6.2 Max Tow vs 2500 Duramax

[INTJ]

I had a 2020 1500 6.2 Max Tow CC Std Bed 4WD with factory performance intake and exhaust for 21 months and 27,000 miles.  I traded it two months ago for a 2022 2500 HD Duramax CC Std Bed Z-71.  I have almost 3000 miles on the 2500. I thought I'd give my impressions between the two trucks while I still remember the 1500.

 

I loved the 6.2 Max Tow.  It had a little heavier payload than the standard 1500, and the 3.42 gears with the 10-speed made it very peppy.  It was strong off the line and would give me 19-21 mpg empty on the freeway, depending on how I drove and where I was.  

 

The downside to the 6.2 Max Tow was ground clearance and payload.  I even raised mine an inch front and rear, but would still drag the nerf bars on stuff.

 

Late last year GM was giving insane trade in values on used trucks.  I traded the 1500 in for $3k more than I paid for it.  Twice in the last 20 years I have stepped out of 3/4 Ton Duramaxes for gas rigs and even though the 1/2 ton gassers fit what I do better, I just haven't been totally happy with them.  I guess I just "identify" as a 3/4 ton diesel truck guy.

 

The Duramax is much bigger truck.  It's taller, wider, longer, and much heavier. The standard bed is even a couple inches longer.  It doesn't turn as tight, though since it has the standard bed I have no problem parking close.  

 

It rides rougher than the 1500, but not excessively so.  Surprisingly, the 2500 handles washboard logging roads as well as the 1500.  It also handles hard corners as well.  Where the 2500s heavy duty suspension is noticeable  is on rough paved roads--the 1500 handles those much better.   

 

The Duramax is lazy off the line, as is the norm for a turboed engine.  It needs a little boost before it moves well.  Once the turbo is loaded it's power is seamless and accelerates well.  Since my 2022  isn't even broken in yet and I am still getting winter fuel, I am not getting great mileage.  Probably 2-3 MPG less than the 6.2.  However, past experience with 2500 DMaxes leads me to think it will settle in to 18-20 MPG at highway cruising speeds of under 75.  If I keep driving at the posted speed limit of 80 on my trip from Post Falls to Missoula, mileage will be less than that.  

 

While the Duramax has twice the payload of the 6.2 Max Tow, and will undoubtedly tow heavier loads much better; it would lose a drag race (empty) to the 6.2.  The 6.2 with factory performance puts around 400 HP to the rear wheels and with me, my truck stuff, and a full tank of gas; it weighed 5900 lbs.  The DMax also puts around 400 HP to the rear wheels but mine weighs 8500 lbs with a full tank and my accessories.  Do the math.  The DMax would need something like 575 RWHP to have a similar HP per pound as the 6.2.

 

Now I know the turbo changes the acceleration profile a bit, and a DMax can be hopped up easily with a Banks Derringer or an Edge Pulsar.  Still, I suspect the 6.2 Max Tow would hang with my 2011 Duramax that was tuned to 500 RWHP.   The 6.2 would NOT run with my 2002 with 500 RWHP, 4.1 gears, and 33" tire.  (My 2002 was also 1000 lbs lighter than my 2022).  

 

The 2500 HD is more comfortable to drive in bad weather as being a little higher gets you out of the spray and much a little better.  

 

I really like both trucks.  I would say if you are going to tow frequently or haul heavy frequently, get the 2500 DMax. If you only tow or haul on occasion, get the 6.2 Max Tow.

 

 

[Ezekiel2517]

Thanks.  I have a 6.2 Max Tow with added air bags.  its tows my 7000lb loaded RV without any issues.  I can even pass with it while towing.  Power to spare and the 10 speed is seamless.   My only complaint is the amount of fuel it sucks while towing.  I can, like you, get around 20 unloaded.  But with that trailer more like 8mpg.  7 in wind.  If I have a tailwind and keep it under 65, maybe 10.    Thats not much, especially with such a small fuel tank.

 

What kind of mpg do you get when towing with the 2500?

 

My bottomline was operating expenses.  The deisel adds $10K to price.  Thats a lot of fuel.   Plus def, plus maintenance, plus fuel additioanal costs (though deisel and 93 are pretty close in price).  Seems like pre-DEF deisels got much better MPG towing than the new ones.

[f8l vnm]

Yeah i agree GM really needs to give us a bigger fuel tank option. I believe every other manufacture does or has something bigger then 24 GAL.  People would be more than happy to pay more for a bigger tank.  We just bough another truck for our farm and its a 2022 F150 and gladly paid little more for the bigger 36GAL tank. 

[redwngr]

Doesn't help if wanting to run a 1500, but the 25/35's have a 36 gallons tank. 

 

In a 1500, the 3.0 diesel is less than the 6.2.

 

[RPaul]

Speaking of fuel tank too small for towing on 1500, if there’s no option for bigger tank, looking into the auxiliary in the bed with 12v valve. Anyone done this yet?

[KARNUT]

I always ran a tank in the bed with a toolbox. On some trucks I drilled a hole in the bed hooked into the return fuel line with a manual switch beside the driver seat in the floor. It’s been a few years on that setup, may not be possible on new trucks. Otherwise I have a electric fuel pump on the tank for refueling. 

[INTJ]

I haven't towed with this 2500, but based on past experience and what others report,  I would expect around 12 MPG when towing 7k.