Chevy 6.0 Silverado

[lsproul]

Is anyone using a chevy gasoline 6.0 pickup as a tow vehicle. If so how is it on power and economy. I am considering purchasing one, but I need to be sure if it will do the job.


Lsproul
Mountaineer 297RKS

[Emmel]

Lsproul. my first 5er pull was with a 99 GMC 6.0. Needless to say, I had to go to the diesel with the Allison tranny. I will be honest with you, I had the power, but I couldn't stand the 7.8 mpg. I could not use od while towing, the tranny constantly shifted from 3rd to 4th, back and forth. I really liked that truck too, but have been very happy with my present pulling power.
By the way, the 99 was set up for towing from the factory and had the extra oil cooler and tranny cooler.
If you are not towing far or want to get there fast, the 6.0 will do it, I'm just not too sure you will be happy with it.
Remember that is MHO, and mine only!




Sorry Larry, I forgot to mention, I did get very good MPG with the 6.0 while not towing and it was a 4x4 as is the 02 I'm driving now.

[COPINMI]

Isproul, I'll agree with Emmel, the mileage is horrible when towing. I haven't had any problems with power but I'm not travelling any mountains and hills. Up here we have one interstate bridge over a river and if i'm not doing 75 when I start up, I'm doing 40 at the top. I'm leasing so I can't wait to get rid of this and get into the diesel with the allison.

[nghelwer]

We have a 2005 6.0 2500HD gasser towing a mountaineer 298rls 5th wheel.

We live in Michigan so for the most part our towing is mainly on even ground to mid size hills.

Have had no problems towing, we like the 6.0 and the mpg is around 15-16 mpg not towing hwy 13-14 city.

When towing we put in tow mode with mpg anywhere from 8mpg with strong headwind or hills, and 10-12 with no headwind and level.

Does not seem to labor much when towing around 2000 - 2500 rpm's

[SlickWillie]

Been there, done that, and didn't like it. Had an 03 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 auto w/4.10 gears. Best mileage I ever got was just over 15. (running I49 in LA). Never pulled the fiver, but it didn't like the TT. Seven or eight miles per gallon at most. BTW, it sucked on those hills on I20 near Tyler, TX.

[richfaa]

Hummmm..This 08 Ford 6.4 is our first diesel and execpt for the additional power we are not all that impressed over the 05 V-10 we had.MPG is not all that much better. It depends a lot on how you will be using the truck.. Weekend camping, short trips, perhaps a week or 10 days vacat ion every year?? The gasser is to be considered. IMO I would not go with the 6.0L We pulled @ 8K with the 5.7L and I woud not want to pull much more??? 8.1 yes. Long trips, lots of miles, hills..the diesel is to be considered. Fuel prices are of course a killer right now and that needs to be considered.

[TLightning]

One of the weak areas with that truck is GCWR. 07 and earlier it's only 16k, the new 08s are up to 18.5k.

[lsproul]

Thanks guys, that is good info and helps a lot.

Larry Sproul