Let's compare 2012 gmc's

[Super A]

I am looking at new trucks, trying to decide between a 6.2 liter 1500 with the max trailer option six speed and a 6.0 liter 2500hd six speed. Neither will be a daily driver. 3.73 rear ends in both. I like the hd, but am afraid I will dislike the mileage. Looking at towing between six or seven thousand pounds.

Ps. I don't want a diesel or an Eco boost

Thanks

A

 

[Nytroty]

If its not a daily driver just get the 2500hd. 6.2 does have a bit more power but the 2500 will still be better handling for towing those loads. And if you ever have to tow more you can...

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I have the seirra denali and love it..it will flat out pull the 6.0 in the hills..and get better economy both loaded and empty...if you want it all..order a chevy version with the HD trailer package and you get the 6.2, 3/4 ton semi floater axles(same as the 2500) and all the bells and whistles...........(chevies version comes only in the LTZ package with the HD tow package), it will only come with the part time t-case(I feel the AWD case in the denali is a better setup for longevity reasons and think the 1/2 ton axles are plenty strong unless you are drive like a teen.........

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

If its not a daily driver just get the 2500hd. 6.2 does have a bit more power but the 2500 will still be better handling for towing those loads. And if you ever have to tow more you can...

my 1/2 ton denali is rated for 9600 payload stock...as much as my 03 suburban 2500 with the 8.1...tow wise..neither truck will significantly outhandle the other since both are within 6-800 pds weight wise empty, share the same wheelbase, and roughly the same suspension packages...I doubt either would have a handling advantage on a 7000 pd trailer..but the 6.2 will put a hurting on a 6.0 in the hills.......

 

[skierh2o]

Have an 08 2500 hd 6.0L 3.73 tows great, rides great, very adequate power......HORRIBLE MILEAGE!!!!!! Same empty, loaded, whatever just plain bad. 10 mpg on a good day in a tailwind downhill! But works great, owes me nothing and keeps me legal with the inline 4, or sled deck etc.

Last truck was an 08 sierra Denali had a custom tune, lierally got over 21 mpg anytime/everytime empty and 15-17 mpg pulling.
Downside, low ground clearence and persoanally am tired of the awd push steer, and never really knowing what the road traction really was ....as you always had all that was available untill you didnt.
Loved the truck, sold it to my father. He now loves it!
Curent truck is a 2011 sierra slt crew,max trailer with 6.2, 3" leveling kit, 285's, 4.10 geared, stock tune. LOVE THIS TRUCK!!!!!
Getting 17-18 mpg empty and better than 14 pulling. And it does it all!
And in 2wd it lays rubber like a vette! Lotsa fun!.......needs a custom tune though i think, mileage may improve... But i am pushing more air than the denali by around 4 inches or so.

My choice max trailer 6.2.

skier
Ps.. Have a buddy who sold his f250 stock diesel after he couldnt keep up to the Denali towing uphill through BC....and mileage was was pennies better in gasser too! He's now driving an escalade.

 

[MORSNO]

I am looking at new trucks, trying to decide between a 6.2 liter 1500 with the max trailer option six speed and a 6.0 liter 2500hd six speed. Neither will be a daily driver. 3.73 rear ends in both. I like the hd, but am afraid I will dislike the mileage. Looking at towing between six or seven thousand pounds.

Ps. I don't want a diesel or an Eco boost

Thanks

A

I can't speak for the 6.2 (AKSNOWRIDER gave you an honest review), but I picked up a 2012 GMC 2500HD SLT with the 6.0 and 3.73's this April. The new Chassis (2011+) is beefier than the previous HD's with an all new frame, brakes, suspension, etc. It is not the most fuel efficient engine, but the new 6 speed did help. My first few tanks in town averaged 12.5 mpg. On a 800+ mile trip around Alaska (highways, mountains, dirt roads) this summer I averaged 15.4 mpg. My last trip with just over 4,000 miles on the odo I averaged 15.9 on a 290 round trip between Eagle River and Seward AK (includes mountain pass crossings). Pulling a 16' open trailer with ATV's this summer I've been getting 12-13 mpg. Nothing spectacular, but it is so much easier to climb the hills and mountains than my previous 5.3L 1/2 ton with about the same MPG when towing.

Personally I would get a 3/4 ton for a larger trailer like yours just for the better control and braking ability. The built in trailer brake control, anti-sway control, and reverse camera work great for trailering. The hill assist anti-roll is cool too.

 

[Nytroty]

my 1/2 ton denali is rated for 9600 payload stock...as much as my 03 suburban 2500 with the 8.1...tow wise..neither truck will significantly outhandle the other since both are within 6-800 pds weight wise empty, share the same wheelbase, and roughly the same suspension packages...I doubt either would have a handling advantage on a 7000 pd trailer..but the 6.2 will put a hurting on a 6.0 in the hills.......

