1500 Vs. 2500 6.2l Vs. 6.6l

BlueZ01 · June 13, 2011

Getting ready to buy me a new truck have a 28 foot camper trailer I tow and would like to get the 2500 HD. But just wondering how the 6.2 in the 1500 pulls. Any one have the 6.2 that can shed some light on the subject.

pwall · June 13, 2011

What's the GVWR of the trailer ?

Stevens03 · June 14, 2011

Yeah, the weight of the trailer plays a key in it.

Fobroader · June 14, 2011

If you can swing a diesel and you tow enough, go diesel. If you only tow the trailer a few times a summer, than a 6.2 should be fine. Like the guys above GVW of the trailer is very important.

markw8 · June 14, 2011

FWIW I have a slide-in camper. On my previous 2000, 2500 6.0 the fully loaded weight with two people was 9800#s. The camper 3500+ loaded. It was good 80% of the time. At times it would hold in overdrive, had to use 3rd. I averaged 10 MPG.

I now have an 08 CCLB D/A 3500 dually. The combo weighs 11,600#s, with two people and dog. I average 12+ MPG. It will virtually never drop below 5th gear. With the gas motor I had to constantly watch the hills, manually downshift, cut the cruise off etc. With the D-max I put it in drive and go.

If the money isn't a problem, get the deisel. Of the two gassers, I would go with the 6.0 if the 6.2 has an aluminum block.

Mark

ILH · June 14, 2011

FWIW I have a slide-in camper. On my previous 2000, 2500 6.0 the fully loaded weight with two people was 9800#s. The camper 3500+ loaded. It was good 80% of the time. At times it would hold in overdrive, had to use 3rd. I averaged 10 MPG.

I now have an 08 CCLB D/A 3500 dually. The combo weighs 11,600#s, with two people and dog. I average 12+ MPG. It will virtually never drop below 5th gear. With the gas motor I had to constantly watch the hills, manually downshift, cut the cruise off etc. With the D-max I put it in drive and go.

If the money isn't a problem, get the deisel. Of the two gassers, I would go with the 6.0 if the 6.2 has an aluminum block.

Mark

I agree with Mark. For the last two season's I've pulled a 29' travel trailer with a suburban (5.3 engine). It was a dog on anything other than a straight road. I had to constantly monitor the road for hills, etc. It wasn't fun - and I got 9.5mpg.

I just got my new HD Diesel in May and ony had one short trip with the trailer so far - absolutely love it. The engine wasn't straining at all - even on hills! I didn't notice it downshift even once. On the first trip, I got 14 mpg - but expect it to get better as I monitor gas consumption more closely.

As the group says, it all depends on whether you can afford the extra cost - but you won't regret it if you can swing it.

ILH · June 14, 2011

Forgot to mention - got two big trips coming up... I'll let the group know how it goes when I get back. For the first time in three years, I'm looking forward to the drive!

jro909 · June 16, 2011

diesel, plus the extra bronze of a 2500 or 3500 will make your trips safer and alot easier on wear and tear...the 1500 with the max towing and 6.2 is good but anyway you cut it its still a 1500

to me the 6.2 is a cool motor but if i was investing in a motor of that caliber i'd want it to be in a heavier truck, its like the 5.3 in the collys whats the point? the trucks still going to sag like an old man's nuts when you put a good load in it, so your paying the extra cost for the motor and fuel for a little more power under the hood with the same capacity as a normal colly with the inline 5..whoopy..just my tow cents

temmert1 · June 16, 2011

Getting ready to buy me a new truck have a 28 foot camper trailer I tow and would like to get the 2500 HD. But just wondering how the 6.2 in the 1500 pulls. Any one have the 6.2 that can shed some light on the subject.

I tow a 31 FT TT with a slide with my 2010 Sierra 6.2L. Sure the 6.2 pull much better than the 5.3 but Im sure nothing like a diesel would. I added Firestone ride rite airbags. They made a world of difference. No more sag or bounce and that is with only 14lbs of air in them.......I contiplated this same thing last June when I bought mine.......Dont regret what I bought....

