I'm looking at the 2014 silverado 3500 srw with the 6.0 gas engine. Those who own this truck, what tongue weight is your hitch rated to? I have found the towing capacity and payload specs online but not hitch specs. The local dealership posted the hitch capacity for the 2500 and the 3500 diesel but they don't have any gas 3500 in stock. The 2500 gas is 10,200 lb max tt weight/1530 max TW. The 2500 diesel is 9400 lb max tt weight/1410 lb max TW. The 2015 diesel 3500 srw is listed as 13500 max tt weight, 2085 max TW. I'm looking at a tt with a potential TW of 1500-1700 lbs (around 10,300 lbs loaded). I know diesel is ideal but the wallet is struggling with being able to make that happen. I may end up having to lose some options and go w/ a stripped down diesel but I would prefer a gasser w/ a few extras as my daily driver. I tow approx 1 weekend a month, mostly flat towing and usually within a 2-3 hrs radius. Although 1-2 times a year we do tow in the nc/va mountains.What weight do you tow with your 6.0? How is the power? I know the gasser will not be like my diesel but I want to know it can do it. Thanks

I don't know about the tow weight questions but can offer some opinions on some other things.I'm buying a new truck and went away from Chevy (currently in an 06 Duramax) because the 6.0 is underpowered compared to the competition. I think it's rated around 360hp/375 torque. For comparison sake the new Dodge 6.4 Hemi is 410hp/430torque and Ford 6.2 is 375hp/400torque. These numbers are from memory but should be in the ballpark as I've pretty much been glued to the computer for the last month doing research.I think Chevy offers the 6.0 this year with the 4.10 rear end to try and make up for relative lack of power. Fwiw, a buddy of mine tows an 8500lb TT with the 6.0 (3.73 axle though I think) and HATES it. It's a dog up any hills. With the weight you're talking I can't imagine you'll be pleased. Realistically, you are pretty close to diesel territory with 10-12K lbs. To give you some comparison on prices that I've found, a Dodge Cummins Tradesman (fairly stripped down model but still a lot of options) can be had around my area for mid/upper 30's. 6.4 Hemi for mid/lower 30s. Those are both in 4X4 which is about all that are offered in my area. Ford F250 XLT gas around 36K also 4X4 with some pretty nice options. I'd hope an outgoing 2014 Chevy with the 6.0 could be had for less than the comparable gas Dodge/Fords since it is lacking power wise but I'm guessing Chevy isn't admitting its shortcomings. I stopped by a Chevy dealership and laid out my case for needing the higher HP/Torque to get out of my diesel and he didn't even pressure me if that's any indication. IMO for the time being Chevy/GMC can't compete in this truck segment. Diesel? of course but you'll have to pay.Good luck.... lot's of good threads on here recently about new trucks. Do your research :)

Thanks. I am burnt out on Ford after all the recent issues I've had with my 6.4. I have begun considering the dodge Hemi and Cummins but not a big fan of the body style (I can get past that if need be though). The dog on hills is what I was afraid of after test driving the silverado 6.0. Dmax or Cummins may be necessary now I just have to do this and leave some money to still go camping. The tradesman Cummins can be found for low 40's around here which is similar to what 6.0 Silverado LT would run me, so it might work out.

I have a 2012 3500hd S&W with 4:10. My fiver weighs 12280 scaled. I will say that I am completely satisfied with the 6.0 gasser for my needs. I made a conscious decision to not buy a diesel because I don't tow full time and the extra $8k for the dmax did not make sense for me. Sure a diesel will tow effortlessly and would make sense if I towed full-time, but I am a weekend warrior. I have no problem with my set up in the hills of upstate NY. Everyone will have their opinions about why their brand is better. If you want a GM and question the 6.0 don't think twice. It is a solid and proven engine. The 3500hd SRW has a 10800 gvwr which gives me around 4000 payload.

mtofell1 wrote:I don't know about the tow weight questions but can offer some opinions on some other things.I'm buying a new truck and went away from Chevy (currently in an 06 Duramax) because the 6.0 is underpowered compared to the competition. I think Chevy offers the 6.0 this year with the 4.10 rear end to try and make up for relative lack of power. Fwiw, a buddy of mine tows an 8500lb TT with the 6.0 (3.73 axle though I think) and HATES it. It's a dog up any hills. With the weight you're talking I can't imagine you'll be pleased. Realistically, you are pretty close to diesel territory with 10-12K lbs. ...but I'm guessing Chevy isn't admitting its shortcomings.I won't offer any opinions since the OP would be better served with some first hand accounts. I own a 6.0 with the 4.10 gear and have also 6.0s with the 3.73 for our company work trucks. The gear change certainly wasn't because the motor is a dog. My travel trailer is relatively light (approx 6k) and there is no issue taking it anywhere up or down any grade. Towing with heavy equipment such as Bobcats, backhoes, other full size trucks, 5 ton of rock, etc has caused no concern for driveability or safety. My truck is also set up for 5th wheel towing and I have used it to move my neighbors 9500lb 29' to a seasonal. There have been days when entering a town after driving in rural areas that we do forget we have something hitched in back. No it isn't a diesel but that isn't the topic at hand, and I won't speak for the other makes since we don't keep them in our fleet or for personal use. The 6.0 gas motor pulls like a beast and my daily driver has a payload of over 3k. Fuel mileage is about what you would expect- 13mpg unloaded and 10 mpg loaded on level ground. If someone is having power issues with their 6.0 they should have a checkup with the dealer, because the 3 that we use have never let us down.

anaro wrote:I'm looking at the 2014 silverado 3500 srw with the 6.0 gas engine. Those who own this truck, what tongue weight is your hitch rated to? Being that the 2014 3500 SRW is basically the same truck as my '11 2500HD,I'd guess the hitch on either truck will be the same.Mine is rated for 17K lbs with an 1800lb tongue weight for both weight carrying and weight distributing.

