Anyone tow a enclosed trailer with the new gmc 5.3

[Msteel900]

I was just wondering if anyone has towed a enclosed trailer with the new gmc or Chevy 1500 5.3? Just wondering how it handled the trailer and what mpg's you got? Thinking of getting a new truck. We usually have a duramax with us and
It pulls the trailer great, but I'm not impressed it all with the mpg's. It usually ave 12-13 mpg? As bad as 6 mpg's with decent side wins. Just wondering how the new gas 5.3 does. Any info will help. Thanks

 

[clarson80]

From what I've heard of and witnessed, the 5.3 will be extremely disappointing if you compare it to a duramax for power and towing mileage.

 

[1000ccsummit]

I went from a duramax to the new 5.3 in a GMC. I have no towed an enclosed yet, but I have towed a 16ft dump trailer with both.

Mileage will not be any better with the 5.3 over the Duramax. Power will also be less, but it is not what i would call disappointing. I expected the 5.3 to be weaker than the duramax....its a no brainer.

With either truck and the dump trailer loaded with dirt, i feel that both handled the same on the road. the 5.3 does not have the torque to pull the hitch off the trailer, but it was very good for a small block gas motor. This was compared to an 06 duramax that was chipped. All in all, i do miss the duramax, but I am impressed with the 5.3. If i towed more, i would go with the 6.2 in the 1500 if a new duramax isnt in the cards. I dont tow that often, so the 5.3 is good for me.

 

[NDFARMER95]

12-13 is pretty damn good depending on how fast you are driving and what the trailer is. I have a duramax and my buddy has a 5.3. I would never even dream about trying to pull an enclosed trailer with that thing. There pure gutless. And also, the peace of mind is better with a duramax in wind. The 5.3 is going to get bounced all over the road and be pulling R's like you wouldn't believe. JMO.

 

[1000ccsummit]

The 2014 1500s are a different ballgame. GM really stepped it up in the half ton department as far as being stable. The gutless factor is there as it is a small gasser. The new 5.3 is not as gutless, and if you are going to tow a lot, i would not be scared of a 1500 with the 6.2.

 

[AndrettiDog]

IMO the 5.3 was never a bad motor, it just had a bad transmission. The new 5.3 is the same displacement but a totally different motor. With the new tranny I think it would be a great truck. But comparing to the Duramax is silly. You just won't see better than 13MPG 'ish for pulling an enclosed trailer.

 

[Mafesto]

You just won't see better than 13MPG 'ish for pulling an enclosed trailer.

You wouldn't see that unless you were falling out of the sky.

We've NEVER seen anything close to that with gas or diesel.

 

[GlennRMK]

If you are towing with a 1/2 ton get an ecoboost.

I have a 2011 and the power is outstanding. I pull a 3 or 4 place enclosed all the time and the power is outstanding. Pulls easier then any stock gasser and pretty equivalent to any stock diesel 05 and older.

I don't think it as stable towing as my 03 Cummins was though. I plan on replacing it with another cummins. Wish u could get that motor in the F250. I think that would help the towing stability and stop the sagging. I put bags on my f150.

Also check out www.tfltruck.com.

Watch the gauntlet videos. Ecoboost spanks them. 5.3 is the worst pulling truck of them all. 6.2, hemi and tundra are all better options.

Also, I had an 04 5.3 and that thing sucked towing. My ecoboost pulls a 4 place enclosed better then that 5.3 pulled an aluminum 2 place open.

 

[Msteel900]

Thanks for all the input. I was basically trying to find out how the new 2014 gmc or silverado 1500 did pulling a trailer. How it pulled and what kind of mpg's you got. Since they upgraded there motor this past year. I can't find any reviews on this topic anywhere.

 

[Mafesto]

Also, I had an 04 5.3 and that thing sucked towing. My ecoboost pulls a 4 place enclosed better then that 5.3 pulled an aluminum 2 place open.

Exactly!
I had a '03 Avy w/5.3 and got 10 mpg pulling empty 2 place w/salt shields @ 60 mph.
Now I fully realize that the 5.3 has been significantly improved. But unless one of those improvements involved magic, double digit mpg w/enclosed trailer in tow is mythical at best.
Especially w/ 4 sleds, typical winds and realistic highway speeds.

 

[milehighassassin]

From what I've heard of and witnessed, the 5.3 will be extremely disappointing if you compare it to a duramax for power and towing mileage.

Duh. You're comparing a 1/2 ton motor to a diesel in a 3/4 ton+.

That's like saying, if you buy a new Accord you are going to be extremely disappointed in the 0-60 times compared to a Corvette for track use.

