5700-6700 LB trailer with a GM 6.0 2500 gasser?

[wind power]

Hi Folks,
I found this site while searching for tow vehicle options.
I currently have a Palomino 25 footer which weighs in at 5700 lbs...I expect to stay under the 7300 total trailer weight rating.

I currently have a Ford f-350 7.3 SRW which I tow it with...it does fantastic but does give us limitations, especially to my DW...she doesnt like the straight drive...lol I know, I know a diesel is at its best with a straight drive.
So I have been looking at something she can also drive, if she and the kid want to go sight seeing and kick me to the curb for an afternoon of fishing.
So I was thinking of a 4x4 Chevy or anything in the 2500 series of GM or dodge lineups...Im not looking for new, but something used.

I would like to have the 4x4 option for some of the National Forest camping...I would like to have the 4 wheel drive option just in case I might need it.

I will mostly use it in the Eastern US (I am located in South Carolina) so it will be hilly terrain to flat coastal plains and into Tennessee Appalachian mountains.
Am I asking too much out of a gasser in the 2500 series of trucks to do what I want?

While the 7.3 is a great truck, I have grown tired of 150 dollar oil changes, and the potential cost for expensive injectors, turbo's etc. Even if I had to drop another gasser into a 2500 series truck I could probably do it for half the price for a "cab-off" 7.3 engine rebuild.
Im not trying to make a referendum on the virtues of gas v. diesel, it just at this time is not dovetailing into the family needs for the next several years.

Any insight would be helpful

[drittal]

It would do just fine, but expect to use fuel much faster.

[TURBS]

I pulled a 12k 5th wheel with my 05 6.0 Chevy 2500hd for years.

8-9 mpg

[Crabman]

I have been towing a trailer that was similar in weights 5500 dry 7500 GVWR for several years with a 04 2500 with the 6.0. And now with the Coachmen Im About a thousand lbs heavier. She does Ok, will not win any races but gets the job done. The newer 2500 s have more power and torque and the 6 spd tranny vs the 4 spd so they are even more capable then my 04.

[wind power]

Thanks folks!
With what you folks are saying it looks like I might be going towards the Chevy/GM 2500 series line up....that gas mileage is the pits.
I have the long box on the 7.3 and it has a 38 gallon diesel tank...around here in the upstate of SC I can get Diesel at every other pump for 2.15 a gallon...some cheaper some more.

so at 32 gallons to fill back up ( not running it down to fumes) Im at
68-70 dollars and the neighborhood of 400 miles while towing

gas is around 2.09 here
so at 32 gallons I would be at 66.88 @ 288 miles (9mpg) a loss of about 1/4 the distance over the diesel.

Oh well, it wont be my daily driver

[Crusadernoob]

You have one of the best, most reliable diesel's put in a ford, if you do decide to sell it DONT GIVE IT AWAY! A lot of people would pay dearly for that truck.

[jtesta1]

I have a 2009 2500hd 6.0 and pull a rockwood ultralite 8288 fifth wheel. At 65000 miles I have no problem going anywhere I want. Pulls mountains fine and average 9 mpg.

[ksmith954]

Originally Posted by wind power

Hi Folks,
I found this site while searching for tow vehicle options.
I currently have a Palomino 25 footer which weighs in at 5700 lbs...I expect to stay under the 7300 total trailer weight rating.

I currently have a Ford f-350 7.3 SRW which I tow it with...it does fantastic but does give us limitations, especially to my DW...she doesnt like the straight drive...lol I know, I know a diesel is at its best with a straight drive.
So I have been looking at something she can also drive, if she and the kid want to go sight seeing and kick me to the curb for an afternoon of fishing.
So I was thinking of a 4x4 Chevy or anything in the 2500 series of GM or dodge lineups...Im not looking for new, but something used.

I would like to have the 4x4 option for some of the National Forest camping...I would like to have the 4 wheel drive option just in case I might need it.

I will mostly use it in the Eastern US (I am located in South Carolina) so it will be hilly terrain to flat coastal plains and into Tennessee Appalachian mountains.
Am I asking too much out of a gasser in the 2500 series of trucks to do what I want?

While the 7.3 is a great truck, I have grown tired of 150 dollar oil changes, and the potential cost for expensive injectors, turbo's etc. Even if I had to drop another gasser into a 2500 series truck I could probably do it for half the price for a "cab-off" 7.3 engine rebuild.
Im not trying to make a referendum on the virtues of gas v. diesel, it just at this time is not dovetailing into the family needs for the next several years.

Any insight would be helpful

( I also live in SC) I have a 2016 2500 HD Gas 4:10 and have pulled a 9300 Lb. 5 Wheel from Aiken SC up through the Smokey Mts. through Tennessee on my way to Kentucky. You will have no trouble with a similiar 2500 HD We averaged 9.6 MPG up and 9.7 back. And a our dbbl cab fits in our garage.

