I have my new tow vehicle truck search down to two different models what would be the better work horse. 1. A 5.7 liter V- 8 with a rear axle ratio of 3.55 2. A 5.3 liter V-8 with a rear axel ratio of 3.42
A lot depends on how much weight you plan to tow. My 5th wheel is about 10K. My new tow vehicle is a 2013 GMC 2500HD. 6.0 gas engine and 4.1 rear end. I looked hard for a used truck with a 4.1 rear but they are hard to find. The 4.1 rear raises the tow rating by 4000 lbs and is a $100 option. I really like the truck and with 13000 miles on it have not had a single problem. Happy Trails
Check the tow ratings for the truck. With GM/Chevy heavy duty trucks the 4.10 gears provide a gain of 25% or 2500 lbs. in towing capacity. The truck with the 4.10 gears will accelerate much faster and handle grades much better and put less stress on the engine and the transmission.
The 4.10 gears will provide exactly the same fuel economy in normal city driving or in towing and maybe cost you 1 MPG on the highway with no load.
eHoefler wrote: Option 1 has 395 horse power with 407 FTLB of torque
Option 2 has 355 horse power with 383 FTLB of torque
I believe those option 2 numbers are for the 2014 Ecotec 3. That's about 50lbs of torque more, at the same RPM, than the previous 5.3. And its rated for 16/23 MPG vs the 14/20 of the 5.7. I bet the 5.3 will have more payload capacity. Things have changed in 2014.
The OP is shopping 2013s, so why would the 5.3 have more payload?
eHoefler wrote: Option 1 has 395 horse power with 407 FTLB of torque
Option 2 has 355 horse power with 383 FTLB of torque
I believe those option 2 numbers are for the 2014 Ecotec 3. That's about 50lbs of torque more, at the same RPM, than the previous 5.3. And its rated for 16/23 MPG vs the 14/20 of the 5.7. I bet the 5.3 will have more payload capacity. Things have changed in 2014.
Early 1999 F-350 7.3 DRW CC, 4.10 2016 Open Range Light FL295FBH 3 Kids, 2 Dogs, 1 Wife.
50 years ago the 5.3 was used to power 66 passenger school buses and 1 1/2 ton grain trucks. Of course back then the Hemi was a 392 or a 426. Boy how times have changed. just doing a little ole day dreaming.:B
2018 Ram 3500 SRW CC LB 6.7L Cummins Auto 3.42 gears 2018 Grand Design 337RLS
Some of it depends on what ratios the transmission has. Not all 6th gears use the same overdrive ratios. One could be higher than the other which would affect the final drive ratio. It's not as easy as when they all only had 3 gears and the 3rd gear was always a 1:1 ratio..
B.O.
Former Ram/Cummins owner 2015 Silverado 3500 D/A DRW Yup I'm a fanboy! 2016 Cedar Creek 36CKTS
See if your dealer can find you an Outdoorsman edition ... gets you the 3.92 rear axle with the 5.7 and 6-speed, more skid plates and heavier suspension. Plus, no exhaust pipes sticking out the bumper cover.
Truck 1. is the obvious winner for pulling a load. Option 2. is a grocery getter IMO.
This member is not responsible for opinions that are inaccurate due to faulty information provided by the original poster. Use them at your own discretion.
IMO apples vs oranges in towing/working output. I wouldn't consider the very small 5.3 gas engine a work horse. Its used in 1/2 ton trucks and suvs/sports cars.
The 5.7 Hemi is used in 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks and has more hp and especially torque numbers for a small work horse engine.
"good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" ............ Will Rogers
'03 2500 QC Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs Westach '97 Park Avanue 28' 5er 11200 two slides
