5.3 vs 6.2

[Joseph Parker]

Alright fellas. I currently have a 2014 Yukon XL with the 5.2. 155k miles. I'm considering an up grade. Used @ 2020 model. I tow a fairly large boat which is @ 6000 lbs. The truck does ok but I feel like I need a little more. Will the 6.2 get me what I want or just less mpg? Even though my truck is rated for 8000lbs, I already feel like it is maxed out. What are some opinions?

 

[Geotrash]

Alright fellas. I currently have a 2014 Yukon XL with the 5.2. 155k miles. I'm considering an up grade. Used @ 2020 model. I tow a fairly large boat which is @ 6000 lbs. The truck does ok but I feel like I need a little more. Will the 6.2 get me what I want or just less mpg? Even though my truck is rated for 8000lbs, I already feel like it is maxed out. What are some opinions?

6.2 all the way, but you gotta run premium in it so factor that into your budget. I wouldn’t buy one of these for towing duty without either the 6.2 or the new Duramax in the 2021+. I had an ‘02 Suburban with the 5.3 before I bought my first Denali with the 6.2. No comparison.

 

[Joseph Parker]

6.2 all the way, but you gotta run premium in it so factor that into your budget. I wouldn’t buy one of these for towing duty without either the 6.2 or the new Duramax in the 2021+. I had an ‘02 Suburban with the 5.3 before I bought my first Denali with the 6.2. No comparison.

I have a company vehicle that I use for the daily commute so I only put @ 7k miles a year on my personal vehicle. Fuel cost is not a real big concern. Thanks for the input.

 

[Joseph Parker]

I was also wondering if anyone could explain why, looking at the 2020 models, the towing capacity (according to GMC) actually goes down with the 6.2? From 5.3 - 8000lbs to 6.2 - 7900lbs.

 

[duke90]

6.2 for sure. I had a rental for a week with the 5.3 and it had a noticeable difference in lack of power compared to the 6.2. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but the 6.2 comes with the 2 speed transfer case for the 4wd models while the 5.3 comes with the single speed.

 

[duke90]

I was also wondering if anyone could explain why, looking at the 2020 models, the towing capacity (according to GMC) actually goes down with the 6.2? From 5.3 - 8000lbs to 6.2 - 7900lbs.

Is the 5.3 rwd only? The 4wd will have a lower towing capacity.

 

[swathdiver]

Alright fellas. I currently have a 2014 Yukon XL with the 5.2. 155k miles. I'm considering an up grade. Used @ 2020 model. I tow a fairly large boat which is @ 6000 lbs. The truck does ok but I feel like I need a little more. Will the 6.2 get me what I want or just less mpg? Even though my truck is rated for 8000lbs, I already feel like it is maxed out. What are some opinions?

What gears does your current truck have? Yours might have 3.42s, or it could have 3.08s which would explain the gutless feeling of performance.

Having said that, get the 6.2! You'll be surprised at the gas mileage of those things even while towing compared with your 5.3.

 

[Doubeleive]

I was also wondering if anyone could explain why, looking at the 2020 models, the towing capacity (according to GMC) actually goes down with the 6.2? From 5.3 - 8000lbs to 6.2 - 7900lbs.

because gm has made a majority of them 3.08, you really have to hunt for anything higher, the good thing is you can change the pinion and if it is a 2wd great easy peasy, if 4wd then you have to a find a front to match (usually from a pickup) or pay extra to have the front pinion changed as well. my 18 silverado z71 is 3.08 to change it to 3.73 it cost's about $3000 to do both pinions or I can save a little and swap in a front diff that is already 3.73
James just picked one up for his, i'm jelly...

 

[Marky Dissod]

I currently have a 2014 Yukon XL with the 5.3L. 155k miles. I'm considering an upgrade.
Used @ 2020 model. I tow a fairly large boat, 6000lbs. The truck does ok but I feel like I need a little more.
Will the 6.2L get me what I want or just less mpg?
Even though my truck is rated for 8000lbs, I already feel like it is maxed out. What are some opinions?

Depends on how heavy your right foot is. Mine was leaden, now it's merely iron. Still would prefer a 6.0L or 6.2L over this 5.3L half@r$e CAFE MpG compromise of an engine.

I have a company vehicle that I use for the daily commute so I only put @ 7k miles a year on my personal vehicle.
Fuel cost is not a real big concern.

If MpGs are not a big concern, 6.2L, baby.
But there's more, see below.

I was also wondering if anyone could explain why, looking at the 2020 models, the towing capacity (according to GMC) actually goes down with the 6.2L? From 5.3L - 8000lbs, to 6.2L - 7900lbs.

A mere hundred pounds?
Without any research, that likely comes down to 2WD vs AWD vs 4WD hardware differences.

The other possibility is the available axle gearing (which Doubelieve already mentioned).
GM has been under-gearing even their SUVs and pickups for decades now.

For the 6L80E, I suggest 3.73 axles.
For the 8L90E and 10L90E, I suggest 3.42 axles (assuming a TCM retune is possible).

Even if it would not increase the tow rating of the rest of the vehicle, the transmission will last longer, and MpGs will improve, whether towing or not.

 

[swathdiver]

They change tow ratings to compete with the other guys too. Mine is rated for 7,900 pounds but the succeeding years get an extra hundred pounds. The truck will not know the difference.

The 2010 GMT900s WD hitch rating goes up 100 pounds and then comes back to 1000 for 2013 and 2014. The WC hitch rating for my 2013 is 200 pounds more than my 2012 NHT and they all share the same equipement between types. I chalk it up to marketing.