Chevy express 1 ton- 4.8L or 6.0 liter?

[ruff]

Considering the Chevy express 1 Ton. It comes with either a 4.8 L engine or a 6.0 L.

The 4.8L will consume less gas both driving and when the PTO is working- nice savings. Is there a reason or need to get the 6.0 L?

I do run it heavily loaded and go up the hills in SF. Beside more power, will it last longer, or any other reasons for getting the 6.0 l engine that I may be missing?

P.S. What's a tow package?

 

[rwcarpet]

Considering the Chevy express 1 Ton. It comes with either a 4.8 L engine or a 6.0 L.

The 4.8L will consume less gas both driving and when the PTO is working- nice savings. Is there a reason or need to get the 6.0 L?

I do run it heavily loaded and go up the hills in SF. Beside more power, will it last longer, or any other reasons for getting the 6.0 l engine that I may be missing?

P.S. What's a tow package?

I'd go with the 6.0. That's what I have in my 03 Chevy 2500. Stuck at 12 MPG round town, but the newer ones are doing better. It's got some balls when you need it, especially when loaded with equipment.

 

[rwcarpet]

Considering the Chevy express 1 Ton. It comes with either a 4.8 L engine or a 6.0 L.

The 4.8L will consume less gas both driving and when the PTO is working- nice savings. Is there a reason or need to get the 6.0 L?

I do run it heavily loaded and go up the hills in SF. Beside more power, will it last longer, or any other reasons for getting the 6.0 l engine that I may be missing?

P.S. What's a tow package?

I think the 4.8 and 6.0 have the same block, different strokes or pistons. If you are planning on buying a new Chevy/GMC, let me know. I will get you a supplier discount authorization number. Could save you some bucks, including any rebates for '13 models. I am retired GM employee. (sorry....can't get you my employee/family discount). I help Big JIm Eckman with a GM supplier discount year ago.

 

[kendallsdad]

Since you are dealing with the San Francisco hills and carrying a lot of weight I would lean towards the 6.0L. I have not noticed ANY longevity issues with the 4.8L and my experience comparing the two goes back to 2007.

The 4.8L V8 is more than adequate for many people. The price difference between a 3/4 ton with a 4.8L and a 1 ton with a 6.0L is about $4500.

 

[Derek]

i just bought a 2013 3/4 ton w/ the 4.8L and i wish it was 6.0L. all i have is VLM equipment but the back of my extended is loaded. i doubt it weighs as much as your TM? anyways, going up some steep back-woods hills the other day it was lagging big time trying to get up some steep inclines. in the 3 weeks i've had it, the 3/4 ton has gotten no more than 16 MPG and that is with little to no city driving...mostly highways and country roads.

 

[kendallsdad]

Based on feedback, I have not seen a noticeable difference in MPG between the two while driving. However, there is a noticeable difference while running a direct-drive.

 

[John Olson]

Ofer the only choice for you in San Fran is a 6.0 don't make a mistake and get a 4.8. Your (_*_) will pucker trying to get up some of those hills with a fully loaded rig and waste tank

 

[Desk Jockey]

Get the tow package, it will help your tranny (no not that kind you see there!) with all the hills you encounter in SF

 

[ruff]

Bryan also mentioned it. What is a tow package?

 

[Aztec Financial]

In a hilly area (such as San Francisco), and with the weight carried by most cleaners, you will have to drive the 4.8 "harder", which will eat into any fuel savings. The 6.0 is normally recommended.

In addition to the tow package, there are some other options you may want to consider, including factory installed fuel fitting and computer adjusted front springs.

I would encourage you to call Mike Wiseman in our fleet department at 801-201-4741. Even if you are not purchasing your Chevy van through us, Mike can give you the info you need to make the right decision.

 

[Mikey P]

Great to know..

 

[kendallsdad]

Technically it's called the Heavy-duty trailering equipment option. It includes the 7 pin connector and trailering hitch platform. Many years ago they called it a towing package because it included the transmission cooler upgrade. Now the transmission cooler is standard equipment.

 

[ruff]

Thank you everybody. Much appreciated.

 

[Torrey Express]

My CleanCo 56 has the 4.8

It does fine on hills even with a full load. It has 110 fresh and 110 dirty water tanks too.

The fuel economy is very good.

That being said, I'll buy the 6.0 if available next time. More pep and last longer because of next beating the horses as hard.

Ross's new Butler has the 6.0. Amazing van.

 

[Total_Rookie]

We have the Chevy with 3/4 ton & 6.0
Great van! Hauling a E Z 25/45 w/ 55 gal freshwater & 90 gal recovery tank.

 

[Mark Saiger]

The 6.0 we have found to be a stronger motor and also less stress on it. Has the power, so you tend to be using less power. Ours is getting around 15-16 miles to the gallon and we are really loaded with equipment, water and extras!

Mark Saiger

 

[Jerry]

Yep my 08 has the 6.0, tow/haul package etc. I average 14-15 mpg. Its really nice having the extra power when you need it, mine tips the scales at 9500 lbs with fresh water, equipment , etc.

 

[Mikey P]

Considering the mountains we climb on a daily basis our second van will most definitely be a 6.0


I still can't decide on a extended or a cube van..

 

[Derek]

man i wish i could'a gotten a 6.0

looking at my '13 Express user manual, it says that the Tow Package comes with all automatic transmissions.

any experts on when to use this feature? i dont want to hurt my tranny.

it also talks about how there is some grade braking feature with it, idk when to engage this feature (by holding the Tow Package button for 3 seconds) ... again, i don't want to engage it and then it shortens my brake's life.

 

[Mark Saiger]

Forgot to mention that my 2011 GMC has the 6.0 with the Alison Transmission. Much better unit than my 08 with GM transmission. More pep and way stronger all the way around. Seems to have better gearing ratio.

 

[Shane T]

man i wish i could'a gotten a 6.0

looking at my '13 Express user manual, it says that the Tow Package comes with all automatic transmissions.

any experts on when to use this feature? i dont want to hurt my tranny.

it also talks about how there is some grade braking feature with it, idk when to engage this feature (by holding the Tow Package button for 3 seconds) ... again, i don't want to engage it and then it shortens my brake's life.

My 04 1ton Express 6 litre has the "tow/haul" button on the dash. My van weighs in at about 9600 fully loaded, which I am most of the time so I use the Haul button a lot. I believe it turns off the overdrive and I also think driving in "tow/haul" mode changes the shift points. When hauling loads in overdrive the clutches may tend to slip more than desirable.

 

[Derek]

thanks Shane! but you're giving me way too much credit, that verbage means nothing to me

 

[Jimbo]

RW...I have 142k on the 06 Chevy Van...Duramax Diesel getting over 20 MPG still...I had to buy a new radar detector for that van...it hauls A$$!...Only repair needed was a new water pump recently.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, RW! I owe you a good dinner for the discount!!

 

[Mikey P]

Too bag SS can't run the Pro1200 off the diesel..