I hate the Duramax's, because they always beat my ***! I agree, if you want to tow/haul and kick the **** out most things on the road, go with the Duramax.

 

Fro best towing, duramax is the way to go, but bring you checkbook and first born

 

I'd say go with a 4.3 they are soooo strong! I pulled a house right off it's foundation with mine!

 

Dude I am a real world end user of the 4.8L. I have found it to have plenty of power, plenty of gas mileage. Performance parts upgrades are just as available as the 5.3. I wanted the 5.3 to be honest when I was buying but I was made a smokin deal on the particular truck I was looking at. Just lettin u know I have no complaints about mine at all.

 

the 4.8 will definitely pull the things you listed, i pull a 27 foot camper and a 23 foot ski boat with mine with no problems at all... im sure the 5.3 could do it a little better, butthe 4.8 will get it done...