Is it just me, or is something wrong with my truck?

[jungleexplorer]

So I had a 2007 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L engine and a little 19ft TT rig. I was a good combo, but when I decided to get a bigger TT I wanted to get something a little beefier, so I traded my 1500 in on a 2011 Silverado 2500HD with the 6.0L engine. I also sold off my TT, but ended up not being able to find the TT I wanted locally, so I got a small 16 foot Jayco to use until I find what I want.

So today, I towed this little trailer with my new (to me) 2500HD. Is it just me, or this truck really lacking power? I thought it would be towing this tiny TT without problem, but I swear that my 1500 could have run circles around this 2500HD towing my old 19ft TT which was bigger and weighed 1500lb more this this Jayco.

Is something wrong with my truck, or are these 2011 models of the Silverado 2500, really lacking power?

[GordonThree]

Much heavier truck with only modest gain in horse power.

Felt the same thing going from 5.7 Ram to a 6.4 Ram 2500.

[KD4UPL]

There's a lot of torque management in the software. It doesn't feel powerful by the seat of your pants but it's there. Keep in mind your new truck is likely hundreds or even 1,000 pounds heavier than the old one. My 2015 6.0 feels like it doesn't have much power but it will tow 14,000 ppunds up a mountain. Stand on it when towing.

[jungleexplorer]

Okay, let me answer some questions. My 2007 1500 had the 5.3L engine, 4 speed auto trans and 3.23 rear end.

My new truck is the 2011 2500HD 4x4 Crew Cab Work Truck edition. Here are the technical specs for it.

Vehicle Name Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Body Style Crew Cab 6.5' Fleetside
Body Code E63
Drivetrain 4-Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity 5, 6 2.0 min 6.0 max
Gross Axle Wt Rating - Front 5200, 5200, 4400 lbs 4400.0 min 6000.0 max
Gross Axle Wt Rating - Rear 6200 lbs 6200.0 min 6200.0 max
Curb Weight - Front 4396, 3657 lbs 3657.0 min 4396.0 max
Curb Weight - Rear 2812, 2719 lbs 2719.0 min 2812.0 max
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap 10000, 9500 lbs 9500.0 min 10000.0 max
Gross Combined Wt Rating 20500, 16000 lbs 16000.0 min 24500.0 max
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 5000 lbs 5000.0 min 5000.0 max
Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. 500 lbs 500.0 min 500.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 13000, 9400 lbs 9400.0 min 13000.0 max
Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. 1950, 1410 lbs 1410.0 min 1950.0 max
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. 13900, 9400 lbs 9400.0 min 16700.0 max
Fifth Wheel Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. 3475, 2350 lbs 2350.0 min 4175.0 max
Maximum Trailering Capacity 17100, 13900 lbs 13900.0 min 17100.0 max
Engine Order Code L96
Engine Type Gas V8
Displacement 6.0L/366
Fuel System SFI
SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM 360 @ 5400
SAE Net Torque @ RPM 380 @ 4200
Trans Order Code MW7, MYD
Trans Type 6 6.0 min 6.0 max
Trans Description Cont. Automatic w/OD, HD Automatic w/OD
First Gear Ratio (:1) 3.10, 4.03 3.1 min 4.03 max
Second Gear Ratio (:1) 1.81, 2.36 1.81 min 2.36 max
Third Gear Ratio (:1) 1.41, 1.53 1.41 min 1.53 max
Fourth Gear Ratio (:1) 1.00, 1.15 1.0 min 1.15 max
Fifth Gear Ratio (:1) 0.71, 0.85 0.71 min 0.85 max
Sixth Gear Ratio (:1) 0.61, 0.67 0.61 min 0.67 max
Reverse Ratio (:1) 4.49, 3.06 3.06 min 4.49 max
Transfer Case Model Magna MP1222/5/6
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), High 1.00 1.0 min 1.0 max
Transfer Case Gear Ratio (:1), Low 2.69 2.69 min 2.69 max
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary) 730, 600 600.0 min 730.0 max
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (2nd) 600, 730 600.0 min 730.0 max
Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps) 160, 2 @ 125, 125 125.0 min 160.0 max
Engine Oil Cooler Yes
Frame Type Hydroformed
Suspension Type - Front Independent
Suspension Type - Rear Multi-Leaf
Spring Capacity - Front 6000, 5200, 5200, 4800, 4800 lbs 4800.0 min 6000.0 max
Spring Capacity - Rear 6200 lbs 6200.0 min 6200.0 max
Axle Type - Front Independent
Axle Type - Rear Semi Floating
Axle Capacity - Front 6000, 5200, 5200, 4800, 4800 lbs 4800.0 min 6000.0 max
Axle Capacity - Rear 6200 lbs 6200.0 min 6200.0 max
Axle Ratio (:1) - Front 4.10, 3.73 3.73 min 4.1 max
Axle Ratio (:1) - Rear 4.10, 3.73 3.73 min 4.1 max
Shock Absorber Diameter - Front 35 mm 35.0 min 35.0 max
Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear 35 mm 35.0 min 35.0 max
Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front 1.31 in 1.31 min 1.42 max
Front Tire Order Code QGM, QWF, QXT, QHQ
Rear Tire Order Code QGM, QWF, QXT, QHQ
Front Tire Size LT265/70R18E, LT265/70R17E, LT245/75R17
Rear Tire Size


