donn0128 wrote: The biggest problem you will have finding a GM product is the size of the motor. Their 8.1L went away several years ago, so the only gas motor they have is the 6.0L. While a good motor it is still a small block and not really good for towing heavy.
Since this is a TC forum, many here are not towing heavy. Campers are light compared to trailers.
My 03 GMC 4x4 w/6.0L gas has served me well for 170,000 miles and I have no intentions of giving it up any time soon. It runs almost like new, and has had minimum of repairs (usual stuff = brakes, power steering pump, guage panel, etc but nothing major) I take good care of it, replace what it needs, and change oil etc frequently.
It carries my 3200 lbs (wet) Lance just fine, including mountain driving - altho, it pulls a bit in the Rockies - nothing it can't handle. It's pulled a 3500 lb bike trailer in the hills as well, with the TC on, and still no complaints about the 6.0L engine. Only thing I added is Timbrens and anti-sway bar. Also run BFG LT 265 75 E AT-KO tires - no problems there either.
I have been very pleased with our 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4 6.0 gas engine. I haul a Bigfoot camper and tow a 18' bass boat and have not had any problems with power. The truck has the 6 speed auto transmission and 3.73 gears. Gas mileage with the camper and boat is around 11mpg depending on the terrain.
neok
2009 GMC 25000HD Short Bed 6.0 Gas Engine Crew Cab SLT 4x4
2008 Bigfoot 15C9.5FS
Torklifts, Fastguns, Superhitch & SuperTruss
My Tiger (small C) is built on an '06 2500HD 4x4 Silverado with the 8.1 & 6-speed Allison. I've upgraded it a little with 265 tires (stock is 245), Rancho shocks, a sway bar, and 5000# air bags. The air bags helped the rear axle ride a lot, probably because they take the thickest leaf out of play except on big bumps.
Handling and tracking are superb... no wander, no truck wind push. It does have the apparently-normal GM steering column 'thunk' on slow unpaved surfaces. There's also a 'wisk-wisk' noise that I thought might be be a wheel bearing failing, but turned out to be just the CV boot folds rubbing on each other as the axle turned. The oil pressure sender failed ($125 dealer-only part); no other issues @ 55K miles and 6+ years.
I honestly don't know how it's geared, probably 4.10. Still gets from 10.5 to 13.5 mpg, depending on terrain & weight of foot. And yep, the 8.1 has lots of get up and go. I've read that the newer 6.0's have almost the same torque nad HP numbers as my 8.1. Newer 6.0 Tiger owners were reporting 14-16 mpg last time I checked, if I recall correctly.
I've done a 600+ mile 'day' in it, but was well-whipped when I got home.
Jim, "I was a vegetarian for a while. Then I started leaning toward the sunlight."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison (aka 'Loafer's Glory') www.tigervehicles.com
From what I can see the fuel economy does not seem to be all that spectacular for being new vehicles with all the technology. I went out to a couple dealers today and I found only 1 long box crew cab. Boy that is one long truck. Everything is short box around here.
2006 GMC Sierra 2500, Duramax Ext. cab,4x4, LB, Automatic, 3:73's, 265/75R16, Stock
1997 Adventurer Slumber Queen 10.0 FWS, with Stable-Lift And one beautiful wife.
I have an 11 Silverado 3500 HD, ext cab, long bed. very pleased with it. GM changed the frames in 11 and upped the GVWR, as well as relocating the rear springs to give a smoother ride when empty on the 1 tons. it has the 4.10 gears and hauls well. Mileage varies depending on conditions, hills, wind etc. , but pretty close to my mileage I got on my 09 2500 short bed
I have a 2002 Duramax Allison extracab short box I bought new.
I tow a Komfort 21T travel trailer. I have an equalizing hitch but never use it. I do have an Air Ride hitch (air bag allows the ball to move up and down, independent of the truck)
My truck rides rough. I too have the Michelin LT 265/75R16 E tires and 245 was stock. They last 60,000 miles.
Before I bought this Duramax I was buying a new BIGGEST engine pickup every 5 years. This Duramax is so tough in every way I do not see a reason why I wont own it another 5 years.
I am on the original brake pads but I use the tow/haul engine braking feature ALL of the time. I learned my lesson a long time ago coming down from the 11,000 ASL Eisenhower Tunnel westbound downhill. I put a slight warp in my prior rig rotors and ended up replacing them. I love the engine braking from the diesel.
I am a GM guy but I did buy a new 1987 Ford and a 1992 Ford.
I would rather own a Cummins pickup than a gas GM for towing.
I am trying to not be a Duramax snob but frankly it is demonstrated repeatedly on this forum that the Duramax owners have less overall problems than either the Ford or Dodge owners.
Once again I would rather have a diesel something over any gasser.
A lot of it has to do with the fact that all diesel pickups have the biggest disk brakes on all 4 wheels ,heavier drive lines and suspension parts. GM fools the public. They put the same body on the 1500 and the HD 2500. What most folks did not know is that GM puts a significantly bigger , heavier frame under the HD 2500 and it looks like a 1500 to most civilians.
My best friend has a fleet of pickups that they run high mileages. He switched to buying diesel F250s several years back after buying half tons forever. Over the course of a 34 year span I have witnessed that he is running these diesel pickups 300,000 miles before retiring them completely where before he was running the F150's for 150,000 miles.
Diesel. You get what you pay for. Duramax if you can afford it up front. Dodge / Cummins is cheaper to buy up front, is still better than a gasser.
If you are going to be hauling over 3000lbs in the back you will want to get a tire rated for more capacity which will result in a larger diameter tire. Because of this you will want to get a truck with a 4.10 gear ratio. Other recommended add-ons you may want are shock upgrade and airbags, which will run a couple hundred dollars each.
I get about 10MPG loaded and 12MPG unloaded.
I have traveled loaded through Glacier National Park, Yosemite, Grand Tetons, Black Hills, and many areas in between. I took a few years of looking and testing to figure out what I really wanted. I haven't had any problems with the setup I can't thing if anything I would do differently if I had a do-over.
Sitting Bull wrote: Hey guys, Would like to get some info on Gm owners. I am looking at buying a GM 2500HD or 3500HD extended cab 4x4 long box, gas motor,. 3-4 years old. Can you share some experience pros and cons of owning a GM What gear ratio I should get. I have never owned a GM, only Dodges. I need to switch brands as My wife is finding the Dodge to stiff and rough riding due to back injuries and surgery. I have been told the GM has the most comfortable ride between the 3 auto makers.
Any help ,info and suggestions/ recommendations would be appreciated in any form or fashion.
Thanks.
Sitting Bull.... "YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD" "They" say that the GM is the best ride of them all??? I have both a 99 Cummins dodge and a 2007 classic Duramax Allison. I changed things on the suspension on the 99 to make it ride smoother, and the chevy seems to ride just fine. I would suggest that you and your DW go test drive a few of each of the brands that you might be interested in. you will notice with the duramax that the tourque is very different with the duramax than the cummins. both of my trucks are great if i had to give up one I really dont know which one i would. duramax towing 8000 lbs avgd 15 mpg at 65 mph thru canada in 4 WD Dodge cummins avgd 14 with the same trailer doing the same route. any way good luck.
Sitting Bull wrote: From what I can see the fuel economy does not seem to be all that spectacular for being new vehicles with all the technology. I went out to a couple dealers today and I found only 1 long box crew cab. Boy that is one long truck. Everything is short box around here.
It is only 21' and you get use to it. With the bikes hanging off the front, I am at 25'.
If you want fuel economy on the highway go with the Duramax.
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