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wpugh007 · 11-25-2020, 01:39 PM

I have 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 5.3 with max towing and tow 2016 FC 26U. Just got back from 5200 miles trip to Montana with no problem. Truck came with tire pressure monitor for trailer. Gives temperature and psi

kdfulsome54 · 11-25-2020, 02:16 PM

We tow our 28ft international with a 2018 Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 ,6spd auto, and 3.73 gears. Truck pulls the trailer amazingly well and very good on fuel. Five thousand miles last fall thru Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. Overall fuel mileage was 12.8mpg and was able to maintain 55 mph in the mountains. Rpms were in the 3500-3800 range in the mountains. Overall towing 16,000 miles has been 12.6 mpg. You should be good with the 5.3 without the extra cost of the 6.2

Wanderindon · 11-25-2020, 03:06 PM

We towed our 27FBT 5000 miles out to Wyoming, Montana, Dakotas and back to Tennessee last year with our GMC Sierra 1500, 6.2 V8. Towed up and down mountains with no trouble whatsoever. The 6.2 gives me a bit of confidence vs the 5.3. Not sure of the weight difference between 27 and 25 but hope this helps.

Mikebrady62 · 11-26-2020, 06:15 AM

I have towed my 27’ with both. I currently have a 2018 Chevy LTZ with the 6.2L and they both pulled my AS well. The 6.2L does a lot less shifting and we have done many of the high MTN Passes in the west with no issues. The 6.2 will maintain 65 mph over almost any of them, where the 5.3 would struggle to maintain 50 on steep grades.

Smokey2020 · 11-26-2020, 06:49 AM

I have a 2020 International 27 FB and matched it up with a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 w/6.2L engine and factory tow software. First, always go with the larger engine if you have the choice. I found the 6.2 to be adequate but it still felt like I was overworking the truck/transmission when going out to West. Yes, it pulls strong in most situations, however I stepped up to the 2020 Duramax Diesal in order to deliver that level of confidence when pulling out West. Also, the 6.2l fuel economy versus the 5.3l are very similar when towing. Agree, the fuel tank (24 gal) leads to more stops.

JandD · 12-01-2020, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Ohat

Anyone towing a 25' FC or similar (7300 GVWR & 837 hitch dry) with a late model Silverado 5.3? Wish you had the 6.2, or doing well with the 5.3?

Thanks,
Greg

Towed a 25' FC with the 5.3 1500 Silverado, tow pkg, 1,500 lb load capacity for four years in the west. Then switched to the 2500 with the 6.0 gas engine. Also now four years of travels in the mountains. Significant improvement in towing performance and load capacity. Driving more pleasant mileage towing the same. 10-11 mpg.

Sid Arthur · 12-23-2020, 09:46 AM

Hope you are using LOW gear in the mountains. So many folks forget they have it!! Our 6.2l Silverado with 470lb ft of torque is excellent for the job. You also need tires with 10ply side walls for the stiffness. We use Blue Ox sway/stabilizing system. No "need" for a 2500 Diesel, it doesn't do anything more than the 1500 6.2.

Mikebrady62 · 12-24-2020, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid Arthur

Hope you are using LOW gear in the mountains. So many folks forget they have it!! Our 6.2l Silverado with 470lb ft of torque is excellent for the job. You also need tires with 10ply side walls for the stiffness. We use Blue Ox sway/stabilizing system. No "need" for a 2500 Diesel, it doesn't do anything more than the 1500 6.2.

I completely agree with Sid. 10 ply tires made a huge difference for us as well.

Smokey2020 · 12-24-2020, 07:29 AM

I towed my 2020 International 28FB with a 2019 Silverado 6.2l with the standard rear end (3.23) and wished I had more power out West. I traded it in on a 2020 2500 HD Duramax and now have plenty of power. However, if not the Duramax and you are buying the truck new, I would go with the 6.2 l with the Max towing package which gives you the 3.42 rear end. This rear end will make a big difference on hills.

Starlight Mike · 12-25-2020, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sid Arthur

Hope you are using LOW gear in the mountains. So many folks forget they have it!! Our 6.2l Silverado with 470lb ft of torque is excellent for the job. You also need tires with 10ply side walls for the stiffness. We use Blue Ox sway/stabilizing system. No "need" for a 2500 Diesel, it doesn't do anything more than the 1500 6.2.

Hi Sid,
have you ever towed with a 2500 diesel? In my humble opinion, if you had, you would not have made the comment, "it doesn't do anything more than the 1500 6.2." I have had both and there is a big difference, mainly double the torque, much better stopping capability and all around more stabile. This is not just my opinion but almost everyone that has had both. The only advantage to a 1500 is that it is a better daily driver without the trailer but that is not the question.
Cheers

mefly2 · 12-25-2020, 10:57 PM

We went from a 5.3 to a 6.2 ... much better pulling and safety features for us as well as better fuel economy.

KFador · 12-28-2020, 08:03 PM

I have a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali with DuraMax diesel and it tows like a dream.

Sid Arthur · 12-30-2020, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m rafferty

Hi Sid,
have you ever towed with a 2500 diesel? In my humble opinion, if you had, you would not have made the comment, "it doesn't do anything more than the 1500 6.2." I have had both and there is a big difference, mainly double the torque, much better stopping capability and all around more stabile. This is not just my opinion but almost everyone that has had both. The only advantage to a 1500 is that it is a better daily driver without the trailer but that is not the question.
Cheers

Thanks for the comment!! You noted I put "need" in quotes. We were unable to come up with the extra (negotiated) $10k for the 2500 diesel. Over 900 torque is clearly much better than the 1500's 470. Do you "need" it? No. A dream to have. The 10 ply sidewalls provide incredible improvement in stability. Even the advanced tow package really improves with the sidewall support. Drove a Sprinter for years and loved the simplicity of the diesel engine. However, the problems encountered made us happy to return to gas. We blew the turbo charger. That required a 130 mile tow (Sprinters are not maintained by just anyone). A member of our "team" grabbed the familiar green handle at a service station to fill it. But at BP, that's gas. Fortunately it only needed to be towed 50 miles to drain the tank and clean the engine before a diesel reload. We had a lot of problems finding diesel on many of the routes we drove and grew weary of the advanced planning. In many small towns we've been easily able to find folks (and parts) for the gas engine. Not so much for the diesel. So, you are right. The 2500 Diesel is indeed better as long as you're prepared for the baggage.