Chevy Gasser Towing?

[Stocker Steve]

My 5.3 4 spd auto with 3.73 is at 232 K and I am looking at some other options. The K1500 gets everyday use and I tow in season. Mostly with a tandom bumper hitch that handles 10 bales.

I am a little confused about the higher rated towing capacity - - vs. my experience with 5,000# being a load, and more pounds being a 25 to 45 mpm problem.

I am tempted to go with the 6.2 and a 6 spd auto. Any comments on it?

 

[Waldershrek]

Not specific to Chevy but I think you'll see a big improvement in towing with that 6 speed over the 4 speed auto.

 

[High Cotton]

Every gas truck I have ever had got crappy mileage towing. Buy you a nice 1/2 ton to take the wife to town in. Then find you 94-98 12v as a farm truck. You can get in it dirty and if it gets a new dent you dont feel bad lol. They get about 18-20 if you drive them nice.

 

[john250]

Find a 250/2500 and you'll be amazed. The springs are a lot heavier and the whole package is more controllable under load. I like big gassers, but I drive low miles.

 

[Brute 23]

Its a good set up and very dependable. The 6sp auto has a push button shifter which is really handy. You can put it in 4th or 5th and go. Its the best of both worlds.

Even if you go back to a new 1/2 ton Chevy you will get the same 6sp the 3/4 tons have.

 

[Waldershrek]

Every gas truck I have ever had got crappy mileage towing. Buy you a nice 1/2 ton to take the wife to town in. Then find you 94-98 12v as a farm truck. You can get in it dirty and if it gets a new dent you dont feel bad lol. They get about 18-20 if you drive them nice.

That's just the nature of the beast. You want decent mileage when towing you'll have to upgrade to diesel.

 

[Waldershrek]

Every gas truck I have ever had got crappy mileage towing. Buy you a nice 1/2 ton to take the wife to town in. Then find you 94-98 12v as a farm truck. You can get in it dirty and if it gets a new dent you dont feel bad lol. They get about 18-20 if you drive them nice.

That's just the nature of the beast. You want decent mileage when towing you'll have to upgrade to diesel. The old 12 valves are pretty much bullet proof though. I got a 24 valve.

 

[Stocker Steve]

Find a 250/2500 and you'll be amazed. The springs are a lot heavier and the whole package is more controllable under load. I like big gassers, but I drive low miles.

I did take a quick look at used 3/4 tons. The only "deals" I noticed were on low miles Ford V10 s. :shock: They must suck a lot of gas

 

[High Cotton]

They do and aren't that stout. We have about 10 350's and 450's with them. What every you do don't buy a ford with the 6.0l you will regret it.

 

[Waldershrek]

They do and aren't that stout. We have about 10 350's and 450's with them. What every you do don't buy a ford with the 6.0l you will regret it.

Ha ain't that the truth

 

[Stocker Steve]

Why is the towing capacity of a 6.2 only about 700# higher than a 5.3?
Is something else the weak link?

 

[High Cotton]

It's probably not the engine but the rest of the powertrain and the suspension.

 

[High Cotton]

Every gas truck I have ever had got crappy mileage towing. Buy you a nice 1/2 ton to take the wife to town in. Then find you 94-98 12v as a farm truck. You can get in it dirty and if it gets a new dent you dont feel bad lol. They get about 18-20 if you drive them nice.

That's just the nature of the beast. You want decent mileage when towing you'll have to upgrade to diesel. The old 12 valves are pretty much bullet proof though. I got a 24 valve.

I have 2 24v's I have a reg cab lwb and a ext cab swb. I'm about to sell the ext cab swb.

 

[Brute 23]

Why is the towing capacity of a 6.2 only about 700# higher than a 5.3?
Is something else the weak link?

Where did you see those numbers? I am seeing around 6-7,000 on the 1500 and 9-10,000 on a 2500 for towing.