Forum Discussion

bigskygrizzlybe's avatar
Sep 01, 2019

Chevy 6.0

I have an opportunity to purchase a low mileage Class C 29 foot motorhome. It is Chevy powered 6.0. I currently have a Ford V-10. My question is, is there enough power in the Chevy 6.0 to pull a Jeep Liberty dinghy? Ford V-10 has no problem.
  • We have a 6.0/6sp in a 32’ class C towing a 4dr Wrangler. It isn’t fast in a headwind or up a 6% grade at 6k feet, but it always gets there! And no, it’s not loud but will turn up around 3400 rpm.

    Gary
  • A 6.0 Chevy will have plenty of power, but will need to twist even more so than a Ford V10. I had a '04 2500HD 4x4 with a 300/360 one, 4.10's and that 2.48 first gear 4L80E. Towed many miles at rated GCWR and never ever lacked for power, but did spend lots of time above 4000rpm, right up to the 5200rpm shift point.
  • routeforty wrote:
    Again, could have gone faster, but why? Gary

    Yeah, some people think they'll get a prize if they're the first to the top.
  • I have a 29' class C with the 6.0 chevy. We regularly tow a Toyota camry from Ohio to Eastern Shore of Maryland across I68, which is one mountain after another. We have no problem. I use the truck lane going up and maintain about 40-50mph, could probably do faster but see no reason to. Most of the climbs are 5-6%. Get about 9 mpg while towing the camry, about 10-11 mpg while not towing. Went out west this summer, had no problems there either. The climb out of Dayton WY on US14 I guess is about 7%, climbed it(not towing) at 25-35mph. Again, could have gone faster, but why? Gary
  • Depends on the year, with the 6 speed you should have good performance, with the older 4 speed you will struggle with launching on steep hills. I used to have a driveway that was a 20% grade. My 2500HD with the 6.0 really had to grunt to start up my driveway loaded to 15K combined while my V10 E450 motorhome at 17K combined could go up barely touching the gas pedal. On a 6% freeway grade the Chevy had no problems maintaining 65 fully loaded (albeit over 5000 rpm in second gear) while the Ford struggled.
  • I’ve pulled a gooseneck trailer loaded with a ford diesel van ambulance probably weighing 12k #s combined at 70 mph like it was nothing. This was a srw truck with 4.10 gear. The cutaways are derated to 320 hp but should still handle it well.
  • Different strokes....

    I recently bought a Chevy Silverado 2500 with the 6.0. I bought it for the sole purpose of towing my little 5er.

    I just took my first long trip with that rig. When I got home I promptly put a for sale sign on it.

    After all of the praise that I have heard, I am quite disappointed.

    I am going to stick with my 3500 Dodge diesel with a 6speed manual.
  • I love the road handling of the Chevy 6.0 on a 29’ class C. Have not done real mountains (out west) yet though. I do not miss the engine noise of the V10 one bit.
  • Might depend on the year GM. I had an 04, 6.0 gasser that had a 4 spd tranny and had no problem hauling a truck camper 11,000# towing a 3000# trailer.
    The newer 6 spd tranny will handle that load better.

    I had 4.10 gears, the MH might have 4.56 gears which would be better .