Hi everyone, I am considering trading my Chevy Diesel for a 2014 GMC Gas. I no longer need a Diesel as we tow a 25 foot Travel Trailer rather than a Fifth Wheel. I have an option of 5.3 or a 6.2 Liter Engine. We Tow a 6000 Lb Travel Trailer with approximately a 600 Lb pin Weight. I am looking for any comments from others that have either of these engines. I realize I will not get the mileage from a gas engine that I would from my present Diesel but I really don't need a Diesel going forward. I am leaning towards the 6.2 Liter Engine although a bit concerned on the fuel usage.I have "Pasted" the GMC specs of the two engines below. Any helpful comments are welcome, thanks.....Ernie Engine: 6.2L V8 EcoTec3 FlexFuel Incl. Includes active fuel management, direct injection, Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and aluminum block construction. Capable of running on unleaded or up to 85% ethanol. • Active Noise Cancellation • Auxiliary External Transmission Oil Cooling • 3.42 Rear Axle Ratio This option features:• OHV valvetrain • Variable valve timing • V-8 • Direct gasoline injection • Front mounted • Regular unleaded fuel • Electronic ignition • Longitudinally mounted • Aluminum engine block • Aluminum cylinder head • Cylinder deactivation • SAEJ1349 AUG2004 compliant • Transmission oil cooler • Active noise cancellation Engine: 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 FlexFuel Incl. Includes active fuel management, direct injection, Variable Valve Timing (VVT) and aluminum block construction. Capable of running on unleaded or up to 85% ethanol. Horsepower: (hp / kw @ rpm): 355 / 265 @ 5,600.Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm): 383 / 520 @ 4,100. This option features:• OHV valvetrain • Variable valve timing • V-8 • Direct gasoline injection • Front mounted • Regular unleaded fuel • Electronic ignition • Longitudinally mounted • Aluminum engine block • Aluminum cylinder head • Cylinder deactivation • SAEJ1349 AUG2004 compliant More info on the 6.2 Liter: EcoTec3Silverado's EcoTec3 6.2L V8 is the most powerful V8 Chevrolet has ever offered in a full-size light-duty pickup. It will be available this fall and has an estimated 420 horsepower and 450 ft.-lb. of torque and an ultimate towing capacity of 5443 kg (12,000 lb.) surpassing the already best-in-class 5.3L V8.

you do realize that with the average amount of miles people drive in a year that the cost difference would likely only be 100-200 dollars more at most for a whole years consumption with the 6.2.The cost of the option though is very high I believe. That would be my determining factor more than the small fuel cost difference.If the upfront cost do not bother you buy the 6.2 for sure

We had a 5.3L and went to the 6.2L for the weight we tow(10K) and couldn't be happier. Would NOT go back to either the 5.3L or any of the diesel F250/F350 trucks available to us from the ranch. The 6.2L rocks.....Make sure you get the NHT package with 3.73 gears.

IT seems like the 5.3L will be a bit more stingy on fuel, and if you really need it, at 5,000 RPM the torque will be over 300, so you will get a lot of horsepower.It is not like the older V8's with pushrods, that would keep the valves open all the time at over 4,500 RPM, the new V8's have less drivetrain length and less moving parts, so the valves will actualy shut, and not "Float" at higher RPM's. If you do your own oil changes, you will like how clean the gas engine oil is when you drain it. And not so many quarts per change, and you should be able to extend your change interval without negative effects on the engine life.Fred.

The 6000 lbs, is that GVWR or actual ready-to-camp weight?

For decades the old Suburban was the go to vehicle for towing trailers. They are so totally weak compared to the engine/transmission combinations available today. If the truck is rated for your load the 5.3L is a perfectly good towing package. Will the 6.2L do better getting you up some of the steeper or longer hills? Absolutely! Will you miss the diesel performance enough that you're unsatisfied with the 5.3L? Maybe. Are you mature enough to accept the gain in gas mileage the 5.3L will provide in exchange for going up the occasional hill a little slower and maybe in a lower gear? Only you can decide.

