2009 Chevy or GMC Gasser

[RKamperRV]

I currently have a 2001 Silverado, Duramax/Allison. I am considering a new truck, but the DMax/Allison combos are stupidly expensive, and the dealers don't seem willing or dicker (more stupidity!).

I am considering a 2500HD 6.0L gas engine with the regular transmission.

My 5er weighs 12,000 pounds.

Any advice on this is greatly appreciated.

[sfischer]

I didn't see the 2009 ratings, but judging from the 2008 CHEV 2500 w/6.0 engine, I don't think you'd be very happy with that combo of engine/trans pulling your current rig. A HUGE difference between the Duramax and 6.0L engines.

[Dick & Pat]

Not to start a model war but our 2004 F250 Crew Cab, 6.0 Diesel tows our 38' Grand Junction (13000+#) just beautifully...not sure if the newer 6.0's are as good, though

[sfischer]

Quote:

I am considering a 2500HD 6.0L gas engine with the regular transmission.

I'm sure it does, but what does that have to do with the poster's original question?

[evan0810]

I owned an '03 Sierra with the 6.0L w/4.10 gear. Our 5th wheel, at the time, weighed about 10,500 lbs. The truck was rated to tow 10,300 lbs. I couldn't tow in overdrive unless we were on relatively flat highway. I notice that 2500HD, 6.0L, 4.10 gear trucks are rated to tow more in '08, but I don't know how they came up w/ that figure. I eventually traded that truck for a Duramax/Allison truck and have no regrets. Take a little more time to shop. In March '08 I bought our K3500HD D/A extended cab for dealer cost and things are much worse for the dealers now.
Ed

[Randy the sly old fox]

There is a big difference in the DMax vs the 6.0L the GCWR for the DMax is 22,000 lbs vs 18,500 for the 6.0 with the 4.10 and 16,000 for the 3.73. The tow rating for the 6.0L is 12,700 lbs.

The overall torque curve on the 6.0L starts at about 275 lb-ft@1000 RPM and peaks at 373 lb-ft @4400 RPM and then falls off to 300 lb-ft at 6000 RPM. The HP runs from around 60 @1000 and peaks at 353 at 5600. When coupled with the new 6sp tranny and a 4.10 rear end you have a nice combination for towing.

I tow an Arctic Fox 22H which scales out at 5700lbs without water. I tow it with a 2007 NBS 2500HD 6.0L 4.10 rear end. I always use tow/haul mode when towing. It not only modifies the shift points, but also downshifts when you tap the brakes (just like the Allison). I can easily tow in 6th on flat hys, the smallest hill and it downshifts to 5th. I have yet to find a hy grade that needed 3rd - usually 4th works just fine with the tach hitting 3500 and the spedo doing 50-55 - the exhaust hits a note and you can just feel the power coming on - you can also see the fuel gauge drop

I can't say what your 12,000lb rig would do, I know that when I pulled the AF with a 99 Tahoe the same grades that I now do 50+ on I was limited to 35 in 2od with a screaming engine. But that was a older 5.7L 4sp 3.73 rear end. The TT was also able to push me around quite a bit which I did not like. BTW that combination was just at the 12,000 GCWR. I can only presume that the 6.0 would be in a similar postion when trying to pull that close to its max ratings.

[RKamperRV]

My dilemma is that I either buy the new gas truck or I spend a significant amount to repair aging parts on my current truck. The front end has something failing and I suspect it's a combo of ball joints and bearings.

The Duramax smokes significantly at idle - I suspect injectors.

I suspect I'll finally need to replace the brakes for the first time.

Now, none of these, viewed separately is insurmountable. But in combo I believe I'll need to put more than $3,000 in an aging truck that has 135,000 miles on it.

The new DMax/Allison trucks are too expensive. Fords are even worse. Given the current state of Chrysler, I won't consider Dodge.

Thanks for your input. I'll consider all of this before I decide what to do.

[TXiceman]

We tried going back to a gasser, 2500Burb, 4.10 axle, 5.7L vortex to pull our current trailer. Short story is we decided to keep the diesel dually which is too much truck for what we tow, but the gasser was a BIG disappointment on the road.

Once you have pulled with a diesel, I don't think there is any going back. The gasser just runs out of power on the grades and sucks down fuel at an amazing rate.

Look for a nice clean used diesel truck, there are plenty of them out there.

As to the current state of Chrysler, GM is just about as bad and Ford is not too far behind. All 3 are having problems.

Remember...Real trucks do not have sparkplugs.

Ken

[Hitchhiker]

Hi Rick,

Sorry to hear that your truck is ailing. You're probably already aware but I'll post anyway in case you're not. The injector warranty on your truck should have been extended to 7 years or 200,000 miles, here's a link to a write up about it. Maybe you're over the 7 years?

IRT to swapping trucks, my only advice would be to stay with a diesel for towing.

[Randy the sly old fox]

I find it interesting that the dealers in your area are not willing to come down in price on any truck. Have you done an internet search for some of the larger volume dealers - you may have to make a trip out west - but you might be able to swing a better deal. Try someone like Dave Smith in Kellog ID or a dealer in TX. Most dealers have someone dedicated to internet sales - they can work out everything over the internet. My Dr is into corvettes, his last Z6 was purchased from a dealer in TX who brought it in by mistake and could not sell it in his region and was willing to sell below cost just to move it. My Dr simply arranged for a car carrier to bring it from TX to OR.

BTW if you go back to a dealer, it will cost you the same amount to have all of your services done - no matter if they do them one at a time or all at once. However the dealer and the techs will make out better if you do it all a once - aren't flat rate repairs wonderful

Another thing to look at is what is on your dealers lot - they may not have a 2500 with the 4.10 rear end and all the tow goodies you want. I don't think you will get much incentive to order one from the factory.

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Route 66]

Rick,

I don't know if you'd buy new if you could get a good price, but I have dealt with 2 dealers known for their pricing and service.

Nucar Chevrolet in New Castle, DE & Nucar GMC in Newark, DE.

Anchor GMC & Williams Chevrolet (both are owned by Williams) in Elkton, MD

[MonacoMama]

Why not look at a 2008 Diesel? There is $7,000 rebate on them plus you should consider joining a credit union also...There is a special price right now for many credit union members..and you do get the $7,000 rebate with the special pricing...
You can PM me if you have any questions...

MM

[K-Star]

Rick

Consider taking one off the lot. That's how I got mine and they took a bunch off to get it out of there. You may not get all the options you want, and maybe some you don't want, but you will probably get a better deal.

Also, are you a member of a credit union? Mine has a group that will go out and get the best price they can based on volumes they order.

[Ray,IN]

deleted. I double checked my reply, only to find I was wrong.
Rick, I think you will be greatly disappointed in a gas engine tow vehicle. The internet is a huge place, there are many used truck sites. I would consider a 2007/8 used D/A before I would buy a gas powered to replace the truck. Shoot, I'd phone banks, inquiring about repos., or someone who just wants to get out of their contract. That's the way I bought my 02 K3500 in 05.