6.0L or 8.1L

[TJShaw]

I'm contemplating the purchase of a used Chevy or GMC 2500 gasser crewcab, somewhere in the 2001 to 2003 range. I will be using it for pulling a trailer but not a lot. I've had a couple of people tell me that the 8.1 gets as good as gas mileage as the 6.0 so why not have the extra HP of the 8.1. The 6.0s are a lot more plentiful but I'm willing to be patient and wait for the right 8.1. If you folks that are familiar with these pickups could weigh in, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

BTW, I'm new to the forums. Looks like a great place.

[jsbgump]

Welcome to the board from Texas. What kind of trailer and weight will you be pullin?

[N2TRUX]

I had an 02 GMC 1500HD, which is the light duty 3/4 ton with the 6.0 and 3.73 gears. I constantly averaged 13.5 mpg. I never pulled a trailer so I can't tell you how well it would tow.

[TJShaw]

Originally Posted by jsbgump

Welcome to the board from Texas. What kind of trailer and weight will you be pullin?

We've got a 20' deck over flat bed and 16' stock trailer. I'm thinking if the unloaded mileage is comparable I'll go with the 8.1 but they seem a little hard to find. Seems like most are either 6.0L gassers or Duramax diesels.

[glock35ipsc]

I have an 02 GMC 1500HD with the 6.0L and 3.73 rear. I pull a 4 place enclosed snowmobile trailer (5600# fully loaded w/3 sleds, fuel, and all the other B.S. Mama can load!) every weekend during the winter. In warmer weather it pulls our camper (5500# wet, +/-). On occasion, I will haul something on my gooseneck, and the gooseneck trailer alone weighs 4700#!

I hauled home my tractor late last year and swung into my in-laws grain elevator and pulled on the scales. Total weight was 12,600#! I have weighed the truck and trailer before and knew that the truck weighs 6180#, and the trailer was 4700#. A little overloaded (!), but still pulled the load very well. I'm not at all disappointed with my 6.0L!!

From what I understand, the 1500HD is now what used to be the 2500.

I average 10-12 pulling, but I am always pulling hills both ways. My best bud had an 03 GMC with the 8.1L and traded it off shortly after we both pulled our RV's to my property in South Dakota. We both ran the same speed, pulled the hills the same, but the best he got was 8mpg!!