I Am Trusting Your Input

[firepoggy]

The wife says I can get a "new to us" truck.

 

I currently have an 04 silverado ex cab 4x4. Powerplant is the 6.0 with 4:10 and 4spd auto tranny.

 

We are towing a 32ft 5er that just seems to be too much for the truck.

 

Should I look into a Dmax, 8.1, or newer 6.0?

 

Here is the dilema.......

 

Since GM announced that the 8.1 is no longer available in pickups, the used ones vanished. You cannot locate a used 8.1 anywhere close to my home.

 

All the diesels I have found are either high miles or worked hard with trailers or snowblades. To get a clean truck means a $600 month payment, no thanks.

 

Do the newer 6.0 engines tow better than the older models. I can handle 10,100 right now but I am really close to max.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Haulin' 8.1]

Where's home?

 

Vernon

[ws6_guy]

I would say so, they have about 50 or so more horses more than the older 6.0Ls

[2017HD]

The new 6.0L are a little bit more powerfull - but probably not enough to make that much difference. The new 2500HD 6.0L is rated for around 12,000lbs towing with the 4.10 rear end. The 6sp tranny gives better MPG when empty and it gear spread is good for towing as well. I would look for a DMax either an 06 or 07 with the 6speed Allison tranny. You may have to do quite a bit of looking. Either that or bite the bullet and buy a new one.

[HDdave]

Yeah, your going to want something bigger than a 6.0. If the truck is a daily driver, I would go for a d-max. My dad has an 03 with 3:73's and it will tow anything you put behind it without a problem. He has a chip, but the older d-maxs have less power than the new ones. I personally would love to have an 8.1, but as a daily driver the milage would be killer.