Shopping trucks and it seems I'm only able to find 03-06 6.0 gas and 98-00 6.5 diesels that are both in my price range and in the configuration I want. Add $10k for a Duramax.
I would think the 6.0 gas would pull everything the 6.5 will with almost as good mileage.
Truck is for farm use. I only pull a 4 horse trailer and the 4 or 5 cows at a time so usually it's under 8000 pounds and only once every few weeks. Once in a great while I might need to pull a 9000 pound tractor 30-40 miles one way for service. My everyday commute is about a mile one way.
Looking at the shortbox extended cab 4wd versions of the 2500.
Will the 6.0 gas do the job reliably?

My dad has 2 trucks one 1995 3500 with the 6.5L diesel and a 2000 2500 with the 6.0L. He pulls a 20ft cattle gooseneck trailer which has a GVWR of 10,000lbs with both and says the 6.0L seems to do just as well or slightly better. Personally I would avoid the 6.5L diesel like the plague...to many people I know have constant problems with them.

Personally if you are towing 8,000lbs to 10,000lbs regularly and are on a buget I would look for a truck with the 8.1L gaser. You will get about the same or better MPG as the 6.0L towing and grin with all that power.

I agree with the above statement. I have towed with the 6.5 and its a turd IMO. It maintains speed but never gains. Im not a big fan of the 6.0 either but once again thats my opinion. I would defenitly get the 8.1L as you can get them somewhat same price range and will get around same mileage and it will pull ANYTHING. Its a great motor and you wont be disappointed.

As far as fuel efficiency goes, I would think the 6.5L diesel would get much better mileage than the 6.0L gas. If I am not mistaken, I think the old 6.2L and 6.5L diesels were mainly built for fuel efficiency to begin with.

Shopping trucks and it seems I'm only able to find 03-06 6.0 gas and 98-00 6.5 diesels that are both in my price range and in the configuration I want. Add $10k for a Duramax.
I would think the 6.0 gas would pull everything the 6.5 will with almost as good mileage. Nope. I have had both, the 6.5 fuel consumption would be alot less. I used to get around 15 pulling 6K with my 6.5 and with my 6.0 I get around 9 pulling the same 6K.
Truck is for farm use. I only pull a 4 horse trailer and the 4 or 5 cows at a time so usually it's under 8000 pounds and only once every few weeks. Once in a great while I might need to pull a 9000 pound tractor 30-40 miles one way for service. My everyday commute is about a mile one way.
Looking at the shortbox extended cab 4wd versions of the 2500.
Will the 6.0 gas do the job reliably? I think the 6.0L would do what you have stated above. I also had the 8.1 for a short time and if you could find one I think that would be a better choice. They are also alot more fun to drive.:D But if you cannot find an 8.1 in your price range I would go with the 6.0L.

In red

There is no doubt the 6.5 diesel would get better fuel economy than the 6.0 or the 8.1. Unfortunately any saving from fuel economy would be saturated by constant problems from PMD, over heating under load, multiple fuel problems, down time and reliablity fear, etc. Not to mention the .60 per gallon more diesel is right now.

I traded my 6.5 for a 2002 6.0 and I think I have way more towing power now! The 6.5 would get hot and had to keep an eye on the temp all the time. I pull my trailer with 4 horses with no problem with the 6.0 and just put a tune in it and hope it will be even better now.
My gas mileage is far from great, but the 6.5 wasnt that good on fuel either.
I need to put a new knock sensor in this weekend, simple project made fun by a gm designer deciding it would good to put them under the intake manifold.
Just my opinion but dont go with the 6.5.

I have both. I would not part with my 6.5. They are a great engine that came from GM with a few easily fixed problems. One you correct them they are reliable. I have towed my fifth wheelall over the country with mine. That said, normal driving it will get way better mileage than my 6.0L. Towing they get identical mileage, 10MPG towing my fifth wheel. The 6.0L has slightly more towing power. I love both trucks, but if I were you I would go for the 6.0L if you don't want to tinker the 6.5.

Thanks for the advice. I have a 96 3500 6.5 right now. FOR SALE! Not a horrible truck, but not great either. I think my 350 had more towing power and it gets hot easy. I've read that with some work they can be reliable, but honestly I doubt it. I know I should be going with a Duramax but hate the thought of that much money. I would only consider the 6.5 again in a post 98 version with the cooling upgrade if at all. Then I'd spend a couple grand trying all the fixes Heath recommends and hope for the best. Can't say I'd ever feel it was reliable. Fuel mileage has never been over 15 mpg on my 6.5. I've heard some 6.0s get that.
Really don't think my round trip drive warrants a diesel. Truck isn't even getting warm on the drive to the barn.
I'll be shopping!

Well guys, I have to side with 6.5L. My dad's 94 6.5 is bone stock, and it will out pull my 2004 6.0 any day. Both have 3.73's and 4L80E, so it is a pretty even comparison I think. To keep up to him doing 2800 rpm, I'm doing at least 3500 rpm in my 6.0, and thats just to keep up. Thats with 20' goosenecks and 6-7 cows. He also averages 2-3 mpg better than me doing anything and everything.

Just my .02

Well guys, I have to side with 6.5L. My dad's 94 6.5 is bone stock, and it will out pull my 2004 6.0 any day. Both have 3.73's and 4L80E, so it is a pretty even comparison I think. To keep up to him doing 2800 rpm, I'm doing at least 3500 rpm in my 6.0, and thats just to keep up. Thats with 20' goosenecks and 6-7 cows. He also averages 2-3 mpg better than me doing anything and everything.

Just my .02
2800 rpm is probably close to red line on a 6.5L diesel anyway.

I think red line is actually 3500 rpm, but I could be wrong

Go with the gasser. You barly are towing and also you said your normal comute is a mile. That is not enough time to even warm the diesel up where the gas will warm up and shut down with out any extra wear exspecially in the winter. You will also be happy paying almost a dollar less at the pump per gallon. Not to mention the gasser will be allot newer truck which will be a nicer truck then the older 90 something model diesel.