t500hps

6.0 in a 2003 2500 Surburban. 13 mpg is about as good as it gets...the 496 would have been a better option in hindsite.

Since that truck is no longer the tow vehicle, if anyone wants a superchips programmer for a 6.0 let me know.

Jupiter Sunsation

Towing a 288 Sunsation you will be fine with the 1500 5.3 but anything bigger you will want the 2500. Everyone is right on with their posts.

jonyb

Went from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton with this 6.0. Didn't gain anything but less fuel mileage. Sold that one and bought a used duramax. Best money ever spent! For the price of a new truck you can get a nice, used 06-07 LBZ Duramax...

Canada Jeff

I tow VERY little. Maybe 6 times for an hour each time. So this is more of a daily driver. Sounds like the 5.3 is the better choice.

tblrklakemo

Vortec max is the best choice if you plan on a daily driver 1/2 ton. Drive one and let me know how the loud pedal feels.

320es

I have always been a diehard chevy guy but I am not impressed with the new breed of gas motors for towing. They are quick, but the power is too high in the rpm range for my liking.
I used a friends 04 6.0 hd with 4.10 rear to pull my jeep grand cherokee on a car trailer rescently and all it did well was burn gas. IT shifted on every hill. My navigator with the same load, tows much easier and gets better mileage to boot.

Canada Jeff

Umm, I'm sure I will love the 6.0L power over the 5.3L . I am worried about how thirsty it is.

c_deezy

Best thing to do would be to go get the truck for a test drive, hook the boat up and see how it does. That will tell you right then and there how things will go. Especially if you do the test tow on your regular tow route. Personally when I looked at the frames on the 1500's compared to the 2500's, the answer was clear I wanted a 2500. Then throw on the brakes, the motor, trans and axles and the 2500HD is the clear choice. I found when I was shopping that the price between the two was pretty comparable, I can't understand why anyone would pay 30K+ for a half ton truck. The half tons may have the better financing but I got 2.9 for 5 years on mine, and when its all said and done I only pay back about 2500 in interest if I go the length of the loan. I'll pay that extra money for the extra truck and piece of mind that I'm not putting it to the limit every time I tow as I would be with a half ton.

handfulz28

6.0L in a half ton won't be much different than a 5.3L as far as MPG goes. The reason the HDs get such worse mileage and feel like dogs is the different transmissions and ratios. The HDs have the 4L80E which has a taller 1st gear ratio (makes it slow off the line, but better 1-2 spacing) and shorter 4th/OD (0.75 vs. 0.70) burning more gas on the highway. Throw in all the heavier running gear on the HD and you're just asking for a poor performing truck.
In my opinion, the 6.0L in a half-ton should really put a smile on your face.

tblrklakemo

Its a little more thirsty...mostly depends on your right foot. IMO its well worth it considering what you get with it.