Need Feedback on the New GMC 2500HD 4WD Trucks

[6.2Blazer]

I've been towing my 8,500 lb. K5 and trailer combo for about a year and half with my '03 2500HD (6.0L, auto, 4.10, CC, SB). Ride and handling are excellent with the trailer in tow. When empty I get around 14-15 mpg average and I usually don't baby it and drive at least 5 over the speed limit. Towing I get around 9 mpg, and again that's running it pretty hard when accelerating from a stop and running over the speed limit on the highway. I do live in the midwest so there are no moutain passes to climb but there are some decent grades in the southern part of the state and I've been through Kentucky several times. It will downshift out of OD but has been able to pull almost all of the grades at 70+ mph in 3rd gear.

The diesels are definitely nice but I just couldn't justify the extra $100/month payment for it, and I'm not the type who typically keeps a truck for a long period of time. If I towed more frequently, versus maybe once a month for play purposes, I would have gotten the diesel but for now I'm satisfied with the 6.0L.

In regards to the 4.10 gears, in a modern truck with overdrive and the higher rpm operating range of newer gasoline engines, these gears are from being too low. My truck is turning around 2,500 rpm @ 70 mph which is just getting the engine into the correct powerband. I actually wished it had 4.56 gears when towing.

 

[jimmy88]

It sounds like the Duramax or 6.0 gas would be a good all around truck, but the Duramax definitely has a horsepower and performance advantage. Do I have to have or need the higher horse power, probably not but it is nice to have under foot. Probably will come down to a personal decision whether to spend the extra $6000 or not.

Still thinking.

Dave
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So what did you pick? Man I feel your pain. I’m looking now and its between the Dodge and Chevy. I love to get the diesel, but for $6000, down the road I can put two or three gas engines in the truck myself and avoid the large increase in monthly payments. Another thing to consider is the regular maintenance on the engines. Used to be diesels took lots more oil at every change and you had to change the fuel filter more often. Not a big deal, but when you start factoring in everything, the perception that “diesels are cheaper in the long run” might not be so true. (Maybe it was true when diesel fuel was cheaper than gasoline). Still it would be nice to have all that torque!

 

[rjfguitar]

Used to be diesels took lots more oil at every change and you had to change the fuel filter more often.

They do hold more oil but instead of changing the oil every 3K you can change it at 7K+, and if you pay to have your oil changed the diesel is cheaper since you don't have to pay for labor on oil changes as frequently.