I'm looking at new trucks and the one I'm looking at has the 5.3 engine, 4WD and 3.08 gears. I tow a Triton Tr176. Will this axle ratio do a good job? What kind of gas milage can I expect?
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I'm looking at new trucks and the one I'm looking at has the 5.3 engine, 4WD and 3.08 gears. I tow a Triton Tr176. Will this axle ratio do a good job? What kind of gas milage can I expect?
it should do ok if you get the 6 spd trans...4 spd, not so good with that gear
an't answer on mpg as mine has 3.73 & 4 spd trans
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bassin08 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I'm looking at new trucks and the one I'm looking at has the 5.3 engine, 4WD and 3.08 gears. I tow a Triton Tr176. Will this axle ratio do a good job? What kind of gas milage can I expect?</td></tr></table>
If you have allot of hills or mountains to go up and over that 5.3 is going to be struggling to keep up with the 3.08 while towing the boat. The transmission will be shifting like crazy, make sure it has the tow package with transmission cooler. Don't know about gas mileage.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bassin08 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I'm looking at new trucks and the one I'm looking at has the 5.3 engine, 4WD and 3.08 gears. I tow a Triton Tr176. Will this axle ratio do a good job? What kind of gas milage can I expect?</td></tr></table>
With that high of gear you will burn the tranny up..Get a 4:10 geared..
The truck has a 6 speed transmission and we don't really have any really big hills where I tow. My Triton weighs very close to 3000 pounds.
Could someone please explain exactly what the 3.08 ratio means compared to say a 3.42 ratio. Thanks
basically it means the engine will spin less rpm for a given speed by 10%, which theoretically means 10% better mpg
any gear ratio is basically engine rpm divided by tire rpm when the transmission is in a 1-1 gear (usually 4th with todays OD tranny's)
if the engine is spinning 2000 rpm, the rear tires will spin 585 times with a 3.42 gear, and with a 3.08 gear it will be 649 times.
Since ground speed is constant, it means the tire will spin the same speed for a 60 mph speed with either gear, which allows the engine to turn less rpm for the same ground speed with a 3.08 gear, thus less fuel should be used for the same speed.
The truck has a locking differential, heavy duty cooling, transmission cooling system, and trailering package.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bassin08 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The truck has a locking differential, heavy duty cooling, transmission cooling system, and trailering package.</td></tr></table>
Get it but the transmission shifting up and down will drive you crazy while your towing. Not enough torque coming out of that 5.3 with 3.08 gears.
With that boat you will have not a sib=ngle problem its easily rated at 7500+ Just tow in T/H or 3rd if your anywhere where hilly and its starts shifting alot. You will be fine But it wont hurt to get atleast the 3.42
The 5.3 325 or 327......will pull it without a problem http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
I bought a 2010 Chevrolet with the same set up - it tows my 294 stratos with absolutely no problems - I get 13+ towing and have got up to 24mpg going to work - but that was with a light foot
Have any of you driven the extended cab? Does it have any wind noise from the rear doors on the highway?
the truck will do just fine. i have an 05 silverado z71. it has the 5.3 and the same gears as u. i also have the tow package. that seems to be the main thing to pulling the heavy boat so it doesnt melt. i pull a tr 20 with no problem. i keep the towhaul button on and it muscles up hills around kentucky lake with no hesitation
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bassin08 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Have any of you driven the extended cab? Does it have any wind noise from the rear doors on the highway?</td></tr></table>
I bought a new 2010 Sierra Extended Cab Z71 4x4 last May. I have the 3.08 gears, 6 speed auto transmission, heavy duty towing package. I tow my CougarFTD which weighs altogether maybe 3500-3800lbs. It's not the best, but it will do a good job for you. I've towed in hills and while it does shift a lot (it's supposed to) it pulls my rig just fine. So far mileage towing isn't very impressive, maybe 12 on the flat. Driving around town it's really good about 15mpg. On the interstate, without the boat, I've been getting 20-21mpg. My truck is the extended cab. If you have the back door windows down it makes wind noise like you won't believe. But...I don't normally have those windows down, other than just a bit to allow for air flow through the cab. My dealer told me not to use the tow/haul, it's not needed with no more weight than a bassboat is. My '08 Hemi did a lot better job towing, but overall mileage was worse.
I have used several Chevy Trucks with different engines and gear ratios, for starters a 4:10 rear end is not available in a half ton truck. You do not want a three quarter ton truck with a 360, 6.0 gas hog and less power than a 5.3. I can pull a 20,000 lb seed tender with a 5.3 engine with 3.42 gears 40 mph and was getting 12 mph. The 3/4 ton with 6.0 and 3.73 gears only got 12 mph going down the road empty. In short the 5.3 will do you good, get a 6 speed and if you get in hills use the manual shift that way you have the extra rpms should you need them with the 3.08 gears. Just remember the miles you pull your boat will more than likely be alot less than the other times you use it http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif
bull chit!! 5.3 with 3.42's suck! I know I throw rocks at my truck every time I pull my boat!!
