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Old 11-16-2020, 03:55 PM   #1
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2021 25' Flying Cloud
Edgewater , Maryland
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2021 Silverado 5.3 vs 6.2 & 2021 25' FCFB

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
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Old 11-16-2020, 05:40 PM   #2
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I just bought a 2030 Silverado 5.3L, 8 speed trans rated for 9600 lbs. I have only taken one 1000 mile trip but was very happy with the performance with my 28’ 7600 lbs gw. I had towed with an Armada, roughly same size engine with 300hp and 4 speed trans.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f46...am-215889.html
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Old 11-16-2020, 05:45 PM   #3
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I had a 2016 High Country with a 5.3 that suffered a catastrophic piston failure due to a malfunction with the cylinder deactivation function, and I also had the defective transmission that started jerking after about a year. They did a "triple flush" for the latter and it helped. All of this happened during the GM strike and it took months to get the required parts... Picked it up and Traded it in the same day a little over a year ago for a 2020 GLS450.

Had the 6.2 in a 2009 Escalade EXT. Both the Chevy and the Caddy pulled fine, and both managed the hills fine. The 2009 did NOT have the cylinder deactivation. But I would never have another engine with the cylinder deactivation. It is possible to go to a shop and have them permanently disable it, but it will probably void your warranty. I also had a 1999 Silverado with the 5.3 and it was bulletproof.
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Old 11-16-2020, 09:19 PM   #4
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My 2017 High Country with 5.3 and tow package did just fine on trip pulling my 76 Argosy 26 to Grand Canyon and fuel economy was near 14 mpg. That included all round trip fuel usage, parking lots, etc. No issue with handling or power. It has the V8/V4 deactivation for fuel economy. I understand 2020 has a stop shut off not the deactivation. My 2009 LTZ Silverado with “smaller” engine likewise was very capable. I understand 8 speed tranny now changed, so no longer got that jumping issue. Be Safe.
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Old 11-17-2020, 02:01 AM   #5
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I tow my 2020 25 footer with a Silverado High Country. It a gas 6.2 engine and has the Tow Package. I've been though the western mountains of Colorado and Wyoming; all though Utah, etc... It tacks around 5K RPMs going up steep mountains, but it will maintain the speed of 60 mph. I get 13.5 MPH average. I do wish it had a larger gas tank though. This does require more planning as to exactly where to stop on those long road trips. I only use the truck to tow the Airstream. It currently has 22K miles on it. So far so good.
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Old 11-17-2020, 09:52 AM   #6
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Silverado 2017

I have a 2017 Silverado LTZ with the 5.3L, 8 speed transmission, and Max Trailering package to pull our 2019 FC RBQ. To date we travel mostly in the Midwest and into Western PA., so I have no experience with the Western mountains.
It pulls our FC wit no issues. When I’m not bucking a stiff headwind, I get 13-14 mpg. Without the FC in tow I get between 21-24 mpg between SE Michigan and the Pittsburgh area.
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Old 11-17-2020, 10:12 AM   #7
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When we purchased our 2018 30' Classic, we had a Chev Suburban 6.2. It was adequate, but struggled on long upgrades, etc. We upgraded to a 2018 Chev Silverado High Country Diesel with Duramax. So far very nice. No issues with mountains, and fuel consumption is reasonable ( computer usually around 13-13.5 when towing). Has large fuel tank, too.
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Old 11-17-2020, 10:15 AM   #8
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My tow vehicle is a 2018 GMC Denali 1500 crew cab with the 5.3L engine, 8-speed transmission, and the 3.42 axle ratio. Most of my towing is in Colorado in the mountains, although I have towed across the country as well. My trailer is a 23FB, which is a little lighter than yours. On flat land, it works well and provides decent fuel economy. If the wind is light, I'll see 15 mpg. In the mountains, it works fine, but I wish I had a little bit more power for steeper grades. I'm not in any rush to replace the truck, and I really like it, but my next vehicle will likely be a Denali 2500 with a Diesel engine.
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Old 11-17-2020, 02:52 PM   #9
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2005 25' Safari
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In order of towing capability from worse to best, 5.3, 6.2, 6.6 gas, 6.6 Diesel.
I've had all but the new 6.6 gas which should be OK because it is an iron block as opposed to aluminum. To answer your question, go with the 6.2 as opposed to 5.3. Happy travels!
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Old 11-18-2020, 10:39 PM   #10
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2006 Silverado CrewCab with a 295 HP 5.3/4L60/3:73. I tow a 25' FCFB.
Not the fastest truck but pulls well uphill at 50 mph.
The 4L60 is the biggest limiting factor but you won't have that problem.
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Old 11-20-2020, 08:42 PM   #11
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We tow a 2014 25FB with a 2008 Sierra SLT EXT CAB 6 L 4L70E 4:10 rear end.
Perfect.
If I were to trade up it would be to the 6.2 Max Tow 10 spd with 3.42 rear
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Old 11-21-2020, 07:54 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Ohat View Post
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
I tow my 25' Safari and my 34' Excella with my Silverado 1500 with a 5.3. It does great with the 25'. It does ok with the 34', except for payload limit. Getting the proper gear ratio is the most important thing! (3.73 gear is the best IMO, with the max trailering package)

