Excuse me if this has been posted before because it probably has and I just haven't been able to find it but I'm an apples to apples kind of a guy.I'm looking at buying a new tow vehicle to pull my camper; 28 ft TT, weighs about 7200lbs. We pulled last year around 5500 miles but I drive this truck 12 miles to and from work every day. I have done the math and it just doesn't pencil out where it's justified to own a Duramax with fuel prices being what they are. I'm just trying to make sure I'm right. So here is my question. Honest answer please. If you own a 6.0 GM, what year and specs are your truck, what it your trailer size and weight, why type of terrain do you tow on, and mpg; towing and normal, and do you feel it's enough truck. I'm just trying to make the best possible decision. Thanks in advance!!!

western PA with an '04 3.73 rear. towed a 5k tt and a 9-10k f'ver.towed the tt like it wasn't even there, towed the f'ver great but sucked gas getting 8-10mpg on the turnpike and could only go about 150 miles before I had to fill up.A newer 6.0/6 speed with a 3.73 woudl be great just make sure you get a 2011 or newer to get the 36 gallon tank. the weight you're pulling will be fine with a SBC

You can see my set up in signature below. My fiver weighs 12,280 scaled and loaded. A 4:10 axle is a must have with the 6.0 for towing anything over 9000 lbs. I love my set up and the 6.0 performs well for my needs.

Btw - you may find it very difficult to find a 4:10 6.0 on a dealers lot. The standard is 3:73 with Max tow rating of 9,500 lbs. The 4:10 is a $175 factory option. I had to order my truck.

2012 2500hd 6.0 3.73 6 speed 6l90e tranny. I tow about 8000 lbs with it and usually head through central VA into WV so most of it is low altitude mountains. It does very well and gets maybe 8-9 mpg. Just set the cruise at 65 and steer. It might wind up to 4k rpm on the 6% climbs but otherwise it runs at 2300 in 5th on the flats to small hills and 3100 in 4th to get up the moderate hills.I am very satisfied with it and I would not call the 4.10 a must have for towing with the 6.0. It probably won't let you hold a higher gear that often so most likely you will be in the same gear just turning a few hundred higher rpm.

Thanks for the quick replies. Keep them coming. It's making me think the 6.0 is the right choice.

6.0 GM question | Good Sam Community

Ridgerunner29
Explorer
Feb 04, 2014
I pull a 6300# trailer with a 2012 2500HD 6.0 3.73 4X4 CC. I have 34,000 miles on the clock. About 20,000 miles towing with this truck. I love this truck. Towing mpg over the 20,000 is 8.5 mpg. 14.5 -15 highways not towing. 36 gal fuel tank really helps when towing in remote areas.
ls1mike
Explorer II
Feb 02, 2014
camperforlife wrote:
rottidawg wrote:
zogg wrote:

I actually had to go to the chiropractor when we got home, and I've never had back trouble in my life. We got home on Sunday and I traded it for a new ram on Tuesday.

That is hilarious!
Trading the best riding and handling truck for the worst.

You missed the rest of his post. He said his wife was on his back.:B

Now that is funny.

As to his post, I think ride quality is very subjective. I don't find that any trucks ride particularly rough after driving the Trans Am for a bit. :)
camperforlife
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
rottidawg wrote:
zogg wrote:

I actually had to go to the chiropractor when we got home, and I've never had back trouble in my life. We got home on Sunday and I traded it for a new ram on Tuesday.

That is hilarious!
Trading the best riding and handling truck for the worst.

You missed the rest of his post. He said his wife was on his back.:B
MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
Well you must of been slamming a headwind or something ??? towed that weight a lot with an old 4 speed 6.0 suburban and that is to florida and back from Illinois. When we slammed wind then yes I would put her in 3rd and it would hold out at 2500 rpms. In fact I tow in 3rd on my 2000 suburban 5.3 we camp all the time and travel all around. To each their own right ?!
rottidawg
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
zogg wrote:

I actually had to go to the chiropractor when we got home, and I've never had back trouble in my life. We got home on Sunday and I traded it for a new ram on Tuesday.

That is hilarious!
Trading the best riding and handling truck for the worst.
transamz9
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
MARK VANDERBENT wrote:
WOW !! you must have had the trailer brakes dragging ! hahahah well have not heard that kind of response in a while from a GM truck needing to go to get your back fixed ???? My guess is, you got tensed up when it downshifted thinking this was not normal. If wind was the issue, I just put it in 3rd and let the rpms raise a bit. 8000 pounds for that set up should be no trouble for that truck.

8000# behind a 2500 on fairly level ground should not have to be pulled in 3rd gear in 2010.
MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
WOW !! you must have had the trailer brakes dragging ! hahahah well have not heard that kind of response in a while from a GM truck needing to go to get your back fixed ???? My guess is, you got tensed up when it downshifted thinking this was not normal. If wind was the issue, I just put it in 3rd and let the rpms raise a bit. 8000 pounds for that set up should be no trouble for that truck.
zogg
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
I know a lot of guys love them but I would never buy another 6.0 gm truck. I had a 2010 gmc 2500 6.0 gas to pull or new 8000 p pound camper. Towed it from Southern Illinois to Northern Wisconsin and back. Worst trip ever.

Got 6.8 to 7.3 mph on almost totally flat ground, constantly shifted between 3rd, 4th, and 5 th gear for the slightest Hills, and road like a Buckboard. My wife wanted me to trade it while in Wisconsin before the trip back home. ?.

I actually had to go to the chiropractor when we got home, and I've never had back trouble in my life. We got home on Sunday and I traded it for a new ram on Tuesday. Best move I ever made.
azwildcat
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014
I have a 2008 Silverado 1500 2WD Crew cab with trailering Package (6.0L , 4-speed heavy duty trans, 3.73 ratio). Tow a 33 ft TT with 7500 GVWR. I have towed exclusively on the east coast (Florida to Eastern Canada) and as far west as western PA. I have been very happy with this combination. As others have said it does rev some on long stained grades but that is how it was designed and it pulls fine. I get 10+/- towing, 12-14mpg around town in stop and go type traffic (not towing), 20+/- solo on the highway. It works fine for me. Good luck.
goukcats
Explorer
Jan 31, 2014
My previous TV was 2008 GMC 2500, CC, SB, 4x4, 6.0, 373, 6 speed. It did well in the KY, TN, & NC mtns; with a 5er at 9200lb averaging 8-10 MPG. I switched to the sig TV so I could use cruise on long trips. I am glad I switched but if I didn't do mostly long trips, I would probably still have the other tv.

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