Gas savings between the v6 and v8 look good on paper but unless your driving 60mph on the highway unloaded you’ll never see them. V6 have to work way hard to be able to do average everyday truck things than a v8. I’ve had both v6 and v8 trucks and all I ever got with the v6 was wishing I had the 8.
Yep…As mentioned you can’t beat an ls engine. They’re awesome. I just don’t know why GM even made the 4.8. Must’ve been more of a marketing deal. People thinking they don’t want a truck due to gas mileage and then one of those car salesman like @DisplacedTexan says, “we do have the smaller 4.8 and is suppose to get great gas mileage”. 
That 4.8 still isn’t horrible though. It’s just a pooch with bad gas mileage. It still does what it’s suppose too though.
I had a crew cab 3/4 ton with the 6.0. That’s an awesome engine @Hotshot and I absolutely loved it. Gas mileage wasn’t great either though. I think if I was in @charlestonwashing shoe’s I’d stick to the 5.3 since it’ll be used to haul the kids around and the single axle trailer. Although, if there’s any chance he’ll ever buy a camper, enclosed trailer, some other toys or becomes a rubber scrubber and hauls around big water tank trailers that 6.0 sure is nice.
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I’m thinking I got 18, 19mpg dry w/o trailer. Its had the rig hooked to it since day 2. I get around 10 now loaded down heavy. @Racer just got a 6.0 maybe he can chime in on the mpg better than I.
@marinegrunt GM needed something small for grocery’s and picking up little Johnny from school.
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Since you guys obviously know more about engines than I ever will what VAN has a good engine/hauling capacity?
Trust me if you want that piddly ol’ 4.8 to absolutely scream you can do it pretty reasonably. Cam, headers, intake and a tune and you can easily push that thing up around 450hp. And if you blow it up you can go to any pull a part in North America and grab a short block for a few hundred and slap it back together. They’re about as simple as you can make an engine.
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GM offers the 6.0 in their cargo vans. Have for a long time. I assume the new 6.6 will find it’s way into those as well. Ferd used to put 5.4 Tritons in vans. Dodge…well…just don’t buy a Dodge and you’ll be happy.
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Just FYI-- the 6.0 GM motor is in the same LS family as the 5.3 and 4.8. The 6.0, too, is incredibly reliable.
Side note: You’re going to hate working out of a van in this industry. The chemicals, exhaust fumes, hot temperatures and cramped spaces will be crappy. An open trailer is by far the easiest to work out of.
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@DisplacedTexan it really is that easy, sneeze at it for another 50hp. Guys over here Make 450hp for $1000, I’ll take it any day of the week and twice on a Sunday. The LS motors are plentiful even here, thanks to our Aussie sisters
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I’m sure you know more than me so dont think I’m second guessing you. But I’m really digging the compactness of the van builds I’ve seen, then to be able to lock it up if I need to run into home depot or grab lunch. I’m barely above hobbit size so cramped places aren’t the bother to me they are to others, and no van could ever be hotter than in inside of a Bradley in Baghdad. The chemicals are where I really feel you on the negatives. Thinking one of those steel dividers that separate the cab from the back would be a must.
The SH vapors will rust the van from the inside out. Unless you do a sealed and externally vented chem tank system. Which can be done fairly easily.
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As @Infinity stated, SH will rust it pretty quickly. Then you have to consider the assortment of acids most of us carry, fuel fumes, water leaks, etc. It’s just not ideal. They’re great for security and compactness but just not great for much else in this business. I’m sure there are folks who run 'em but I never would. Not to mention if your machine catches fire you also get to lose your hoopty.
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Why’s it like that?
I just bought a 2015 gmc with the 6.6 Duramax and I know it’s early to say but I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a gasser. It’s heavier, safer and stronger.
I can say for a fact that I would never buy that v6 Chevy though. You will probably hate it.
My advice is the same On most threads though. Buy the right tools for the job. In this case buy a truck that will actually be able to handle the trailer your hauling around.
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Lol. I Dunno, I’ve been called out on mine a time or 2. It’s like fartin in church, ya didn’t mean for it to happen, it just does buddy.
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I give up. I got two different gifs from two different sites and they both went all @Greenman-sized on me. @anon37135677 put up that MJ laughing gif so I can get my point across, please.
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