You would know better than me for sure. I have a 05 1500 with a 5.3 and it has load range E tires and airbags and it works great for pulling the 4 place open trailer out west. I have been from Minnesota to Wyoming at least 20 times with my truck and it does fine. That load is about 4000 lbs. When i try to pull my boss's 28 ft 6500 lbs. bumper pull trailer it absoulutly kills my truck. That is in Minnesota... not even pulling hills. My brother has a 08 crew cab 2500hd with the 6.0 and the 6 speed. Now i don't notice a big difference in the power of the 6.0 (and i am sure the 6.2 pulls better) but the suspension/brakes of the 2500 handle the load so much better with that camper. Being enclosed like it is it just pushes my truck all over the place and my brothers pulls it much better. Maybe the 6.2 with the max trailer package is alot better but that is just my experience...

 

[Jaynelson]

I would do the 6.2L for sure unless you have plans for a sled deck or something that requires more payload ala 2500. That 6.0L is old news and has always been a good enough but lackluster motor for both power and fuel economy.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I have to admit, the denali is short, everyone of my buddies say its a car, not a truck..so you do get razzed for it, but i have over 42000 on it now have had everything from an aluminum 2 place up to a 8000 pd enclosed car hauler hooked to it, handles everything handling wise as good or better then any of the 3/4 or 1 tonners I have had over the years, the 8.1 suburban would out pull it, but otherwise it has run with anything else up thru the hills around here(stock to stock)(mine does have the high performance sport suspension package)even with all the razzing, not one of my budddies ever complains about driving it it when we go somewhere.....I hear Gm has a new gas pulling motor coming, not sure when we will see it......

 

[M8Chris]

I am looking at new trucks, trying to decide between a 6.2 liter 1500 with the max trailer option six speed and a 6.0 liter 2500hd six speed. Neither will be a daily driver. 3.73 rear ends in both. I like the hd, but am afraid I will dislike the mileage. Looking at towing between six or seven thousand pounds.

Ps. I don't want a diesel or an Eco boost

Thanks

A

If its not going to be a daily driver get the 2500.

 

[Super A]

Thanks guys

This is all real good info, I really liked the 6.2 1500, it is a rocket, and the six speed (3.73 Rearend and larger disc brakes with a manual shift mode), seems like it would eliminate the gear hunting problem that I have now with my 2008 5.3 liter 4 spd that I currently own.

The 1500 max trailering rides a lot stiffer than my '08 1/2 ton and similiar to my '08 F250 I drive for work. But once I get it all decked out, I am 5K within the price of the 2500HD Denali. Which I also drove and loved.

This is a great problem to have, just not sure what's going to tip me over.

I'll let you know

I appreciate any more input.

Alan

 

[aksnowgod]

I just upgraded 2 months ago from a 2007 Chevy 1500 LTZ with a 5.3 to a 2012 GMC 2500 Denali with th 6.0 and 3.73's... I put 35,000 miles on the 2007 in 5 years so I would not call it a daily driver, and my purpose/reason for the upgrade was because I run a sled deck. Although I like the new truck a lot, and love the extra power of the 6.0, I miss my old truck when it comes to pot holes, sewer covers, etc...

According to the computers in each truck my overall average fuel was 14 in the 5.3 over the 5 years I had it, and is 11.5 in the 6.0 to date... A lot of in town driving so far in the 6.0, but should have some loaded highway averages come this winter...

 

[milehighassassin]

For occasional towing I'd get the 1500 with the 6.2l

IF you are towing all the time or might possibly put more weight on it, I'd get the 3/4 ton. 6.0 is a beast motor, very durable, made to be towed with. The 6.2l is sportier but pulls great because of the power and torque.

Oh and if you want me to work you a deal, send me a PM! I have a few of these I need to get rid of!

 

[MORSNO]

This is a great problem to have, just not sure what's going to tip me over.

You will enjoy either truck, just get what YOU want, not necessarily what is most popular.

Hey, did you guys see where Dodge is all excited because they have a new mega-cab dually with an 8' box coming out? Wow, an 8' box on a dually, who-da-thunk. Ever wonder why a Dodge is $10K less? It's those little cuts they make...it looks the same, but it's not.

 

[Super A]

Oh and if you want me to work you a deal, send me a PM! I have a few of these I need to get rid of!

No offense, but I am a local shopper (probably to a fault),it just makes it easier if there is ever a problem. Thank you for the offer.

 

[milehighassassin]

No offense taken. Just an offer for anyone on here. I encourage local shopping. Some remote places just don't get deals.

I'm a no bs type, no games. Let me know if you need any help.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EZmoney]

I have a 2011 3500 chev with a 6.0 I am very happy with it, the the fuel economy is much better than my old truck. Last road trip was over 19 mpg (empty)

 

[snoboy3]

2012 Gimmy

tell you what bud...had my fill of gassers. first diesel was the '05 d-max. even though critizied as the "worst" of the d-max's was ten times better than any gasser. pulled and towed sooooooooooooooooo much better than the dually chevy 7.4 i had it was unbelieveable. and when i was told the cummins ws so much better it wasn't hard to believe. sure, iniatially it is more expensive and there is the maintainence, for sure but overall even if you get an older dodge w/cummins and and manual you got really good start. A doolley even better. You know what they say...once you had diesel you never go back!

 

[milehighassassin]

40 cents a gallon difference between regular unleaded and diesel.

Almost $15 a tank.

 

[Coldfinger]

40 cents a gallon difference between regular unleaded and diesel.

Almost $15 a tank.

Yes, but doesn't a diesel get 1-2mpg more in the winter so the cost is offset?