The Best Half Ton Towing Truck - Ike Gauntlet

I've owned two different 6.2's. One with the 6 speed and one with the 8 speed. I now have a 17' 5.3 6 speed. I was thinking that there would be a huge difference in acceleration when towing between the two. I can honestly say there really isn't that much difference. The 8 speed had a 3.42 rear gear and the 5.3 has 3.73's. I'm sure that helps the 5.3. How much is anybody's guess. The 6.2's are awesome and get better mileage than the 5.3 but I won't be getting another at this point. It isn't worth the $2500 upgrade from the 5.3 IMO. As far as GM sending them to a towing test, the 3.5Ecoboost isn't the standard engine for the F-150 so I don't see what the fuss is about.

MikeRP wrote:
If you think the 5.7 Hemi is long in the tooth like me then most long in the tooth motor is the Chevy 5.3lL. I know it’s been a good engine and I am not trying to offend anyone and I’ve owned 2 and driven work vehicles with this motor many miles.

But it needs a major update!

The 5.3 just finished a major update from GM. Besides the displacement it is not the same engine from a few years ago.

I pulled with a '06 5.3 and it was barely adequate for a 7200 lb trailer but not something I would want to pull with again but the new 5.3 I may be convinced.

I wish they would do a tow review that doesn't invovle a mountain most of us will never climb. Would love to see a test review and mpg towing figure for a 200 mile round trip that is real world for most us us involving some city, highway, rolling hills and yes even a big hill.

Regardless of brand, trim level, options and snake oil features I would buy the truck with the best towing mpg.

Honestly I think they could just run the 6.2 in everything. The MPG is nearly identical. I am sure the 6.2 costs more to produce which maybe is why they like to pack it in high end versions of the 1500. Then for the High Country and Denali offer it with a super charger like the LSA.

If you think the 5.7 Hemi is long in the tooth like me then most long in the tooth motor is the Chevy 5.3lL. I know it’s been a good engine and I am not trying to offend anyone and I’ve owned 2 and driven work vehicles with this motor many miles.

But it needs a major update!

I get your point. I think your right that they want to send their big gun to the shootout. I don't think you could expect any less. Ford doesn't send their 2.7 EB. The fact that the 6.2 is only available in the two highest trim levels (Chevy) does suck and I very much disagree with that business model (should atleast come down to the RST if not the LT), it is still easily accessible. If the testing guys wanted to test a 5.3 they certainly could do that. GM couldn't say anything about it. I think everyone wants to see the most powerful options from each OEM go up against each other. Just for comparison I would like to see the 5.3 and the 6.2 run the Ike. It would be interesting to see how far off the 5.3 actually is from the 6.2.

The 5.7 Hemi & 3.5 EB have shown reasonable longevity at or near these power levels. The sleeved but aluminum block 6.2 still sorta remains to be proven. At least from what I have seen. While I am not a super fan of FLT I enjoyed the comparison. It seems to me towing economy and price should of been covered better anybody looking to buy to use for more than casual towing is heavily considering both. Meaning if you have to pay lots extra and high trim levels to get the 6.2 it might get quickly weeded out if you are price conscious same thing on the ones that use a lot more fuel.

HP here on top of the torque has confirmed what I already understood but still impressed me. My 14 ED with tow tune put about 465 TQ smack in between the 6.2 & 3.5 EB but only about 270 HP. All have comparable transmissions & gearing. Towing the same 9k it would have struggled to hold 50-52 mph let alone 60. Plenty of torque and gearing to move that 9k from a stop but not enough HP to push it out in the gear/torque required to hold 60 mph. For a half ton and 9k on this long steep grade I am impressed. IMO an HD is a better tool for the job for 9k but certainly these trucks did it adequately. On controlling the down hill speed I like the assistance and comfort of the turbo brake on my turbo diesel and suspect it would not have required 10 foot brake assists as these did but I can't say for sure.

I find these test videos fun entertaining and sometimes even revealing but not something to use soley in a buying decision.

A lot of doubters about the longevity of these newer half tons. A lot of doubters about the capability of these newer half tons. A lot of doubters that will simply not catch up with the times or admit they're wrong.

ksss wrote:

ShinerBock wrote:
I think each manufacture should be forced to send their most popular power train configuration. GM keeps sending their 6.2L to just about every truck test, but I doubt it is sells more than the 5.3L by a long shot.

I am sure they do sell more 5.3's than 6.2's but if you want the ability (and you have the billfold) of the 6.2 you can buy it. I don't see that being an issue. If it was some kind of special edition I would absolutely agree, but a 6.2 is not that. It is easily obtainable. It is just that a lot of people don't need that much motor or are not willing to pay for it.

I have to disagree. Most dealer lots have 5.3L engines and a 6.2L is very rare especially in Silverado's. Just about as rare as a Raptor is on a Ford lot. Also, the 6.2L is not available in all trims. It is only available in top level trims like the LTZ and High Country, and not available in WT, LT,or RST trims like the other engines.

GM always sends the 6.2L in these shootouts in both the Sierra and Silverado. I can see them sending one in the Sierra since the Denali package probably has more 6.2L owners, but not the Silverado. My guess is that GM knows that the 5.3L will not fair too well with the most common sold engines of the other brands so they only want people to test the 6.2L.

How do the integrated brake controllers compare?
How do they accelerate from 40 to 60 when passing with trailers behind?
How do they handle quick lane changes while towing?
How do they perform in emergency braking with the extra weight pushing them?
How does the fuel range compare?
These are tests trailer haulers would want to know. There was only 6 seconds difference in the trucks pulling the Ike so power is basically identical. Wish they would give us more valuable information.