GM 5.3 engine

[LVJJJ]

After towing for 26 years with a 1965 Chevy Van (w/292-TH350), DW and I are getting too old to put up with 100 degree temps in it cause it has no air.

So we bought a pristine '04 Envoy 4.2 to tow our '04 Tahoe Lite (22'). Since this "lite" TT weighs over 4300 lbs and the Envoy 4900 lobs, the Envoy is at max capacity and does struggle on steep mountain passes, but it does it. We've also found it's a little too small to carry the camping gear we want to take.

So we're looking for bigger tow vehicle with a V-8.

We actually prefer an older Class B motorhome (the new ones are over $100,000), but they are very few around here (Pacific NW). So we're also looking at '95 to 2005 Chevy or Dodge vans with Chevy 350 or 6.0 or 360 Dodge engines. Also looking for same year Suburbans.

We've found that most of the Suburbans have the 5.3 engines. Since I haven't paid attention to the newer engines available in the post-2000 GM trucks, I'm not sure the 5.3 is big enough to move itself and the TT. I know the 6.0 would be perfect, but there aren't many of those, even in vans. Supposedly the 5.3 replaced the 350, but that's 322 ci compared to 350 ci.

So, anyone tow with a 1500 Suburban or Chevy van with the 5.3? Wondering if it would tow better than the Envoy which has the 4.2 6 cyl? (Since the TT is not that heavy, I'm not afraid of towing with a 1/2 ton since the '65 and Envoy are both 1/2 ton or less).

[LVJJJ]

ktosv - thanks for the weight & ratio info, that really helps.

APT - I'd love to find a 6.0, 454 or 8.1, but they are really hard to find, and I'm not worried about gas mileage.

We are going to buy an older used vehicle cause we recently got completely out of debt, paid off house, car and TT with some estate money from mom (we watched our credit rating plummet after we did that, but don't care). We are not going to finance anything ever again, but don't have a lot of cash left. So, the problem with that is finding a Suburban or van with the 6.0 that has around 150,000 miles and is in decent shape. Lot of em out there with 250,000 miles, have torn up seats or just plain stink inside.

[Fordlover]

I'd walk right past the Dodge van's of that era, and look at the Chevy 6.0 since you excluded the Ford. I have no experience with the 5.3 so I can't comment.

I drove 15 passenger versions of the Ford (1999), GM (2004), and Dodge (1996) for several years and the Ford and the GM were in the same category, while the Dodge was simply outclassed.

[APT]

If fuel economy is not a concern, then why limit yourself to the 5.3L? I'm certain that a 35+ year newer 5.3L will tow better in almost every respect. But for marginal extra cost of a 6.0L or 8.1L in HD truck/van would be outstanding.

[ktosv]

Plan on a Suburban coming in right around 6000#. I have scaled both an Envoy XL and a Suburban and it was about 1000# more than the Envoy. The SPID code on the label inside the glove box will have the axle ratio. GU6 is 3.42, GT4 is 3.73 and GT5 is 4.10. G80 is the locking differential.

If you are looking at 2wd, careful it doesn't have a 3.23 axle as I know 2wd 1/2 ton pickups could come with that gear.

[LVJJJ]

Thanks to all who have replied.

As we are having a very difficult time finding a Suburban (or Express Van) with a 6.0, based on most of your experiences, we are going to consider a 1500 Suburban with the 5.3 (btw-been towing with 1/2 tons for years so not afraid of them. The '65 Van is a 1/2 ton and has towed with no breakdowns and safely for 90,000 miles). I really want the 3.73 gears, but how can you tell if it has them? Most owners have no idea and some don't even know what engine they have.

The other thing is that I can't seem to find out on the internet what, for example, an '03 1500 Suburban weighs? The Envoy weighs 5000 lbs which really shocked me cause its so small (compared to a Suburban). So if the Suburban weighs about that much then the 5.3 should do the job nicely since the Envoy's 4.2 does ok, mainly we want more interior room.

My ideal Suburban would be a 5.3, 3.73, 2wd, stripped down model with cloth seats, with 150,000 miles or less (hate leather).

[dodge_guy]

rjstractor wrote:
The 5.3 should tow as well as or better than a 350 despite being slightly smaller. If you could find a van with a 6.0 that would be much better yet. I've towed a couple of times with the old Dodge 360 and I don't think they would pull much better than your 4.2 inline six.

FishOnOne wrote:
absolutely stay away from a dodge van of any year/engine

I`de like to know where you (Fishy) received your 20th hand info?!!!:h

I towed 6500lbs with a 97 Dodge conv. van with the 5.9L and 3.90 gears. it will run circles around the 5.3 and even the 6.0L! you would be very happy with some type of basic conv van (no leather lined loaded hightop). you will want a nice basic conv van with captains chairs and the large windows. having all that space on a trip is great!

That said, the 5.3 with the proper gearing (3.73) with the 4 speed auto) will tow your trailer just fine.

Here was my 97 Dodge conv. van. nothing more than captains chairs and windows and nice carpeting/interior.



Good luck!

[rbtglove]

I towed a 5000+ lb scale wt trailer for several years with a Chevy Avalanche with a 5.3 with the 4 sp, over the Rockies and back several times. The 5.3 with the 6sp that is in newer GMC vehicles is a better combination and does get better gas miles.

[FishOnOne]

Just about any 5.3L engine in a full size truck or suburban would pull your camper with no problem.

I would stay away from the Envoy and most absolutely stay away from a dodge van of any year/engine.

[ktosv]

I towed a 5000# GVW hybrid with an Envoy XL with the 4.2L/3.73. It did fine. We replaced the Envoy with a 2005 Suburban with the 5.3L/3.42 and it towed the same trailer far better. In a way, this was possibly the best set up I had.

We then got a 7200# GVW trailer and towed with the 05 for a short time with it. I upgraded to a 2004 Suburban 3/4 ton 6.0/3.73. Due to transmission gear ratios, the only improvement was really just the ride and handling.

We then eventually replaced that with a 2011 1 ton Express with the 6.0L/3.42/6speed. By far the best towing power train I have had. The 04 couldn't even tow in OD where as my Express could tow in 5th easily.

Last fall we downsized back to a half ton with the 5.3L. Yes, the 6.0L is the better towing engine, but comparing my 2012 Yukon XL to the Express the daily driving performance is very similar

[owenssailor]

I tow 6700 lb trailer with the truck in my sig. The 5.3 does just fine. It does rev at times - occasionally over 4000 but that is fine. You will want to watch what rear end. My 2012 has the 3.42. The 3.08 would be bad for towing. The 6 speed tranny is much better than the old 4 spd.

[gopherslayer]

GeoBoy wrote:
Look for a nice clean 1 ton GM van with the 6 litter gas motor and enjoy the ride.

This. They are out there. I wouldn't hesitate if you found one.

[6_6_Oilburner]

Take axle ratio into consideration while you're shopping as well. You'll likely be plenty happy with a 5.3 or 6.0

[GeoBoy]

Look for a nice clean 1 ton GM van with the 6 litter gas motor and enjoy the ride.

[TomG2]

I have owned owned both and I can say that the 6.0 is a much better towing engine. Having said that, the 5.3 will be an improvement over your old vehicle.

[Ole_Smokey]

I must be one of those lucky ones too. I am towing a 8000 pd 5th wheel with a old 91 chevy with the 5.0 v-8. it pull really good. I wondered about the 5.3 myself if this old truck ever dies.