1500 6.2L OR 2500HD 6.0L (2013)

[Nitro375]

Having gone both routes, and based on past experience I would go, and have gone with the heavier truck. Mine does everything I have asked plus more that was unexpected, doesn't work as hard either. 6.0 with 4:10's gets the job done.

[MN07MAX6]

i have a 3/4ton and use it as a daily driver, and also had a 2001 3/4ton suburban. I would say that the ride has never been bad or rough in any way. It is stiffer than a 1/2ton, but I would say it is not nearly a rough as others say it is. Also you have to remember all the other stuff that makes the 3/4ton stronger. the frame, brakes,cooling system, transmission, 10.5 FF rear diff etc. Overall the main reason i bought a 3/4ton over a 1/2 ton, or heavy 1/2ton is the simple fact that its always nice to have more truck, than needed. granted the only downfall is the gas mileage. I get 12-14 city and 16+hwy. Not great numbers but, my truck has never let me down. good luck

 

I have swapped trucks with someone who has a 2009 2500HD 6.0 for a week long trial. I have found city driving to be 10 mpg. He normally gets 16-17 mpg (60-62 mph) and 14 (80 mph interstate), very similar to your experience. This is about 2 mpg less than the 6.0 MAX under same conditions. We each found the ride to be different with the HD being slightly more "rough" in city driving but quite tolerable.

[MN07MAX6]

Having gone both routes, and based on past experience I would go, and have gone with the heavier truck. Mine does everything I have asked plus more that was unexpected, doesn't work as hard either. 6.0 with 4:10's gets the job done.

 

 

Nitro, What is your typical mileage with the 4:10's in the 6.0L? Previous experience with 2001 8.1 Allison w/ 4:10's on the farm was that mileage dropped, but that engine was a gas hog as well.

[kstruckcountry]

2500's are nice. I'm used to the ride, I'm usually in Dodge and Ford one tons for work though. I like the looks of the new HD sierras a lot. Either one will work for you, but it seems that an 3/4 ton always works better for towing than a 1/2 ton. I have pulled the boat with the '97 Chevy 5.7 with 3.73's and with my '06 5.3 with 3.73's, and they get about the same mileage pulling. But unhook the trailer, and the mileage goes way up on the half ton. I think for a DD a 6.2 would be the best. I'd love to have one.

[SWDoodle]

The 6.2 will be on the next generation hd's

 

 

Ryan

 

 

That's news to me. Everything I'm hearing is the 6.0 is the platform. I would highly doubt they would put the current 6.2 in an HD. Maybe a cast iron 6.2. I wish they would consider a 7.0L DI 8-speed auto.

[David_L6]

The 6.2 will be on the next generation hd's

 

 

Ryan

 

 

Meaning the 2014? If so, I'll be getting a new truck when they come out! I was going to buy a 3/4 ton this time but went for the bigger engine instead.

 

The 6.2 will be on the next generation hd's

 

 

Ryan

 

 

That's news to me. Everything I'm hearing is the 6.0 is the platform. I would highly doubt they would put the current 6.2 in an HD. Maybe a cast iron 6.2. I wish they would consider a 7.0L DI 8-speed auto.

 

 

Yeah, a 7 liter in a 3/4 ton would be sweet.

[Prokopchuk_9]

For what your towing 1/2 ton with some air bags. Do you just fine, plus the 6.2 is a hot rod!!!

[crazydog]

I went from the 1/2 ton (after replacing the transmission) to a 3/4 ton. Most recent trade in, dealer tried to get me to take the "vortec" 1/2 ton . . . said it would tow what I needed and save me gas and a bit in the purchase price as well. Well, I ended up getting another 3/4 ton. Ultimately, the gas savings wouldn't be a whole heck of a lot if you averaged it out over a year and I don't think the purchase price was all that much higher after discounts either. And, while I mostly haul one horse at a time, I'd feel like maybe I shouldn't put 2 more in there even though it was rated to pull them, because it would put the truck up to its max weight . . . I much prefer having the extra power whenever I need it--better to be over powered than under powered, I say!! Also, like someone said--it's not just the power, it's also that everything else is heavy duty too, so all that much better for hauling.

