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Old 06-04-2020, 07:05 PM   #1
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2020 Chev High Country 2500 HD w new Duramax and 10 speed

Well, i sold my Cummins Beaver Monterey, loved it but it was time for a change, and i bought my new Duramax Chevrolet.
So far the fuel economy has been unbelievable on a drive from AZ to WA. I averaged over 21 MPG at posted speeds and a max of 70 on the higher speed highways. one 50 mile stretch coming down out of the mountains to I-5 actually got 35.9 MPG, crazy. The torque is incredible and the shifting is invisible.
Now comes the first test, i am leaving tuesday to go to central CA and pick up a 36' 5th wheel (about 16,000 lbs) so i will closely track fuel economy in both directions and let y'all know. Wish me luck!
This new Chev is insane with technology, i am still trying to learn it all.
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Old 06-04-2020, 07:09 PM   #2
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Congratulations! Love getting new big boy toys haha enjoy it and stay safe! [emoji111]
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Old 06-15-2020, 06:46 AM   #3
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Please keep us posted on this truck, your opinion and experience is of great value to me as I am thinking about buying this truck. Thank you!
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Old 06-15-2020, 10:57 PM   #4
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2020 Chevrolet High Country w new Duramax motor and Allison 10 speed

Well, I just finished my first trip Blaine Washington to Stockton California back up through the mountains to Coeur d'Alene Idaho and back over Highway 20 2 Blaine. The trip down I was empty with a box cover on and I average 21.5 miles per gallon, very impressive.

I picked up a Forest River Blue Ridge 3600, I believe it weighs about 16,000 lbs. I drove all the way to Coeur d'Alene 60 miles per hour with the cruise control on. All through the mountains I was able to maintain this speed touching the throttle and was passing sami's left and right

The fuel economy did suffer, I averaged just over 11 miles per gallon considering that I was in the mountains quite a bit I am not unhappy but had hoped for better
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Old 06-16-2020, 05:45 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Brooks View Post
Well, I just finished my first trip Blaine Washington to Stockton California back up through the mountains to Coeur d'Alene Idaho and back over Highway 20 2 Blaine. The trip down I was empty with a box cover on and I average 21.5 miles per gallon, very impressive.

I picked up a Forest River Blue Ridge 3600, I believe it weighs about 16,000 lbs. I drove all the way to Coeur d'Alene 60 miles per hour with the cruise control on. All through the mountains I was able to maintain this speed touching the throttle and was passing sami's left and right

The fuel economy did suffer, I averaged just over 11 miles per gallon considering that I was in the mountains quite a bit I am not unhappy but had hoped for better
Thank you Bob for this information! This is exactly what I am looking for being that I am considering purchasing the truck you have.
We currently have a class A 35 foot motorhome with an 8.1 liter gas engine that on a good day gets 7mpg while towing a Chevy Tracker. We are considering a smaller fifth wheel trailer next. My current truck is an 07 Toyota Tacoma that has been great but it is time to replace it as my need for a heavy duty truck has increased.
When your time allows please post some pictures of your new rig and keep us updated on the truck and camper.
Thanks very much!
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Old 06-17-2020, 02:50 AM   #6
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The 10-speed is the bees knees.
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Old 06-17-2020, 06:36 AM   #7
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Wow, nice rig, now I really want one!
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Old 06-17-2020, 07:02 AM   #8
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Bob, you must have had stars in your eyes and didn't notice the salesman pulled a switch on you. Great looking rig anyway!
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Old 06-17-2020, 07:38 AM   #9
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You intend to put a 16000 pound fiver behine a 2500 truck? Good luck. Made that same mistake back in 2005. By 2007 I was finally able to aford to get the right tool for the job.
BTWmback in 2005 my LLY D/A could easily get 21 MPG at 70MPH.
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Old 06-18-2020, 09:00 AM   #10
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Good morning Don I forgot to mention that is a 2500 HD with a towing capacity of 30,000 pounds. I am certain that the truck Evan proved a great deal since 2005 and the suspension is very stiff and pulls this trailer really well.
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Old 06-19-2020, 07:24 PM   #11
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Tow ratings are worthless. He is talking about your payload with the 16k fifth wheel. Despite all the improvements you still have a 3500 pound pin sitting atop another 3-4000 pounds that is your truck rolling on two E load range tires. Not a great way to roll with your family. When you add up your tire max load and subtract your scaled weight it will be an eye opening experience.

And yes the Duramax has been getting that kind of MPG for well over a decade.
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Old 06-20-2020, 07:19 AM   #12
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My 2018 GMC 2500 weighs 3300 lbs on the rear full of fuel, 2 people and typical crap in the truck. That leaves just short of 4k of load that the tires can can support by their rating.
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Old 06-20-2020, 07:12 PM   #13
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I have bought a ton of E range tires. None rated for 3600 pounds each like yours-except maybe some 40” mud tires. What brand and size are they?

6390 (3195 per tire) pounds is the rating of just about all the stock size E range tires for the 2500HD. There are a few oversized tires that can eek out a few more pounds on oversized wheels. That leaves barely over 3000 pounds of TRUE payload for the rear axle-NO MATTER WHAT THE STICKER SAYS FOR THE TOTAL. And under the best of circumstances a 16k fiver will add about 3500 lbs of weight on the rear axle-for a total of over 7000 pounds with a light hitch. Many 16k fifth wheels-especially toy haulers-can be significantly more. And if you think that weight doesn’t increase as you are bouncing across a bridge you’re kidding yourself.

This is why people that have a lot of experience towing fifth wheels generally have duallys. 13,000 pounds plus of rear tire ratings. I am not policing what anyone else considers acceptable risk I am just explaining to the OP what the earlier criticism was about.

Oh and don’t forget Chevy told him he could tow a 30,000 pound fifth wheel with a 6000 to 7000 pound pin
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Old 06-20-2020, 08:40 PM   #14
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My current tires are rated for 3525, so a little short of what i said. I can get an 18 in tire thats rated at 4080 and will fit my wheel size if i felt the need. Cooper At3 xlt 265/70/18 is my current tire.
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