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by TexasX19 »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">bull chit!! 5.3 with 3.42's suck! I know I throw rocks at my truck every time I pull my boat!!</td></tr></table>
What the heck are you hauling...the Queen Mary?
My '10 Silverado 5.3, 3:42 pulls my heavy loaded 19' Nitro like it was a canoe. Heck, my '08 with 5.3 and 3:23 (I can't remember for sure if that's exactly the right ratio but it was lower than 3:42) and it pulled just fine.
If you were on a long hill it might give you a little drama from the kick down but overall it should tow just fine.
I hate my ext cab!! The rear doors have rattled since day 1, and I had "Certified GM Technicians" http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eyes.gif adjust the doors 6 times under warranty! They never could get it right!
my 07 rear doors did same thing the gm guys couldnt do it properly I took it to a gm certified body shop they had to tweak the hinges with a special tool
(porta power lol) anyway it doest rattle now and no wind noise from the rear
the rear door fit quality is terrible on these trucks.
http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by 884 savage »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I have used several Chevy Trucks with different engines and gear ratios, for starters a 4:10 rear end is not available in a half ton truck. You do not want a three quarter ton truck with a 360, 6.0 gas hog and less power than a 5.3. I can pull a 20,000 lb seed tender with a 5.3 engine with 3.42 gears 40 mph and was getting 12 mph. The 3/4 ton with 6.0 and 3.73 gears only got 12 mph going down the road empty. In short the 5.3 will do you good, get a 6 speed and if you get in hills use the manual shift that way you have the extra rpms should you need them with the 3.08 gears. Just remember the miles you pull your boat will more than likely be alot less than the other times you use it http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif </td></tr></table>
I have no idea how you drive, but most of it must be straight up to use that much gas. My '04 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.0L and 3.73 gears averaged 17.5 mpg driving to the Nashville airport last week, including climbing over Monteagle on I-24. I regularly average 11.7 mpg towing my TR-20 in 3rd gear and 13+ towing in Overdrive. I traded an '04 Tahoe with 5.3L and 3.73 gears for the Denali. The 6.0L definitely has a LOT more power than the gutless 5.3.
Modified by ReelDoc at 9:37 PM 9/4/2010
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ReelDoc »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I have no idea how you drive, but most of it must be straight up to use that much gas. My '04 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.0L and 3.73 gears averaged 17.5 mpg driving to the Nashville airport last week, including climbing over Monteagle on I-24. I regularly average 11.7 mpg towing my TR-20 in 3rd gear and 13+ towing in Overdrive. I traded an '04 Tahoe with 5.3L and 3.73 gears for the Denali. The 6.0L definitely has a LOT more power than the gutless 5.3.<br /><br />
Modified by ReelDoc at 9:37 PM 9/4/2010</td></tr></table>
No doubt the 6.2 had more power than the 5.3, but I'd hardly call the 5.3 "gutless." I've had 5 Silverados and or Sierras with the 5.3...it's plenty of engine to tow a bassboat.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by billius »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
No doubt the 6.2 had more power than the 5.3, but I'd hardly call the 5.3 "gutless." I've had 5 Silverados and or Sierras with the 5.3...it's plenty of engine to tow a bassboat.</td></tr></table>
Bill,
My "gutless" comment refers to the fact that the 5.3L makes it's torque up high - my '04 made 330 Lb Ft at 4,800 RPM. That made it shift a lot more often than I liked, even when not towing. Personally, I like engines with plenty of "usable grunt" (torque) at the RPM range where I usually drive and I found the 5.3 is sadly lacking in that department. There's a big difference between "towing" and "towing with authority" IMHO. My 5.3L Tahoe towed my TR-20 OK - my 6.0L Denali tows it with authority even in the mountains around Lake Guntersville in NE Alabama.
BTW - I've never owned a 5.3 in a pickup, only in a Tahoe. I suspect the extra weight of the SUV makes the difference even more noticeable.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ReelDoc »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Bill,
My "gutless" comment refers to the fact that the 5.3L makes it's torque up high - my '04 made 330 Lb Ft at 4,800 RPM. That made it shift a lot more often than I liked, even when not towing. Personally, I like engines with plenty of "usable grunt" (torque) at the RPM range where I usually drive and I found the 5.3 is sadly lacking in that department. There's a big difference between "towing" and "towing with authority" IMHO. My 5.3L Tahoe towed my TR-20 OK - my 6.0L Denali tows it with authority even in the mountains around Lake Guntersville in NE Alabama.
BTW - I've never owned a 5.3 in a pickup, only in a Tahoe. I suspect the extra weight of the SUV makes the difference even more noticeable.