And drive-wise? Well, this vehicle is my daily commute--no problems, I love it. Feel safe, comfortable, powerful. Granted, I do like to take my dad's old 1/2 ton for a spin once in a while . .hahahaa! But, no, I love my big truck!

[paoutlaw]

My experience tells me that in the future you will be buying a bigger camper with that many car seats. for kids and kids friends that may come along. i would get the bigger truck. ask me how I know it happened to me and i am not knocking the nht truck at all if it was just me that's what i would have. i have heard in the rumor mill that the 6.2 is coming in to the 3/4 ton stuff in the future. hope this helps.

[music]

Regarding ride, the two aren't horribly different for the driver... but there's a huge difference for rear passengers. The HD's ride like a tank, and bounce the rear pretty hard. I recently had to ride as a passenger for a half day, and it was pretty rough.

 

I'm in the exact boat as the OP, and have looked at both numerous times. The HD/6.0 trucks are *way* more truck for the money, but they're not a good daily driver imho. They also don't fit into a 20 ft deep garage, if that matters. The NHT does get the hybrid axle, but it's nothing at all like the 14 bolt GM Corporate that goes into the HD's. It has the same vertical load rating as a standard 1500 (semi float 6 lug), but gets the non-HD 9.5" center carrier. There's a lot more that's different on the HD too (frame, brake design, cooling/radiator, etc.). Carrying capacity (payload) is roughly double the 1500.

 

In a nutshell, the 2500HD is going to handle the load better and safer, but the 1500 is going to be the better daily driver. Since the OP only tows a few hundred miles per year, the 1500 makes the most sense imho---assuming, of course, that the 1500 can handle the payload and tongue weight. I doubt you'll get the NHT price dfference when it comes time to sell (vs a 5.3L version), but the HD will hold it's value. It's *very* hard to find one-owner, non-commercial HD's.

[crazydog]

What the last poster said about the HD's holding their values is also very true. I have owned, most recently, a 2008, 2010 and now a 2013 HD. I got excellent trade in dollars on the 08 and the 10 (2 years later, then 2.5 years later for the 10). My trucks are always babied and in pristine condition and are one-driver. The 2008 sold from the dealer the same week I traded it in. The 2010 took 2 weeks to sell again!! My dealer is pretty happy to see my trucks come back in when he knows they'll sell that fast plus he's selling me a new one . .. . ..

[Wintersun]

I would go with the 2500HD to get the better braking and stiffer frame and regardless of the model get the tow brake controller option for the truck. With the 2500HD having the 4.10 rear end instead of the 3.73 increases the tow capacity with the gas engine by 25%. Download the GM brochure and check the figures.

 

The stock 2500HD is a truly heavy duty truck and is excellent in stock form (other than the option package for towing). This is a good time to buy a 2012 model year truck at a dealer as they would prefer to have 2013 trucks on their lots going into the new year. There are likely to be manufacturer incentives and rebates for the 2012 trucks coming up in the next couple months which will lower the purchase price by $3-5K.

[Prokopchuk_9]

If he's only towing few hun miles a year why would you buy the tank???? Unrealistic. 2500hd is nice but for a DD the 1500 with 6.2 is waaay better.

[Nitro375]

Having gone both routes, and based on past experience I would go, and have gone with the heavier truck. Mine does everything I have asked plus more that was unexpected, doesn't work as hard either. 6.0 with 4:10's gets the job done.

 

 

Nitro, What is your typical mileage with the 4:10's in the 6.0L? Previous experience with 2001 8.1 Allison w/ 4:10's on the farm was that mileage dropped, but that engine was a gas hog as well.

 

Highway I average right at 15 or 14 depending on conditions, around town I get 12.

[tolson429]

I had a 2013 1500 NHT with the 6.2 on order. the order was placed 12 weeks ago, nothing was happening.

 

Saturday bought a 2012 2500HD 6.0. With the 4.10 rears can pull a 13000 Travel trailer, and has a payload of 2912LBS.

 

I for one like those margins for safety purposes. A heavier truck will be a little more stable in the mountain winds while towing.