2500hd Owner Needs Help- Keep It Or Swap?

mayab323 · January 10, 2011

Hi, new chick from BC here....bought myself this totally beautiful mint (high mileage) 2500hd truck several months ago and now realizing my bf and I are on the outs....so I dont need to tow his big boat anywhere....I do tow, alot, but I tow 2 sleds, sometimes 3, quads in the summer on my 2 place single axel trailer (not enclosed) so basic towing....! I absolutely love this truck, I have never owned anything so nice with so much power! Now my question, I dont feel I need this much power and honestly am starting to wonder if my gas mileage is bad or are the 1500 5.3 or 5.7 almost as bad? I think im getting about 14-17mpg (in canada Im getting 550-575km per tank) how much of a difference is there, thats my question? do I keep it or at this point swap out for a 1500 either a 5.3 or 5.7....crew cab SLT as well of course? please help, can someone let me know what to do....thx alot. I would be willing to swap , trade, anything at this point for something comparable....??? not sure yet what to do!

palukie · January 10, 2011

I 'd say keep it. I went from a Diesel to a Gasser ( not by choice ) and wish I still had the Diesel.

focijoe · January 11, 2011

I'm assuming you have the 6.0? I would keep it. Why downsize if you don't need to. A little more mileage wouldn't be enough for me to get a 1500.

Stevens03 · January 11, 2011

Chances are you'll loose money on the trade. If you went to a 1500, you'd want nothing less than 3.42' gears with the 6-speed trans, or 3.73 gears with the 4-speed.

Mileage for either will only be a 1-2 mpg better. If thats enough for you, then trade... if not.. I'd keep what you've got since your already so happy with it.

t00gentlewinds · January 11, 2011

Good Evening,

I just upgraded from a 08 Silverado Texas Edition 1500 with the 5.3 and I would keep what you have. I loved my old Silverado but this New 2011 Silverado HD 2500 6.6 pulls my toy hauler camper and my dual axle flatbed biker hauler trailer effortless. The 08 Silverado could pull like a horse but once on the highway during towing the gas mileage was down in the 6-7's. My vote is to keep what you have. Also the 08 Silverado will average about the same gas mileage you are getting right now in the HD.

music · January 11, 2011

Where are you guys getting "about the same" mpg's from? Everything I see on the 2500HD/6.0 puts it a good 4 mpg lower than a 1500/5.3 (except when towing, when they're about the same). The Dmax gets closer, but the new ones are still 2 to 3 mpg lower than a 5.3 (plus urea), unloaded. Seriously, if I could get 1 to 2 mpg less in the 6.0HD... I might be driving one. Nobody I've spoken with or read about gets those numbers. The 1500/6.0 probably does get within a couple mpg, but it's an aluminum block, 800+ lbs lighter, and is tuned for better economy (as it is rated by the EPA).

OP: for what you pull, you definitely don't "need" a HD, and I'm going to bet you're closer to the "14" than "17" range However, you already have it and may find that trading may not save you anything long term. The 2500 is a heavier truck, and rides like it, but I'd run the numbers. If you like how it handles/drives, and parking isn't an issue... I'd keep it.