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Bionic_Man's avatar
Bionic_Man
Explorer
Apr 17, 2015

Towing with a 5.3?

For the last 15 years, I have towed my boat tandem behind my 5er. New boat purchased at the end of last year has me rethinking what I want to do.

Considering changing out of my 1997 Grand Cherokee that I drive during foul weather, and moving to something that could pull my 23', 6000 pound boat if I need to go that way. Since this will effectively be a 4th vehicle, I don't want to spend a fortune. Willing to spend up to around $16k, but less would be better.

I am surprised at how affordable mid 2000 Suburban's are. My concern is if the 5.3 would be adequate to tow the boat. The only time we would use it to tow would be shorter (200 mile one way) trips. I would have my RAM and 5er, so the burb would be empty other than the boat. Would the 5.3 do ok, or should I look for something more powerful?
Tow Vehicles

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  • Turtle_n_Peeps's avatar
    Turtle_n_Peeps
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    You have some good things and some bad things going for you.

    The good: You're towing a boat and they have waaaaaaaaay less wind resistance than a trailer. Your boat does not weigh a whole bunch so that is another good thing.

    Now the bad: The state you live in. They don't call it the mile high state for nothing! I don't know the area you live in or how many mountains your towing over to get to where you are going but that altitude is going to chew up the HP. 5.3's were not known for their huge HP. So take the base HP and subtract about 3% for every 1000 feet you go above sea level.

    Will it tow it? Yep. How good and how fast is going to be determined on where you tow. :)

    Nice boat by the way! :)
  • Iraqvet05's avatar
    Iraqvet05
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    APT wrote:
    The 5.3L/4-spd is adequate at best, even with 4.10 axle which is rare. I highly recommend something with a 6-spd trans. That means 2009+ GM pickup and half ton SUVs. If you can find a 2007 Yukon Denali in your price range, you'll be ecstatic with towing performance. Otherwise, and older Denali with 6.0L/4-spd would probably be common enough to find a good one.

    x2

    hated the way my 07 Silverado with the 5.3, 4 speed and 3.42 gear pulled our TT with weight about that same as that boat. On flat, open roads it did well but it seemed anemic going up any slight or moderate grades. You can take it out of OD to keep the RPMs up but then the tran temp goes up.
  • Campfire_Time's avatar
    Campfire_Time
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    A boat has far less wind resistance than a travel trailer. That said you can tow far closer to your towing capacity when towing a boat. A 5.3 will tow that boat nicely. As said, look for at LEAST 3.73 gears. 4.10 is preferable. intheburbs already gave you the RPO codes to look for.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    The 5.3L/4-spd is adequate at best, even with 4.10 axle which is rare. I highly recommend something with a 6-spd trans. That means 2009+ GM pickup and half ton SUVs. If you can find a 2007 Yukon Denali in your price range, you'll be ecstatic with towing performance. Otherwise, and older Denali with 6.0L/4-spd would probably be common enough to find a good one.
  • Majja13's avatar
    Majja13
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    I think I can offer up a little help here. I am currently towing with a 00 GMC with 5.3 and 3.73 rear end and does very well on my Trailer which fully loaded is close to your boat. the poser seams start at 2500 RPM. I would not hesitate to tow with one. Especially a newer model then mine at 15 years old. Like stated get the 3.73 or 4.10's.
  • kw_00's avatar
    kw_00
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    Since your looking at the older 4 speed models I would go for the 4:10. I had and 00 5.3 and 3.42 gears, did OK but the 5.3 needs to Rev and likes to be over 2500rpm towing for best results. Hopefully u can find one with those gears, if not look for the 2500 version with the 6.0. Thirstier but will pull very well even with 3:73 gears. Nice boat by the way!
  • intheburbs's avatar
    intheburbs
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    I pulled a 6000-lb travel trailer all over the country with my '01 5.3 Burb. Try to find one with the 4.10 axles; that's what I had. It should be a good match to that weight boat.

    Look on the glovebox codes sticker for the following codes:
    GT4: 3.73
    GT5: 4.10

    The vast majority of Burbs have one of those two ratios.
  • debraindi's avatar
    debraindi
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    marquette wrote:
    I'm just surprised that is only a 6000 lb boat.
    I owned a 5.3 z71 truck.I think its the best engine for lighter loads and with good gas millage. What transmission the 3.73 will be fine but the 3.43 I would question it.
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    Apr 17, 2015
    Here is the boat in question, and the Jeep the new tow vehicle would be replacing.

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