Would you take a 6.0 HD over your 1500?

LaserBlueZ71 · June 13, 2016

So I bought my 2015 SLT double cab in November 2015. Me and the fiance have taken some trips recently and each time we have wished for a crew cab, just need more space. In the province I live in, they charge a stupid "luxury" tax. Any vehicle over 55K and they charge you extra tax on it, as if they don't take enough. However, 1 ton 3500's are exempt due to their weight.

I would love a 1500 SLT crew cab, but it goes over the 55K limit. I can get into a fairly loaded up SLE 3500HD crew for less than a 1500 SLT. I would be giving up some options no doubt, but nothing I would likely miss that much.

Trouble is, I am wondering if driving a 6.0 1 ton would get old fast? Do they feel like complete and total gutless pigs? I know it's a big heavy brick, but is the MPG horrible, or just bad?

I never tow, and if I do it's 5,000 pounds or less. I just need more cab space and could use the extra capacity for bed payload every few months.

What do you guys think?

buckwuk · June 13, 2016

I'd stick with a half ton. If you are worried about mileage the 6.0 get around 11ish average. I've seen some people say they've gotten 17 strict highway. My dad has a 2500hd with the 6.0 and his average is 8, but he only tows with it. As far as "gutless pigs", I've only ever driven my dad's, it isn't like a power house when your empty. Not snappy like my half ton is. They are a great motor for heavy loads. pulls the 14k 5th wheel fine. The ride is stiffer empty. Since you rarely tow and when you do a half ton is more than enough and you'll get decent mileage for a daily driver. I'm also debating getting a 3500hd duramax in the future when I get a 5th wheel to go with it.

DanMan_S · June 13, 2016

So I bought my 2015 SLT double cab in November 2015. Me and the fiance have taken some trips recently and each time we have wished for a crew cab, just need more space. In the province I live in, they charge a stupid "luxury" tax. Any vehicle over 55K and they charge you extra tax on it, as if they don't take enough. However, 1 ton 3500's are exempt due to their weight.

I would love a 1500 SLT crew cab, but it goes over the 55K limit. I can get into a fairly loaded up SLE 3500HD crew for less than a 1500 SLT. I would be giving up some options no doubt, but nothing I would likely miss that much.

Trouble is, I am wondering if driving a 6.0 1 ton would get old fast? Do they feel like complete and total gutless pigs? I know it's a big heavy brick, but is the MPG horrible, or just bad?

I never tow, and if I do it's 5,000 pounds or less. I just need more cab space and could use the extra capacity for bed payload every few months.

What do you guys think?

Holy, which province do they do that?!

LaserBlueZ71 · June 13, 2016

Holy, which province do they do that?!

In British Columbia.

Moved here 5 years ago when I met my fiance. Moving here has basically ruined me financially. Once I arrived, I found out BC really stands for "Bring Cash"

I have a maximum discount on my car insurance here, yet it is still $170 PER MONTH. We pay $1.20 per liter for 87 gas right now, when Washington has the SAME FUEL, for 60 - 70 cents a liter. If you ever feel like going broke just for the hell of it, move to British Columbia. The corruption in this Province is insane. Fiance refuses to move anywhere else, she is born and raised here.

I tell you fellas, love will bite you every single time.

Nathan79 · June 13, 2016

If you need a real truck to do real work like towing heavy the 6.0 is great and the HD trucks are night and day different from half tons. But the horror stories on gas mileage are true.

mookdoc6 · June 13, 2016

I have much experience with that engine.....Snappy no? Plenty of Power and louder yes! If there were no such thing as Diesel engine this would be it's equivalent in my experience. They are the most abused engine in the fleet by far and gas mileage in last couple years has gotten better with the engines but they due consume much more than 5.3. If I had to pick one gas engine from any manufacture as my last option to buy the best gas NA engine for durability, towing, efficiency this would be it They are simply bulletproof I have been blown away by those pig engines that never skip a beat and I am serious never.

hurricanoday · June 13, 2016

If you don't tow no way I would ever get a bigger truck. From my test drives and riding in friends 2500 Duramax they ride like crap and I really mean it. I have no idea about a 3500 but I assume they are worse.

For me the 6.0 shouldn't even be an option, either you need a nice 1500 that rides nice and tows when you need it or you need a diesel for out towing a 1500 or towing a lot.

KMGZ400 · June 13, 2016

If you don't tow anything I would not want a 2500.. I wouldn't want a 2500 with a 6.0 either because they aren't fun to drive IMO

crushNchowda · June 13, 2016

If you could get the 6.2 in an HD then I would, but the 6.0 iron block is way too dated and underpowered IMO - it is true that it is a very tried and true engine when it comes to reliability and durability under hard conditions. If that wasn't the case don't you think they'd save $$$ and just stuff a de-tuned AL block 6.2 in there? Or why did they never use the LS2 in the HD? More hp/tq and better mpg.....my guess is that GM doesn't trust their LT/LSx AL block platforms in extreme abuse situations yet...

But still, wouldn't get it

If you want a gasser HD that sucks gas and costs less than $55k get a Ram Powerwagon - you will thank me

Andy Seibel · June 13, 2016

To answer your question, NO. I would not take a HD over my 1500.

Just like you, I only tow a trailer a little bit and I plow my own driveway. My truck has plenty of balls to do what I want. Any more truck and you are just wasting gas and riding on too tight of springs the rest of the time.

You are either going to have to bite the bullet and pay that stupid luxury tax, or buy a traded in model for cheaper. I have the crew cab and it is pretty nice to fit a full size adult back there.

newdude · June 13, 2016

I had an 04 HD, an 06 HD, then went to a 2012 1500 5.3. Guess who went back to the HD...15mpg average vs. 13mpg average from the 2012 1500 to my 2015 HD? I can live with that.

Donstar · June 13, 2016

I wouldn't buy a 2500/3500 as a cost saving measure. There are plenty of deals and incentives to purchase a very nice 1500 crew cab with a 6.5' for less than $55,000. (BTW, I was born and raised in British Columbia and have also lived elsewhere during my adult life. It sounds like the op has had some bad experiences here, but it really is a beautiful place to live!)

SouthpawHD · June 13, 2016

The 6.0L is a gas hog, no doubt! So if you aren't towing or hauling heavy, your cost savings will be chewed up by gas in the long run. And yes, the HD trucks ride like trucks too.

The 6.0L, with the current trans gearing and 4.10 rear, is NO slouch. Not sure why some insist that it is. Yes, it is slower than the 5.3 in a 1500 because the whole truck weighs 1,000 pounds more! And on paper, it does appear to lacking HP and torque compared to some motors. But there is plenty of real world towing experiences that say different, and I am one of them.

gmckenzie · June 13, 2016

Where in BC do you live? I wouldn't want a 1 ton if I was driving around the Lower mainland, but might consider it elsewhere. Having said that, I went from a 01 2500HD diesel to a 2015 1500 and I do like my truck more. I liked the old one but I didn't drive it enough for the diesel on a daily basis. I looked at getting another 2500 with a 6.0L, but this truck will do what I need and is much nicer as a daily driver.

Of course, I haven't towed any real distance with it yet so I might change my mind in a month.