Chevy Express 3500 with 6.0

[bug512]

Hello, we are looking to get back into RVing. We currently have a 2019 Chevy Express van, 3500 series with a 6.0 Gas engine. The manufacturer says 9000# towing, looking for anyone with personal experience towing a travel trailer with this vehicle.

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Gene

[BurbMan]

The 6.0 is a workhorse, it likes to rev but it runs hard and long. The vans pull as well as the 3500 pickups with this drivetrain. Since you don't have a lot of passengers in the van you should be fine with a 7k-ish loaded trailer in tow.

[BCSnob]

We ordered our cargo van in 2001 equipped with rear heat & AC and full windows to transport our dogs.

[bug512]

Thanks for all the great responses.

The van is a passenger and of the longer WB, note that all the seats (four rows of them) have been removed. We do not have kids, only three dogs that go with us. I would guess that removing the seats was close to 500#.

We wanted the passenger for the windows and the rear A/C.

I know to stay within my weight; we have owned various truck/trailer and motorhomes for the past twenty-five years. I would not exceed 80%

I was looking for people who possibly tow with this van and would like their experiences.

Again, thank you.

[Dadoffourgirls]

Is your Van regular or extended? So I have a 2017 Extended Express, with 6.0. I had a 2014 regular Express. The GM trailer weight is 9600 lbs for regular, 9200 lbs for extended. My trailer weighed 8400 lbs new on the way home. I have towed my trailer with the both vans. I went from Michigan to west Iowa (think of Nebraska) last summer. I had no issues, although there was only two of us, and only one row of bench seats (there was an elliptical machine in van on way out). The vehicle did fine, but I kept it to 65 mph or less. I had found an air deflector for $20, so I installed that and got 8.8 mpg.

I would reduce the max trailer weight by anticipated passenger weight. It will not win any races, but it gets the job done.

[BCSnob]

Our van has the 5.7L (and I think different transmission) and 4.10 rear; our experience won’t be the same as with your van. Our trailer runs 6-7k loaded (5400 unloaded) and our cargo van weighs less and has less added payload than a typical passenger van with passengers.

It tows well on the flat, we struggle to stay at the posted speed limit on the uphills of I81 through PA. I have found tires make a difference in stability while towing; I have found the Michelins we’ve had provided the best stability.


Note: Extended GM vans have longer wheelbases than regular length vans (the rear overhang is the same) unlike Ford E vans.

[mkirsch]

In light that not many people tow with this setup I think you would do well being receptive of any and all advice. Rarely if ever do you get the exact answer to your question. Even if you do are you really going to base any decision off of maybe ONE response that meets your exact conditions?

Many more people have experience towing with a 2500 pickup with the 6.0L. Same engine and transmission as what's in your van.

As long as you keep the trailer within reason you should be just fine towing. A trailer that's 7500lbs or so loaded and ready to go camping should be a nice easy comfortable tow, without eating all the payload capacity of your van. A trailer of that size and weight should suit the needs of most families.

This of course assumes you have a standard length van that is NOT a "conversion van" with 1000's of pounds of fluff added, OR a 12 or 15 passenger extended van.

[Sandia_Man]

Well, 9K# isn't too shabby, and the 6.0 has plenty of oomph, should be lots of options since plenty of manufacturers build light TTs. Still, it would serve best to stay well below towing limits, 5-6K# range would provide decent towing comfort.

We are on our 3rd Chevy Express 1500 with either the 5.7 and 5.3 engines and have towed our flatbed with several atv/utvs (about 3K#) all over the 4 corner states. We also have a Chevy 2500HD crewcab with the 6.0 and it did fine towing our 32' 10K# TT.

I have seen full size chevy vans towing RVs on many occasions at the campgrounds, most of course were smaller TTs as they did not have a 3500 with 6.0 engine onboard. Your well equipped Express is more than capable for many of today's lighter TTs.

[Lwiddis]

2800 pounds of payload will do for many larger TTs. The 6.0 is a good towing engine IMO.

[bug512]

BCSnob wrote:
That is 9000 with only a driver in the van.

Thanks for your reply, what is your experience with this van?

The combined weight of occupants and payload is 2800#
The GVWR is 9600#

[BCSnob]

That is 9000 with only a driver in the van.