[yetavon]

We drag a 5500 load up the Saluda grade on 26 with an o5 4x4 Chevy 1500 5.3 without issues

[offduty11]

Originally Posted by TURBS

I pulled a 12k 5th wheel with my 05 6.0 Chevy 2500hd for years.

8-9 mpg

Same here 2012 2500HD 4x4 extended cab 8ft bed with 6.0. I miss that truck, only reason I upgraded is because I wanted a crew cab.

[wind power]

Hi Folks,
Thats the information I was looking for! I live in Spartanburg SC and have done the Saluda Grade on I-26 with everything short of a bicycle.... live about 27 miles from it.
The F350 pulled it several times and could at times accelerate while towing the camper.
To me the litmus test for pulling (in this region) is the Saluda Grade, if you folks are pulling roughly my weight and maintaining at least 55mph, up that grade without it nailed to the floor then that is fine with me... When I started looking at the 2500 6.0 I actually had the saluda grade in mind and was wondering if I would be in that far right truck lane running about 25 mph with them!

[DouglasReid]

I pulled a 28" 5er that weigned 1000 lbs with an o6 Ford F250 gasser (5.4 Triton engine) It did not accellerate very well, and slowed down on overpasses, but it got me where I wanted to bo every time.

I only switched to a diesel when we bought another camper and it was 13000 lbs gross. Found an 08 Silverado 2500HD with a Duramax, 35000 miles for 26,900. Couldn't say no, have never looked back.

[ksmith954]

Originally Posted by wind power

Hi Folks,
Thats the information I was looking for! I live in Spartanburg SC and have done the Saluda Grade on I-26 with everything short of a bicycle.... live about 27 miles from it.
The F350 pulled it several times and could at times accelerate while towing the camper.
To me the litmus test for pulling (in this region) is the Saluda Grade, if you folks are pulling roughly my weight and maintaining at least 55mph, up that grade without it nailed to the floor then that is fine with me... When I started looking at the 2500 6.0 I actually had the saluda grade in mind and was wondering if I would be in that far right truck lane running about 25 mph with them!

( I also live in SC) I have a 2016 2500 HD Gas 4:10 and have pulled a 9300 Lb. 5 Wheel from Aiken SC up through the Smokey Mts. through Tennessee on my way to Kentucky. You will have no trouble with a similar 2500 HD We averaged 9.6 MPG up and 9.7 back. And a our dbbl cab fits in our garage.

That's the the route I took, held 50MPH at 3200 RPM. I also pulled a 6000lb. trailer with a F150- no problem. Just much more comfortable with the 2500 Chevrolet. My last trip in the fall to Hendersonville Avg. 10 MPG.

[timfromma]

I pull an 8000 lb TT with a Tundra (1/2 ton).

Zero problems.

[wind power]

Originally Posted by ksmith954

( I also live in SC) I have a 2016 2500 HD Gas 4:10 and have pulled a 9300 Lb. 5 Wheel from Aiken SC up through the Smokey Mts. through Tennessee on my way to Kentucky. You will have no trouble with a similar 2500 HD We averaged 9.6 MPG up and 9.7 back. And a our dbbl cab fits in our garage.

That's the the route I took, held 50MPH at 3200 RPM. I also pulled a 6000lb. trailer with a F150- no problem. Just much more comfortable with the 2500 Chevrolet. My last trip in the fall to Hendersonville Avg. 10 MPG.

I cant ask for much better than that, if you held the grade at 50mph then it should fit the bill nicely.
I will sell my diesel demon to a good home.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by wind power

I cant ask for much better than that, if you held the grade at 50mph then it should fit the bill nicely.
I will sell my diesel demon to a good home.

I have had 3 different 2500's with the 6.0, 2007 reg cab, 2013 extended cab and the current GMC extended cab. My Roo weighs over 6K loaded and the truck stays loaded with a ton of gear.....and firewood. I have also towed some equipment in excess of 6 tons a time or two. Mostly its a dedicated tow and fun vehicle. Plenty of 6-7% grades here in PA. It does the job. I can go more than 50 thats for sure up a 7%, how about 70 or more if ya want? I have been known to pull out and pass on an uphill, the truck is capable. This 2015 has the 4:10 rear, the others had 3:73's. The 4:10 makes a big difference. You can not even get the 2500 6.0 with the 3:73 any more.

Here's the trick....the telltale meter only go's to 5K RPM for a reason, do not be afraid to put it in M, click the - button a click or two and take it up there, maybe tie some lead to your foot. It will not hurt anything. It likes to be run about 4400 RPM with a load on. A lot of people are scared of the sound it makes at those RPM's, I like it. On a side not I have never seen the 6 speed go over 190* even on a 90+ degree day pulling the mountain here with my foot into it.

