I am looking to purchase a Sierra 2500 in the near future. I am trying to decide between the SLT, AT4, and Denali. I am leaning towards the AT4 because it seems like the best price for features. It will probably see very little to no off road action. I can load up a SLT and it is only a few hundred less than the AT4 with more features. I am going to use it as a daily driver, but the main reason that I am getting it is that I tow a camper a few times a year. I have a Kodiak 291RESL that I currently tow with my 2002 Cadillac Escalade AWD 6.0L. The camper is 6,800 lbs dry and we probably load it to 7500, but we are really careful about what we put in it. The Escalade has a GCVWR of 14,000lbs and that comes quick. If I was just towing on flat ground it would do fine, but it is almost impossible to keep speed going up hills. It has the same 6.0L that the older 2500s have, but it only has three gears and an OD, so the gears are a little too tall for towing. I have a few questions that I can not find online. I would like to get a gas 2500 because of the price but all the reviews that I can find are for the Diesel. If any of you with an AT4 can answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it.
How well does it tow something like a camper in the mountains?
Do the Rancho shocks make a difference in towing? For example does it squat lower with a load?
Is there a need for the Heavy Duty Front Spring / Camper package and can it be added on later? It is not that much ($45), but I am having trouble finding one with it installed.
How well does it ride for an everyday driver?
Is it taller than the other Sierra 2500s? I read that it has a 2" lift.
Would it be better to spend the extra $1k and get the 3500? I have heard that the ride is very similar.
What kind of fuel economy are you getting?
In your opinion are all of the extra features worth it? Of course I want it to have everything, and having blank buttons drives me crazy, but am I going to spend a butt load and it not be worth it when I could just get a SLT with just a few features, or get an AT4 without any extra packages?
If you got the AT4 do you wish you would have got a Denali or saved money and got a SLT?
What is your favorite feature of the truck.
Does the SLT come with the multipro tailgate? All of them that I have found online do not have it, but the brochure says that it is standard on the SLT, AT4, and Denali
Oh yea and btw my wife likes the way the AT4 looks so......