How's that 6.6 gas working for you?
Getting ready to order a new Chevy truck and trying to decide on either a HD2500 gas or the 1500 5.3 with the NHT option. I will be towing around 7,000 lbs and the 1500 is rated at 11,000. I know the ...
Forum Discussion
I'm pulling semi frequently a 6500 lb trailer with a 4.3 V6 dual cab 4x. I'm positive the 5.3 would be faster, quicker etc. Especially with the 8 or 10 sp trans. With that said, the 4.3 6 sp pulls this trailer power wise every bit as well or better than the BB 454 3 sp auto setups I used when I bought said trailer back in the early 90's. Granted this is an equipment trailer with a smaller excavator, so not a lot of wind resistance vs an RV trailer.
I did put a 1500 lb helper spring on it, it does not sag as much as stock with 3900 lb springs. I did gain about 1.5-2" of ride height..... balanced this out with a 2' Leveling strut kit..... rides better too.
I've gotten 25 on the freeway at 60 mph, a friend of mine with an equal 5.3 has gotten 22-23. Hes about 3 mpg less in the city. Both of us have the cylinder shut off option. If you do not get this, you can figure getting 2-4 mpg on the freeway less than having this option. I don't get as much now, with the lift, and putting heavier taller tires on it, I've lost about 2-3 mpg all around. Not a lot of seat of the pants power loss pulling my trailer or otherwise.
I have not heard any good or bad about the TD in the 1500's. But with a 25-40 mpg epa city freeway rating. That's with the extra $1000-1500 cost on it!
Good luck on choice!
Marty
I did put a 1500 lb helper spring on it, it does not sag as much as stock with 3900 lb springs. I did gain about 1.5-2" of ride height..... balanced this out with a 2' Leveling strut kit..... rides better too.
I've gotten 25 on the freeway at 60 mph, a friend of mine with an equal 5.3 has gotten 22-23. Hes about 3 mpg less in the city. Both of us have the cylinder shut off option. If you do not get this, you can figure getting 2-4 mpg on the freeway less than having this option. I don't get as much now, with the lift, and putting heavier taller tires on it, I've lost about 2-3 mpg all around. Not a lot of seat of the pants power loss pulling my trailer or otherwise.
I have not heard any good or bad about the TD in the 1500's. But with a 25-40 mpg epa city freeway rating. That's with the extra $1000-1500 cost on it!
Good luck on choice!
Marty