SWDoodle · June 16, 2011

Getting ready to buy me a new truck have a 28 foot camper trailer I tow and would like to get the 2500 HD. But just wondering how the 6.2 in the 1500 pulls. Any one have the 6.2 that can shed some light on the subject.

Have to know the GVWR of the trailer. I'm assuming it's pretty high if it's a 28' trailer. The 6.2L will handle the power requirements of towing, but as others have mentioned, there is much more to it than that. An HD pickup will be much more stable, has bigger brakes, and the drivetrain is much stouter compared to a 1500 platform. If you are towing a few times a year on relatively short trips, a 1500 will probably be fine. If you tow regularly or go across country I wouldn't consider anything but a 2500. You shouldn't overlook a 2500HD with the new 6.0. It doesn't have as much "power" at the 6.2, but it's an HD engine that is designed for work use. If you get one with the 4.10 gears combined with the 6-speed auto and that may be what you really need. The newer 6.0's don't get as bad of mileage as the older ones with the 4L80E's like I had. Honestly my 6.6 is only getting on average 1.5-2.0 mpg better than my old 6.0. But the 6.6 will tow anything I put behind it in OD. The 6.0 spent most of it's time in 2nd and 3rd gear towing heavy loads. But I've been known to far exceed the GVWR of the pickup. It's going to be a big jump from a 1500 6.2 to a 2500 6.6 in regards to price. Something to consider as well. I imagine a 2500 6.0 would be close to the same price as a 1500 6.2?

ILH · June 16, 2011

Getting ready to buy me a new truck have a 28 foot camper trailer I tow and would like to get the 2500 HD. But just wondering how the 6.2 in the 1500 pulls. Any one have the 6.2 that can shed some light on the subject.

I tow a 31 FT TT with a slide with my 2010 Sierra 6.2L. Sure the 6.2 pull much better than the 5.3 but Im sure nothing like a diesel would. I added Firestone ride rite airbags. They made a world of difference. No more sag or bounce and that is with only 14lbs of air in them.......I contiplated this same thing last June when I bought mine.......Dont regret what I bought....

If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up paying for the air bags? I'm contemplating them - but my wife is giving me the stink-eye.

temmert1 · June 16, 2011

Getting ready to buy me a new truck have a 28 foot camper trailer I tow and would like to get the 2500 HD. But just wondering how the 6.2 in the 1500 pulls. Any one have the 6.2 that can shed some light on the subject.

I tow a 31 FT TT with a slide with my 2010 Sierra 6.2L. Sure the 6.2 pull much better than the 5.3 but Im sure nothing like a diesel would. I added Firestone ride rite airbags. They made a world of difference. No more sag or bounce and that is with only 14lbs of air in them.......I contiplated this same thing last June when I bought mine.......Dont regret what I bought....

If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up paying for the air bags? I'm contemplating them - but my wife is giving me the stink-eye.

I think it was in the $250 range......They are well worth it

Fobroader · June 16, 2011

Getting ready to buy me a new truck have a 28 foot camper trailer I tow and would like to get the 2500 HD. But just wondering how the 6.2 in the 1500 pulls. Any one have the 6.2 that can shed some light on the subject.

I tow a 31 FT TT with a slide with my 2010 Sierra 6.2L. Sure the 6.2 pull much better than the 5.3 but Im sure nothing like a diesel would. I added Firestone ride rite airbags. They made a world of difference. No more sag or bounce and that is with only 14lbs of air in them.......I contiplated this same thing last June when I bought mine.......Dont regret what I bought....

If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up paying for the air bags? I'm contemplating them - but my wife is giving me the stink-eye.

I think it was in the $250 range......They are well worth it

$250 for bags is a great deal. I want some just for stability on winding roads. Plus a neighbor has a great setup, his valves are the top bolts of his rear licence plate, nice and hidden plus they stay clean.