I hear what you're saying...I am considering that option as well. Hey Ponyboy, you're probably not passing too many gas stations with that V10 are you? I'm sure the power is incredible though.

 

Here's the thing though, the 5.9 gets better mileage empty than a 8.0 gets empty, but if I tow a 7500 pound trailer my mileage goes from like 15 to like 7, where as the V10 goes from like 12 to 11 mpg.

 

Holy crap! No wonder nobody talks mileage out there. It's kinda like talking about your cousin whose a crack head around the dinner table. So, if that's what the 5.9 gets, anyone know what the 5.2 gets while haulin a load? And, is a 7500lb load too much for the 5.2 even if its not very often. Finally, what about the programmer? My bro-in law swears by them.

 

im tellin you bro spend the extra $ and get the cummins, more power better mileage and excellent towing. even though deisel is a bit more expensive i dont know anyone who ahs regretted goin with a diesel over gas. my dad could avg 20mpg on the highway unloaded, in his 02 sixspeed longbed 2500 cummins

 

For sure. If you've got the money to spend on a Cummins that's definetly way to go. Better mileage than any gas truck and nearly twice the torque.

 

Programmers dont do anything for these trucks... Trust me... I have one... you can just bearly feel it in acceleration... i mean BEARLY... With the programmer (on the premium which is the highest setting) if I were to put an extra person in my front seat it would be back to as fast as it was without the programmer...

 

Do you want an easy, more forgiving, engine
that will tolerate driver mistakes about shifting
while towing,
or do you want an engine that will give a slight MPG gain?

The 5.9V8 has more torque in the critical 1500-3000 rpm range
where most towing is done on the highway
and with its roughly 10% more torque will feel stronger on hills
and during acceleration.

The v10 and Cummins will feel even stronger during typical towing and be even more forgiving of driver skill, or automatic trans shift programming faults.

The 5.2 Magnum V8 engine shares the same cylinder head with the 5.9
and can achieve roughly the same horsepower...but at about 10% higher rpm. Most drivers are uncomfortable with a noisy engine at 4000 to 4600 rpm for minutes at a time. A skilled driver with a 5.2V8 and a manual trans can pull nearly any trailer that a 5.9V8 with a 46 series automatic can...but at about 0.75 to 1.0 MPG better....which at towing MPG's of 8-10 can be felt at the end of the trip in the wallet.

It is a personal preference.

 

I'm starting to see the picture here. Of course, like everyone else it does come down to $ and I'm trying to do all of this without breaking the bank or it breaking me I guess. Okay, so mileage is one part of it. Now, I havea rice burner car and it can easily handle high rpms, I live in the Rockies where I will be travelling over mountain passes. Is is recommended tokeep these engines at 4000 rpms for longer periods of time during summer temps, since that's when I'll be doing most travelling?

 

5.2/5.9 not as important as two other things.
1. Trailer weight
2. Gearing
I know you said that you were looking at about 7500lbs.
DON'T GUESS! When it comes time to buy the trailer, check the label for the max gross weight. And KNOW what the tow rating is for the truck. Don't go for the max here. The further below you can stay, the better the tow and the better your truck will like it. Length means nothing; weight is everything. (trailers, that is )
Check the gearing of the truck before you buy it. Trailering in mountains, I would look for 4.10 minimum.
A couple of other things to consider...
...trailer frontal area and slope. Wind resistance is a killer!
...Weight distributing hitch!
...Extra cooling! Trans./oil/engine.
And for what its worth; I have a 5.2; 3.9gears; 5000lb TT=9mpg (a/c on in summer in FL)
WC

 

Okay, I know I might be in for it asking this one, but...how would a GMC (yes, you heard right) 5.7 compare to the Dodge 5.9. or 5.2 for pulling? Please go easy on me.