Kerr

we have had both, the milage on the 6.0 and the 8.1 are with in a 1 mpg... The one you had must have been sick... Compairing both the same trucks, 4x4 crew cab short bed the 8.1 would walk off and leave the 6.0...

to each his own you will probably be happy with the 6.0... im driving ours today

Wide Open

That's funny.
I had a 6.0 in a 99 ¾ ton ECSB and it just plain sucked when towing. Bought a 00 ½ ton ECSB with 5.3 and it would leave the 6.0 in the dust (had to spin the crap out of it though) presumably due to the transmission differences, both had 4.10 gears. The trailer was a bit too big for the ½ ton so I bought a 1 ton with the 7.4, again with 4.10 gears and it would climb the hills at the same speed as the 5.3 but at about 1400 rpm less. No towing experience with the 8.1 but less than 200 rwhp is weak.

12secSS

iTrader: (30)

The 6.0L has more power and can pull a trailer much better then the 5.3L. But since GM paired most 6.0Ls with the durable 4L80E (1st = 2.48, 2nd = 1.48) and not the weak 4L60E (1st = 3.06, 2nd = 1.63), many think the 6.0L is a weak towing engine.

Wide Open

I understand the gearing differences and that combined with the weight differences in the chassis is the reason my 5.3 would embarrass my 6.0. When I compared my 6.0 with my 7.4 (both using 4L80E) the torque of the big-block crushed the 6.0 in pulling power and pulled similar to my much lighter ½ ton.
Now, a stroked 6.0 would be a very impressive tow motor. It will provide more torque than a big-block (7.4 or 8.1) and be a much lighter engine.