'15 1500 vs '13 2500HD Real Life Comparison

[GRN69CHV]

Been driving the '13 2500HD for few weeks now as a DD.  In addition to local running which averages 50-60 miles/day, I put two nice road trips on it, one Philadelphia, Pa to Newark, NJ, the other Philadelphia, Pa to Pittsburgh, Pa and back.  '15 is a DC, '13 is the Ext Cab.  Cab design of the DC with the center post is far superior, but I guess we already knew that.  Even with the 2500HD frame underneath, I'm surprised at the amount of shudder (??) in the doors (Keep in mind the 2500HD is being driven empty all the time).  Both trucks are LT trim.  At first I thought, ok, power in the 2500HD isn't bad, it's not what I expected given that it has a 6.0 Vortec and 3.73 gears, but not bad considering the 6300# curb weight.  Pulled my '15 1500 out of the garage yesterday, and immediately it was evident how much nicer it is over the '13. Even with 3.08 gears, the 5.3/3.08 combo would spank the 6.0/3.73 combo in a race.  I realize much of that difference is in curb weight, but still surprised.  Road noise, truck noise, interior controls layout, the '15 is far superior.  

[truckguy82]

Yeah when I get in my friends ‘11 avalanche I think “wow I thought this interior used to be so cool, looks like it’s from 1995”

[cgalpha08]

Yea i think one of the biggest advancement in cars is refinement, even in more "basic" things like our trucks.

[aseibel]

I drove up to a jobsite in an open field in my 2015 last week. parked about 20' behind some guys standing in the snow. I got out and said hi and one of them jumped and said, "I didn't hear you pull up".

 

Yeah, these trucks are super smooth and quiet compared to anything older.

[juscuzram]

3 minutes ago, aseibel said:

I drove up to a jobsite in an open field in my 2015 last week. parked about 20' behind some guys standing in the snow. I got out and said hi and one of them jumped and said, "I didn't hear you pull up".

 

Yeah, these trucks are super smooth and quiet compared to anything older.

That's why I did the muffler delete hahaha these things are almost silent!

[i82much]

i drive a 72 k10 and a 65 gto fairly often.  i love them for what they are, but jumping into my 2016 2500HD work truck feels like slipping into a velvet glove by comparison.  just having air conditioning to defog the windows in wintertime is freaking amazing.  good thing i am too cheap for a high country or i might never drive my old junk again!

[garagerog]

1 hour ago, i82much said:

i drive a 72 k10 and a 65 gto fairly often.  i love them for what they are, but jumping into my 2016 2500HD work truck feels like slipping into a velvet glove by comparison.  just having air conditioning to defog the windows in wintertime is freaking amazing.  good thing i am too cheap for a high country or i might never drive my old junk again!

That's ok for the 72 K10, but say it ain't so about your goat! If so and you want to DONATE that goat to a good home, I'll make my wife park her 17 Nox outside so I can park that gto right next to my originally owned 71 Chevelle SS, they would complement one another nicely!

[i82much]

12 minutes ago, garagerog said:

That's ok for the 72 K10, but say it ain't so about your goat! If so and you want to DONATE that goat to a good home, I'll make my wife park her 17 Nox outside so I can park that gto right next to my originally owned 71 Chevelle SS, they would complement one another nicely!

no thank you sir!  i think that is part of the charm of an old car.  when i was a kid, the gto was my daily, and i didn't notice any of the rattles, leaks, drafts, any of that stuff.  now that i am an old guy in my new truck, it seems so sealed up, so quiet, so refined compared to the old stuff.  and my new truck is a base model, i wouldn't be surprised if the higher end trims are even nicer inside.  

 

i wonder how much of the difference noted by the OP is the K2 vs. GMT-900 changes, and how much of it is just one being a 2500HD?  In other words, curious if the OP would have noted similar noise reductions in a 2015 2500HD instead of a 2013.  

[crushNchowda]

All of that difference is in extra weight. There is zero doubt the iron block 6.0 w/ 3.73 gears if transplanted into a '15 1500 truck would stomp on the 5.3/3.08 combo in every aspect other than MPG.

 

The HD's are better built to handle abuse & WORK as a truck, regardless of the powertrain choice though IMO.

[squeak93]

Different brand but a similar comparison. 

 

We sold our 37ft fifth wheel and traded out of my 15 Ram CC 2500 diesel a few weeks back.  It was a tradesman trim level but was really nice for a "work truck".  Had carpet, nicer radio etc.  Got 23-25 mpg on the hwy and 12-14 when pulling 12k+ at 70 mph.  No complaints, it did what it needed to do. 

 

I bought a slightly used 15 cc TX edition 1500.  5.3 w/3.42 gears 4x4 etc.  Its amazing how much more refined the half ton is compared to the diesel.  Yes I know they are totally different platforms and made for totally different purposes (hence why I traded once I got rid of the need to tow heavy).  

 

This is also my first Chevy truck since I owned an 02 2500 ext cab 6.0 4x4 truck about 6 years ago.  I've owned three 10+ fords in that time period as well.  (I trade to often lol).  I loved that truck but this thing beats it in every category from a creature comfort aspect.  

 

 

[GRN69CHV]

I have ridden in a client's '16 2500HD crew duramax 4x4 LTZ (nice truck!!).  While not as quiet as my 1500 gas (you got a little duramax rumble), it was still much quieter and tighter than the '13 2500HD.  Point being, back to back with some real road miles you can really tell the difference in the new bodies.