6.2 1/2 Ton Vs Duramax

BlueZ01 · June 23, 2010

Is there any comparison towing? price? upkeep?

bluesrefugee · June 23, 2010

The Duramax will dominate any gas truck in towing.

sc4808 · June 23, 2010

True, the Duramax will reign supreme when towing a very heavy load(and get better mileage doing it), there are a few other factors to consider.

If you only tow occasionally and the trailer weight is less than 10,000 lbs:

The initial cost of the Diesel is considerably higher.

The ride of the HD trucks is considerably more harsh than the 1/2 tons.

The routine maintenance of the diesel is double the cost for the gasser.

cc1999 · June 23, 2010

I agree with that last post, except I have had both several 3/4 diesels and 1/2 ton gassers, and I would put the towing mark down a little from the 10K for a 1/2 ton. My old toy hauler weighed in about 10k and I did pull it for a wile with a 1/2 ton, but it is night and day better with a diesel 3/4 ton. I put my choice at 6k or less half tons do a great job and 3/4 ton diesels are overkill, consistant towing 8-10k or higher I would without a doubt go back to a 3/4 ton. Brakes, springs 10 ply tires all make a huge difference in the way a 3/4 handels a heavy load.

Maintinance cost are much higher on the diesels even more so now on the 2011s where you also have to factor in the cost of the urea gas for the new 2011 emmisions system.

[email protected] · June 23, 2010

Hi Brannon:

If you provide far more specifics about the frequency you'll be towing, the size/load you'll be towing, the number of miles per month or year you'll be towing and the number of years you plan to keep the truck - - as well as what the truck would be used for when not towing... Then yes, it would be possible to compare the Pro's and Con's of each - with each other - based on your use.

I'd have to agree that based only on their ability to tow loads say over 6,000 lbs the diesels have a distinct advantage.

Personally - I went though that process of comparison not too long ago. All things considered, for my circumstances, I bought a used 05 2500HD Crew Cab, 6.0 L with just under 36K miles and in almost "as-new" condition for just over $16K. I use it to tow an enclosed car hauler, but only a few times every couple months and usually not more than 500 miles at a time. When you add "price" and "upkeep" to the equation - I certainly could not find a diesel that would compare with it.

I used to have a 1500 - and for the same use - there is no comparison to the 2500HD. With the 2500HD pulling a 6k lb. trailer, you don't even notice that it's back there. I mostly in the Florida/Georgia area, so we don't really have any mountains to climb on a regular basis either. The whole situation might be quite different if I lived in Colorado...

FWIW,

Carl B.

ColoradoSkiCountry · June 23, 2010

having moved up from a 1500 to 2500 duramax, ride quality is the same as it was in my 1500. Performace: Duramax blows the 6.2, 5.3 and 6.0 out of the water. Towing? You can't be a Duramax. Maintenance Costs? Not all that much more expensive if you do the maintenance yourself. For a Heavy Duty vehicle, the parts are engineered and designed to last longer and overall the amount of repairs in the HD will be less as compared to the 1/2 ton. Fuel Economy? Duramax owners can often get 21+ MPG highway and 14-18 MPG city.

[email protected] · June 23, 2010

having moved up from a 1500 to 2500 duramax, ride quality is the same as it was in my 1500. Performace: Duramax blows the 6.2, 5.3 and 6.0 out of the water. Towing? You can't be a Duramax. Maintenance Costs? Not all that much more expensive if you do the maintenance yourself. For a Heavy Duty vehicle, the parts are engineered and designed to last longer and overall the amount of repairs in the HD will be less as compared to the 1/2 ton. Fuel Economy? Duramax owners can often get 21+ MPG highway and 14-18 MPG city.

You're just saying that cause you have a duramax. Everybody seems to think that the duramax will outperform, and it's an unfair advantage and also not true. Take a 6.6l gas (same size as duramax) and put a turbo on it (just like the duramax has) and see which one will outperform. Hell, a 6.0l gas with a turbo will easily keep up with the duramax.

jro909 · June 23, 2010

having moved up from a 1500 to 2500 duramax, ride quality is the same as it was in my 1500. Performace: Duramax blows the 6.2, 5.3 and 6.0 out of the water. Towing? You can't be a Duramax. Maintenance Costs? Not all that much more expensive if you do the maintenance yourself. For a Heavy Duty vehicle, the parts are engineered and designed to last longer and overall the amount of repairs in the HD will be less as compared to the 1/2 ton. Fuel Economy? Duramax owners can often get 21+ MPG highway and 14-18 MPG city.