 

[milehighassassin]

If you are towing with a 1/2 ton get an ecoboost.

I have a 2011 and the power is outstanding. I pull a 3 or 4 place enclosed all the time and the power is outstanding. Pulls easier then any stock gasser and pretty equivalent to any stock diesel 05 and older.

I don't think it as stable towing as my 03 Cummins was though. I plan on replacing it with another cummins. Wish u could get that motor in the F250. I think that would help the towing stability and stop the sagging. I put bags on my f150.

Also check out www.tfltruck.com.

Watch the gauntlet videos. Ecoboost spanks them. 5.3 is the worst pulling truck of them all. 6.2, hemi and tundra are all better options.

Also, I had an 04 5.3 and that thing sucked towing. My ecoboost pulls a 4 place enclosed better then that 5.3 pulled an aluminum 2 place open.

The 5.3l they used had a 3.08 gear ratio in it. That truck was geared to be used as a parts running truck, not a tow rig at 12,000 feet.

 

[milehighassassin]

Thanks for all the input. I was basically trying to find out how the new 2014 gmc or silverado 1500 did pulling a trailer. How it pulled and what kind of mpg's you got. Since they upgraded there motor this past year. I can't find any reviews on this topic anywhere.

Where are you located? In Colorado by chance?

How heavy is your trailer loaded up?

If you are going to be towing with it, make sure you opt for the Max Trailering package. It gives you 3.73 gears, which when paired to the current 6-speed actually gives you a better towing ratio than the much older trucks with 4.10 gears. (final drive when figuring 1st gear ratio + rear end, 2nd gear ratio + rear end, etc, etc)

 

[Msteel900]

I live in Michigan. I don't need to buy a truck. Just looking for some information. If I was going to, I would probably go with the gmc duramax. It's probably not what I need but its what I want. Someone told me the new 5.3 pulled unreal with great gas mileage. Just seeing if there's any truth in what he said. Sorry I wasn't trying to start a debate on the 5.3 vs the duramax, vs the echo boost

 

[milehighassassin]

The new 5.3 is probably as strong as the old 6.2




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[Mafesto]

The new 5.3 is probably as strong as the old 6.2




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Any chance of finding a HP & Torque curve graph of both engines?

 

[milehighassassin]

I've got one saved somewhere of the 5.3

I'll see what I can find.


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[grandpaj]

2014 5.3

This is not a comparison of a gas versus Diesel.
But I traded my 2012 1/2 ton with the 5.3 and 3.42 gears for a 2014 with same engine and gear ratio. Was expecting a jump in mpg , a big jump because that is what they advertised, well I haven't seen any increase. Yes the truck is quieter and I like the electric power steering,the motor does have more get up and go, the radio is a joke, to complicated and you find yourself looking at it to get it to do what you want, I see a crash coming.(Well maybe I won't see it coming)
Went on a 150 mile round trip on the freeway , mostly flat, no wind, 75 mph, and got a whooping 15.9 mpg. So to say the least I wish I had my 12 back. I sure believed the hype or I wouldn't have bought it, but so far Its not worth the money. Right at 5000 miles, so I believe its broke in and thats what I can expect.
My dealer says I am the only one that is disappointed with this new truck, just my luck.
Thats my experience.

 

[milehighassassin]

This is not a comparison of a gas versus Diesel.
But I traded my 2012 1/2 ton with the 5.3 and 3.42 gears for a 2014 with same engine and gear ratio. Was expecting a jump in mpg , a big jump because that is what they advertised, well I haven't seen any increase. Yes the truck is quieter and I like the electric power steering,the motor does have more get up and go, the radio is a joke, to complicated and you find yourself looking at it to get it to do what you want, I see a crash coming.(Well maybe I won't see it coming)
Went on a 150 mile round trip on the freeway , mostly flat, no wind, 75 mph, and got a whooping 15.9 mpg. So to say the least I wish I had my 12 back. I sure believed the hype or I wouldn't have bought it, but so far Its not worth the money. Right at 5000 miles, so I believe its broke in and thats what I can expect.
My dealer says I am the only one that is disappointed with this new truck, just my luck.
Thats my experience.

I've sold several of these and everyone has been happy. Your sales guy should be able to show you some tips on the radio. Use the physical keys. Get to what you wanna do.

Your mileage is way off. Your truck is stock? No leveling kit? No wheel and tire change? Good tire pressures? Guy at work put a 2" leveling kit on his and it cost him about 3 MPG.

 

[05900]

Mileage Machines