One of my prior trucks was a Silverado 1500 with the 6.2. I was towing a 30' Excella then. It did fine, except or the payload limit.

If I were buying a new Silverado today, I would choose the 5.3 over the 6.2.
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Old 11-21-2020, 08:03 AM   #13
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I’ve actually considered adding a supercharger to my 5.3 as opposed to buying a new truck. I still may go that route, as it costs less than a new truck, and forced induction would be nice at altitude. There are many “bolt on” supercharger options available for the 5.3.
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Old 11-22-2020, 01:11 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A W Warn View Post
I tow my 25' Safari and my 34' Excella with my Silverado 1500 with a 5.3. It does great with the 25'. It does ok with the 34', except for payload limit. Getting the proper gear ratio is the most important thing! (3.73 gear is the best IMO, with the max trailering package)

One of my prior trucks was a Silverado 1500 with the 6.2. I was towing a 30' Excella then. It did fine, except or the payload limit.

If I were buying a new Silverado today, I would choose the 5.3 over the 6.2.
Only problem is the best gear you can get now is the 3.42,so the 6.2L is the best combo.
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Old 11-22-2020, 06:36 AM   #15
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Quote:
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Only problem is the best gear you can get now is the 3.42,so the 6.2L is the best combo.
It's not about the rear end ratio anymore. It's about the effective gear ratio. With today's 8 and 10 speeds, you get the best of both worlds, effective power to the wheels and mileage.
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Old 11-22-2020, 07:25 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by gandttimes View Post
Only problem is the best gear you can get now is the 3.42,so the 6.2L is the best combo.
The Chevrolet website indicates 3.23, 3.42, and 3.73 are available. Maybe 3.73 can't be ordered on every truck, but is available.
https://www.chevrolet.com/trucks/sil...tyleOne=406485

Even if the 3.73 was not available and 3.42 was the only choice, IMO, I would rather have the 5.3 engine for towing my 25'.

The 3.42 gearing will be rated for less towing capacity than the 3.73 (lower max trailer weight and lower GCWR), but would be rated adequately for the weight of a 25' trailer.
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Old 11-25-2020, 11:11 AM   #17
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Towing Vehicle

I have a 26' Argosy and I use a 2016 Tahoe PPV police vehicle with the 5.3 and it tows great. I have not had any problems with it and it now has 75K miles on it now. Plenty of power and torque with the direct-injection engine.
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Old 11-25-2020, 11:34 AM   #18
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We pull our 25 foot Safari with a 2019 Chevy Quad cab 5.3 litter with the Max towing package. We have been to Niagara Falls and then on to Maine last year and it pulled great, it stopped good to. This year we went to Yellowstone through mountains and had no problems with any inclines or elevation issues. I wish Chevy offered a larger fuel tank. That has been my only issue, we don't mind stopping , we have pets, but I would like to not have to stop so often. The Max trailering package is the bomb. I also added Roadmaster Active suspension to help with the loaded weight, and I always pull with my Equalizer hitch. Overall I feel very safe pulling my AS with the Heavy 1500.
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Old 11-25-2020, 01:24 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis C View Post
I’ve actually considered adding a supercharger to my 5.3 as opposed to buying a new truck. I still may go that route, as it costs less than a new truck, and forced induction would be nice at altitude. There are many “bolt on” supercharger options available for the 5.3.
Highly recommend the supercharger on your 5.3l, those engines respond very well to a supercharger. The "area under the curve" is even more important than the max hp and torque gains, especially for towing and altitude.

Odd thing I noticed at the GMC dealer was the Yukon Denali with 6.2L and tow package had a lower tow rating than the 5.3L Yukon SLT.
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Old 11-25-2020, 01:36 PM   #20
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Buy as big as you can afford

That’s my only advice. Buy as big a TV as you can afford.
You will never look back!
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