You're just saying that cause you have a duramax. Everybody seems to think that the duramax will outperform, and it's an unfair advantage and also not true. Take a 6.6l gas (same size as duramax) and put a turbo on it (just like the duramax has) and see which one will outperform. Hell, a 6.0l gas with a turbo will easily keep up with the duramax.

not true, by nature a diesel motor will generate more power because of the high compression ratio and the fact that diesel fuel packs a far bigger energy punch then gas....comparing diesels to gas motors is like comparing bullets to explosives, i will agree that the 6.0 can easily hold its own against a diesel but in the end a diesel is going to outperform it in the towing and hauling market....the 6.0 is the more likely option for the average consumer looking to haul that camper a few times a year, the duramax is more of a commercial grade haul heavy loads all day every day kind of thing...i myself will be getting a 6.0 next, don't really care about the 6.2 as i am not looking for a speed machine.....

[email protected] · June 23, 2010

having moved up from a 1500 to 2500 duramax, ride quality is the same as it was in my 1500. Performace: Duramax blows the 6.2, 5.3 and 6.0 out of the water. Towing? You can't be a Duramax. Maintenance Costs? Not all that much more expensive if you do the maintenance yourself. For a Heavy Duty vehicle, the parts are engineered and designed to last longer and overall the amount of repairs in the HD will be less as compared to the 1/2 ton. Fuel Economy? Duramax owners can often get 21+ MPG highway and 14-18 MPG city.

You're just saying that cause you have a duramax. Everybody seems to think that the duramax will outperform, and it's an unfair advantage and also not true. Take a 6.6l gas (same size as duramax) and put a turbo on it (just like the duramax has) and see which one will outperform. Hell, a 6.0l gas with a turbo will easily keep up with the duramax.

not true, by nature a diesel motor will generate more power because of the high compression ratio and the fact that diesel fuel packs a far bigger energy punch then gas....comparing diesels to gas motors is like comparing bullets to explosives, i will agree that the 6.0 can easily hold its own against a diesel but in the end a diesel is going to outperform it in the towing and hauling market....the 6.0 is the more likely option for the average consumer looking to haul that camper a few times a year, the duramax is more of a commercial grade haul heavy loads all day every day kind of thing...i myself will be getting a 6.0 next, don't really care about the 6.2 as i am not looking for a speed machine.....

You calling me a liar!! I'm not talking bout' towing or hauling, like some people do with their trucks, that would be a stupid thing to do with a pickup. I'm talking about racing (1/4 mile, 0-60, etc.) A 6.0l with a turbo will outperform a duramax, no matter what duramax owners say.

ColoradoSkiCountry · June 24, 2010

We are talking a 0-60 time of roughly 7.0 seconds for a stock Duramax and 9 seconds for the stock 6.0. That's a big gap to make up with you having to throw on a Turbo to your 6.0L And a simple re-program of the Diesel ECM will give it the performance advantage again over your turbo 6.0. By the time you get your 6.0 riced up to match or beat the performance of a stock diesel, you will have put in enough $$ you could have upgraded to the Duramax as a new truck.

[email protected] · June 24, 2010

We are talking a 0-60 time of roughly 7.0 seconds for a stock Duramax and 9 seconds for the stock 6.0. That's a big gap to make up with you having to throw on a Turbo to your 6.0L And a simple re-program of the Diesel ECM will give it the performance advantage again over your turbo 6.0. By the time you get your 6.0 riced up to match or beat the performance of a stock diesel, you will have put in enough $ you could have upgraded to the Duramax as a new truck.

You know what, whatever, I'm not gonna argue with someone so biased. A fool and his money are soon parted.

