Thinking about making the jump from T1 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton diesel. I Have a few questions…

[zhmorrow]

I currently have a 2020 GMC 1/2 ton 6.2/10spd and I want to make the the jump to a 3/4 ton diesel. 
 

the only experience I have with a diesel was a 2000 Ford 7.3 powerchoke. Had it for a few months and then it died with 500k miles. 
 

I drive over 100k miles a year towing an enclosed trailer cross country 2x a month. Currently towing a 16x7 enclosed trailer that averages 5k lbs. my half ton tows it well but I don’t think it’s the best solution for constant towing. I feel the HD would be better for my application.  I would like to eventually upgraded to a larger trailer after I get my truck situation figured out. 
 

with that being said, how many of you guys have over 100k miles on your L5P? I put 100k miles on my 6.2 in 10 months and will likely do the same with the duramax. 
 

i saw a few people had re-gen issues on their HD, I’m wondering how common this is? 
 

any other things that could happen that will leave my stranded?? Being that I drive across the US monthly, I spent most of time in the middle of nowhere. The cost of towing a broken down truck with trailer in the middle of nowhere is a valid concern, as well as the cost of being out of commission for days or weeks.  I’ve heard horror stories with newer diesels leaving people stranded, and while I know that can happen in any vehicle, I’m hoping it’s just blown out of proportion due to the nature of the internet. 
 

Any advice based on real life experience would be helpful. 

[unit]

There are no guarantees that you won't have a problem and DEF problems are the number one issue with all of the current diesels regardless of the brand.  I don't know what percentage of trucks have had an issue and the manufacturers are not giving out those statistics.  Judging from the posts here and on other forums, I'd guess that the number issues with Duramax diesels are small but they do happen.  The major concern is that parts are scarce and some have waited for extended periods for the dealer to get a needed part.  There seem to be shortages of many things today for an assortment of reasons.  If the truck is mission critical you might want to go with the 6.6 liter gas engine that is standard in the 2500HD's.  The gas engines have been very reliable and most like them.  The drawback is that the 6.6 gas engine only comes with a 6 speed transmission.  You might miss the 10 speed in you 1500.  I only have 17,000 miles on my 20 Duramax and It has had no issues.  I did drive it on a 6,500 mile loop across the country this fall and it was a joy to drive.  Best of luck on your search.

Edited November 8, 2021 by unit

[CRApex]

I put 48,500 on my 1st 2020 2500HD Duramax with not one issue.  I traded it for a 3500HD diesel and the only issue to date was a heater problem in the DEF tank.  It was replaced and no issues since, 36,500 on that one now.  Love the diesel and the 10spd Allison has been great.  If you're hauling a large trailer cross country, diesel is the way to go.

 

[TripDad]

in 90K+ miles in two different diesels i have had no issues with DEF or the particulate filter.  Some people have.  That said, since you are not towing heavy the gasser may be the way to go. Given you state the you do 100K/year the diesel may last longer.  The 2500hd will generally ride better than the 1500 if you adjust your tire pressure for the load.  As always, YMMV.

[AlexB]

I'm fixing to trade my 2020 3.0 Dmax for a 2022 2500HD Dmax.  Should be getting it Tuesday.  I'm pulling a 8200# travel trailer and this is or will be my daily.

[bird_dog0347]

I traded my 2020 GMC 1500 for a 2020 Silverado HD with the DMAX (37k miles) back in September as I had upgraded my boat in the spring and needed more towing capacity. My old boat was only like 4k dry with a tandem trailer and the new one is 7200 dry with a triple trailer... The 1500 had a max tow rating of 9300 so I knew I was at or near it, and the lake ramp we use is at the bottom of a hill that is about 1/4 mile long and averages a 6% grade with a max of 10%, so it was a chore in my 1500. I only used the new truck to tow it a couple of times so far but it's a massive improvement. The truck is my daily, but I work from home mostly so I bet I won't put more than 10-12k miles a year on it.

[Dunn]

mine is a daily, i use it for payload mostly.......only complaint is mpg in town, other than that i love it over the half ton in every way

[doverarjim]

I'm not coming from a new gas truck upgraded to Duramax in 2011 and now have a 2019 it now has 96,000 miles on it and I've not had a single DEF problem with this truck like I did the 11 truck.  Just my $0.02 

[aliveguy5]

I went from a 6.2 LT TBoss to a 2500 Dmax Sierra for a better towing experience with my travel trailer. I'll never look back and may never own another 1500 again. The 6.2 had all the power I needed, but the diesel is just meant to be in a truck in my humble opinion. At 9klbs I don't feel the trailer regardless of weather. 

[greatmizzou]

If money is tight, the gas HD trucks are capable.  You will be underwhelmed for sure going from a 10sp half ton to 6 speed 3/4 ton gas for sure if your experience is a 5,000lb box trailer.  But if your thought is heavy duty, these trucks clearly can handle abuse better since everything can handle more torque and HP.

 

If you can afford the $10,000 to get diesel as a luxory, im sure that truck will blow you away. PLUS since diesel gas is easier to transport you have numerous aftermarket options to increase your fuel tank size for even longer towing distance.

 

 

Basically it comes down to how much you are willing to spend.  But I think the consensus is you are probably fine with what you have and if that doesn't change, a 3/4 gas truck will probably not seem like much of an upgrade.  

