towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

[emilsr]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

I will say that though the fuel is more the MPG is too. Jury is still out on if it is a wash or if I am coming out ahead. I am leaning twards a wash.

When I did the math I accounted for a 50cent/gallon premium for diesel, and the fact that my truck is mostly a daily driver. The breakeven for fuel costs was at about 120k miles. Accounting for the extra maintenance costs, the breakeven was at about 200k miles. You've got to really work these trucks for the diesel to make any financial sense. That's what prompted me to buy the gasser, plus I like the sound of the LS V-8.

In my little pea brain, the main advantage to the oil burners is the gobs of torque under your right foot. Even the 400 ft/lbs in my 6 liter LS doesn't come close. The downside is the cost.....not a great deal more but it's there....but who buys a boat or a tow vehicle to save money anyway?

 

[agallant80]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

I enjoy my 400HP ant 720 torque. The extra money to run this rig is worth it to me when I am pulling it down to the beach 150 miles each way. Also when I took the boat from Raleigh to Oak Island with my 1500 silverado it was $210 in fuel down and back with the 2500 Diesel it was 110. Much better MPG towing.

 

[emilsr]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

I enjoy my 400HP ant 720 torque. The extra money to run this rig is worth it to me when I am pulling it down to the beach 150 miles each way. Also when I took the boat from Raleigh to Oak Island with my 1500 silverado it was $210 in fuel down and back with the 2500 Diesel it was 110. Much better MPG towing.

Half as much fuel? I got about 9mpg towing with my old Suburban (haven't taken a boat trip with the HD yet but suspect it'll be in the same range); so you're getting 18mpg (or thereabouts) towing your boat? That's impressive. Best I've seen empty is 17 with the 'burban, and 15 in the HD gasser.

 

[agallant80]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

I think with the 3.08 rear end in the silverado which was rated at 6,800lbs and I was pulling about 10K was getting about 6-7MPG With the Diesel I am getting about 12-13MPG.

 

[emilsr]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

I think with the 3.08 rear end in the silverado which was rated at 6,800lbs and I was pulling about 10K was getting about 6-7MPG With the Diesel I am getting about 12-13MPG.

No wonder you like that big diesel truck; your poor 1/2 ton was overloaded AND had the wrong gearing.

A friend of mine with the exact same truck as mine says he was getting 10-11mpg pulling his 10k lb boat, but he drives like a grandma. He also just traded it for an F-250 diesel....for whatever that's worth.

 

[agallant80]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

I just feel so much more in control with the Diesel. It has the get up and go and the stopping power for what ever happens. Just the stopping alone is so much better never mind going down the highway and forgetting that I have 10K behind me. I am so much more relaxed when I get to the ramp 150 miles away. Before with the old truck I was tired from being bounced around, always worrying about stopping, etc. It makes taking the boat to the coast so much more of an option. Not to mention that for $200 I can pull the boat down burn through $80 in the boat and pull it back. Throw in 100 for slip fees and dinner and it makes for a pretty nice weekend away for little money. A hotel and dinner downtown Wilmington would cost more. I can stay at the public dock for $30 with shore power, sit on my boat, not pay the bars for drinks, watch the world go by etc. Because it makes the boat easier to use it adds value to the boat.

 

[emilsr]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

I just feel so much more in control with the 2500HD.

Fixed it for ya. :lol:

 

[cooleyo]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

The truck itself is capable of pulling 18,000 I think. The weak link is going to be your hitch. Check it, and upgrade as needed.

 

[agallant80]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

The hitch is rated at 12K

 

[emilsr]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

The hitch is no longer the weak link on Chevy trucks. Here's what's on my 2500:

 

[cooleyo]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

The hitch on my 08 Silverado says it needs a WD setup to tow that heavy. Not a big deal because I dont own anything that heavy to tow, but I have read of a few cases of OEM hitch failures.

Edit: Sorry, let me clarify. The failures happen when people tow the truck's max, but overload the hitch's rating.

 

[h2odick]

Re: towing compacity of gmc sierra 2500hd

In regards to hitches, double check your actual ball mount (the part that slides into the receiver). Most of the time people pick these up @ the local auto parts store, and don't realize they are underrated for their load. Most of the ones I've seen are rated @ 6000 lbs trailer, 600lb tongue. While this is fine for a lot of people, those of us with larger boats and trailers can easily surpass this. I've never heard of a ball mount breaking personally, but I trust the manufacturer has rated these accordingly.

I use a forged ball mount rated @ 16,000# trailer, 2400# tongue, and the ball itself is rated for 20k. While this is a bit overkill for my boat, I tow heavier loads on a regular basis.. and I would rather be safe than sorry. Not to mention it was the same price as the 6000# model, and you have them damn near forever.