• DCRC 2024

Towing with newer 5.3L Chevy's

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Bud

'98 ZJ
Location
Syracuse
How do you all that have 1/2 ton Chevy's 01 and newer (Tahoe, Suburban) with the 5.3 L like it and what type of gas mileage, tranny problems, etc are you getting?
 
way2nosty

way2nosty

Registered User
I get 18-20 mpg empty and around 14 with the truck on (6600) total including trailer Haven't had any problems with the motor or trans or anything else for that matter. If you get the z-71 package, it includes an auxilarry transmission cooler and oil cooler. helps when pulling. Don't be afraid to work that motor 4000 - 5000 rpm isn't too much for it, it'll take it. They are 6 bolt main caps. I recommend you use Valvoline synthetic and a quality oil filter, I have heard several people who have pushed the paper out of frams with these motors in the winter time.
 
ace

ace

Parts Collector
Location
Bountiful
I haven't towed with my 03 Suburban, but my impressions are that it would do ok with a light load. It seems to have less low rpm grunt than my tbi350 but has ample power when you wind it up to 4-5000 rpm. It really moves up there.
 
way2nosty

way2nosty

Registered User
they tend to squat like a ford unless you add a helper spring or airbags, as far as power goes, depending on the grade and speed occasionally you have to work it power starts about 2200 rpm. bottom end is a little soft - thats mostly transmission.
 
wildkid

wildkid

...Jeepless...
Location
By Cabela's
It sounds funny I know, but I'd almost rather tow with my parents' 5.3L Tahoe than my truck with a 6.0L. But then theirs has 4.10 gears & I have 3.73s. The 5.3L seems quicker on start, but when the 6.0L hits 2500 +/- RPM, then I'm happy to have the larger motor.
All in all, the 5.3 is a great motor both for towing and not. 4.10 gears help too;)
 
B

Bud

'98 ZJ
Location
Syracuse
wildkid said:
It sounds funny I know, but I'd almost rather tow with my parents' 5.3L Tahoe than my truck with a 6.0L. But then theirs has 4.10 gears & I have 3.73s. The 5.3L seems quicker on start, but when the 6.0L hits 2500 +/- RPM, then I'm happy to have the larger motor.
All in all, the 5.3 is a great motor both for towing and not. 4.10 gears help too;)
Click to expand...
were you towing with the overdrive off in the Tahoe? If so, how were the RPMs towing with overdrive off and 4:10's?
thanks
 
M

Meat_

Banned
Location
Lehi
My dad's pickup towed a million trailers before he got it and the trans is fine. Plenty of that was in OD. It also has 4.10's. It doesn't pull like my Cummins but it does a good job, it will be towing a couple tons of hay in a few hours because my dad can't crawl into my Dodge :eek:
 
wildkid

wildkid

...Jeepless...
Location
By Cabela's
Bud said:
were you towing with the overdrive off in the Tahoe? If so, how were the RPMs towing with overdrive off and 4:10's?
thanks
Click to expand...
I can't honestly remember where the tach was in the Tahoe in third gear. I do know that it wasn't anything to worry about. On flat/level roads I towed in OD without the trans continually searching for the sweet spot. As soon as I approached a grade I shifted out of OD until the road flattened-out.
 
M

Meat_

Banned
Location
Lehi
Just towed 2,250lbs (trailer) + 4,360lbs (hay) from Springville to Lehi... plenty of power in 3rd to go as fast as I wanted, but 4th didn't really want to hold 70mph
 
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