Tow Vehicle: 3/4 chevy 2500HD Duramax

[pthomann]

We are considering purchasing a 2008 Chevy 2500HD w/6.6L duramax diesel to pull our Fleetwood Terry 829T TT. The trailer and payload are around 7,000lbs (scale wgt). I currently tow this with a 1/2ton Silverado and it tows ok, but really works hard and the mpg drops to around 9.5 on the road. We have only taken short trips up to now - next week will be a 400mile trip to northern Wisconsin and I am uncomfortable with taking it with our current vehicle. I should be ok with the 2500HD and would like feedback as to the comfort level and expected mpg towing this set-up.

[steve77979]

You will be more than O.K.. with the 2500 HD. It will pull that trailer like it is not even there. I don't know about the gas mileage but I used to get between 8 and 9 towing my Montana 5th wheel at a weight of 12k

[CD]

pthomann
That will be a big improvement. If you want to get even more comfortable get a 1T dually. The stopping and handling stability is much better. I towed our 28' TT with a 2500 and felt it was doing good until I got the 3500. Big improvement. and better milage. I get 12/13 at up to 20K+ as long as I don't push it. I get to those weights when I take the slidein and TT or use my equipment trailer. If I get a heavy foot it will eat the diesel.The 2500 would get pushed around some by big trucks etc and didn't stop as well in a panic stop. The 3500 doesn't.

[pthomann]

Thanks for the excellent feedback - we bought the 3/4 ton with the 6.6L duramax diesel - next week will be the first 400mile trip for our TT. One surprise I got was the 2-1/2" receiver hitch, so I will be buying the hitch adapter so all of my hitches fit - we didn't get one with the truck.

[pthomann]

Anyone know where I can get an owners manual for the Duramax Diesel engine in my 2500HD 2008 Chevy Silverado?

[450Donn]

Wrecking yard or you can order direct from GM.

[powderman]

Try this

MOTION

[TXiceman]

You are going to love towing with the diesel....you will have a BIG grin on your face.

Ken

[pthomann]

Just as a follow-up to all who responded, we returned yesterday from our 800mile trip to northern Wisconsin with the Terry 31' TT and our 2008 Chevy 2500HD w/6.6L Duramax diesel. The trip was great and I loved how the TV responded in every way. I really do have a big smile on my face and am very happy with the TV. We averaged 12.5mpg on the way up and 11.9mpg on the return trip with plenty of pulling power to spare. Based on my previous experience with our 1/2ton Chevy 5.3L gas TV, the difference is like night and day. With the old TV we averaged around 9.0mpg, which even at $3.00 fuel v $2.80gas, amounts to almost a 20% improvement in cost per mile! The power in the new vehicle is the most impressive, pulled our TT like it wasn't even there. I didn't scale the loaded TT, but am guessing it to be around 6,500lbs (4,350lbs dry wgt + gear, fuel, passengers, etc.). To anyone considering purchasing this TV, I would highly recommend the Duramax and would rather have excess towing capacity than the other way around. It not only feels much safer, it is much safer!