We just got back from our first road trip with our new 2009 Jayco 30.5 DBSA, Omaha to Estes Park and back. Scaled weight was approx 9700 for the trailer and 16200 total for the entire rig.
I was thoroughly impressed with how my truck managed the trailer. I was very concerned with towing that heavy of a trailer with a 6.0L, but it managed very well. I only had to drop into 2nd heading into Estes from Loveland. I had plenty of power and trans temps never climbed above 220-degrees.
Mileage heading out was around 10 mpg, that was with a tail wind, I could just leave the truck in Drive and RPM's were around 2400 traveling at 70 mph. Heading back to Omaha we ran into a pretty good headwind and had to leave it in 3rd for most of the return trip. 70 mph in 3rd ran around 3300 RPM's, mileage was probably 7 mpg.
I was pleasantly surprised that I had that much power even heading into Estes, I could easily gain speed if I needed by putting the truck into 2nd.
Heading down from Estes I just kept the truck in 2nd and only had to feather the brakes maybe a total of 10-12 times the entire way into Loveland, 2nd gear kept the speed right around 35-40 mph, which was perfect for most of the 20 miles from Estes into Loveland.
Brake temps ranged from 140 to 180 when I measured them in Loveland.
Overall I would give my truck a 'B+', greater gasoline capacity would earn the truck an 'A'. That 6.0L had plenty of power, sometimes too much as I would gain speed too quickly when dropping into 3rd from Drive, or into 2nd when heading up the mountains. I found I could just leave it in 3rd for most of the trip from Loveland into Estes, and had plenty of reserve power.
For anyone concerned about their 6.0L, just remember that these engines make their horsepower and torque up around 4000 -4500 RPM's, and do so at the cost of gas mileage ($$). They are totally different than diesel engines. You will get worse gas mileage than a diesel. But for a weekender and occassional 1,000 mile road trip they are great engines.
"For anyone concerned about their 6.0L, just remember that these engines make their horsepower and torque up around 4000 -4500 RPM's, and do so at the cost of gas mileage ($$). They are totally different than diesel engines. You will get worse gas mileage than a diesel. But for a weekender and occassional 1,000 mile road trip they are great engines."
Ha - traded in our '05 Siverado with 6.0 l and 4:10 last January with over 130,000 miles on it - most of that was towing our fivers ( 2 different ones) of approx. 10,500 pounds. Weekender trips?? Most of ours average around 30 days and anywhere from 2-5000 miles. Loved that ruck but the GM incentiveslast jan. persuaded me to go for the '09 Sierra with same combo plus the Allison 6 speedtranny. Currently about 10 days from the end of a 9 week excursion and 5600 miles and we are averaging around 11 mpg!
Your comment on weekenders is pretty laughable from our perspective. Yes - the 6.0 with suitable tranny and rear end makes great towing!!
John
Colorado Cruiser
Cruiser CF29CK 5th wheel; 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD, 2wd, short bed
wonderful lifetime traveling companion/spouse
I have a 2000 2500 with the 6.0. Did a 4000 plus mile trip this summer pulling a 28ft. TT. Engine did fine, even in the mountains of Wyoming into Yellowstone. It does like the gas at 3000 plus RPM's, especially into a head wind.
The newer small block gassers are a whole lot better TV engines than people give them credit for. Our SB gasser has been doing a fine job as well. The new 6spd auto behind the 6.0 GM must be really nice to tow with...
'10 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
'07 KZ Jag 28JFSS.
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