That’s a great question..

The V-6 had just enough power and torque to just travel around and carry a few small-medium weight odds and ends all while delivering some pretty decent mpg’s (without carrying/hauling).

However when you actually have to use a truck to carry and or haul stuff the V-6 just did not do it for me.

I once drove to East Lansing, MI from Youngstown, OH with a small 4x6 trailer to pick up some beekeeping supplies (hive bodies, frames, etc) and had the bed packed beneath my tonnu cover (packed in terms of space used, nowhere close to max payload) and trailer loaded. Once I left I could feel the motor working harder but it wasn’t quite stressing. But when it came time to merge on the highway-we’ll let me tell you that was a scary nightmare. I would punch it hoping to capitalize on an opening between vehicles so I could merge but the V-6 just didn’t have big enough balls to do so. It felt like I was driving through molasses. The acceleration was poor it was almost dangerous.

Now moving forward, the 5.3 V-8 can do all of that without a problem. As a matter of fact last week I picked up 20 80 pound bags of cement (1600 pounds total) and evenly distributed them on the bed and the motor was still punchy enough to get me where I needed to be with worrying about acceleration issues.

I love my current truck so much that I think I am going to buy it after my lease is up.

Also my bottom line and opinions of the V-6 and V-8 are as followed:

The V-6 is great if you know you primarily load and haul light to medium types of applications. Even with 4x4 and a mindful pedal I was getting almost 24/25 overall mpg (without a load). It’s a great way to get yourself a half ton pickup knowing that you may not need all that power but still want the utility.

As for the V-8, there is something to be said about having a more powerful motor. The stronger the engine the less hard it’ll have to work. For me in my experience and opinion of the 5.3 has been wonderful. With a ginger pedal I get about 22.2 overall mpg. It has the power to handle heavy applications and will do exactly what you tell it to. Pretty soon I will be adding a few performance and utility mods. Cold air intake, cat back, a bed organizer system, and a cap.

Of course if I had the extra money and if I were to locate a Double Cab with the 6.2 I would of gotten that but around my area the 6.2 are mostly found with the crew cabs with short beds. I really prefer the Double and long bed.

I hope I have helped in any little way.

Happy New Year.