What would you do?

Iraqvet05 wrote:

wrgrs50s wrote:
Your much better off to look into a 3/4 ton for a 6000lb trailer. I pulled my 5000lb trailer with a 2002 5.3 with 3.73 rear axle and tow package and it worked, but not great. Bought an 06 2500 with the 6.0 and noticed a major difference in not only power, but over all stability. No more nerve racking sway when big rigs passd on the highway, or on windy days. Also, now, I moved up to a 5th wheel around 8000lb loaded and sure could not have done that with a 1/2 ton.

The old saying, you can never have too much truck is very true in most cases. I think you may be very dissapointed with a 4.8 as the engine will strain and the tranny will be stressed with that kind of weight.

x2 My exact experience towing 5500 lbs with a 2007 5.3, 3.42 then going to a 2001 2500HD, 6.0.

We tow our 6700lb trailer about 8000 miles a year all over the lower continent first with a 2012 5.3 3:42 6spd and now with a 2017 5.3 3:4 8spd Both trucks were OK but the 2017 is much better with the 355 HP and the 8 spd.

We have an Equalizer hitch. No effect from transports passing on highways.

The 4.6 is close in HP to the 5.3 for those years but is well down in torque.

A friend had a 4.6 and traded for a 5.3 and got better gas mileage.

My experience.

wrgrs50s wrote:
Your much better off to look into a 3/4 ton for a 6000lb trailer. I pulled my 5000lb trailer with a 2002 5.3 with 3.73 rear axle and tow package and it worked, but not great. Bought an 06 2500 with the 6.0 and noticed a major difference in not only power, but over all stability. No more nerve racking sway when big rigs passd on the highway, or on windy days. Also, now, I moved up to a 5th wheel around 8000lb loaded and sure could not have done that with a 1/2 ton.

The old saying, you can never have too much truck is very true in most cases. I think you may be very dissapointed with a 4.8 as the engine will strain and the tranny will be stressed with that kind of weight.

x2 My exact experience towing 5500 lbs with a 2007 5.3, 3.42 then going to a 2001 2500HD, 6.0.

ShinerBock wrote:
I think you would probably end up regretting not getting the 5.3L.

x2!

If there is negligible cost difference bump up to the bigger engine. If you can save significantly, I would accept the small engine.

3/4 ton, lol.
Yes the 4.8 gives up power to the 5.3, but you're obviously after the best value and that's any truck that don't break down. You can run the 4.8 full throttle all day every day and You're not going to hurt it.
One of the toughest small blocks made. stock long blocks hold up to a lot power.
I wouldn't pass it up if it's the right truck.

4251 Dry Weight. You guys have convinced me to pass on the 4.8 and stay with the 5.3l
Thanks for your input Ed

Your much better off to look into a 3/4 ton for a 6000lb trailer. I pulled my 5000lb trailer with a 2002 5.3 with 3.73 rear axle and tow package and it worked, but not great. Bought an 06 2500 with the 6.0 and noticed a major difference in not only power, but over all stability. No more nerve racking sway when big rigs passd on the highway, or on windy days. Also, now, I moved up to a 5th wheel around 8000lb loaded and sure could not have done that with a 1/2 ton.

The old saying, you can never have too much truck is very true in most cases. I think you may be very dissapointed with a 4.8 as the engine will strain and the tranny will be stressed with that kind of weight.

I notice you are in NorCal, if you stay on I-5 you will probably be fine. Otherwise the 4.8 will be woefully inadequate, the truck likely has 3.42 gears which makes a bad situation worse. Is the trailer 6,000# wet or dry? If dry add another 7-800# loaded ready to go.

If you are Ok staying close to the 55 speed limit and slowing/downshifting on the hills with some patience to get where you are going... the 4.8 is fine.

If you always need to keep up and feel 55 is dangerous then the 5.3 may not even be enough.

You would only gain about 25 or 30 HP. Not much really and this would be a max RPM at max throttle.

For "me" it would not be worth it. For you????……….