GMC 5.3 or 6.2 Liter Engine? | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

Canuck_Travelle
Explorer
Aug 08, 2013
bigcitypopo wrote:
I honestly would keep the diesel... if not for the allison trans alone... If it is the noise level and such... My buddy found a local audio shop to install some dynamat in his rig.. it made all the difference. There will be a time in which you are going to wish you had the diesel/allison. You have already eaten the cost of the "upgrade" I'd sit back and relax and enjoy the fact you have a truck that can handle anything that you are gonna throw at it... and you arent gonna swallow the 30% depreciation 1st year again...

Thanks everyone for your input, for this year I am taking bigcitypopo advise and keeping the diesel, one reason is the lateness in the season to order,we leave for Florida in October for our six months, other reason is I have had great service from the Diesel & the Allison Tranny. Probably next year as this will probably be my last truck & I was going to a SLT & fully load it with all the chrome, backup Camera & all the Toys.
Great advise from all, to be used next year, thanks again, your a great crew!.....Ernie
Dadoffourgirls
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
mcsurveyor wrote:
I doubt anyone has driven the new 5.3 and the 6.2 isn't even available yet. That said, my old 5.3 towed 7000 lbs just fine. Obviously the 6.2 of any flavor would be better. The trouble will be finding a 2014 6.2 truck that isn't optioned/priced to the moon. The 5.3's will be everywhere. The 6.2 will be scarce.

That said, were I in the market for a 1/2 ton Chevy, I would look for a 6.2.

I know somebody who has logged many miles on the new 4.3! And has driven the old 6.2.

Depending on driving style and area, the 6.2 can achieve better economy then the 5.3 because it is a 3.1 in V4 mode. The 5.3 is only a 2.65 in V4 mode, and may not get there as often.

That is what is nice about the new 4.3 in V4 mode. It is bigger than the 5.3 in V4 mode.

For the weight that you are considering, I would suggest that you get whichever engine you want. You will have to wait for the new 6.2, or can go get the 5.3 now.
BobsC3
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
The Texan wrote:
N-Trouble wrote:
Well as an actual owner of several 5.3 motors in my family and now my brother having a 6.2 I can tell you the mileage is not on par as Texan would lead some to believe. THe 6.2 is a thirsty motor but will pull much better than the 5.3 as previously stated. Seeing as how the OP lives in Florida I suspect much of his towing will be on flat ground where the extra grunt of the 6.2 is likely not needed. IF you care about mileage get the 5.3... If you want some extra grunt and mileage isn't a big concern get the 6.2
If you think my numbers are misleading, then I highly suggest you visit the GM truck forums and call the hundreds there that are reporting the same mileage with the 6.2L liars also. Keep your foot out of the throttle and you can get good mileage. Drive it like you stole it, as many do and you will not get decent mileage. My figures are hand figured from my driving habits and if you think I am lying, then so be it.

You're not lying. There is a big misconception out there about the 6.2 1500 Silverado's. Most people say the mileage is horrible after experience's with 6.0 motors in 2500 HD's. They are not the same. I don't pull a camper with mine, but I do pull a 4000 lb bass boat. My mileage towing at 70mph is 12.5.....the same as when I pulled with 5.3 liter trucks with either a 3.73 or 4.10 gear. My 6.2 is in a 2010 LTZ Crew Z71 with the 3.42 rear. Solo, I've gotten as high as 19 with 18 being more common. I figure solo, the 6.2 probably gets 1-2 mpg less than the 5.3's but no more than that. Towing, the mileage is identical which is amazing considering the 6.2 has 88 hp more than the pre 2014 5.3 and 82 ft lbs more torque. The new DI 5.3 in the 2014's has impressive numbers, but if I were buying new I'd get the 6.2 again in a heartbeat.
bigcitypopo
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
I honestly would keep the diesel... if not for the allison trans alone... If it is the noise level and such... My buddy found a local audio shop to install some dynamat in his rig.. it made all the difference. There will be a time in which you are going to wish you had the diesel/allison. You have already eaten the cost of the "upgrade" I'd sit back and relax and enjoy the fact you have a truck that can handle anything that you are gonna throw at it... and you arent gonna swallow the 30% depreciation 1st year again...
APT
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
There are more Yukon Denalis with the 6.2L than pickups. It's quire rare. Few owners are displeased on any point with the current 6.2L. I expect no different with the 2014+ 6.2L.

