2016 Max Trailering 5.3 vs 2006 2500HD 6.0 - 1st Hand

Grouse · October 21, 2016

This is my 1st post. But I did plenty of research on here before deciding to buy my 2016 Sierra.

Bottom Line: 2016 1500 5.3 3.42 8sp Sierra with the Max Trailering Package tows my 8,500 lb boat/trailer combo better than my old 2006 2500HD 6.0 4.10

The 8 speed is great for towing and seems to have a "sweet spot" at any speed for towing. This truck is better at pulling in every aspect hands down. The only down sides are it sags a bit more in the rear due to less payload and the brakes aren't as good, however this is not a problem since my trailer has great brakes.

I drive my truck as a daily driver and I was sick and tired of the 11mpg of my 2006 2500HD ext. cab 4x4 6.0 with 4.10 gears. Not only does my new truck tow better, it gets 19-20mpg around town. The new truck has truly been a win win for me. Please let me know if you have any questions and I would be happy to answer them. Anyone on the fence between a 2500 and a 1500 should really consider the 1500 Max Trailering Package.

Waaazooo · October 21, 2016

I'm considering trading my 16 LT 1500 for a 2500 of the same year. I keep doing this payload calculation because I can't tow the trailer and pack my family in the truck. So if we want to camp at a no facility campsite like national Forrest you have to truck in supplies... unless we take 2 vehicles, we are overloaded. Family of 5 and 2 dogs....

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Grouse · October 21, 2016

Thats a valid point, but if the 2500 will be your daily driver I believe you may regret your decision. If you can get by with a 1500 it is my opinion that you will be better served all around with the 1500. I was never happy with the 2500. They ride rough, get considerably less gas mileage, and cost more to repair.

While driving my old 2500 I started to believe more and more that a 2500 has no business driving down the road unless it is either pulling a trailer or hauling a large load.

gmcleer · October 21, 2016

I too have been cutting it close when it comes to payload and pulling my camper with the family. I am still on the fence about a 1500 NHT vs a 2500. My current lease is up in a few months.

Waaazooo · October 21, 2016

Thats a valid point, but if the 2500 will be your daily driver I believe you may regret your decision. If you can get by with a 1500 it is my opinion that you will be better served all around with the 1500. I was never happy with the 2500. They ride rough, get considerably less gas mileage, and cost more to repair.

While driving my old 2500 I started to believe more and more that a 2500 has no business driving down the road unless it is either pulling a trailer or hauling a large load.

Good point and I'll take that in consideration. Because I do drive 38 miles round trip per day.

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sdeeter19555 · October 22, 2016

Good point and I'll take that in consideration. Because I do drive 38 miles round trip per day.

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I drive 100 miles round trip a day, and you couldn't give me a 1500. The ride is not that bad, at least not as bad as some would leave you to believe. I'm in a 2017 1500 rental right now and hate it...

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CRApex · October 22, 2016

I just traded in my 2015 HD 3500 SRW DMax for my 2016 Denali 6.2 (10000 miles on the Denali 1500 now). IN MY OPINION...there is a HUGE difference in the ride especially from a daily driver perspective. I would say that if you don't tow frequently and when you do you need to sacrifice a bit of capability (keeping the truck within its rating) then buy the 1500. I would rather deal with working a 1500 a bit harder than an HD in the infrequent times its challenged than dealing with a harsher ride the majority of the time it's used as a daily driver. There IS a noticeable difference in ride quality and mileage.

On the flip side if your towing fairly heavy frequently, the HD is a no brainer..

The HD's drive nice for what they are and the DMax is awesome, they just get a bit tiresome as daily drivers. This is just my opinion, no need to debate me. If I absolutely had to have an HD, I'd go with the Duramax. I've had the 6.0 and it's fine but just doesn't drive as nice nor is it anywhere near as fun to drive as the Duramax...Again IMO

KARNUT · October 22, 2016

I drove diesels for one-3/4 tons for 30 years. I needed them for pulling and carrying parts. My equipment got to heavy so I farmed out the hauls and started driving 1/2 tons for light hauling for the next 10 years. Retirement came and I got out of a pickup as fast as I could and bought a mid sized SUV. It's faster, drives better, better fuel mileage, easier to park and cheaper. I keep a older pickup around if I need it. I can't figure out why any one would drive a pickup just as a DD, just my opinion.

