Newbie Here...choosing A New Truck

[afflicted4]

Hi all,

 

newbie here about to buy a new 2500 LT truck? I have settled on a GM truck 2500 as I need to tow a 30ft trailer. So looking at 4.10 axle ratio.

However, I do not know 'which truck is better'.

 

it will be used for towing maybe 3 weeks a year during the summer, rest of the time it will be a city truck so to speak.

 

So I guess I am looking for better mileage of the two (if possible).

 

I guess I am just looking for a tie breaker and I joined this forum as you guys are real world users

 

Thanks

[BlackSilver]

Which two trucks are you asking us to compare?

 

If it's a Chev vs. a GMC, pick the one with the front grille work that you like the best, because other than that they are exactly the same machine.

 

If you're asking gas vs diesel, the diesel will be more fuel economic, but there is a high startup price to pay for that. I normally don't recommend diesels except for those whose truck does serious work for a living.

 

I guess we need more info about "which two".

[afflicted4]

oops I meant Silverado 2500 vs Sierra 2500 gas

So they have exactly the same fuel mileage towing or non-towing?

[JRLZ71]

GMC ftw!!!

[Silverado4x4]

oops I meant Silverado 2500 vs Sierra 2500 gas

So they have exactly the same fuel mileage towing or non-towing?

 

Yes.

[BlackSilver]

oops I meant Silverado 2500 vs Sierra 2500 gas

So they have exactly the same fuel mileage towing or non-towing?

 

 

They are precisely the same vehicle, except for different front clip metal and trim, and some differences in paint choices. Pick the one which "looks nicest" to you, or you can get the best deal on. There will be no difference in fuel mileage for comparable rigs. They are mechanically identical.

[afflicted4]

thank you

out of interest...anyone know the mpg ratings on the truck?

2010 6.0L 4.1 axle

[hodo78]

thank you

out of interest...anyone know the mpg ratings on the truck?

2010 6.0L 4.1 axle

 

 

I would estimate 12-14 unloaded highway with a 2wd. And 10-12 unloaded highway with a 4wd of the same configuration (i.e. shortbox, long box, reg cab, crew cab, ext cab, etc.)

 

I had a 2005 2wd 2500 series reg cab WT with the 6.0 gasser, and brand new unloaded, it would get 14 on the hwy. It was a telephone truck, so you can imagine what it got when all the tool boxes and racks were loaded down with 2,000lbs of gear.

[[email protected]]

Hi all,

 

newbie here about to buy a new 2500 LT truck? I have settled on a GM truck 2500 as I need to tow a 30ft trailer. So looking at 4.10 axle ratio.

However, I do not know 'which truck is better'.

 

it will be used for towing maybe 3 weeks a year during the summer, rest of the time it will be a city truck so to speak.

 

So I guess I am looking for better mileage of the two (if possible).

 

I guess I am just looking for a tie breaker and I joined this forum as you guys are real world users

 

Thanks

 

A new 2011 2500HD will cost -what? - - $46K {yes they will "deal" - call it $42K}

 

Towing a 30' trailer three weeks a year...

2006 2500HD Crew Cab with 49K miles, Durmax Diesel $27,950 {yes cash talks $24K really or less}

 

Driving around town most of the time

2008 2WD Extended Cab Silverado 1500, LT, 6,620 miles $22,988 {yes cash talks $21K really or less}

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dda/deta...mp;cardist=5891

 

So - for $45-$48K you have the RIGHT TRUCK for each different job - plus the depreciation rate is less over the next 3 to 4 years. That is to say that 3 to 4 years from now, they will each have less additional mileage and when resold they will return more of your original payout, than the new 2011 would. You might have a little more insurance premiums...but towing a 30' trailer for three weeks with the Durmax should save a bit on fuel costs.

 

On the other hand driving a 1500 around town is much nicer than driving a 2500 around town.

 

They are TRUCKS for goodness sake.. not one out of 50 people will know the difference between a 2006 or a 2011 truck - as long as they are both shinny ;-).

 

Just an alternative thought.

Carl B.

[Stevens03]

I thought the deepest gear you could get with the 6-speed was 3.73's and you'll see 12-16mpg average. How much weight is the camper? I've pulled a 30' 6500 dry weight camper with my lifted 03. It had the 4-speed and 4.10 gears. Handled it pretty well.

 

But if the trailers going to be over that weight dry, then I would suggest the 2500 just for the easy of pulling. Personally, I don't like to struggle down the road.

 

If you get the new 6.0 6-speed 3.73 you'll be golden

[alaska511]

I have 4.10s. You can get them with the 6 speed

[Stevens03]

I have 4.10s. You can get them with the 6 speed

 

 

What mileage are you seeing? That thing must be a beast

[BlackSilver]

If you get the new 6.0 6-speed 3.73 you'll be golden

 

EXACTLY!

 

4.10's on a truck that only rarely "works" would be a really dumb choice.

 

I once did occasional pulling of a 29-foot 5th wheel with 3.42's and a 5.3l gasser. Spent a lot of time in 3rd gear, and if the pulling was regular that would not have been a good choice, but for a few days here-and-there, it worked.

 

3.73's would indeed be "golden" for this fellow, expecially considering the "majority" use of the truck.

[alaska511]

I have 4.10s. You can get them with the 6 speed

 

 

What mileage are you seeing? That thing must be a beast

 

 

 

13-14 in town...15-17 highway

 

As for Mr Personality who likes calling people dumb, I had intended on putting larger tires on, which I did do. Even with stock tires, I prefer the 4.10s and have had them on all my HDs. I wish I had gotten them on my 1500s too.

[crazydog]

thank you

out of interest...anyone know the mpg ratings on the truck?

2010 6.0L 4.1 axle

I have a Sierra---because they are prettier than the Chevs, hahaa!!--and I get 17 point something. That is, what, km per 100L, I think. And this is on a brand new truck. 2500 and with the 4.10 axle you are looking at. I expect it to get somewhat better as it works--only about 2000 km on it right now. Afraid you'll have to convert that to miles as I don't do math! Oh, and this is my 3rd Sierra, the 2nd HD, and I love them.