The 5.3L has plenty of power, similar to my 6.0L in a lighter truck. But if you are in a position to afford the 6.2L, I think you'll be happier, especially coming from a diesel. Get the NHT package.
Mike_Up
Explorer
Jul 31, 2013
I have the Ford 5.0 which has the same power rating as the Chevy 2014 5.3 direct injection engine. My truck pulls my camper so easy, its nuts. I had a 2010 F150 5.4 previously, and it didnt pull anywhere as good as this 5.0.

I'd say you would be good with the 5.3 as long as you got a 3.42 or 3.73 axle. The Ford and Chevy 6 speed transmissions have nearly the same gears and I run the 3.73 axle with my 5.0.

Or a 2013 6.2 would also be great minus the daily commuting mileage.

Good luck.
BubbaK
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
wildwest450 wrote:
The Texan wrote:
The only trouble with the "movie trailer" is the lack of using facts about mileage. In the real world, the 6.2L is getting the same and in many cases, better mileage than the 5.3L, so mileage is NOT a factor.

Gm is claiming a best in class 23mpg for the new 5.3, I see no such claims for the 6.2, perhaps you can provide some proof?

I just returned from a trip pulling a KZ BHK with my 2013 Silverado. 5.3 3.42 rear. The trailer loaded was 7250lbs Was not over weight in any of the weights. Have the weigh ticket in the truck if anyone wants true numbers. Was close to the GVWR but truck pulled this trailer just fine. No we didn't have mountain roads to drive (Florida, Georgia, Carolina and Alabama) is where we traveled. Ran 70mph @ 3000 RPM in 5th gear and gas mileage was around 8 to 10 MPH. I have yet do the math on the fuel receipts so it may be a little better. I am sure if I dropped the speed to 65 or even 60 it would have been better. Plenty of power never had a lack of. Now with that said, if I was a full timer, I would go with the bigger 6.2. But seeing we are only taking a few trips a year, it works for us. I am sure there will be some that will not agree with me but this is only my opinion and it works for us. Just to add to this, I have been pulling trailers for over 25 years of all sizes and weights. Would this be something I would recommend to a first timer.........maybe not.
LowRyter
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
I'd keep the diesel.
mcsurveyor
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
I doubt anyone has driven the new 5.3 and the 6.2 isn't even available yet. That said, my old 5.3 towed 7000 lbs just fine. Obviously the 6.2 of any flavor would be better. The trouble will be finding a 2014 6.2 truck that isn't optioned/priced to the moon. The 5.3's will be everywhere. The 6.2 will be scarce.

That said, were I in the market for a 1/2 ton Chevy, I would look for a 6.2.
The_Texan
Explorer
Jul 29, 2013
N-Trouble wrote:
Well as an actual owner of several 5.3 motors in my family and now my brother having a 6.2 I can tell you the mileage is not on par as Texan would lead some to believe. THe 6.2 is a thirsty motor but will pull much better than the 5.3 as previously stated. Seeing as how the OP lives in Florida I suspect much of his towing will be on flat ground where the extra grunt of the 6.2 is likely not needed. IF you care about mileage get the 5.3... If you want some extra grunt and mileage isn't a big concern get the 6.2
If you think my numbers are misleading, then I highly suggest you visit the GM truck forums and call the hundreds there that are reporting the same mileage with the 6.2L liars also. Keep your foot out of the throttle and you can get good mileage. Drive it like you stole it, as many do and you will not get decent mileage. My figures are hand figured from my driving habits and if you think I am lying, then so be it.