Question for People that tow with a 6.0 GM truck

[MillerTime]

My in-laws F-250 is wore out and they are looking for another truck to pull their 5th wheel.
They have been looking at older or really high mileage diesels since they are more in their budget, but can't afford the extra expenses that can easily come with older high mileage diesels.
I've been finding them lots of newer 6.0 Gm trucks with lower miles. All of them are the 2011 or 2012 ones with the 6 speed tranny and long beds. My only experience is with an Escalade with the H.O. 6.0
Their main concern is towing their 8,000-9,000 lb 5er around Oklahoma, Texas and the Ozarks.
Soooo.....what are you towing and what has your experience been with your 6.0 GM?

Ps. Im not interested in any other makes, models of trucks gas or diesel. I've had duamaxes and a powerstroke, but they are not in the budget for what i would consider a reliable vehicle.

[DocGTO]

The best option is an 2011 or newer as they have the stronger frame, better suspension and larger brakes. The 2500HD gasser would handle their fiver fine. May not break any records going up steep mountains but the motors are strong and the trannys are beefy. I'd go for the newest they can afford. Adding a tuner like an Edge can always free up a few BHP/TQ and give them the gauges they need for watching the important stuff as well.

[Mr Havercamp]

You would be surprised what the 6.0 can do in the hills and mountains. It's a very good engine and there are a multitude of reasons that GM still considers it ther heavy duty gas engine as opposed to the 6.2 Ecotec.

[youroo]

They should be Happy with a 2500 HD/6.0/373 Gear/TV in the years stated! Youroo!!

[MillerTime]

I agree! I'm just wanting more GM 6.0 users input and experiences so i can ease their mind about a 6.0 being a capable choice for their situation and needs.

[Mr Havercamp]

I'm on my 3rd one.......2007 new body, 2013 Chevy, 2015 GMC.

GTO is right, a big difference from 2010 to 2011.

I don't travel light (Canoe/kayak/gear/full water/ lots of firewood etc) and mostly on and over the ridges here in western/central PA. Nothing is flat. I love these trucks. With the 6Kish GVW hybrids we have/had I don't hardly ever use my WDH anymore.

My last was 3:73, this 2015 is 4:10 and now thats all they put in the gassers. The 4:10 is much better.

[inspectorgf]

My wife has a 2010 the most we have towed with it was 7k but it was all in the mountains. It definitely isn't going to win any races uphill but it will get you to the top. Going down hill I am amazed how the grade shifting works. The power train itself is very reliable. Get use to pulling into gas stations though because it is a thirsty engine.

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by inspectorgf

It definitely isn't going to win any races uphill but it will get you to the top.

What I have found is a lot of people are scared to put their foot in it, let it downshift, and rev it up into 5K territory. There is a reason the tach stops at 6K and has no red lines. You can wind one of these up all day long into 5K+ territory and you won't hurt a thing. Its built for it.

Our 2015 with the 4:10 is much better going up than the 3:73 we had was which is understandable. No noticable mileage difference. Not towing we get around 14.5. Towing and loaded 9 to 10 highway, a little less on 2 lanes in mountains.

[youroo]

Youroo!!

[Mr Havercamp]

Originally Posted by youroo

Youroo!!

Awesome........................Ohio? You wont see that here in this neck of the woods.

[W5CI]

I had a 2013 GMC 2500HD that I pulled my 12K Cedar Creek with, It pulled it fine on the flat lands here in arkansas but I couldnt pass a gas Pump without stopping, 7/8 mpg towing and 12 empty. I got ride of it after 2 years and 12K,traded for my RAM 3500 diesel. 11/12 towing and 20 empty.

[Jim34RL]

Why not look at an older Ram truck with the Cummins Diesel in it. You might be able to purchase a 2011/2012 for a reasonable price. Most Cummins engines are good for 400,000 to 500,000 miles before rebuild.


I have a 2008 Ram with the 6.7L Cummins and the 68RFE automatic which has a 100,000 miles on the OD, towing a 34RL Cedar Creek. The maintenance cost have been $0.11 a mile and my fuel mileage cost has been $0.24 a mile. This includes the time period when diesel fuel was between $4.00 and $5.00 a gallon. My maintenance cost includes two sets of tires and wheels that I use. I have a summer set of tires and wheels and winter set of tires and wheels.

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by Jim34RL

Why not look at an older Ram truck with the Cummins Diesel in it. You might be able to purchase a 2011/2012 for a reasonable price. Most Cummins engines are good for 400,000 to 500,000 miles before rebuild.


I have a 2008 Ram with the 6.7L Cummins and the 68RFE automatic which has a 100,000 miles on the OD, towing a 34RL Cedar Creek. The maintenance cost have been $0.11 a mile and my fuel mileage cost has been $0.24 a mile. This includes the time period when diesel fuel was between $4.00 and $5.00 a gallon. My maintenance cost includes two sets of tires and wheels that I use. I have a summer set of tires and wheels and winter set of tires and wheels.

As i stated initially, diesels are not in their budget except older, high mileage ones and then they cant afford to work on one when it breaks down.
They are looking to stay in the teens price wise, with 4wd and a crew cab. I am a Gm guy, and worked at gm dealers for years, so i can get anything done on them. Not so for Ford.

I won't by dodge or ever recommend anyone to either.

All im asking for is gm 6.0 experience. I have a new duramax so i know how a diesel pulls.

[lbrjet]

I don't have a GM but a five year old 6.0 will be a fine fit for a 9K fifth wheel.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[GreenImp]

Originally Posted by youroo

Youroo!!

For some (suspicious?) reason, those computer readouts always seem to be 1-3 MPG higher than when actually hand calculated at fill up...my experience anyway.

[Jim34RL]

I am sorry that you will not look at Ram diesel trucks. I did own a 2001 Chevy Silverado pick-up truck with a 6 L engine. This truck would only get 6 to7 miles a gallon, hand calculate when towing a fifth wheel. I could never pass up a gas station, always had to fill the gas tank up with gas. Which was no fun when the fifth wheel was hooked up to the truck. So I do have the experience with gas engine. Sometimes you buy a low-cost vehicle and it ends up costing you more money in the long run just look at fuel mileage cost when towing.

[MillerTime]

It's their budget not mine. They are retired.

But we don't own Chryslers for lots of good reasons. Anybody else can if they want, but i would try to talk them out of it.

[prestonj12]

6.0 with 4.10 gears wasn't cutting it here in the Idaho mountains. Sold it for a Duramax, never going back to gas. And I'm only pulling 10,000 max. Get the diesel period.


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[prestonj12]

Originally Posted by prestonj12

6.0 with 4.10 gears wasn't cutting it here in the Idaho mountains. Sold it for a Duramax, never going back to gas. And I'm only pulling 10,000 max. Get the diesel period.


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Oh, and where I'd get 8 mpg with the gas truck, I get 12 with the Duramax.


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[nomad297]

Originally Posted by prestonj12

6.0 with 4.10 gears wasn't cutting it here in the Idaho mountains. Sold it for a Duramax, never going back to gas. And I'm only pulling 10,000 max. Get the diesel period.


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