4.10s slaughter mileage. My '95 with a 350 has 4.10s and I can't get much more than 14.5-15 mpg. If I had 3.73's I'd probably be able to pull 16-18.

[gave20]

I get 15-16 with a 6.0 and 3.73, with a 4.10 you would probably get 13-14.

[asilverblazer]

I'd go with the 6.0 and 4.10's that close to the max weight capacity, it will tow it but not well. Do you really want to regularly tow something that nearly maxs out your truck? Think about luggage and gear and all the other stuff on top of the 7,000 lb trailer, plus you and gas and passengers. That could easily add up to another 1,000 lbs. 2,000 extra lbs of capacity would be a much safer margin. Not to mention bad 15mpg isn't much better than 13mpg.

[ChrisNJ]

No brainer, 6.0-4:10's. I've owned it and towed 8-9K, and it struggled with it compared to my current 8.1. I think the new 6.0Max with VVT and DOD will do 1-2mpg better than my old 6.0's 12-14 avg mpg. Do the math, it's probably only a few hundred bucks different/yr. If your only towing a few times a year short distances then it probably doesn't matter either way, but if yor towing a lot, 6.0-4:10's for sure.

[HawkeyeOC]

Another thing to consider also would be the Vortec Max package with the 6.0L. It comes with rear disc brakes and a heavy duty version of the 4 speed auto.

 

With that large of a trailer, I would go with the 6.0L just to be safe.

[Big Tool]

Go for the 6.0 either way, no comparison towing, or just daily drivind. 5.3 is great for crusin, and getting good mpg, but that's it imo. I think the 6.0 with the 3.73 is ideal, but when i ordered mine i didn't know you could get it like that so mine will have the 4.10's which i'm not wild about. but i think i'll manage.

[subgenius]

The other consideration is whether you are in mountainous terrain towing or not. The towing statistics GM publishes are for ideal conditions, in other words flat terrain.

[DSengineer]

The other consideration is whether you are in mountainous terrain towing or not. The towing statistics GM publishes are for ideal conditions, in other words flat terrain.

 

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Good point. Those weights also do not account for things like headwinds. Best rule of thumb is to not exceed 80% of manufacturer tow ratings.

 

Is 7K lbs the dry weight of your trailer? You also have to figure in all your camping gear, water, passengers, etc. Either way 7K lbs is a lot of weight behind a 1/2 ton. You may also want to consider a set of air bags. I put a set on my last 1/2 ton for pulling my boat and they help out a lot.

 

The 4.10's only really suffer in terms of highway mileage, not so much around town. So if most of your commuting is not on the interstate go for the 4.10's

[Gozer]

Thanks for all the feedback folks. Trailers I'm looking at are ~7k loaded. I'll be towing in PA, so need to be able to pull hills OK.

 

I'm leaning toward the VortecMax trailer package to get the 4.10, heavy-duty transmission, disk brakes, etc. Now if these things weren't so expensive. I'm looking at ~$34 invoice price per Edmunds! I've been told I can get a Dodge/Cummins for that price. No worries about towing capacity then, but not sure about driving a MOPAR!