Matt_ · June 24, 2010

Know anyone who has a 6.0 w/turbo in a 2500HD and ran it? Curious what the 1/4 ETs are....

jro909 · June 24, 2010

having moved up from a 1500 to 2500 duramax, ride quality is the same as it was in my 1500. Performace: Duramax blows the 6.2, 5.3 and 6.0 out of the water. Towing? You can't be a Duramax. Maintenance Costs? Not all that much more expensive if you do the maintenance yourself. For a Heavy Duty vehicle, the parts are engineered and designed to last longer and overall the amount of repairs in the HD will be less as compared to the 1/2 ton. Fuel Economy? Duramax owners can often get 21+ MPG highway and 14-18 MPG city.

You're just saying that cause you have a duramax. Everybody seems to think that the duramax will outperform, and it's an unfair advantage and also not true. Take a 6.6l gas (same size as duramax) and put a turbo on it (just like the duramax has) and see which one will outperform. Hell, a 6.0l gas with a turbo will easily keep up with the duramax.

not true, by nature a diesel motor will generate more power because of the high compression ratio and the fact that diesel fuel packs a far bigger energy punch then gas....comparing diesels to gas motors is like comparing bullets to explosives, i will agree that the 6.0 can easily hold its own against a diesel but in the end a diesel is going to outperform it in the towing and hauling market....the 6.0 is the more likely option for the average consumer looking to haul that camper a few times a year, the duramax is more of a commercial grade haul heavy loads all day every day kind of thing...i myself will be getting a 6.0 next, don't really care about the 6.2 as i am not looking for a speed machine.....

You calling me a liar!! I'm not talking bout' towing or hauling, like some people do with their trucks, that would be a stupid thing to do with a pickup. I'm talking about racing (1/4 mile, 0-60, etc.) A 6.0l with a turbo will outperform a duramax, no matter what duramax owners say.

i hope thats sarcasm, because trucks are built to tow and haul lol, if you want to race get a corvette....i'm not biased at all but this thread is kind of becoming a pissing match

[email protected] · June 24, 2010

Know anyone who has a 6.0 w/turbo in a 2500HD and ran it? Curious what the 1/4 ETs are....

I've seen a 6.0l with the turbo, tune, cam, long tubes, and exhaust that ran 11.17 in the quarter, but that was a rcsb pickup with the 6.0l swap. Do a search on youtube for 6.0l turbo silverado and you'll find plenty.

[email protected] · June 24, 2010

having moved up from a 1500 to 2500 duramax, ride quality is the same as it was in my 1500. Performace: Duramax blows the 6.2, 5.3 and 6.0 out of the water. Towing? You can't be a Duramax. Maintenance Costs? Not all that much more expensive if you do the maintenance yourself. For a Heavy Duty vehicle, the parts are engineered and designed to last longer and overall the amount of repairs in the HD will be less as compared to the 1/2 ton. Fuel Economy? Duramax owners can often get 21+ MPG highway and 14-18 MPG city.

You're just saying that cause you have a duramax. Everybody seems to think that the duramax will outperform, and it's an unfair advantage and also not true. Take a 6.6l gas (same size as duramax) and put a turbo on it (just like the duramax has) and see which one will outperform. Hell, a 6.0l gas with a turbo will easily keep up with the duramax.

not true, by nature a diesel motor will generate more power because of the high compression ratio and the fact that diesel fuel packs a far bigger energy punch then gas....comparing diesels to gas motors is like comparing bullets to explosives, i will agree that the 6.0 can easily hold its own against a diesel but in the end a diesel is going to outperform it in the towing and hauling market....the 6.0 is the more likely option for the average consumer looking to haul that camper a few times a year, the duramax is more of a commercial grade haul heavy loads all day every day kind of thing...i myself will be getting a 6.0 next, don't really care about the 6.2 as i am not looking for a speed machine.....

You calling me a liar!! I'm not talking bout' towing or hauling, like some people do with their trucks, that would be a stupid thing to do with a pickup. I'm talking about racing (1/4 mile, 0-60, etc.) A 6.0l with a turbo will outperform a duramax, no matter what duramax owners say.

i hope thats sarcasm, because trucks are built to tow and haul lol, if you want to race get a corvette....i'm not biased at all but this thread is kind of becoming a pissing match

I love pissing matches, and yes I was being sarcastic, diesels are meant more for hauling than gassers.