3/4 ton Chevy 6.0 liter gas - worth looking at?

[tuffr2]

Rampowerwagon - good info from a person that been there. Thanks.

[njlungbuster]

I've got a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD with the 6.0 V8. It's a great truck and motor. If the Duramax was in my price range I would've gotten it instead but I'm happy with my truck. Gas mileage o.k. The other hand is not great lol. I average around 12mpg and when towing my 31' TT I get about 6mpg.

[cdoorider]

Originally Posted by rampowerwago

First, a disclaimer: I drive a new 1500 Ram with a 5.7 and 3.92s. I owned both a 5.3 and 6.0 Chevy and towed with both.

The 5.3 I owned was in a 1500 with 3.73s and was gutless. We were towing a 6500# TT and there were days when it would not get out of 2nd gear going downhill into a headwind.

The 6.0 was in a 2500 with 4.10s and towed an 11000# 5th wheel in a more than adequate fashion. Had it been 4wd, I would have kept it a long time, but traded it for 4wd.

It is my opinion the LS engine series is one of the finest engine designs in history. It is a tough, well designed engine that produces excellent torque and hp in a relatively light and compact package without the complications of complex cylinder head design.

However, I drive a Ram for several reasons....the biggest of which is cost. I have an old firend who is the General Manager of a Ram dealership and he feeds my truck habbit in the most economical fashion. I also like Ram trucks.

Looking at the graphs in the links you provided, it appears to me that the Hemi is making more torque across the board than the 5.3. You reference 2000 rpm and state the 5.3 is a.ready making over 300 lbs of torque. At the same rpm, the Hemi is making 350 lbs. The Hemi is no dog pulling a trailer.

I am towing a 6500# TT with my new 1500. We pull Cabbage Hill outside of Pendleton, OR regularly. Cabbage Hill is rated #7 or #8 on the list of the 10 worst hills to pull in US Interstate system. The new Ram pulls this TT up Cabbage with the engine at 3400 rpm at about 60 mph. It performs as expected for a gas engine.

It is not a Cummins however.... My dually would pull our 19000# 5th wheel on the same hill as fast as I wanted to go. No gas engine will pull in the same fashion as a diesel.

Before I ramble too faroff subject, based on my experience so far, the Ram 5.7, 8 speed transmission, and 3.92 gears is a good towing vehicle for moderate loads. It's downfall is payload. If you are one who watches weight and weight ratings, then 6500# is about all you can tow with a Ram 1500. They just don't have the payload for much more.

Hi neighbor, I'm very familiar with Cabbage I pulled it 3x a week enroute Mtn Home AFB.

I don't doubt for a minute that the Ram is a great truck. As for its new look it's very, dare I say pretty.

I don't know what year the 5.3 you had was but I've had three in a row and the newest is night and day ahead of my last one towing the mountains between WA and Idaho. I'll stick with my comment that one cannot go wrong with any of the new trucks towing within their capabilities. I towed my brothers Minnie Plus to Coure d' Alaine, it was a very heavy set up and close to max on gvwr and gcvwr, it towed very well. I was very surprised towing 7200lbs that it was so stable, especially after reading all the weight police warnings on this forum.

I personally don't like the front of the 2019 Ram, it's a little to refined looking for my taste. I like the big tough look of last decades Rams, but this is just personal test.

Bottom line you're probably more of a gear head than I am, plus I'm a Chevy guy it's in my DNA. My only move away from Chevy trucks was Ford and I really like that eco boost. I've also read something about Rams rear suspension being a little soft but you would know more I'm sure. Towing with a half ton under 7000lbs should be decent with most trucks. Also don't forget the Titan it is way over built for a half ton.

If I end up with a 1/2 ton for my next truck I'll buy the 6,2 GM and suck up the premium fuel, if not it will be a 3500 Duramax.

