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gas w/gears or deisel

Ray Kowalsky

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Ray Kowalsky New Member

Ray Kowalsky

Posted
Posted

here's my dilemma. I have a 2008 2500 HD w/ 6.0 gas motor. It doesnt have enough power to pull my 15000 lb 5th wheel up steep hills. It has 3:73 gears in diff. Do I spend 1800.00 to switch to 4:56 gears or trade up to a duramax?

TAZ DEVIL Enthusiast

TAZ DEVIL

Posted
Posted

Yeah, I agree with KZ4. HD 6L is a good truck (I've got one, but with 410's), With the choice your thinking, go diesel.

... Or leave it, and run it.

Cowpie Senior Enthusiast

Cowpie

Posted
Posted

That kind of weight, diesel would be the better investment of your money.

4bycamper Enthusiast

4bycamper

Posted
Posted

Diesel upgrade takes deeper pockets. Maybe you're good with that. Google it.

4.56 gears is a big step. They sing.

We have 4.10 gears, no singing. 2500 hd, 10.5x31 tires. Pulls well.

You didn't say how big tires you want to run.

Ray Kowalsky New Member

Ray Kowalsky

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the input guys, I heard the message loud and clear. Went out today and bought a 2016 chev. 3500 dually, 6.7 /allison .its awsome. So is my wife by the way for going along with it. I'll install my 5th wheel hitch this week. BTW I'm new on this site also. From TN . Long time chev/gmc owner.

Wintersun Enthusiast

Wintersun

Posted
Posted

You gain in two important areas with a diesel 2500HD truck over your current gas powered one. First is in the power to maintain speed up a grade and to be able to pass more quickly. Second is grade control with the exhaust braking of the diesel engine teamed with the Allison transmission and it works very well.

 

I have dropped thousands of feet with a 4000 lb. load in my truck and on twisty mountain roads and the grade control working with the exhaust brake kept the speed down without my having to touch the brakes. The newer trucks (post 2011) have a new brake controller that can be adjusted to coordinate the truck braking with the trailer brakes if you have electronically activated brakes.

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