2020 6.2 Max Tow Initial Impressions

redwngr · April 24, 2020

On 4/17/2020 at 11:31 AM, INTJ said:

While std mirrors were better for my application, it is interesting than towing mirrors wouldn't be part of the tow package. Maybe a Phil Gamboa has started doing mirror swaps on the 2019-2020s.

NHT Max Trailering Package, includes 9.76" rear axle, enhanced cooling radiator, revised shock tuning for increased control, heavier duty rear springs, increased RGAWR and (KW5) 220-amp alternator

But, for 2020 the tow mirrors on 1500's without having to get the Max Tow package.

Depending on trim either

DPO Mirrors, outside power-adjustable vertical trailering with heated upper glass, lower convex mirrors, integrated turn signals, clearance lamps and auxiliary lighting; manual folding/extending

OR

DQS NEW! Mirrors, outside power-adjustable vertical trailering with heated and auto-dimming upper glass, lower convex mirrors, turn signal indicators, puddle lamps, perimeter lighting, auxiliary lighting and memory; power folding/ manual extending

Exception is, on Custom silverado there is a a 'Custom Max Trailering' package that does include tow mirrors.

BD1 Custom Max Trailering Package, includes (DPO) trailering mirrors, (BVT) assist steps, (CGN) Chevytec spray-on bedliner, (GT4) 3.73 axle ratio, (R7O) Cloth Rear Seat with Storage Package, (RIA) All-weather floor liners, LPO, (SIE) Tiered storage, LPO, (S41) Wheelhouse liners, LPO, (VBR) Rubber bed mat, LPO, (VOZ) Tonneau cover, LPO and (5VI) Tie-down, LPO

Tow mirrors were not available on 1500's for MY2019

BigDog88 · April 25, 2020

Finally got to tow with my new 2020 HC 6.2 NHT max tow. Pulled my 31ft TT to branson, mo from KC area. Ive been dying to see how it would tow on the hills betweem Springfield and Branson on Hwy 65. My 2015 suburnan with a 5.3 and 3.42 tow package always did “ok” as long as i was ok with sometimes getting down to 45-50mph towards the end of some the incline pulls. I immediately noticed a differnce in how it towed just leaving the house and the drive down. The 6.2 NHT handled the hills like a champ with power to spare. I never got below 65 (which is speed limit) and didnt have to “pull the guts out of it” to do so. RPMs mostly around 3k on the steep hills and never over 3500. The 10 speed is so slick and i dont miss the hard down shifts for climbs like in my 2015 5.3.

Also if you think you want the tow mirrors for your NHT Max tow or even a non Max tow for pulling a big trailer. Forget it, they are not needed if you have the technology package with all the cameras. This was a feature i was unaware of, in tow mode, when the turning signal is turned on, the camera on the side mirror shows on the infotainment screen all the way down the trailer and more. It has to show everybit as much and more than what a the tow mirrors would show. Really cool feature. I wasnt a fan of the big tow mirrors on a 1500, as it didnt look right to me. Glad i didnt get them as i dont think they are needed.

Good job GM, im loving this truck!

INTJ · April 25, 2020

29 minutes ago, BigDog88 said:

Finally got to tow with my new 2020 HC 6.2 NHT max tow. Pulled my 31ft TT to branson, mo from KC area. Ive been dying to see how it would tow on the hills betweem Springfield and Branson on Hwy 65. My 2015 suburnan with a 5.3 and 3.42 tow package always did “ok” as long as i was ok with sometimes getting down to 45-50mph towards the end of some the incline pulls. I immediately noticed a differnce in how it towed just leaving the house and the drive down. The 6.2 NHT handled the hills like a champ with power to spare. I never got below 65 (which is speed limit) and didnt have to “pull the guts out of it” to do so. RPMs mostly around 3k on the steep hills and never over 3500. The 10 speed is so slick and i dont miss the hard down shifts for climbs like in my 2015 5.3.

Also if you think you want the tow mirrors for your NHT Max tow or even a non Max tow for pulling a big trailer. Forget it, they are not needed if you have the technology package with all the cameras. This was a feature i was unaware of, in tow mode, when the turning signal is turned on, the camera on the side mirror shows on the infotainment screen all the way down the trailer and more. It has to show everybit as much and more than what a the tow mirrors would show. Really cool feature. I wasnt a fan of the big tow mirrors on a 1500, as it didnt look right to me. Glad i didnt get them as i dont think they are needed.

Good job GM, im loving this truck!

How much does your trailer weigh and what kind of mileage did you get?

TRKLGND · April 25, 2020

1 hour ago, BigDog88 said:

Also if you think you want the tow mirrors for your NHT Max tow or even a non Max tow for pulling a big trailer. Forget it, they are not needed if you have the technology package with all the cameras. This was a feature i was unaware of, in tow mode, when the turning signal is turned on, the camera on the side mirror shows on the infotainment screen all the way down the trailer and more. It has to show everybit as much and more than what a the tow mirrors would show. Really cool feature. I wasnt a fan of the big tow mirrors on a 1500, as it didnt look right to me. Glad i didnt get them as i dont think they are needed.