[tuffr2]

cdoorider - what year 5.3 were you using to tow your brothers Winnebago Mini Plus. The sounds like the exact trailer we want to tow. A Winnebago Mini Plus 27 RBDS. Dry weight 6,400lbs. and probably will tow it weighing 7,200lbs.

[cdoorider]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

cdoorider - what year 5.3 were you using to tow your brothers Winnebago Mini Plus. The sounds like the exact trailer we want to tow. A Winnebago Mini Plus 27 RBDS. Dry weight 6,400lbs. and probably will tow it weighing 7,200lbs.

It was my 2016 5.3. Climbing the big mountains it will be running 3500 rpms, but it handled it fine.

My own trailer that I'm selling is a hybrid only 4200lbs dry and 5300lbs wet and loaded, it pulls this quite easily but it's a little heavy on the tongue.

The 26' rear bath Minnie Plus is one of the trailers my wife and I really like. We are also considering Lance because of their high quality construction but the Minnie is larger and seems to be a good compromise between quality and price.

Since my wife still works full time (the price I'm paying for marrying young and beautiful), we only get out 3 or 4 times a year. My 5.3 will handle the Minnie fine for a couple years, than in late 2019 I'll trade for a new 1500 or 2500.

I don't mean to imply the 5.3 didn't handle the Minnie, it did and on an occasional basis, it would be fine. We plan to see the USA when better half retires so will want a little more truck if we end up with the Minnie. If we go Lance our other favorite, a good 1/2 ton with tow package will be fine.

So many choices, life is good.

[tuffr2]

My wife and I went to look at the smaller trailers. I wanted her to look at the little red, yellow or blue Winnebago Mini. Something that was a solid 1/2 ton towable trailer.

The Winnebago Mini Plus 27RBDS with the two opposing slides in the living area was her favorite. The Mini Plus is at the outter limits for a 1/2 ton. But in Florida I will need to tow it up and over the overpasses as one road goes over another...whew...[emoji4].

The Chevy 1500 with a 5.3 litre engine is a really nice truck. It is a very refined truck and is easy to live with.

If I was going to plan to see the far reaches of the county I would want to go extra small. Something that is very easy to tow and easy to park or fit in the smallest camp grounds.

[Spdracr39]

Originally Posted by cdoorider

Chevy 6.0 L 360 hp 380 torque. Chevy 5.3 355 hp and 383 torque. These two motors are very similar in specs, the 6.0 L is a much older design but well proven though.

Personally I love the newer 6.2 L but really like the 5.3s regular gas at the pump. You test drove the 5.3 didn't you, so yo know it's a strong motor. My main reason for going with GM was simply the long term durability of their engines. This is my 5th Silverado and the most I've ever done was an 02 sensor on my 2002 , plugs and oil changes. The fuel economy is simply amazing but I've yet to learn first hand how these new V8s, with cylinder deactivation hold up, time will tell.

The 5.3 is no match for the 6.0 in low end torque. It only pulls well at 4500 rpm and up the 6.0 has 90% torque at around 3000. I have had both and will never pull a heavy trailer again with a 5.3.

[Normal_Dave]

tuffr2, you sure the Hemi is off the list?
This one's a deal, and has everything but the RamBox. You could put a nice cap on it however...
https://www.thunderchrysler.com/new/...14da6e095e.htm

[tuffr2]

Man, that is a great deal. 13k off a very nice 2018 truck. If 2019 was not a redesign year I would jump on that.

But since the 2019 improved Ram is coming out that is what I want. There are too many improvements to pass up. I have been reading about the new frame and the eTorque system and think that will be a nice feature coupled with the Pentastar engine.

Is the 5.7 hemi off the list....not exactly. I am thinking the hemi in the 2019 Ram will be quiet. I am seeing 4k discounts on some 2019 Rams already. I will need to see once the 2019 Rams are fully ramped up what options are available. The sales people don't know much yet. Rumor has it 2019 Rams can be optioned with a locking rear diff but the 2 wheel drive Ram I saw was anti spin. Also these early 2019 Ram do not have the eTorque system yet.

