Chevy Express 3500 with 6.0
Hello, we are looking to get back into RVing. We currently have a 2019 Chevy Express van, 3500 series with a 6.0 Gas engine. The manufacturer says 9000# towing, looking for anyone with personal experi...
Forum Discussion
ktosv wrote:
We towed a Keystone Passport 2910 GT with a 2011 Express 3500 and had five kids and two dogs at the time.
We had previously towed the same trailer with a 2005 Suburban 1500 with the 5.3L, 4 speed and 3.42 axle for a short time. We replaced the 1500 with a 2004 Suburban 2500 with the 6L, 4 speed and 3.73 axle.
All I have to say is the 6L/6speed/3.42 in our Express out towed the 2500 Suburban. Examples are that the Suburban couldn’t maintain speed on level ground towing in OD. It did fine in 3rd. Our Express actually would shift into 6th while towing and would maintain speed on level ground. It obviously would shift with any grade out of 6th, so I typically limited to 5th and was on my way.
I don’t know where you are towing, but here in Michigan I will be honest that with any sizeable hill the van would shift from 5th to 4th. I did scale the setup and with all 7 of us, two dogs and misc stuff in the van I was 1000# under the vans GVWR. We had the 12 passenger regular wheelbase.
As was mentioned, the ride and handling was drastically improved after putting Bilstein shocks on.
This was really helpful. We are in NJ and would be staying on the east coast for a couple of more years before retirement. Then the "plan" is to go back to a class A DP.
