Which Trail Boss should I buy

[Kebooble]

Hello, I am Buying a trail Boss very soon. I need in put on which engine i should get. I hear the 5.3 has some lifter issues and I hear the Duramax has oil usage and emission issues. I would love to hear from owners of both so that i can make an informed decision.

 

[PMW_fab]

I have a 2022 refresh with a 5.3 with 23K miles on it with no engine issues whatsoever. Looking back I wish I would've just got the 6.2 just because. The 5.3 has all the power I need for hauling etc. I've driven the duramax and the 4 cylinder, and to me they just didn't have the grunt of the v8, and I'm sure that is just personal preference. I know many folks on here have the duramax and rave about it. I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them, it just boils down to what you are using the truck for.

 

[Johnny7]

I bought the 6.2. My son in law had the 5.3 and I can definitely tell the difference in the way mine pulls.

 

[Kebooble]

I bought the 6.2. My son in law had the 5.3 and I can definitely tell the difference in the way mine pulls.

Do you need to use premium fuel in the 6.2?

 

[Poppi]

6.2L

 

[Stormin08]

each one will have its own issues and feedback from others.

if you are going DRIVE it and not pull...5.3, save the fuel and additional costs
if you tow or pull regularly...get the diesel

if you dont mind 12 mpg and want to have fun...6.2

i have 4K miles on my 23 6.2, mildly regret not getting the 5.3 and doing mods...but once i am driving the 6.2, i forget that and want to mod the 6.2...it will be going supercharged very soon.

 

[clstark7]

I went with the 6.2 because I like the acceleration. I had a Silverado before this with the 5.3. It had no issues but was definitely slower and less torquey. On the Trail Boss's, you are talking about 2 MPG on the highway difference between the 6.2 and 5.3. Worth it in my opinion. I'm at 47,000 miles now with no issues.

If you want torque but better mileage, the 3.0 Duramax is the way to go. I haven't heard of oil consumption issues in that one, but I also don't know of anyone personally that owns one. Just never seen it come up often online.

I don't know enough about the 2.7 Turbo to have much of an opinion on that one, other than I think that motor is a better fit for the Colorado's and Canyon's.

 

[hawk99gt]

I went with the 6.2 because I like the acceleration. I had a Silverado before this with the 5.3. It had no issues but was definitely slower and less torquey. On the Trail Boss's, you are talking about 2 MPG on the highway difference between the 6.2 and 5.3. Worth it in my opinion. I'm at 47,000 miles now with no issues.

If you want torque but better mileage, the 3.0 Duramax is the way to go. I haven't heard of oil consumption issues in that one, but I also don't know of anyone personally that owns one. Just never seen it come up often online.

I don't know enough about the 2.7 Turbo to have much of an opinion on that one, other than I think that motor is a better fit for the Colorado's and Canyon's.

I could be wrong, but doesn't the 6.2 require Premium Gas vs 87? That was kind of my reason for the 5.3L choice. I like my 5.3 plus with that 10 speed transmission makes up for having a 3.23 rear gear. I was use to a 3.92 in my old RAM but I feel it has plenty of pep in comparison with my old RAM's 5.7L. If the economy was in a better way, I would have gone for the 6.2. But we are living in uncertain times. Go with what you can afford. If you can swing it, get a 6.2 with the LT package. The custom's back seats feel too work truckish. Seats are not as comfortable. Plus it is pretty plain inside all together. But if that doesn't matter and you want the engine (6.2) then go that route. Not really a bad decision either way, just depends on your wants and needs. Hope this helps you, Kebooble.

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[Dickie Dunkelberger]

6.2L if you can. If you are going to add features anyway the price difference for the engine upgrade is not that bad of a hit financially and more than pays for itself in smiles per gallon.

Diesel was never on my radar, and the 5.3 to me is just ok (once you have driven the 6.2). I was considering a base level LT with the 2.7t. Glad I got the tech packages etc. and have the 6.2, but the base with the 2.7t was pretty strong (to me it feels quicker than the 5.3 around town, prolly not the best choice for towing/hauling regularly).

And yes - 6.2 needs premium. It runs better with it and she deserves it. Would you put regular fuel in a corvette? If the ~$0.40 per gallon difference for 93 over 87 is a dealbreaker, I would be looking at the Custom or base LT 2.7t cause that begs the question of whether you can afford a $65k+ truck..

 

[clstark7]

I could be wrong, but doesn't the 6.2 require Premium Gas vs 87? That was kind of my reason for the 5.3L choice. I like my 5.3 plus with that 10 speed transmission makes up for having a 3.23 rear gear. I was use to a 3.92 in my old RAM but I feel it has plenty of pep in comparison with my old RAM's 5.7L. If the economy was in a better way, I would have gone for the 6.2. But we are living in uncertain times. Go with what you can afford. If you can swing it, get a 6.2 with the LT package. The custom's back seats feel too work truckish. Seats are not as comfortable. Plus it is pretty plain inside all together. But if that doesn't matter and you want the engine (6.2) then go that route. Not really a bad decision either way, just depends on your wants and needs. Hope this helps you, Kebooble.

​

So I have a 2021 LT Trail Boss with the 6.2, it does call for premium. But my wife has a 2021 Tahoe with the 5.3, and hers also calls for premium. I would assume that it's the same in the Trail Boss's, but I could also be wrong. Hers does have the 10-speed as well, and it definitely pairs well with the 5.3! I saw on some dyno charts from Superchips that the 10-speed gets more power to the ground from the 5.3 than the 8 or 6-speeds. Good combo for sure.

 

[hawk99gt]

So I have a 2021 LT Trail Boss with the 6.2, it does call for premium. But my wife has a 2021 Tahoe with the 5.3, and hers also calls for premium. I would assume that it's the same in the Trail Boss's, but I could also be wrong. Hers does have the 10-speed as well, and it definitely pairs well with the 5.3! I saw on some dyno charts from Superchips that the 10-speed gets more power to the ground from the 5.3 than the 8 or 6-speeds. Good combo for sure.

Good info, but my manual says for my 2023 LT TB 5.3L takes 87 octane. And honestly, it runs fine on that. Your wife's Tahoe may require it, maybe due to its weight. Could be wrong.

 

[2KWIK2C]

each one will have its own issues and feedback from others.

if you are going DRIVE it and not pull...5.3, save the fuel and additional costs
if you tow or pull regularly...get the diesel

if you dont mind 12 mpg and want to have fun...6.2

i have 4K miles on my 23 6.2, mildly regret not getting the 5.3 and doing mods...but once i am driving the 6.2, i forget that and want to mod the 6.2...it will be going supercharged very soon.

Supercharging for gas mileage like I did! Yes! Buy in from the wife was a lot easier!

 

[Johnny7]

each one will have its own issues and feedback from others.

if you are going DRIVE it and not pull...5.3, save the fuel and additional costs
if you tow or pull regularly...get the diesel

if you dont mind 12 mpg and want to have fun...6.2

i have 4K miles on my 23 6.2, mildly regret not getting the 5.3 and doing mods...but once i am driving the 6.2, i forget that and want to mod the 6.2...it will be going supercharged very soon.

I average 17 with my 6.2?

 

[hawk99gt]

I average 17 with my 6.2?

So what is the price of gas going for in South California now and days?

 

[Johnny7]

So what is the price of gas going for in South California now and days?

We are at $5.49 where I go currently.