I need to test drive the Chevy 2500 6.0 just so I know how it drives.

Here is a pic of my Seadoo and current truck.

[cdoorider]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

Man, that is a great deal. 13k off a very nice 2018 truck. If 2019 was not a redesign year I would jump on that.

But since the 2019 improved Ram is coming out that is what I want. There are too many improvements to pass up. I have been reading about the new frame and the eTorque system and think that will be a nice feature coupled with the Pentastar engine.

Is the 5.7 hemi off the list....not exactly. I am thinking the hemi in the 2019 Ram will be quiet. I am seeing 4k discounts on some 2019 Rams already. I will need to see once the 2019 Rams are fully ramped up what options are available. The sales people don't know much yet. Rumor has it 2019 Rams can be optioned with a locking rear diff but the 2 wheel drive Ram I saw was anti spin. Also these early 2019 Ram do not have the eTorque system yet.

I need to test drive the Chevy 2500 6.0 just so I know how it drives.

Here is a pic of my Seadoo and current truck.

Attachment 199937

Looks like you have enough truck for that SeaDoo [emoji6]. My wife and I love our SeaDoos.

[tuffr2]

This is a true case of I do not know it is back there. The Seadoo and trailer weighs 1,150 lbs approx.

Funny story, there is a toll bridge that I sometimes use. Anyway I pull up and show my pre paid pass. The person charges me for two axles. As I pull thru he finally sees the Seadoo and says 'too late, go ahead'. So I guess you can not see the Seadoo behind this truck from the angle of the toll booth operator.

This truck has towed a 15,500lb 5th wheel, a 6,500lb travel trailer, a 2,600 lb. runabout boat and now a 1,150lb Seadoo.

[cdoorider]

Originally Posted by tuffr2

This is a true case of I do not know it is back there. The Seadoo and trailer weighs 1,150 lbs approx.

Funny story, there is a toll bridge that I sometimes use. Anyway I pull up and show my pre paid pass. The person charges me for two axles. As I pull thru he finally sees the Seadoo and says 'too late, go ahead'. So I guess you can not see the Seadoo behind this truck from the angle of the toll booth operator.

This truck has towed a 15,500lb 5th wheel, a 6,500lb travel trailer, a 2,600 lb. runabout boat and now a 1,150lb Seadoo.

Backing can get a little squirly with those short trailers and not being able to see it doesn't help. I'm an ex truck driver and it can make me look stupid.

[Kyleb100]

I have a 2015 2500hd with the 6.0 and tow our Creekside weighing around 7500 loaded. I moved up from a 2008 1500 with the 5.3 and couldn't be happier. The 2015+ 2500 comes with 4:10 gears which contributes to somewhat lackluster mpg but it tows great. I get around 12 empty and 7 towing, don't expect much more.

I put about 15k towing miles on our 2008 5.3 and never had to do anything except regular maintenance at 135,000 miles when we sold it.

My 2500hd has 51k on it now and it has been rock solid as well.

I will never go back to a half ton after owning this truck since I can put a yard of dirt or gravel in the back, or tow the trailer on the weekend without breaking a sweat.

[Bobde]

Originally Posted by njlungbuster

I've got a 2016 GMC Sierra 2500 HD with the 6.0 V8. It's a great truck and motor. If the Duramax was in my price range I would've gotten it instead but I'm happy with my truck. Gas mileage o.k. The other hand is not great lol. I average around 12mpg and when towing my 31' TT I get about 6mpg. Attachment 199864

What rear end ratio? I have the same truck 4.10 and get 9-10
Pulling about the same weight. I get 14-16 in town and 18-20 on the road. I’ll take a picture of the avg mpg readout if any doubters.
I’m not an aggressive driver. This truck with a blue ox 1000
Pulls this this trailer like it’s not there except for the gas mileage.
No diesel here either just don’t need the performance and cost compared to the use I need.