Anyone towing with the Vortec 6.0?

[2Driver]

Anyone towing with the Vortec 6.0 (345 Hp 385 Ft Lbs torque). If so what do you tow and your opinions?
I need to step up just a bit from this 5.3 with the 3:73's and wonder if that would do it towing 6K

[DansBlown73Nordic]

I just bought a 00 3/4 with the 6.0 and 373s. So far I love it. I think it has a ton of BALLS.. My first tank of fuel was almost 15 mpg.

[DansBlown73Nordic]

I forgot to mention I have towed NOTHING..... :)

[BajaMike]

I just got an '02 Chev 2500 hd crew cab with 6.0 and 4.10 rear end, i don't even hardly feel my boat, but it's a small boat, 20' Baja Outlaw, about 5,000 lbs fully loaded with fuel.
I would get a 4.10 rear end for anything heavier then that.

[GHOSTRYDER71]

I've had three crew cab 6.0 they are nice for towing.I had 4.10 gears.What are you looking at buying? I towed about 6800 lbs got around 9.6 to 12 mpg
I had 285/75/16 tires as well ( that hurt on mileage and power).I was very happy with the way they towed.Now I have stepped up to a d-max.

[2Driver]

Thanks, I just have a large 21' that weighs about 5800 loaded.
I was hoping for the 6.0 engine in the new avalanche 1/2 ton but no luck. Looks now like I am going with the new 1/2 ton crew cab with the 6.0 Vortec Max option and the 4:10's. Hopefully the degraded ride ( compared to the avalanche) will be made up in the towing capabilities.

[riverracerx]

I have an Escalade with the 6.0L @ 345HP. I tow a 28' Nordic, but only in town in Havasu. I used to have a F150 w/ 260 HP and it is unbelieveable what the difference is. Off the line the 6.0L is MUCH stronger. And with the shorter wheelbase I can stick that trailer in any tight spot!
Oh, and it is FOR SALE!!!! (http://www2.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103169) if anyone is interested!!

[BajaMike]

Thanks, I just have a large 21' that weighs about 5800 loaded.
I was hoping for the 6.0 engine in the new avalanche 1/2 ton but no luck. Looks now like I am going with the new 1/2 ton crew cab with the 6.0 Vortec Max option and the 4:10's. Hopefully the degraded ride ( compared to the avalanche) will be made up in the towing capabilities.
I would get the 1500 hd crew cab ....nice!

[Cole Trickle]

You will be fine towing 6K with the CC 1500 (Vortech Max package)
Your only issue is the gas mileage will be pretty crappy pulling hills.(I had a 03 1500HD with the 6.0L and never got better than 12MPG on the freeway)
I have an 05 cc 1500 with the 5.3 and 3:73 gears and it tows my 28' Sleek fine around town.(We only tow it home from Parker a couple times a year)
with the 6.0LHO motor you will have tons of power but the weight of the vehicle and tranny will be your downfall.
If your pulling heavy grades you might consider a D-Max and the Allison.

[RAZORSHARP]

Anyone towing with the Vortec 6.0 (345 Hp 385 Ft Lbs torque). If so what do you tow and your opinions?
I need to step up just a bit from this 5.3 with the 3:73's and wonder if that would do it towing 6K
I used to have a 2500 HD with a 6.0 and towed a 23' boat. Towed great. Now i have a 5.3 burb with 4.10 rearend and catback exhaust. I tow a 27' about 5,000 lb. bone dry. I get 11-12 mpg and slow down on the same grades the 2500 did. the 3.73's to 4.10's make a difference, runs a higher rpm at speed.

[Biglue]

Just bought a new 2500 HD with the 6 liter. Tows my boat (just under 6k lbs) no problem. Gas mileage sucks with the 4:10 gears though. :mad:

[2Driver]

You know I only get 11 MPG in the Avalanche towing to Parker (no hills) and that's with the 5.3 and 3:73's.
I'd be more concerned over losing MPG on a daily driver (no tow) situation though.

[nextel4u]

The 6.0 is a great engine, I have had two Escalades in the last few years, an EXT and an AWD SUV. I towed my 30 foot Hallett for awhile with the AWD SUV Escalade and people would look at me on the road like I was crazy!
I used to have a half ton chevy truck with the 5.3 and a tahoe with the 5.3, I could tell a huge difference with the power when I stepped it up to the Escalades with 6.0's

[casean]

We use to have a 03 2500HD w/ the 6.0 and 4.10 rear end. It towed our 26' WW trailer around pretty good. Even with the WW loaded to around 9K pounds it would still hold it's speed up a grade. I ended up going with a tuned PCM program, which made a pretty significant difference when towing. Of course the gas mileage wasn't great. We were lucky to get 6-8 towing the trailer. Of course the trailer isn't nearly as aerodynamic as a boat. Now we have a Duramax/Allison and it's unstoppable.

[ThongMagnet]

I've got the RAM 1500 shortbed 2 door Hemi 5.7 345hp w/3.90 Gears. Pulled the boat (23 foot w/tandem trailer)from Phoenix to Riverside at 72 mph in haul/tow mode w/cruise on. Got 11.6 mpg. Only dropped to a lower gear once. I'm sold on the 5.7 hemi for pulling w/3.90 gears.
My 5.7 4 bbl 1983 suburban got about the same mpg. Does not seem to be any improvement in gas mileage the last 23 years on a typical tow vehicle. GM would sell a lot more trucks if they could invent an engine that could pull your average 6000lbs trailer at highway speeds and get 25mpg.
The 4.3 Vortec is good to about 2300 lbs, then gets sluggish on the hills (been there done that). I'm sure the 5.3 feels the same way with 5000lbs.