Good job GM, im loving this truck!

Technology package is only available on the LTZ and High Country where it is a $2125 option. Tow mirrors are $400. I have them on my LT Trail Boss.

Colossus · April 25, 2020

2 hours ago, BigDog88 said:

Good job GM, I'm loving this truck!

Isn't it great when you finally find something that works and meets and even exceeds expectations? Good job, GM. You've done well with the 6.2 in terms of performance.

BigDog88 · April 27, 2020

On 4/24/2020 at 9:06 PM, INTJ said:

How much does your trailer weigh and what kind of mileage did you get?

Trailer is 6800 empty but typically around 7200-7500 loaded. I got 8.9 mpg round trip. Running 70 +/- 5. So not to bad, however was hoping for double didgets. Probably could running 65 and not the hills in SW Missouri.

BigDog88 · April 27, 2020

On 4/24/2020 at 10:22 PM, paracutin said:

Technology package is only available on the LTZ and High Country where it is a $2125 option. Tow mirrors are $400. I have them on my LT Trail Boss.

Didn’t know it was only available in those two trims. Yea if you don’t want to spend on those trims, $400 for tow mirrors is a good option. I was really impressed with the camera setup

INTJ · April 27, 2020

12 minutes ago, BigDog88 said:

Trailer is 6800 empty but typically around 7200-7500 loaded. I got 8.9 mpg round trip. Running 70 +/- 5. So not to bad, however was hoping for double didgets. Probably could running 65 and not the hills in SW Missouri.

That is excellent for a gas rig with that heavy of a trailer. Would probably take a 2500 HD Dmax to improve on that.

TRKLGND · April 27, 2020

8 hours ago, BigDog88 said:

Didn’t know it was only available in those two trims. Yea if you don’t want to spend on those trims, $400 for tow mirrors is a good option. I was really impressed with the camera setup

It's not that I didn't want to spend the money... I wanted a Trail Boss. The highest trim it is available in is the LT therefore it wasn't even an option for me. My LT Trail Boss stickered for as much or more than some LTZs I saw. I traded a 2018 LTZ.

BigDog88 · April 27, 2020

10 hours ago, INTJ said:

That is excellent for a gas rig with that heavy of a trailer. Would probably take a 2500 HD Dmax to improve on that.

I was dead set on getting a HD Dmax before buying the 6.2 . But decided the extra $$$$ for the HD Dmax and higher fuel price, and was 0% financing, i could get by with the gas 6.2. I also like to park in my garage, and didnt think the HD would fit. I pull the trailer 8-10 times during the 6 months of camping season so im good with that. However wish it had a bigger gas tank, I feel like im always looking for a gas station.

BigDog88 · April 27, 2020

2 hours ago, paracutin said:

It's not that I didn't want to spend the money... I wanted a Trail Boss. The highest trim it is available in is the LT therefore it wasn't even an option for me. My LT Trail Boss stickered for as much or more than some LTZs I saw. I traded a 2018 LTZ.

I gotcha...sorry for the confusion on that. Those Trail Boss's look sweet.

zelmo · April 27, 2020

On 4/24/2020 at 9:36 PM, BigDog88 said:

Finally got to tow with my new 2020 HC 6.2 NHT max tow.

Just curious - how many miles had you put on the truck before towing?

BigDog88 · April 27, 2020

4 minutes ago, zelmo said:

Just curious - how many miles had you put on the truck before towing?

1100.

contenderv07 · April 27, 2020

awesome thanks for this. I'm looking to get another truck (I've got a 2005 LLY Diesel with 225k miles) and was wondering how it would tow. I'm not towing anything real heavy now. I had a 2018 GMC 1500 and sold it after about 7k miles because of the trans. Seemed like it was always hunting and just had huge clunks. Dealer said it was fine, so I got rid of it

INTJ · April 27, 2020

3 hours ago, BigDog88 said:

I was dead set on getting a HD Dmax before buying the 6.2 . But decided the extra $$$$ for the HD Dmax and higher fuel price, and was 0% financing, i could get by with the gas 6.2. I also like to park in my garage, and didnt think the HD would fit. I pull the trailer 8-10 times during the 6 months of camping season so im good with that. However wish it had a bigger gas tank, I feel like im always looking for a gas station.

That is very similar to my own reasoning for getting a 6.2 vs another HD DMax. I rarely tow but do ocaasionally haul heavy. The extra cost to purchase and operate a DMax just doesn't make sense for my situation. The facts that this 6.2 runs as hard as a 500 RWHP tuned DMax is bonus.

I also park on the single bay double deep side of my garage, backing in, and I am not sure if a 2500 would fit. It won't work with tow mirrors, even if they are folded in.

The small gas tank is a peeve of mine. No issue when empty but for towing it would be a pain. It's especially annoying given there is room for a 30+ gal tank. I have not seen any aftermarket fuel tanks for gasoline trucks. I wonder if the 30+ gal tank on the 8' bed trucks would fit?