DirtFarmer
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tgatch said:Let's take a look at GM's 8.1. It is making 400lbs-ft @ about 1100 to a Peak of 450@3200 back down to 400lbs-ft @ 4500 RPMS. 3400 RPMS of above 400lbs-ft. Not many Stock diesel pickups are over 400lbs-ft for 3400 RPMs.
This is good info, but to me, I really don't care what an engine will do at 4500 rpm or even 3200 rpm because I don't want to run at those rpms! Big numbers at high rpm will give you good acceleration, but once I'm up to speed, I want to run somewhere around 2000 rpm.
To me, the diesel's ability to pull a big trailer down the road in OD is it's #1 advantage over a gasser.
To answer the original question:
A small block gasser will tow a few thousand pounds very easily. It'll do OK with 5 or 6 thousand (in straight gear, not OD). Beyond that, it'll start to suck wind. Any small incline or strong headwind and you'll be downshifting again and the rpm will be high and the road speed aggravatingly low.
As was said above, if you don't tow very often, you can live with some pain from being under-motored.
Do it everyday and it'll make you