Chevrolet 6.0 compared to 5.3

[State_Fan]

I'm currently driving a Chevy 1/2 ton with the 5.3 engine. It's the second one that I've owned and I think that's it's a really good engine. I'm wanting to upgrade to a 3/4 ton and the more I think about it, I may just go the gas engine route. So I have a few questions for the guys that have owned the 6.0. Will it be as reliable as the 5.3? How good of milage are you getting in the 2500? I get about 17 in my 5.3 1500 4x4. How well does it tow? I will be pulling my travel trailer, cattle trailer, and my 70HP tractor that weighs 10,000lbs. So I think the heaviest load would be the tractor. With trailer I'm thinking it would be in the 13,000-14,000lb range.

[DrBaker]

I've had 5.3L gas, 6.6L dmax, and 6.0L gas.

I can't complain about any of them. I bought the 6.0L truck in my sig line a couple of years ago. If I could go back in time and change things, I'd still get the 6.0L engine. I would have tried to find the 4.10 gears, but my trailer is light so no huge deal.

[APT]

Keep in mind the tow rating for the 6.0L/3.73 is only about 9500 pounds. Going to 4.10 bumps it up by a good amount, about 14k. The 4.10 can be hard to find new and used. As you search, look at the RPO sticker in the glove box for one of the following:
GT4 - 3.73
GT5 - 4.10

You may want to wait to see what the 2015 HD has to offer. You can already order one now for delivery early next year. I expect the gas engine to be significantly more powerful than the 07-14 6.0L.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

could order a new body style HD with 6.0 6 speed. You will be very impressed !!

[therink]

I agree with 1 ton. Check out my truck in signature below. Perfect for my towing needs. Hard to find 1 ton SRW gasser with 4:10 axle new or used. I had to factory order mine. No regrets though.

2012 Silverado, 1 ton SRW, crew, LTZ, silver ice metallic, Z71, 4x4,short bed, 4:10 axle.

[Taco]

The 5.3 and 6.0 are both good engines. I wouldn't make my decision on the engine, they both have enough power to get to where you are going. I have a 2012 6.0 and I am satisfied with the power and towing performance. It is on the thirsty side 12 mpg mixed city, 16 mpg highway, 8.5 mpg towing 8k lbs.

I have had both 1/2 and 3/4 ton and the 3/4 ton truck can handle a lot more load/trailer than the 1/2 ton. From the sounds of it you use a truck like a truck and need one that can handle some load.

A 1 ton srw would also be an option to consider, it would be basically the same as the 2500 but cost a few 100 more and able to haul a few 100 lbs more.

[GeoBoy]

State, do yourself a favor and buy a 1 ton with the 6.0.
Good luck.

[State_Fan]

Thanks for all of the info guys! Just to clear a few things up. I am looking for a newer model truck. Will either try to find a slightly used one or trade my 1/2 ton in on a new one. The heaviest thing that I will tow with it is the new tractor (13-14k including trailer). Will probably tow it 10-12 times a year, no more than 70 miles round trip. I currently do a lot of towing with my 1/2 ton, cattle, hay, travel trailer, ect. The 3/4 ton will help with those duties as well.

[Engineer9860]

My wife has a 2001 2500HD with the 6.0/4L80E/4.10. It has impressed me.

I have seen as high as 16mpg highway with it. Towing is typically in the 10mpg range. Around town is usually in the 11~12 range.

My oldest son has a 2005 just like the wife's. He works his pretty much the same as we work the wife's.

Both trucks have been rock solid.

As far as comparing it to a 5.3...... I've only towed with a 5.3 once. It did a fine job but I don't think I have towed with it enough to compare the two fairly.

Now if you want to talk about my truck, it is the beast, it has the 8.1L. :B

[therink]

I had an 05 with 4sp trans, 08 with 6sp trans and now my 2012 6.0 with 6sp trans. The 2012is by far better than the previous two. Tows my 12k fiver with no issues whatsoever. It has a great power band at around 4000 rpm that gets me through the hills.

[MARK_VANDERBENT]

VERY PROOVEN motor. Had old ones from 2000 and 01 and they were stout smallblocks that could take abuse ! Probably the lowest cost of maintenance motor out there. have one at work with almost 300,000 miles and still keeps going strong!!

[DUNEBUGGYDOUG]

Only thing better than cubic inches is cubic dollars

[APT]

GM sells the highest % of gas 3/4 and 1-ton trucks compared to Ford/Ram. Powerful enough and reliable.

[kw_00]

Never heard of the 6 speeds not being able to make it past 80 to 100K. I have heard the opposite. From what I was told the 6 speed or 6L90E is better then the 4L80E. Thats what I have heard and I have owned both thus far. My 4L80E gave up the TQ convertor around 170K, so I had the whole unit rebuilt. The tranny itself still had some service life left, despite the forward clutchs being worn. So time will tell about the new 6 speed, but I have not seen any roll into my mechanics transmission shop failing yet.

[fla-gypsy]

Get the bigger motor and forget about fuel mileage.

[TomG2]

Dannyabear1 wrote:
...snip......


The newer 5.3 is rated more HP than the older 6.0

And the newer 5.3's are rated higher than the older 5.3's. It is called progress. What I did not agree with is that year for year the 5.3 has more power than the 6.0. But I only went back to 1999. The most recent numbers I have at hand are for 2013 models. 5.3-315HP, 6.0-360HP.