I towed a 2005 Kodiak 19 foot long Travel trailer all over the mountains of Colorado with my 1500, and while it would not win any races, I only felt it was really struggling on the steepest grade.


Yesterday, when I was on the access road getting on to I-20, there was a lot of traffic, so I need to get up to speed fast. I had this 2500 wound up to over 5000 rpms and there was nothing there. I hit the interstate still going 50 miles an hour. It took me at least another half mile to get up to 65 mph. Now mind you, I am towing a 16 foot long Jayco Swift that is rated at 2600lbs. I have all the tanks empty and very little stuff on board. I am sure the total weight is under 3000lbs. My Kodiak started out at 3700lbs and I had it packed to the gills when I towed it with my 1500. It was around 4500lbs. There is no doubt in my mind at all that I could beat this 2500 to 60mph with that 1500 pulling that heavier trailer.

I pulled the codes on the engine and it is showing no errors. The truck runs fine and is very smooth, it just is a whimpy dog when it comes to power. I just can't believe Chevy would produce such a truck.

[kw_00]

Ron3rd wrote:
You're rear axle ratio could be your problem as noted, but on the other hand the 6.0 was never known as a towing beast.

Yep pretty much disagree with you on this. Owned both gas and diesel and the GM 6.0 is a beast for a gas engine. In fact both the Ford 6.2 and Ram 6.4 is as well.

[ppine]

Add some more turns with the new truck. You have to adjust your driving style to accomodate the difference. Adding a tuner will allow you to change the shift points to higher rpm for towing.

[Ron3rd]

You're rear axle ratio could be your problem as noted, but on the other hand the 6.0 was never known as a towing beast.

[Ralph_Cramden]

Sprink-Fitter wrote:

rjxj wrote:
What axle ratios do you have?

That was gonna be my question, your half ton might have had better axle ratio for towing.

The only choices in 2011 with the 2500HD were 3:73 or 4:10.

Since 14 or 15 the only choice is 4:10 in the gasser and 3:73 in the oil burner.

[Sprink-Fitter]

rjxj wrote:
What axle ratios do you have?

That was gonna be my question, your half ton might have had better axle ratio for towing.

[azrving]

What axle ratios do you have?

[2003silverado]

I believe your 2007 still had a 4 speed and your 2011 will have the 6 speed transmission. The 6 speed gives better towing performance, but will shift more as there are more useable gears. Maybe the more shifting is giving the appearance of a lack of power where your 2007 likely hummed around in 3rd gear most of the time?

Are you not able to maintain speed?

[Ralph_Cramden]

You're not going to feel much of a power difference, even though there is, between the 5.3 and 6.0 until you wind the 6.0 up.

6.0=380 ft lbs torque @ 4200 RPM, 360 hp @ 5000 RPM.
2007 5.3=335 ft lbs torque @ 2800 RPM, 295 hp @ 4000 RPM.

Two different animals, two different power curves.

Perhaps you're babying that 6.0? Put your foot in it some more. It makes it's torque at 4200 and above RPM, so don't be skeered to take it there by leaving it in a gear longer.