2014 silverado 3500 6.0 question | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

wintersun
Explorer II
Mar 23, 2014
GM/Chevy as long offered the 4.10 rear end with the gas engines. It is only not offered with the diesel trucks. GM/Chevy rates the towing capacity a full 25% higher with the 4.10 gears and with a ball hitch it is rated to tow up to 13,000 lbs. which is not coincidentally is the same as the Class V hitch receiver included with the factory tow package.

It helps that with the 6-speed transmission the truck has 4 under-drive gears available instead of 3 as with the 4-speed and 5-speed transmissions where 4th was 1.00.
Kalabin
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Coming from the 6.4 Powerstroke to the 6.0 Gasser its going to be a dramatic difference. Personally if I was purchasing brand new both the Ford 6.2 and the new Ram 6.4 are putting down much better numbers. I have nothing against the 6.0, but it will be a big difference from that 6.4 with stock 650 torque. If you are dead set on the GM / Chevy 6.0 then go with the 4.10 gearing.

Brother in law still tows a 28' 7,000lb travel trailer and typically slows to 45mph on most of the steeper grades up here. When I had my TT with the 6.4 the same hills I would just boost and continue on @ 60mph. The 6.0 Vortec is proven, and as stated that's why they have not chosen to replace it. If your fine going slower I have been told over and over the 6.0 is a 250,000 mile motor without any major repairs.
jujububbajr
Explorer
Mar 22, 2014
The 6.0 is not a dog. I just pulled my 9K TT to the hills of east Tennessee and had no problem. The 6 speed transmission is awesome. I held at 65mph with no problem. I passed many trucks on hills that could'nt hold 65. I have a 2500 lwb and my hitch is rated at 2k tongue and 18k tow with or without WD. People love whatever they have, and I love mine. I don't miss my 5.9 cummins at all, but if I was towing full time I would. It got 10 mpg pulling my TT. The 6.0 gets 7.5 mpg.
APT
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
Yeah, I believe him an glad his new truck is improved!
ksss
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
Actually having issue with the 6.0 isn't as surprising to me as finding that the 5.7 Hemi was found to perform better. I have never heard anyone say that before. Generally the 5.7 at least out here is not well thought of, no doubt why we see the 6.4 now. Obviously Zogg thought enough of the 5.7 to take the $$$ buttkicking to make the trade happen. I believe the man, I just have never heard it happening before.
APT
Explorer
Mar 17, 2014
I don't know why you had such a bad time with it zogg. I would be frustrated with that experience too! Mine hold 5th gear except for hills, but I use M5. If I let it attempt to shift into 6th, yes, it behaves the same since it can't hold 6th except downhill. I get 7-8mpg at 76-72mph, 10mpg at 60mph.
zogg
Explorer
Mar 15, 2014
I know a lot of folks love the 6.0 gas truck....i absolutely hated mine. It was a 2010 gmc 2500 4x4 with 3.73 gears. Pulling 8000 pounds i got 7-7.5 mpg on level ground in illinois and wisconsin and it rode like a battlewagon. Continually shifted up and down unless i locked it into fourth gear, which gave me less than 7 mpg.

After eight months, my wife refused to ride in it because it was awful. She wanted me to dump it on vacation in wisconsin. Got back to illinois and traded it the next week for my Ram hemi. Smoother ride, gets 9.5 to 10 mpg pulling the same trailer, not nearly the awful shifting, and more power on hills. Just a far better towing experience. If i had to go back to a GM truck with the 6.0, i would rather park the trailer pemanently. Just awful.

Certainly, i recommend that you test drive everything before you buy. I dont care for the Ram body style, but i dont see it from the inside,.....
kw_00
Explorer
Mar 13, 2014
No complaints here, have pulled over my max and no running short on power. As I pull our fifth wheel if I need more power simply drop a gear. I have pulled both with a cummins and duramax prior and stick with the gas job. Very few complaints about this engine ever surface, does the job very well, will pull what u want it to, and give u many years of trouble free service. If people feel that it's a dog... Well TQ management does hold it back some and is makes the engine fell that way. Otherwise it will serve u well, enjoy picking one out with what u want.
Dayle1
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2014
anaro wrote:
Thanks. I am burnt out on Ford after all the recent issues I've had with my 6.4. I have begun considering the dodge Hemi and Cummins but not a big fan of the body style (I can get past that if need be though). The dog on hills is what I was afraid of after test driving the silverado 6.0. Dmax or Cummins may be necessary now I just have to do this and leave some money to still go camping. The tradesman Cummins can be found for low 40's around here which is similar to what 6.0 Silverado LT would run me, so it might work out.

In Dec. I purchased a SRW 3500 LT D/A CCSB 2wd for $41k. I wouldn't be happy spending that much money and only having the 6.0 gasser for towing. IMO a base model diesel would be better.

TW should be limited by the receiver hitch and not the truck and mine came equipped with a 2.5 inch receiver that was plenty beefy. But sold it when I swapped out the stock bed, and can't recall what was stamped on it. Even if the 3500 gasser comes with just a 2 inch receiver, swapping it out for the 2.5 inch wouldn't be that difficult.
anaro
Explorer
Mar 12, 2014
Thanks for the info. I think it's all about numbers and then weighing the options.