vanman250

Indiana

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Joined: 01/21/2004

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I was looking at a 2006 Chevy 1500 with the 6.0 motor. Would I be better off with the 5.3 or the 6.0.
vanman250
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kaydeejay

SE Michigan, USA

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Joined: 07/26/2004

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That really depends on your definition of better!
Better power - the 6.0L
Better mileage - the 5.3L
Was the 6.0L even available in the 1500, or were you looking at a 1500HD? That would make a world of difference in what you can carry and tow.
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2WD/CC/SB/DA.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors.
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JIMNLIN

Big Cabin, OK

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Joined: 09/14/2003

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better off ?? How much RV are you wanting to tow/haul ??
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
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vanman250

Indiana

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It is a 1500HD. I tow a Jayco 26BH. The weight is about 6800 lbs loaded for a long trip but that depends on what the boss feels like taking. How bad is the 6.0 on gas towing and not towing?
vanman250
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JustLabs

Washington State

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Joined: 05/13/2002

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vanman250 wrote: It is a 1500HD. I tow a Jayco 26BH. The weight is about 6800 lbs loaded for a long trip but that depends on what the boss feels like taking. How bad is the 6.0 on gas towing and not towing?
vanman250
If its the 1500HD,the only choice you have is the 6.0
If you got the 1500 you could have the 5.3 or the 6.0 with the Vortec max package.
The 1500HD is a much more capable tow rig. IIRC the 1500HD has almost 2000lbs more payload than the 1500.
2007 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW,4x4,Cummins 5.9, 6spd.
2007 Keystone Cougar 289BHS Fifth Wheel.
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mike54

Woodstock,IL

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Joined: 04/23/2005

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vanman250 wrote: It is a 1500HD. I tow a Jayco 26BH. The weight is about 6800 lbs loaded for a long trip but that depends on what the boss feels like taking. How bad is the 6.0 on gas towing and not towing?
vanman250
I get 10-11mpg towing or not with my chevy with 6.0 and 4:10 rearend
I think you are better with the 6.0 you are not going to do much better with a struggling 5.3
Mike
2008 ZT25RK CrossRoads Zinger
Wi. rallys attended IL. Rallys 
2002 Silverado crew cab 2500HD 6.0 4:10 gears
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Supercharged

Az.

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Joined: 01/01/2005

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Just Supercharge the 5.3 and you have the best of both worlds.
2005 Chev 5.3 Supercharged 395HP 425 T hp. Two wheels on front, 2 on back. one seat, tint windows. front and rear bumpers, headlights, windows. Door on each side. Heater, floor mats, junk behind seats, some dirt. Pulls so hard.
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cdhd2001

Texas

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Joined: 10/22/2002

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vanman250 wrote: I was looking at a 2006 Chevy 1500 with the 6.0 motor. Would I be better off with the 5.3 or the 6.0.
vanman250
How many miles do you drive per year? Do you use the truck to commute?
If you drive little and do not commute, then the 6.0L would be better for towing and wouldn't cost too much more in fuel. However, if you drive a lot and/or commute with the truck, then the 5.3L would be the "better" truck for the combined use. 6.0L will average 11-12 mpg solo, the 5.3L will average 16-20 mpg depending on config and gearing. Maybe a 5.3L with 4:10 gears?
2008 Dodge 1500 QC SB 4x4 Hemi Auto 3.92
2006 Chevy 1500 EC SB 4.8L auto 3.23
1994 Chevy 350 auto
Looking for a small TT to continue RV'ing
Previous:
2007 Cummins (totalled)
2003 Dmax Allison
2001 Chevy 6.0L
1998 Chevy 305
& etc...
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vanman250

Indiana

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I commute between 30,000 and 40,000 miles a year. I tow about 10 times a year and some of the trips are very long. If the fuel mileage is that big of a difference then I'll be looking for the 5.3 or an F150 5.4.
vanman250
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old guy

Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)

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Joined: 03/15/2006

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stay with the Chevy
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