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FlyingBison's avatar
FlyingBison
Explorer
Aug 24, 2017

Practical tow capacities not the extremes or limits?

I recently Sold my expedition so that I could more easily tow my TT which is a 27ft flagstaff bunk house weighing 6500lb GVWR. I have decided that a Chevy 2500HD is going to be my next truck but I'm stuck between two vehicles in my area that are both appealing and I have not a clue which to go after. I've been trying to find people that tow somewhere in this range with the 6.0L with 4.10 to see how well it does with something around 7-7500lbs but all anyone talks about is max weight. Everyone seems to want to push the limits. I'm looking for practical weight limits and not extremes. So here's how it will be used and I am hoping I can get some insight from those that have something similar or experience with this kind of setup to help me decide. I live in Iowa, mostly want to camp around our area but it would be nice to maybe once a summer make a trip out to Colorado or Tennessee. My travel companions would be my wife and three small children. Not much in camping supplies weighing us down and usually travel dry. The two vehicles I'm looking are are nearly identical except for the engine. I have found a well looked after 2003 2500HD Chevy 6.0L with 4.10 and 4x4, the other is the 8.1L and 2WD, prices are nearly the same so thats not much of a factor. I'm just curious how the 6.0L handle hills and he rare but possible trip to Colorado every once in a while. I like the 6.0L setup but I can't seem to find people talking about how it tows in this weight range. I would sorely hate to buy it and find that i'm in the same boat I was in with the expedition where everything sounded good on paper but really didn't perform well in practical applications. Any help or insight would greatly appreciated.

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  • FlyingBison's avatar
    FlyingBison
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2017
    shelbyd wrote:
    The 6.0 will be mated to a 4 speed transmission. What transmission is behind the 8.1? I believe it was an option to get the Allison? If it had that, I would choose the 8.1 over the 6.0. That being said I have owned an 04, 06, 11 and now a 17 with the 6.0 with both 3:73 and 4:10 rear end ratio's. the 2011 and 2017 have the 6 speed transmission. the older trucks had the 4 speed.

    I pull a 26' TT that maxes out at 7000 lbs. I have a leer high rise fiberglass cap on all the trucks.
    The 6.0 is no slouch, it handled the 7,000 lbs and loaded bed fine in the north east united stated. That era engine, transmission will have to rev more to get in the power band. Not a problem as the 6.0 handle it fine. I would prefer the 4:10 ratio for the mountains.

    If both trucks were equal shape I may lean toward the 8.1 for the shear HP and especially if it had the allison transmission. Mileage is not going to be to much worse than the 6.0.

    I consistently get between 8 and 10 depending on where I am going when towing and the speed limit. Under 65 saves fuel.


    I'm not sure definitely what the 8.1l is couple with as far as transmission goes (I thought all the 8.1l's got the Allison but that's knowledge from other forums which is not always accurate). My only apprehension on the 8.1l is that it has had 6 owners where as the 6.0l has been a one owner. Both are about the same in odometer. I'd love to get one that had the newer 6 speed but they are out of price range at the moment. I think I'd prefer the 6.0l simply because of the 1 owner thing but I also know both motors are very well built and reliable.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2017
    I have had 3 2500HD's with the 6.0 engine. You will be good to go with any, but the six speeds are better.
  • shelbyd's avatar
    shelbyd
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2017
    The 6.0 will be mated to a 4 speed transmission. What transmission is behind the 8.1? I believe it was an option to get the Allison? If it had that, I would choose the 8.1 over the 6.0. That being said I have owned an 04, 06, 11 and now a 17 with the 6.0 with both 3:73 and 4:10 rear end ratio's. the 2011 and 2017 have the 6 speed transmission. the older trucks had the 4 speed.

    I pull a 26' TT that maxes out at 7000 lbs. I have a leer high rise fiberglass cap on all the trucks.
    The 6.0 is no slouch, it handled the 7,000 lbs and loaded bed fine in the north east united stated. That era engine, transmission will have to rev more to get in the power band. Not a problem as the 6.0 handle it fine. I would prefer the 4:10 ratio for the mountains.

    If both trucks were equal shape I may lean toward the 8.1 for the shear HP and especially if it had the allison transmission. Mileage is not going to be to much worse than the 6.0.

    I consistently get between 8 and 10 depending on where I am going when towing and the speed limit. Under 65 saves fuel.
  • Passin_Thru's avatar
    Passin_Thru
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2017
    I have 2 2500 Duramax's.Both have ample power with heavy 7-8K trailer. I get around 9.8 mpg from Va to Colorado, Teller County, including over La Veta Pass west of Trinidad. Either will pull it at 45 with out overheating. I'd recommend Airlift airbags on the rear and Firestone Ride rite Shocks on the front. Takes the jump out of Ia-Co Bridges. Had to reman a Duramax to the tune of $12,000 due to Garrett Turbo bearing failure. Otherwise I'm happy with them. We own a farm and have 1 of 4 trailers hooked on a lot. This week I'm going to De. with the TT, coming home and hauling 3 loads of round bales about 20 miles. Avg ety is 16-17 depending on the road and the faster I go the better mileage it gets. At 75 it will get 19.
    My friend says hill will pass anything but afuel stop.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Aug 24, 2017
    "Everyone seems to want to push the limits."

    Not true! Lots of us don't. I believe either one will work fine. I'd go 6.0 4x4.

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