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Not enough for it to make the truck get that MPG IMO. Dry weight on the boat is said to be 4250 lbs. So with fuel, gear, etc. it's probably closer to 5000 lbs. I pulled the same boat with a 2012 Tahoe and it got over 12 MPG. The 6-speed trans really helped and I left it in 5th gear the whole way. I had to keep my truck in 3rd on this particular trip as it didn't want to stay in OD at all. There was a decent headwind though and once we got down into Missouri we ran into some hills. Coming back though I only managed 8 MPG according to the DIC.
With my Camaro on an open trailer I can only get 10-11 MPG though. This thing needs more power or 4.10's to pull the way I think it should. I will probably get rid of it in a couple of years and get a NNBS truck with a 5.3/6L80E, or find one with a 6.2L in it. Both would pull better than my 1500HD
Or, if I can afford to do so, I will look into getting a 14+ Silverado, Ecoboost, or a Ram with the 8-speed.
Not sure what's going on there, I towed a 22' extra wide extra height race trailer with car/spares/tools/air compressor/generator and still averaged 12mpg
I'd love to know. I can barely manage 12 MPG with it not towing anything. I have seen guys claim ridiculously high MPG with these things but the majority of them I see get 12-13 unloaded, and it drops drastically with any load behind it.
Not enough for it to make the truck get that MPG IMO. Dry weight on the boat is said to be 4250 lbs. So with fuel, gear, etc. it's probably closer to 5000 lbs. I pulled the same boat with a 2012 Tahoe and it got over 12 MPG. The 6-speed trans really helped and I left it in 5th gear the whole way. I had to keep my truck in 3rd on this particular trip as it didn't want to stay in OD at all. There was a decent headwind though and once we got down into Missouri we ran into some hills. Coming back though I only managed 8 MPG according to the DIC.
With my Camaro on an open trailer I can only get 10-11 MPG though. This thing needs more power or 4.10's to pull the way I think it should. I will probably get rid of it in a couple of years and get a NNBS truck with a 5.3/6L80E, or find one with a 6.2L in it. Both would pull better than my 1500HD
Or, if I can afford to do so, I will look into getting a 14+ Silverado, Ecoboost, or a Ram with the 8-speed.
Wow!! Thanks for the info. This is what it's all about. Getting real world reviews and opinions. You did mention mountains earlier so that's harder work on your tow rig of course. Just out of curiosity.... what rpm do your motor spend most of its time at towing ?
^^^^Mine is in the high 2,000's while cruising, coming out of OD and then anywhere from 2,500-5,000 in third, higher while trying to maintain speed up long hills.
Wow!! Thanks for the info. This is what it's all about. Getting real world reviews and opinions. You did mention mountains earlier so that's harder work on your tow rig of course. Just out of curiosity.... what rpm do your motor spend most of its time at towing ?
Well, they certainly weren't mountains, lol. Just some decent sized hills down near the Ozarks in Missouri.
In OD it's in the 22-2300 range at 70-75. In 3rd it's up near 3,000 RPM at the same speeds. Just depends on if I can leave it in OD or not. With the boat it obviously struggles in OD but with the car on an open trailer it will pull in OD no problem. I don't let it downshift to 2nd unless it's an absolutely huge hill and it drops below 60 mph which doesn't happen much at all.
A regular tune up along with better quality fuel (not meaning just higher octane) and an on car fuel inj clean can help alot...but also resetting computer memory at the same time helps as well. The stock computer can only compensate so much.
Blindly comparing mpgs wont help either.
Ive seen 2 sep trucks with vin numbers 11 off from each other, one was +11 on long term fuel trims the other was -5 or so.
Replace those pos patiunum plugs, clean the fuel injectors, get a good air filter and make sure the O2s give a proper wave form and operate right. Also sea foam it with the right stuff (they make an actual intake cleaning spray with tube) and youll see an increase.
If there is a difference in gas mileage with spark plugs, it will be because some are JUNK!! As long as it lights the fire, EVERY time, it's a good plug.
It's not about looking for the superior plug, it's avoiding the lousy ones! lol
If there is a difference in gas mileage with spark plugs, it will be because some are JUNK!! As long as it lights the fire, EVERY time, it's a good plug.
It's not about looking for the superior plug, it's avoiding the lousy ones! lol
well you do have some spark plugs on the market that cost 2 bucks a piece then others costing over 6 bucks a piece.... such as a E3.
Speaking of a tune up.... do you guys believe it's some gas mileage hidden in certain brand/type of spark plugs ?
Nope.
I have never noticed an increase in MPG changing the plugs unless they were so bad it was misfiring like crazy. I just changed the plugs in my DD Saturn SL2 with 156k miles on it. They were rusty, covered in oil, and the gaps weren't even close to being within spec. Fresh plugs and it feels like it runs the same and MPG is the same...31 MPG average.
My truck has 56k miles on it. It has also been tuned by someone who knows what they are doing and I also know enough and know what to look for. O2 trims are spot on and the truck runs well other than getting crap MPG. From what I have seen though, I get right at what other real world numbers show. A crew cab HD truck with a gas 6.0 and a 4L80E is not going to get great MPG no matter what you do. It's also not going to be a powerhouse for towing but will handle most anything you can throw at it. Hell, my 5.3 Buick Rainier would only manage 16-17 MPG on the highway. Again, spot on for what other real world numbers show. My 02 Avalanche I had would get 14-15 MPG.
I just find it funny how some companies claim their plugs will increase gas mileage.
Redrocket- let's take a look at tranmission rations. Looks like it's a day to night difference between a 4L80E and a 6L80E. The 6.2/6L80 have a serious advantage right out the gate. Just look at the first gear ratio of each. Im willing to bet a 6L80 transmission would help a 6.0 motor tremendously.
Oh yes, I certainly agree that it would help quite a bit in towing performance and a little with MPG. Thus the reason me wanting to make the switch already, haha.
Oh yes, I certainly agree that it would help quite a bit in towing performance and a little with MPG. Thus the reason me wanting to make the switch already, haha.
Changing the tranmission out will also give you some elbow room to play with the rear gear ratio.
Changing the tranmission out will also give you some elbow room to play with the rear gear ratio.
Yeah it would. I probably wouldn't mess with that though. I was just amazed at the difference in how the Tahoe pulled the boat compared to my truck. I honestly am not too concerned with the MPG as I do have a little beater car I picked up for $1200 that I DD now. It will keep the mileage down on the truck as well as keep it out of the salt this winter. I do like the looks of the 03-07 trucks, not to mention it was far cheaper than buying a 09+ regarding the purchase price, tags, and insurance. Also, I don't have to worry about AFM/DOD, or any of the other stupid problems the newer ones have.
I still plan on doing E-Fans this winter at some point, and have been thinking about doing LT's and still leaning towards one of Cam Motions's drop-in cams. I think that would give it a nice boost in power and make it more enjoyable to tow with. I love driving the truck as it's really comfortable to ride in. Just needs some power! Lol.
The cam I mentioned in post #242 suppose to help with towing and it's by cam motion.
I keep forgetting most 6.2 motors have the DOD deal. Therefore a 6.0 with 6L80E sounds like it's a winning combination.
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well you do have some spark plugs on the market that cost 2 bucks a piece then others costing over 6 bucks a piece.... such as a E3. 
