reno82
Cardiff by the Sea, CA
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Joined: 04/01/2008
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Not towing, my 5.3 gets about 2 MPG better than my 6.0. At 40,000 miles it will cost you about 410 more gallons a year at whatever the price of gas will be.
Towing I would rather have the 6.0 HD, but you need to do the math and decide whats best for you.
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blt2ski
Kirkland, Wa
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Joined: 03/15/2001
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"IF" you truly drive some 30-40K miles a year, Even with fuel prices the way they are, a diesel may make some sense. Otherwise, if you want to stay with gas, then you have to add up the fuel savings and lower pull power with the 5.3. Reality is, in Indiana a 6.0 gas is probably NOT needed to tow said trailer, IF you have the correct trans and axel ratio for a 5.3!
marty
05 Chev CC D/A LS Dooley
92 Navistar dump truck, 7.3L 7 sp, 4.33 gears with a Detroit no spin
00 Chev C2500, V5700, 4L80E, 4.10, base truck, no options!
92 Red-e-haul 12K equipment trailer
3 Single axle utility trailers
Check RV.Net Blogs at: blog.rv.net
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Rollincool
Always Rollin
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Joined: 08/10/2007
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blt2ski wrote:"IF" you truly drive some 30-40K miles a year, Even with fuel prices the way they are, a diesel may make some sense.
marty
Like Marty said,
A diesel would make sense. 30 - 40K a year is a A LOT of miles! If I drove that many I would have NEVER gotten rid of my 03 duramax.
With the GM buying incentives right now, I would search for an 08 diesel truck that fits you. You won't regret it. Then if you ever upgrade to a bigger trailer, (which you know will happen), then you already have the best truck.
-Joe 
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4 3500 RC/LB 6.0 
2007 Chevy GS Conquest Super C 6340DK
2007 Chevy HHR Toad 2LT 2.4
1990 Chevy G20 Cargo Van 305 
1967 Chevy Camaro Pro Street 468/650hp BBC 
My 70's Show - Tom Kent Radio Network - KLTH - K•HiTS 106.7
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Engineer9860
Eagle Scout dad
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Joined: 08/10/2003
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Shame on you Rollincool for not having a picture of that 2008 3500 in your profile.
2002 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 8.1/ZF6sp RC/LB
2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L80E EC/SB
1997 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
1977 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10 454
30 year student of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
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RGordon
Atoka, TN/North Ft Myers, FL
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Joined: 02/17/2003
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I commuted with a 05 Silverado with 5.3 for two years and it would average 22 mpg just about all the time. That included some city and highway. It had a 3.42 gearing and would decrease if you went with the 3.73. It was powerful and would probably do what little towing you do. Driving 30 to 40K miles commuting is a lot of miles and could really amount to lots of gas. I do know from experience with the company trucks, the 6.0 gasser is very thisty for gas. If you can swing it, might do like others have suggested, go with the diesel, but then your fuel cost will go up even more. You might even think of getting a good used beater to drive to work and save the tow vehicle for pleasure.
Ron & Libby Gordon
07 Ford F350 Dually Tow Boss Diesel
07 Mobile Suites 38RL3 #3698
02 Winnebago Adventurer 35U V10 (Former RV)
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow
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LVJJJ
NW WASHINGTON
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Joined: 12/29/2006
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We have an 05 Roadtrek 170 which is a little motorhome based on the 3/4 ton chevy express van with 6.0 engine and 3.73 gears. It weighs 7500 lbs dry, yet we get up to 17 mpg solo, 14-15 in town and 10-13 towing. We occasionally tow a 4100 lb 20' Rainier TT and have never got below 10 mpg (headwind), and usually get 13, even going over Stevens Pass here in Washington. I really surprised to read that some of your light pick-up 6.0 Silverados only get 10 mpg solo, or even less than 15. I do agree with old guy, stay with a Chevy,
1965 CHEVY VAN, 292 "Big Block 6"
2005 ROADTREK 170 ('05 CHEVY VAN)
2006 RAINIER 20' TT
2008 HHR
L(Larry)V(Vicki)J(Jennifer)J(Jesse)J(Jason)
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fishfinder
Colorado, USA
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Joined: 08/14/2003
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vanman,
I went through the same decision several months ago. I went with the 5.3L & 3.73 gears. I get 22mpg hiway and 18mpg commuting to work.
I can still carry my slide-in camper & tow my boat (5,000# total) with no problems.
fishfinder, Colorado
'08 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 Ext.Cab 5.3L/3.73 stock P265/70R17 tires
'03 Phoenix Brave Pop-Up TC
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kw/00
OCALA FL
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Joined: 05/13/2004
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I had a 5.3 with 3.42 gears with my 2000. I really liked the truck and miss it. I bought a 2002 crew cab 1500HD with the 3.73 and 6.0. I can tell you there is a difference between the two. The 6.0 I feel has more power, but I have not travled in the hills yet. It really doesnt matter anyway, I really like the true 4 door with a full sized bed. If you want good fuel economy you really can't beat the 5.3. I used to get 18 city and 20 Hyw, with the 2 wheel drive. Now for the newer truck and 6.0 well lets just say it has a fuel addiction. I really like it but I get 13.5 so far, driving like Ms. Daisey. The 5.3 is a very, very good engine. I think that it offers a great balance of power and economy. I pull 7k now so I wanted the 1500HD which is a 3/4 ton. I must say other then the fuel I am very happy to stick with the Chevy. Good luck, either way I think you will be happy with the Chevy.....
1- Treasured wife of 10 years
1- Awesome 2 year old Daughter (Ady)
2002 Chevy 1500HD 3/4 Ton with 3.73 gear, 6.0 Vortec
2008 Wildwood 24BHSS LE Fiver
2001 Lexus RX 300 -wifes
1992 Pristine condition Toyota MR2--My Toy
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Supercharged
Az.
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Joined: 01/01/2005
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420 torque, 395 hp. 5 1/2 boost. 5.3 all the way. 100 in the qt. and 5.8 0-60---11 1/2 pulling 27 ft. 5th wheel.
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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dshelley
hernando, mississippi
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Joined: 02/20/2005
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Can believe the 420 torque and 395 HP. 100 in the quarter is a stretch, but not impossible, but 11 to 12 pulling a 27 foot 5th wheel? Nothing short of absolute fantasy.
2005 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab, Shortbox, 5.9 Cummins, auto, Reece 16K hitch, bedsaver
2004 Holiday Rambler Savoy 28RLS
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