I get between 8 and 9 mpg towing, almost the same as when I had the 1500's. Not towing and strictly highway, I have broken 18mpg a few times.

[BigLou80]

Originally Posted by Mr Havercamp

I have had 3 different 2500's with the 6.0, 2007 reg cab, 2013 extended cab and the current GMC extended cab. My Roo weighs over 6K loaded and the truck stays loaded with a ton of gear.....and firewood. I have also towed some equipment in excess of 6 tons a time or two. Mostly its a dedicated tow and fun vehicle. Plenty of 6-7% grades here in PA. It does the job. I can go more than 50 thats for sure up a 7%, how about 70 or more if ya want? I have been known to pull out and pass on an uphill, the truck is capable. This 2015 has the 4:10 rear, the others had 3:73's. The 4:10 makes a big difference. You can not even get the 2500 6.0 with the 3:73 any more.

Here's the trick....the telltale meter only go's to 5K RPM for a reason, do not be afraid to put it in M, click the - button a click or two and take it up there, maybe tie some lead to your foot. It will not hurt anything. It likes to be run about 4400 RPM with a load on. A lot of people are scared of the sound it makes at those RPM's, I like it. On a side not I have never seen the 6 speed go over 190* even on a 90+ degree day pulling the mountain here with my foot into it.

I get between 8 and 9 mpg towing, almost the same as when I had the 1500's. Not towing and strictly highway, I have broken 18mpg a few times.

What he said. I had a very reputable mechanic tell my you could place a brick on the accelerator of a 6.0 walk away and it would run out of gas before anything bad would happen to the engine. Mine ( older 2002) would just kick down in to second and spin 4500 RPM if I had a loaded trailer and a steep grade. I retired that truck with 250K on it and the engine still ran like a top, I actually wish I had kept it.

I've owned both a 6.0 gas and currently a 6.6 diesel and in some ways I like towing with the 6.0 better. Going from the 7.3 ford to the 6.0 GMC be prepared for higher quality, a more comfortable and quiet ride as well as a gas engine making power in a completely different way. While the diesels are " more powerful" It's been my casual observation that they only make peak power over a very limited range of RPM's and fueling conditions. I felt like while my 6.0 gas made less torque overall it seemed to have more available power at any given point if that makes any sense. The only time you will feel a real difference is pulling large hills at highway speeds.

[wind power]

Originally Posted by BigLou80

What he said. I had a very reputable mechanic tell my you could place a brick on the accelerator of a 6.0 walk away and it would run out of gas before anything bad would happen to the engine. Mine ( older 2002) would just kick down in to second and spin 4500 RPM if I had a loaded trailer and a steep grade. I retired that truck with 250K on it and the engine still ran like a top, I actually wish I had kept it.

I've owned both a 6.0 gas and currently a 6.6 diesel and in some ways I like towing with the 6.0 better. Going from the 7.3 ford to the 6.0 GMC be prepared for higher quality, a more comfortable and quiet ride as well as a gas engine making power in a completely different way. While the diesels are " more powerful" It's been my casual observation that they only make peak power over a very limited range of RPM's and fueling conditions. I felt like while my 6.0 gas made less torque overall it seemed to have more available power at any given point if that makes any sense. The only time you will feel a real difference is pulling large hills at highway speeds.

It makes perfect sense, on the 7.3 the rpm's had a narrow bandwidth to be really effective but if you are in that bandwidth of rpms you wont feel a thing being towed. However if the rpms for the task were too low I would have to down shift and climb back to the proper gear and rpm combination....to me it feels like gas is quicker to climb rpms faster

[CTGREG]

I have a 2013 Ram MegaCab Diesel. It pulls my 16,100 GVW 5th wheel with no problems. I average about 10 - 11 mpg if I keep it at 60-65 mph.

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by wind power

Hi Folks,
Thats the information I was looking for! I live in Spartanburg SC and have done the Saluda Grade on I-26 with everything short of a bicycle.... live about 27 miles from it.
The F350 pulled it several times and could at times accelerate while towing the camper.
To me the litmus test for pulling (in this region) is the Saluda Grade, if you folks are pulling roughly my weight and maintaining at least 55mph, up that grade without it nailed to the floor then that is fine with me... When I started looking at the 2500 6.0 I actually had the saluda grade in mind and was wondering if I would be in that far right truck lane running about 25 mph with them!

if your only pulling 5700 to 6700 lbs the 6.0 is more then enough . and mpg will be better then 9 . i get 9 to 9.5 hauling a 9200 lbs TH . i'd wager you'll be in the 11 mpg range and no problem heading up grades at 65 . the ride in the chevy is far better then the old ford and most all dodges