Knot 4 Me

I've owned 3 different 5.3L's (Z-71 ext. cab, Tahoe, Avalanche) and one 6.0L (Denali XL) and the 6.0L was by far the better engine for towing.

Speedracer29

The pre-2014 5.3 was 315hp/325tq, the 2014+ is 355hp/383tq (even higher on E85). Still less than the 6.0's 360hp/397tq, but the gap is closing. The 6.0 still makes the 397ft/lb at lower RPMs, too (3300 vs the 4100 of the 5.3)

Gimme Fuel

My 2015 Silverado 5.3L / 6-speed tranny on e85 (380 hp/412 tq rated on e85) and 3.42 gears pulls better in every way (acceleration, braking, stability) than my old 03 2500 Avalanche with heavily modified 8.1L, 4.10 gears, and 4-speed tranny. I was worried it would not live up to my expectations but I needed a new truck but after not having a truck payment for so long, I didn't want to cough up the big money on a new 2500. so I bit the bullet on a new 1500 because I couldn't buy a used gas 2500 (07-09) for what my payment was on a new lease. I have been blown away by the truck in every aspect. I threw a hypertech tuner in it and raised shift points 400 rpm and set trans shift at 50% harder....holy crap it is a little friggin rocket when not towing.

Knot 4 Me

Yeah they have made big improvements to the 5.3L since the ones I owned ('99, '02, '03). My 6.0L was an '06.

Speedracer29

OP mentioned a plow, so with that, you're basically stuck with a 2500. Eliminate the plow requirement and I'd take a 5.3/6.2 with the Max Tow over a 6.0/2500.

Crude Intentions

I loved my 6.0 2500. Couldn't compare to my Duramax but they shouldn't be. My 6.0 was 11-12 around town. 14 @ 80 and 16 @65. Those are hand calc numbers. It pulled great. Never once did I feel it didn't have the power I needed for pulling out or merging on a highway with a boat in tow.

Knot 4 Me

Other than sounding like a diesel on cold mornings and eating water pumps, I had no complaints with the 6.0L.

KevD815

Speaking of 1500's, i wouldn't mind one for a daily driver. I used to have one a few years back actually. However, for what I do, i just wouldn't feel right knowing that for an extra 2-3k i could get a 6.0 2500HD. Its just that much more chassis and brakes.

Check out this link! Hot Rod Magazines test to see how much power a 5.3 bottom end can take. Its pretty wild.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...g-bang-theory/

Jupiter Sunsation

It kills me the GM 1500 Crew Cabs are all made in Mexico. It would make me go with a double cab or a 2500 (both made in USA)

FIXX

this is what piss's me off about the phuck rardds at gm.. they will let you have a 6.2 420 hp engine in a gmc denali suv but you cant get it in a hd pick up..dirt bags..