</td></tr></table>
I can see what you mean. My 2005 Silverado with the 5.3 slowed down quite a bit towing around Guntersville 3 years ago. I'm going up there next month. Kind of interested to see what my Sierra will do with the 6 speed transmission. The 2005 truck had a 4 speed. I would rather have the 6.0, was looking for one with that engine when I got my new Sierra...but none were available at my price. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/ohwell.gif
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by billius »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
I can see what you mean. My 2005 Silverado with the 5.3 slowed down quite a bit towing around Guntersville 3 years ago. I'm going up there next month. Kind of interested to see what my Sierra will do with the 6 speed transmission. The 2005 truck had a 4 speed. I would rather have the 6.0, was looking for one with that engine when I got my new Sierra...but none were available at my price. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/ohwell.gif </td></tr></table>
Let me know when you will be up that way, Bill. Maybe we can wet a line or at least have dinner together. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
Hey Charlie, I just bought a 2010 Silverado with the 6.2 and it pulls great. Mine had an oil leak from an incorrectly installed oil cooler line so they gave me a 2010 Silverado crew with the 5.3/3.42 while it was being fixed. It was great solo but only so so pulling my 198. I think it would do great pulling your Triton. I definitely would want the 3.42, not the 3.08 if it were me.
Don't know where you're shopping, but I bought mine from Holiday up in Fond du Lac. Very good dealer to work with and the best deal I found by far. I can give you the salesman name if you want. Let me know.
Bob
id get a little more gearing. I think gong to a 3:42 or 3.23 may be the best of both worlds, gear isnt going to break the bank witha 6 speed. I hear the 6 speed has a steeper first gear in the tranny to offer more torque off the line plus you have 2 more highway gears than the guys withthe 4 speeds. I wonder how much a rebuild is witha 4 vsa 6 speed??.
The 6.0 liter is a great motor. the gas hog was the 8.1. I just cant imagine going down to a 5.3 but they are putting out some hp and torque but cant remeber at what rpms.. had a 5.7 now have a 6.0. no way am i going back to something less.
03 Sierra Denali ext cab AWD QS 6ltr 4 spd 4.11's
I have had 3 5.3's....2 with 373 gears and one with 342 gears...My 08 has 373 and when pulling the boat it SUCKS...When its shift to 2nd gear if falls on its face....I will go with the 6.2 or the duramax next http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by RETRO »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
With that high of gear you will burn the tranny up..Get a 4:10 geared..</td></tr></table>
A 4.10 rear-end is NOT necessary to pull a sub 18 foot bassboat. To the OP, a 3.08 ratio axle is designed primarily for highway fuel economy. The 5.3 liter engine/ 3.08 gears and a 6 speed transmission, you won't have any problems pulling your current bass boat over flat terrain.
However, if you ever upgrade to a 20-22 foot boat or tow through hilly areas, you'll soon find the transmission "hunting" for gears. High gear ratios are good for increasing your fuel economy, but do it at the expense of torque and towing ability.
If I were buying a truck right now, I wouldn't get a gear ratio any higher than 3.42 Truthfully, a 3.73 ratio is about perfect for towing performance vs. fuel economy, especially when paired with GM's new 6 speed transmission.
Radix makes a twin screw roots supercharger for the 5.3/6.0 I would get that lol!!!
I had a '03 silverado LQ9 SS 6.0 and put the twin screw on, installed much larger injectors and smaller puller with some custom tuning it made around 600 hp - to put it bluntly, it would probably run 13's with a bass boat behind it....
The Twin screw really upped the torque and sounded just plain sweet!!
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by rhsvipre »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Radix makes a twin screw roots supercharger for the 5.3/6.0 I would get that lol!!!
I had a '03 silverado LQ9 SS 6.0 and put the twin screw on, installed much larger injectors and smaller puller with some custom tuning it made around 600 hp - to put it bluntly, it would probably run 13's with a bass boat behind it....
The Twin screw really upped the torque and sounded just plain sweet!!</td></tr></table>
I like that idea!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif Sounds like a lot of fun. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif
Back to the other subject. My dad pulled a 28 ft camper with a F100 with 3.00 gears 3 on the tree and a 360cu motor.
It depends on the local terrain in which you plan to tow that rig. If you are in a hilly area, you wont like it, if you tow in more flat conditions, you will be ok. That 5.3 w/ a 3:08 rear end will get the best mileage of any of the 5.3 motors, but will be weak at towing.
I just bought a GMC 1/2 ton w/ a 6.2 motor, so you know where I am coming from!
I just bought a 2010 Silverado with the 5.3 and 3.08 gears and it pulls my 19 foot Skeeter fine. Use tow/haul mode or even the manual shift feature that is on there and just put it in a lower gear and you will be fine. No, its not gonna pull down a house like some guys claim their trucks will do, but it will pull a bass boat fine.