[riverracerx]

FYI: I get 15MPG daily in the Escalade and a best of over 18MPG going to Havasu (not towing). Not bad for a 6.0L

[Cole Trickle]

FYI: I get 15MPG daily in the Escalade and a best of over 18MPG going to Havasu (not towing). Not bad for a 6.0L
We can't get over 11.5MPG in my dads H2 or my buddies Lade going to Parker.
The H2 has 20's with 37" tires and the Lade has 22"s
We drive them both around 80-85 on the way out.
You must be driving the speedlimit and pedal with a light foot. :220v:

[MAINEVENT]

We can't get over 11.5MPG in my dads H2 or my buddies Lade going to Parker.
The H2 has 20's with 37" tires and the Lade has 22"s
We drive them both around 80-85 on the way out.
You must be driving the speedlimit and pedal with a light foot. :220v:
Fock that dirve it like you stole it all the way!!!!! :crossx: :crossx: :crossx:

[riverracerx]

best at 18mpg was going about 65 behind my buddy who was towing. I was watching his back.
But I average 14-15 all day long.

[beach gomer]

I tow with a 2003 3/4 burb 4x4 with a 6"lift and 315 tires.i use it to tow a 26' lavey and also a 26' WW no problems.

[Brooski]

2002 2500HD 6.0 with 4.10s. 13 mpg avg around town, 11-12 just towing the boat, 9-10 towing this set up. As long as I dont have to stop on a grade, I can pull the grades at 45mph. Trailer weighs 7200lbs. No complaints here. :cool:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1818Completesetup1.JPG
And before anyone says it, no, I havent tried launching the boat this way!! lol

[2Driver]

2002 2500HD 6.0 with 4.10s. 13 mpg avg around town, 11-12 just towing the boat, 9-10 towing this set up. As long as I dont have to stop on a grade, I can pull the grades at 45mph. Trailer weighs 7200lbs. No complaints here. :cool:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1818Completesetup1.JPG
And before anyone says it, no, I havent tried launching the boat this way!! lol
Holy crap! Your boat must get to the river 15 minutes after you do? :D

[Biglue]

2002 2500HD 6.0 with 4.10s. 13 mpg avg around town, 11-12 just towing the boat, 9-10 towing this set up. As long as I dont have to stop on a grade, I can pull the grades at 45mph. Trailer weighs 7200lbs. No complaints here. :cool:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1818Completesetup1.JPG
And before anyone says it, no, I havent tried launching the boat this way!! lol
What have you done to your truck to be getting 13MPG around town?
I have yet to hit 11MPG period. :cry:

[rivercrazy]

bump

[93eliminator]

What have you done to your truck to be getting 13MPG around town?
I have yet to hit 11MPG period. :cry:
Mine is a stock one and i avg 13-13.5 with a 4x4 4.10 gears.You must be an idiot to get 11mpg. :crossx: recheck the math

[Brooski]

Havent done anything to it. I wish it would get better. oh yeah, did put a magnaflow muffler on it.

[77charger]

roger is that 7200 pounds total?or just the 5th wheel?2wd or 4wd.
I also get 13-14 mpg in my 6.0 all stock usually do at least 70-80 fwy get about 12 towing boat at 70-75 21 open bow,Toyhauler get about 8-10 abot 7200 loaded but a strong headwinf i dont want to talk about it. yea it does suck them.seem to be around 5-6

[Brooski]

roger is that 7200 pounds total?or just the 5th wheel?2wd or 4wd.
I also get 13-14 mpg in my 6.0 all stock usually do at least 70-80 fwy get about 12 towing boat at 70-75 21 open bow,Toyhauler get about 8-10 abot 7200 loaded but a strong headwinf i dont want to talk about it. yea it does suck them.seem to be around 5-6
5th Wheel weighs 7200 pounds. 2wd. Worst mileage I have gotten so far is 8.5. I was pushing it, needed to get to the water fast.. :boxed:

[Patyacht]

I've got an 02' Escalade and tow a 28' Advantage (6500 lbs boat & trailer) between Washington State and Havasu several timesa year. Lost tranny at 53,500 miles and 3 months out of warranty. Cadallic stepped up and covered under warranty since I could prove all required maintenance was done in house at Cadallic. Tranny temp on old tranny ran 190 to 200 no trailer. New tranny 140 to 160 no tranny. I may have had a weak tranny to start with or they may have fixed an issue I'm not aware of in the newer trannies.
Just had 60,000 mile service and noticed another Escalade with new tranny. Also had friend lose tranny in Denali driving off the lot. Hydramatic may have issues. I don't know but decided to buy a Dodge 2006 2500 Quad Cab with 5.9 Cummins Diesel since I'm in the market for a 28' Eliminator or 29' DCB - heavier boat.

[cc322]

Go V10 with 4.30 gears or diesel.... you will love it :rollside:

[LOWRIVER2]

I have an 01 GMC 2500HD crew cab/ 2WD 285's with K&N/Gibson. 12-13 around town/ 14 hwy with no boat/ 10-11 towing the Ultra. Great truck. Mine's for sale, moving on to a diesel.