[artie2908]

On 11/10/2021 at 8:53 AM, CRApex said:

I put 48,500 on my 1st 2020 2500HD Duramax with not one issue.  I traded it for a 3500HD diesel and the only issue to date was a heater problem in the DEF tank.  It was replaced and no issues since, 36,500 on that one now.  Love the diesel and the 10spd Allison has been great.  If you're hauling a large trailer cross country, diesel is the way to go.

 

 

[artie2908]

and that is the exact reason I went from a Duramax diesel to a 6.6 gasser.   I was on an extended trip in the UP of MIchigan towing a 5th wheel.   My CEL came on, I started in on the countdown to the limp mode where my speed is limited.  I stopped at a GMC dealer in Sault Ste. Marie to get it checked out.  Wont even look at it.  Told me they were booked solid for the next two weeks.  Just great.  I continued heading west hoping to find a more helpful GMC or Chevy dealer.  In the meantime my speed was reduced to 55mph which was ok, but only had I believe another 250 miles before the truck would be totally disabled.  Not good.  I rolled into the town of Newberry and stopped at the GMC dealer there.  They were absolutely great.  They too were booked but told me to leave the truck with them and they would squeeze it in.  There was a campground a short distance away where we had made previous reservations.  I dropped the 5th wheel off and drove the truck back to the dealer.  They provided me with a loaner at no cost.  Unbelievable!   Long story shortened.   It was the heater in the DEF tank.  (Why I need a DEF heater in August is another post for another time)  they overnighted the new DEF tank from Detroit overnight and two days later I was back in business.   That is the second time I had the DEF tank / heater replaced under warranty.  I have no idea what it would have cost but you can bet it was well north of a couple of hundred bucks.   My 5th wheel weighed in at 11,000 lbs ready for a trip  Did the Duramax pull it better?  Yes but not as much as you would think.  It was more noticeable on steep grades on  the interstates.   In addition to the gas 6.6 being 10,000 cheaper (figured I could drive for 3 years on that cost of the diesel engine)   I had no more DEF fluid to deal with, no more sensor related issues.  I still like Diesel but after 21 years and 3 diesel pickups, I'm done until they resolve the problems with the sensors and emissions.   and now with part shortages I  would hate to be 3,000 miles from home and have to get a new DEF tank.  I would be screwed.  

[CRApex]

6 hours ago, artie2908 said:

and that is the exact reason I went from a Duramax diesel to a 6.6 gasser.   I was on an extended trip in the UP of MIchigan towing a 5th wheel.   My CEL came on, I started in on the countdown to the limp mode where my speed is limited.  I stopped at a GMC dealer in Sault Ste. Marie to get it checked out.  Wont even look at it.  Told me they were booked solid for the next two weeks.  Just great.  I continued heading west hoping to find a more helpful GMC or Chevy dealer.  In the meantime my speed was reduced to 55mph which was ok, but only had I believe another 250 miles before the truck would be totally disabled.  Not good.  I rolled into the town of Newberry and stopped at the GMC dealer there.  They were absolutely great.  They too were booked but told me to leave the truck with them and they would squeeze it in.  There was a campground a short distance away where we had made previous reservations.  I dropped the 5th wheel off and drove the truck back to the dealer.  They provided me with a loaner at no cost.  Unbelievable!   Long story shortened.   It was the heater in the DEF tank.  (Why I need a DEF heater in August is another post for another time)  they overnighted the new DEF tank from Detroit overnight and two days later I was back in business.   That is the second time I had the DEF tank / heater replaced under warranty.  I have no idea what it would have cost but you can bet it was well north of a couple of hundred bucks.   My 5th wheel weighed in at 11,000 lbs ready for a trip  Did the Duramax pull it better?  Yes but not as much as you would think.  It was more noticeable on steep grades on  the interstates.   In addition to the gas 6.6 being 10,000 cheaper (figured I could drive for 3 years on that cost of the diesel engine)   I had no more DEF fluid to deal with, no more sensor related issues.  I still like Diesel but after 21 years and 3 diesel pickups, I'm done until they resolve the problems with the sensors and emissions.   and now with part shortages I  would hate to be 3,000 miles from home and have to get a new DEF tank.  I would be screwed.  

Thats fair.  I will say though that both of our 6.6 gas work trucks have also had issues.  One blew a tranny line and needed the transmission replaced and the other was some sort of electrical issue (and took forever to get the parts glad we weren't 3000 miles away either). I Like the 6.6 gas motor, it does a fine job but not in the same league as the Duramax/Allison for towing.  

[artie2908]

1 hour ago, CRApex said:

Thats fair.  I will say though that both of our 6.6 gas work trucks have also had issues.  One blew a tranny line and needed the transmission replaced and the other was some sort of electrical issue (and took forever to get the parts glad we weren't 3000 miles away either). I Like the 6.6 gas motor, it does a fine job but not in the same league as the Duramax/Allison for towing.  

I agree.  The diesel tows better and gets better fuel economy but the emissions are a killer.   It's just unbelievable they go into a limp mode and eventually become disabled.  I sincerely hope they get it straightened out.   I've got 16,000 miles on my 6.6 gasser with no problems......yet.  almost all of it towing heavy.   Glad the diesel has worked out for you. 

[AlexB]

I only have 2k miles on my '22 2500HD Duramax LT.  Love it.  Pulls my 37' TT fine.  This truck is my daily.  Went from a 3.0 Duramax which I loved also to this.