Picked up a 2016 wt

i82much · January 23, 2017

Traded my 2013 Wrangler Unlimited in on a 2016 gasser crew 2500HD 4x4 work truck the other day. Crazy the resale on the Jeep, I paid 35.5 for it new and got 30 for it with 45k miles on it, chipped paint, chipped hardtop, stained seats, and dog hair everywhere.

Got the new truck for 35k after rebates, MSRP was almost 44. So I gave them 6k total (1k taxes and tags) and walked out with a new truck. Not many options but it has the convenience package, trailer equipment, big mirrors, and LED bed lighting. Going to put a cap on it for our two dogs and use it as the family truckster.

Anybody know anything about these L96 6.0 vortec engines? Seems to have plenty of power for my needs. My reading so far indicates they are very reliable gas hogs, no AFM, etc. I have a short commute so going to use it as a daily, but I like that it gives me the ability to step up to a much bigger travel trailer.

- Clark W. Griswold

Cowpie · January 23, 2017

Great buy! The 6.0 is indeed a killer engine. Probably the most reliable, long lasting engine in the GM stable right now. Not uncommon for them to break 300,000 miles without a major repair, even in less than caring commercial use. Rock solid engine.

MPG is relative. It centers around mostly how it is driven. My 2015 2500 6.0, it has a lifetime mpg of just under 14 mpg and it has gotten in the 17-18 mpg range on several road trips. Of course, not towing. But the lifetime average is for everything... hauling, towing (not very often), lots and lots of rural gravel roads, highway, everything. So the mpg can be tolerable if driven right.

And the 6.0L in the 2500 won the Ike Gauntlet pull test for gasser 3/4 tons in 2015. That was pulling 13,000 lb of trailer and stuff in the bed to make the gross around 20,500 lb, and pulling it up the hill to the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 in Colorado. Yeah, it is capable, especially for my needs. I tow up to 12,000 lb, but all of my towing is in rolling hills, rural roads of Iowa and hardly beyond 50 miles from the house. I mostly haul in the bed, and many times 2000 lb or more. It acts like there is nothing back there.

i82much · January 23, 2017

Did you see an improvement in mpg after break-in? Right now, I have about 250 miles on the truck and I am sitting at 12.2. But that is incredibly unfair, I have a short commute in town, have been in 4x4 almost the whole time, stopping at the coffee shop with the engine running, etc.

Yeah this is the second time I've done this, waited for the outgoing model year and got a cheap one with a bunch of rebates. I will never top my 2007 Silverado Classic, I bought a 4x4, regular cab 1500 work truck with stick shift, manual windows, 4x4, for 15k after a bunch of rebates, including the GM card. That truck made me love work trucks, I never had a problem for 80k miles and it got me everywhere I wanted to go on the gnarly forest roads of north Idaho.

Wife, kid, two big dogs and another kid on the way, well ... a four door wrangler ain't going to cut it, much less a regular cab work truck!

SouthpawHD · January 23, 2017

Sorry, but I doubt your fuel mileage will improve with your short trips. These things are horrible with short trips. I take short trips, and I am getting around 9-10MPG, in winter, with several minutes of engine warm-ups (idling). But remove the mediocre fuel mileage and these things are great trucks with a proven motor and trans combo.

Congrats on your new truck.

i82much · January 23, 2017

Sorry, but I doubt your fuel mileage will improve with your short trips. These things are horrible with short trips. I take short trips, and I am getting around 9-10MPG, in winter, with several minutes of engine warm-ups (idling). But remove the mediocre fuel mileage and these things are great trucks with a proven motor and trans combo.

Congrats on your new truck.

Sure, I hear ya. Honestly, bad gas mileage with short trips doesn't kill you too bad, because you aren't going that far anyway. My Wrangler 4 door was getting about 14 with my usage, although that one had a remote start too. If my gas mileage is only 10 or 20% worse than the Jeep, I am fine with that.

Really what I want is to drive for five years and not have to go back to the dealer for any warranty work. The Jeep was fun, but I spent too much time (not so much money) going back for warranty work. My 2007 Silverado never so much as hiccuped on me, and I am hoping for the same out of this one.

Silverado4x4 · January 24, 2017

Thats all I ever buy is Work trucks as I dont need all the fancy bells and whistles in a truck. I have ac,power windows and locks, fm stereo, cruise hell I dont even use the tilt wheel and a manual transfer case with the good ol floor shifter, I don't like the turn the knob to engage transfer case system. Thats all I need in a truck.

07Serria · January 24, 2017

Great buy, the 2500 6.0 is a true beast!

Cowpie · January 24, 2017

Define short trips. Most of my stuff I do with my 2500 is within 15-20 miles of the house, lifetime average is a hair under 14 mpg. most of those trips is to use the pickup for more than transportation. Rare for it not to be hauling parts, oil, building materials, etc. and it is the primary snow plow for my needs.

i82much · January 24, 2017

Define short trips. Most of my stuff I do with my 2500 is within 15-20 miles of the house, lifetime average is a hair under 14 mpg. most of those trips is to use the pickup for more than transportation. Rare for it not to be hauling parts, oil, building materials, etc. and it is the primary snow plow for my needs.

6.4 miles from home to work. Usually 3 or 4 stop signs and 3 or four red lights on the way in and a stop at the local coffee shop.

Although I will say that I took a few longer drives the first few days I had the truck, and the display has dropped below 12 now. That's not overly surprising or concerning for me. If I can get 15 on the highway whenever I do take a long trip, I am fine with it.