What’s the real difference between a gas V8, a turbo-diesel V8, and electric motors when accelerating with a heavy trailer? We find out in this TFL Tow-Off by drag racing a new Chevy Silverado HD with a gas 6.6L V8, a new Chevy Silverado HD with a Duramax diesel 6.6L V8, and a surprise truck. We are pulling large enclosed trailers that weigh 6,500 lbs. Let’s go!
This TFL Tow-Off would not be possible without our amazing partners: Granger Warranty, Weigh-Safe hitches, Johnson Auto Plaza, and Complete Trailers. It does not get any better than this!
The white truck is a new Chevy Silverado HD Custom crew cab 4×4 with a 6.6L gasoline V8 engine and a 10-speed Allison-branded automatic transmission. The silver/gray truck is a new Chevy Silverado HD Trail Boss crew cab 4×4 with a 6.6L Duramax V8 and a 10-speed Allison-branded automatic transmission. The surprise truck is a first-ever 2026 Chevy Silverado EV Trail Boss. Here are the specs.
| 6.6L Gas V8 | 6.6L Diesel V8 | EV Max | |
| Power | 401 hp @ 5,200 | 470 hp @ 2,800 | 725 hp |
| Torque | 464 lb-ft @ 4,000 | 975 lb-ft @ 1,600 | 775 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 10-speed auto | 10-speed auto | gear reduction |
| Rear Axle Ratio | 3.73 to 1 | 3.42 to 1 | “ |
| Curb Weight (as tested) | 7,261 lbs | 8,111 lbs | 9,000 lbs |
| Price (as tested) | $56,000 | $75,000 | $93,900 |
Here is how they did! The difference is huge!
TFL Tow-Off Drag Race
| Chevy HD Gas V8 | Chevy HD Diesel V8 | Chevy EV Max | |
| 0-60 MPH | 21.20 sec | 14.42 sec | 9.05 sec |
| 60 Feet | 3.52 sec | 3.80 sec | 3.01 sec |
| 1/4 Mile | 22.80 sec | 20.19 sec | 16.98 sec |
We are pulling 6,500 lbs loaded trailers at 1-mile above sea level. The time slips look interesting. The gasoline-powered HD truck has a very good first 60 feet acceleration (3.52 seconds). It does not have too much power to spin those rear tires, so it’s efficient off the line. The diesel is slower. The electric truck seems to be pulling some power in Tow/Haul mode at the beginning.
After the start, the diesel quickly passes the gasser. The same happens later, as the electric truck passes the diesel.
TFL Unladen Drag Race
| Chevy HD Gas V8 | Chevy HD Diesel V8 | |
| 0-60 MPH | 11.30 sec | 7.71 sec |
| 60 Feet | 2.85 sec | 2.50 sec |
| 1/4 Mile | 18.15 sec | 15.59 sec |
Please join us in the video below.
