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Towing with 5.3 GM #12762011 05/20/18 01:23 AM
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dk2429 Offline OP
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After driving/towing with my '06 Duramax for a while, I decided to haul the boat with the ole 5.3 today. Damn I felt like a pig! The thing really felt like it had no power. But before I got the Duramax that 5.3 was a towing machine to me! Not only that, you could reaallllyyy feel that boat back there. I never noticed before, but after hauling with the 3/4 ton for a while now you could really feel that boat moving around back there. That 3/4 ton diesel, literally can't feel a damn thing behind you. I guess to put into perspective; the Duramax pulled an 8,000lb mini excavator a few weeks ago better than the 1/2 ton pulled my 3500lb boat..


Wonder why I didn't go diesel to begin with.. Love this thing!!! grin

Last edited by dk2429; 05/20/18 01:26 AM.

Majek 22 Extreme/225 Optimax Pro XS hauled by a 2500HD Duramax



Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: dk2429] #12762208 05/20/18 11:32 AM
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I was never that impressed with the 5.3L honestly. Owned a 4.3L V6 in 2 separate trucks and felt like it towed my bass boat just as well. I put a travel trailer behind my 5.3L once and realized how stupid that was. Absolute dog of an engine.

If you're going to be towing anything with significant weight or a significant aerodynamic profile, the 5.3L really isn't a great tool for the job.


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Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: dk2429] #12762688 05/20/18 07:35 PM
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dk2429 Offline OP
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Well when it was what I used to tow my boat and RV, I thought it did well. I didn't feel comfortable with the trailer though in any kind of hills. It has pulled my bass boat I sold all around Texas though. Original owner from 2003 with 115k on the clock now. The truck is literally 100% original except the tires and battery. I just changed the brake pads for the first time last week. The truck has been great no doubt.

But nothing beats that Duramax. I've driven it 20k miles so far and can't be happier. I'll haul anything anywhere now.. Took the RV through the hill country a few times now. No prob


Majek 22 Extreme/225 Optimax Pro XS hauled by a 2500HD Duramax



Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: dk2429] #12762994 05/21/18 12:46 AM
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I went from 5.7 3.73 rear end to a 5.3 3.42 rear end and hated it. Get on the gas and it wanted to take a dump. Did this so I could give my truck to my son. Bought a travel trailer. Year later went to diesel to pull trailer and boat. Doesn't even know the boat is back there. Best move ever. Never thought I would buy a diesel.

Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: whnigt] #12763132 05/21/18 02:23 AM
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dk2429 Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: whnigt
I went from 5.7 3.73 rear end to a 5.3 3.42 rear end and hated it. Get on the gas and it wanted to take a dump. Did this so I could give my truck to my son. Bought a travel trailer. Year later went to diesel to pull trailer and boat. Doesn't even know the boat is back there. Best move ever. Never thought I would buy a diesel.


I honestly couldn't tell you what rear in my 5.3 has. I'd guess most likely the 3.42's...


Majek 22 Extreme/225 Optimax Pro XS hauled by a 2500HD Duramax



Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: dk2429] #12764090 05/21/18 09:26 PM
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10 years ago, if you told me we'd be arguing over how wimpy the 5.3l is and how great 2.7l and 3.0l truck engines are, I'd have called you crazy.

Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: Samsonsworld] #12764110 05/21/18 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: Samsonsworld
10 years ago, if you told me we'd be arguing over how wimpy the 5.3l is and how great 2.7l and 3.0l truck engines are, I'd have called you crazy.


agree

Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: dk2429] #12764116 05/21/18 10:04 PM
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The old 5.3 does struggle a bit with big wind catching loads. I think its fighting multiple fights though, GM has done away with the good towing gear ratios for it you cant get a 3.73 or 4.10 any more, the torque management sucks azz, and I feel like the transmission is programmed to upshift asap for fuel economy. I hated towing our old TT with mine, but if I would keep the rpm's up, towing in 4th gear at 2500-2700 rpm it did much better.

With options like the ecoboosts and other competition I just don't see why they still sell so many 5.3's.

It is nice to have a diesel, they are power houses, but in todays day and diesel age with DPF's SCR's and EGR I just wouldn't buy a big diesel if I didn't need one.

Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: redchevy] #12764187 05/21/18 11:25 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
The old 5.3 does struggle a bit with big wind catching loads. I think its fighting multiple fights though, GM has done away with the good towing gear ratios for it you cant get a 3.73 or 4.10 any more, the torque management sucks azz, and I feel like the transmission is programmed to upshift asap for fuel economy. I hated towing our old TT with mine, but if I would keep the rpm's up, towing in 4th gear at 2500-2700 rpm it did much better.

With options like the ecoboosts and other competition I just don't see why they still sell so many 5.3's.

It is nice to have a diesel, they are power houses, but in todays day and diesel age with DPF's SCR's and EGR I just wouldn't buy a big diesel if I didn't need one.


Eh, my '06 don't have any of that except an EGR. Yeah no doubt, it's expensive to maintain, and hell, diesel is almost $3/gal right now, but it's worth every penny to me. I don't dog it or hot rod it, but it's a blast to drive even without a trailer


Majek 22 Extreme/225 Optimax Pro XS hauled by a 2500HD Duramax



Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: dk2429] #12764500 05/22/18 03:11 AM
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Eh Im 30 years old so it matters to me I cant go out and buy a nice new diesel without all the garbage that kills economy longevity and reliability and is uber expensive and problematic to own out of warranty.

Im not new to diesel we have 2 pre emissions Duramax, they are great but I cant buy a new one.

Last edited by redchevy; 05/22/18 12:34 PM.
Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: dk2429] #12764889 05/22/18 02:39 PM
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Don't let the 5.3l taint your tastebuds for gas engines. There are a lot of great options out there that blow that engine away.

Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: dk2429] #12764963 05/22/18 03:36 PM
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To echo off of samsonsworld, the performance of the diesels doesn't come from the difference in diesel fuel alone, it comes from forced induction, that's why the ecoboosts are towing sons of guns. Take the turbo off of any of the modern diesels and I think the perception and following would greatly change.

Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: redchevy] #12766436 05/23/18 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted By: redchevy
.....It is nice to have a diesel, they are power houses, but in todays day and diesel age with DPF's SCR's and EGR I just wouldn't buy a big diesel if I didn't need one.

Wisdom^^^^^^^


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Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: Samsonsworld] #12766551 05/23/18 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted By: Samsonsworld
Don't let the 5.3l taint your tastebuds for gas engines. There are a lot of great options out there that blow that engine away.

yep, like the 5.7 in a Tundra or the 6.2 in a GM. I was considering the latter until I learned that I had to get the higher trim level.


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Re: Towing with 5.3 GM [Re: Stump jumper] #12766690 05/23/18 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted By: Stump jumper
Originally Posted By: Samsonsworld
Don't let the 5.3l taint your tastebuds for gas engines. There are a lot of great options out there that blow that engine away.

yep, like the 5.7 in a Tundra or the 6.2 in a GM. I was considering the latter until I learned that I had to get the higher trim level.


But don't kid yourself, even those pale in comparison to modern diesel performance when towing, I mean make them look flat out pathetic.

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