6.0 VERSUS 5.3

LOADEDGUN · May 16, 2005

LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO CAN GIVE INFORMATION ON WHICH WOULD BE BETTER FOR PULLING A CAMPER OR TRAILER A FEW TIME A YEAR VERSUS DRIVING TO WORK DAILY, A 6.0 OR 5.3 IN 1 2500 CHEVROLET

99silveradoz71 · May 17, 2005

Wrong area to post this...we'll go full-szie light duty

mudbug660 · May 17, 2005

I think the smallest engine you can get in a 2500 is the 6.0. No 5.3.

99silveradoz71 · May 17, 2005

oops, missed that 2500 at the end, to the HD area we go.

Shaners · May 17, 2005

The 5.3L is better suited for daily driving, but is capable of towing 5-6000 lbs safely a few times a year (1/2 ton truck)... A biggier trailer would require the bigger motor but would definatly require the heavier chassis (2500 or 2500HD).

Superman TNT · May 17, 2005

I agree with Shaners. The 5.3 is ok up to about 6,000lbs max. I had one and towed a lot. 5,500lbs it was ok, anythng more forget it. I had 3:73 gears also.

catiaeng · May 17, 2005

Big question is how far are you going travel, or where do you think you want to go? A 5.3L in a half ton will pull at 30ft travel trailer, but don't plan on climbing any mountians, or trips more than a few hundred miles. The drivetrain on a half ton is not made for that type of use.

I will look up a post from last fall, but I spent time doing some research before I purchased the truck I have now. In brief, if you are only going to an RV park a few hours away, and you have a moderate trailer (no 30ft with slides) go for the half ton, but order with 4:10 rear end. Therefore you will get drivability for everyday use, and better towing with the 5.3L.

The 6.0L is not a bad motor, it has the power for my trailer, but I tow to some NASCAR races and needed the HD to climb hills and cruze at 70mph on the highway for 500+ miles one way. I drive every day, now about 30 miles one-way to work and average 14mpg, not bad for a Big A$$ Truck.

BJ

catiaeng · May 17, 2005

Found it. The post was in the Gas Engine Tech someone was asking the same thing you are. Like I said, I tested and this is what I found. Let me know if you have any additional questions.

Link to other post

--If the link does not come up, search for "4.8 5.3 6.0"

BJ

steve summers · June 1, 2005

We have towed an 18' flat bed trailer with 5 ATV's, gear, luggage and 5 people from Oklahoma to California several times with a Yukon XL with a 5.3L. The mountain passes have to be taken at about 40-45mph unless you want to try to go faster and listen to the motor running 6000 rpms. The 5.3L does'nt seem to have nearly the torque of the 6.0L or the old 350.

I had the 6.0L in a Silverado SS, I really liked the torque and how it towed, but didn't like the mileage. So my opinion is for a couple of times a year I would go with the 5.3L.