Chevy Express 3500 with 6.0

[bug512]

Hello, we are looking to get back into RVing. We currently have a 2019 Chevy Express van, 3500 series with a 6.0 Gas engine. The manufacturer says 9000# towing, looking for anyone with personal experience towing a travel trailer with this vehicle.

I appreciate any help you can provide.

Gene

[bug512]

ktosv wrote:
We towed a Keystone Passport 2910 GT with a 2011 Express 3500 and had five kids and two dogs at the time.

We had previously towed the same trailer with a 2005 Suburban 1500 with the 5.3L, 4 speed and 3.42 axle for a short time. We replaced the 1500 with a 2004 Suburban 2500 with the 6L, 4 speed and 3.73 axle.

All I have to say is the 6L/6speed/3.42 in our Express out towed the 2500 Suburban. Examples are that the Suburban couldn’t maintain speed on level ground towing in OD. It did fine in 3rd. Our Express actually would shift into 6th while towing and would maintain speed on level ground. It obviously would shift with any grade out of 6th, so I typically limited to 5th and was on my way.

I don’t know where you are towing, but here in Michigan I will be honest that with any sizeable hill the van would shift from 5th to 4th. I did scale the setup and with all 7 of us, two dogs and misc stuff in the van I was 1000# under the vans GVWR. We had the 12 passenger regular wheelbase.

As was mentioned, the ride and handling was drastically improved after putting Bilstein shocks on.

This was really helpful. We are in NJ and would be staying on the east coast for a couple of more years before retirement. Then the "plan" is to go back to a class A DP.

[ktosv]

mrgrim007 wrote:
I thought GM de-tuned the 6.0 for the Express van? HP/Torque numbers are lower than what’s in the trucks?

Torque in the Express appears to have been constant at 373 #-ft of torque. In 2010 and for several model years they were rated at about 324 HP. Somewhere around 2017 it appears GM figured out how to be able to tune them to 342HP.

[Grit_dog]

Just picked 2015 as an example. 6.0s are only de tuned by 18 hp in the vans. Hardly seems worth writing another tune file…

[BenK]

mrgrim007 wrote:
I thought GM de-tuned the 6.0 for the Express van? HP/Torque numbers are lower than what’s in the trucks?

Some do because there is less air flow due to the reduced engine compartment space...cuz the engine is more inside the passenage compartment than regular trucks

[mrgrim007]

I thought GM de-tuned the 6.0 for the Express van? HP/Torque numbers are lower than what’s in the trucks?

[ktosv]

We towed a Keystone Passport 2910 GT with a 2011 Express 3500 and had five kids and two dogs at the time.

We had previously towed the same trailer with a 2005 Suburban 1500 with the 5.3L, 4 speed and 3.42 axle for a short time. We replaced the 1500 with a 2004 Suburban 2500 with the 6L, 4 speed and 3.73 axle.

All I have to say is the 6L/6speed/3.42 in our Express out towed the 2500 Suburban. Examples are that the Suburban couldn’t maintain speed on level ground towing in OD. It did fine in 3rd. Our Express actually would shift into 6th while towing and would maintain speed on level ground. It obviously would shift with any grade out of 6th, so I typically limited to 5th and was on my way.

I don’t know where you are towing, but here in Michigan I will be honest that with any sizeable hill the van would shift from 5th to 4th. I did scale the setup and with all 7 of us, two dogs and misc stuff in the van I was 1000# under the vans GVWR. We had the 12 passenger regular wheelbase.

As was mentioned, the ride and handling was drastically improved after putting Bilstein shocks on.

[wowens79]

Like others, I've got the 6.0 in a 2002 truck, and it is very solid, I've had it 19 years, and 260k miles and it still pulls strong. It's only had external things done like starters, waterpumps etc.
It does like to rev, so expect to be over 3000 rpm on most rises, and 4000+ in hills.

[bug512]

carringb wrote:
GCWR is 16,000 pounds. Weigh your van and deduct your empty weight and cargo and doggos accordingly. The OEM shocks are complete garbage and towing a heavy trailer is unwieldy on some roads (anything with large umps or dips or frost heaves) but that's also a very easy upgrade. Any aftermarket monotube shock will be an good upgrade.

Thank you for the recommendation on the shocks.

[bug512]

Dadoffourgirls wrote:
If you have not installed a hitch yet, I would recommend the Curt class V. It has a tongue capacity of 2400 lbs, and the 2 in opening.

I guess that my trailer has around 1200 lbs tongue weight most times, and I occasionally do not install the weight distribution bars.

I also installed my P3 in the corner of the dash to the right of the steering wheel, next to the motor cover. It allows me to see and reach the brake controller from that location.

Thank you for the recommendation. I do have the Draw-Tite Ultra Frame Class V receiver.

[carringb]

GCWR is 16,000 pounds. Weigh your van and deduct your empty weight and cargo and doggos accordingly. The OEM shocks are complete garbage and towing a heavy trailer is unwieldy on some roads (anything with large umps or dips or frost heaves) but that's also a very easy upgrade. Any aftermarket monotube shock will be an good upgrade.

[APT]

It's a solid powertrain and excellent towing platform. I have the same engine/trans in a 2500 Suburban which weighs a little bit more than your van, but also has 3.73 vs. 3.42 axle. I have no issue recommending up to 8000 pounds dry. I also recommend replacing the OEM receiver with the Curt XD.

[trucker11]

6.0 = Good,

The transmission it is mated to is another story, more specifically the OEM torque converter, especially since 2015 or so. When it goes south which it will, often within the first 60K-80K miles your, transmission is toast and filled with metal. Get out the checkbook.

Junk TQ.

[Dadoffourgirls]

If you have not installed a hitch yet, I would recommend the Curt class V. It has a tongue capacity of 2400 lbs, and the 2 in opening.

I guess that my trailer has around 1200 lbs tongue weight most times, and I occasionally do not install the weight distribution bars.

I also installed my P3 in the corner of the dash to the right of the steering wheel, next to the motor cover. It allows me to see and reach the brake controller from that location.

[I-Can-Am-Can-Yo]

I have a 34 foot class C with the 6.0. It weighs 14,000 pounds. I pull a 5000 pound trailer with it no problem. You’ll be fine.