Test drive

[Swinepartner]

I took a test drive in a 2500HD 6.0 LT yesterday and I was impressed. Interior noise was quiet, engine under acceleration was quiet. It was a little bumpy in the rear end, but it is a 2500 and I think I can adjust the air pressure to help that out. Now the next decision is what trim level to get. I've talked to several campers at camp grounds and they love their 6.0. My camper maxes out at 9250, and I only camp about 8 times a year, so I'm thinking the gasser is the way to go. I loved the big mirrors!! Awesome field of view from the drivers seat.

[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Ya stick with the 6.0, you don't need the Duramax. You could also get away with the 1500 with the 6.2 and max tow since you only tow it 8 times a year, but if you feel more comfortable with a 2500 then that would be fine, I just wouldn't suggest a Duramax since you don't need it. I know some people will try to talk you into it, but I'm one of those people that don't feel the need to pay more just so I can say I have a diesel when I don't need one. Now if you tow that camper weekly then it would be a toss up between the gasser and diesel. Just compare the trim levels of what you'd want and go from there.

[DBTravelers]

Swinepartner what have you been pulling the camper with? The 2500 will be fine with the 6.0 if, like you said, you are only pulling it a few times a year and not very far. I had a 2016 5.3 Sierra 1500 with tow package and pulled our 8500# trailer from Texas out west and up to Oregon, then back down through Wyoming, CO, and home. About 5600 miles with no issues; I had put a high performance dual exhaust plus a K&N cold air package on it which helped at altitudes over 8,000 feet. If you are sure you aren't going to trade up to a larger trailer like a 5th wheel, then I am sure you will be fine. IF you think there is a possibility of trading up on the RV, then go with the diesel. I had to trade my 2013 in last month for a new 3500HD Diesel dually because we are trading our 2 year old 35' travel trailer for a 5th wheel come first of the year. Just got a truck that lets me tow whatever the $%^& I want to tow without issue.

 

[SouthpawHD]

I agree with posters above. However, I would add this about looking at 1500 - How big is your family? How much gear, firewood, etc. do you carry?

 

A 1500 max tow can certainly tow the TT, no problems. But depending on how you answer the above questions, you could run out of payload. I have a larger family, and with a high tongue weight of my TT, my total payload was pushing 1700-1800+ pounds. And with my 2,000 available payload on my max tow, I felt I was getting a little close (and the fact that the kids are getting bigger, need more stuff, they want to bring bikes, etc.), there was very little room for growth. So I traded for a 2500.

 

All things to consider, and if someone would told me all that, I would have saved a lot of time and I would purchased just one 2500 instead a few 1500s along the way.

[Swinepartner]

DB, I'm pulling it w/ a 2012 burb w/ the towing package. It pulls it now, but I want something that handles it a little better. I haven't weighed it yet, but my gut tells me I'm close. I have a family of four and we want to add items such as a fire pit/wood and bikes and that stud will just put me over. Thanks for the advice and I'm feeling better about this gasser.