Donstar · October 22, 2016

I drove diesels for one-3/4 tons for 30 years. I needed them for pulling and carrying parts. My equipment got to heavy so I farmed out the hauls and started driving 1/2 tons for light hauling for the next 10 years. Retirement came and I got out of a pickup as fast as I could and bought a mid sized SUV. It's faster, drives better, better fuel mileage, easier to park and cheaper. I keep a older pickup around if I need it. I can't figure out why any one would drive a pickup just as a DD, just my opinion.

It is funny how we are all different. My wife thought for sure that after 45 years of having a pickup as my DD I would embrace the advantages of a smaller SUV type vehicle. I've always been fine with the parking and ride comfort of a pickup but until last year was getting annoyed at my fuel expenses. This changed with the new engines and now I absolutely love using my cc std box 4x4 as my main form of transportation! (I would consider a Suburban or Yukon XL if pricing was better!)

gmcleer · October 22, 2016

I just looked at a 2017 Max tow SLE Sierra and the payload was only 266# more than my 2104 Silverado LT. I may just buy out my lease or go for a 2500. My truck is looking better by the minute!!

sdeeter19555 · October 22, 2016

It is funny how we are all different. My wife thought for sure that after 45 years of having a pickup as my DD I would embrace the advantages of a smaller SUV type vehicle. I've always been fine with the parking and ride comfort of a pickup but until last year was getting annoyed at my fuel expenses. This changed with the new engines and now I absolutely love using my cc std box 4x4 as my main form of transportation! (I would consider a Suburban or Yukon XL if pricing was better!)

My wife and I use our 2500 as our primary transportation for anything but a short trip to the store, and have a small SUV for her to bebop back and forth to work. We like the size, the room, the visibility, and overall comfort. Even my wife likes taking the truck versus any other option. We have been from one side of this country to the other towing/hauling/unloaded/vacationing, and have no regrets. The only downside is parking such a behemoth in a small beach town or similar.

I've owned 2500s for nearly 25 years, before they were concerned at all with creature comfort...and I could never go back to a 1500 even for a grocery getter. In my opinion, if you're at limits with the 1500 (regardless of how much better the power is), the 2500 will feel better towing the same weight (and may possibly be slightly safer doing it at the same time, debatable). For me, I'd rather have that benefit of towing and hauling, versus a cushy ride; but I also use my truck pretty hard (firewood, trailers, etc.), not that other don't, but a 1500 would not do what I need to do.

I have 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 rental right now (had 300 miles on it when I picked it up). It's not a bad truck, runs good, trans works well, 4wd seems to work well; but I hate the cushy ride, low ride height, and p-rated tires. It's not a bad truck, but I wouldn't want to own it. Especially for what I am using it for...

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SouthpawHD · October 23, 2016

I'm considering trading my 16 LT 1500 for a 2500 of the same year. I keep doing this payload calculation because I can't tow the trailer and pack my family in the truck. So if we want to camp at a no facility campsite like national Forrest you have to truck in supplies... unless we take 2 vehicles, we are overloaded. Family of 5 and 2 dogs....

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I was in the same situation, I went to a max tow and still wasn't comfortable with the setup and payload. So I now have a 2500 and my towing experience is soooo much nicer pulling my TT. Yep, fuel mileage isn't that great, but it is what it is.

As for overall fuel mileage for the 6.0L, I can get 12-14 MPG with city and light highway use (under 65 MPH). Short trips or horrible for fuel mileage. Interstate driving isn't it's forte either.

For those comparing the 6.0L to the 6.2L, considering the additional price for premium, there is virtually no difference in overall cost of fuel when comparing the two.

djxn40 · October 23, 2016

I traded in a 2001 2500 HD that I had been pulling a very heavy camper with. I was so worried since I had never pulled it with a 1500. It pulled that trailer better than my 2500 HD I also had trailer brakes. Like you said the sag was bad. I added leaf helpers and now no sagging. Now it's a straight up beast !

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jagabom (Esquire) · October 23, 2016

Nice transmission line sdeeter19555. I used to work in the industry. Lineman for 20 years and in a power system control center for 20 years in Manitoba Canada. What around 500kV?

JIm