Drivability of 6.6L gas 2500 vs 6.2L 1500

jjackkrash · September 4, 2019

10 hours ago, Booger T said:

For those that seem to think that the HD is going to beat on you, have you driven the new 2020?

I'm looking forward to driving a 2020, but I think the ride quality on the GM 2500s has been very good since about 2011 (the year the HD trucks got the big chasis and suspension update).

aseibel · September 4, 2019

8 hours ago, jjackkrash said:

I've had a 2500 or 3500 with a Dmax for a daily since 2013 and I love driving them, loaded or unloaded. I'd have a 2500 with a Dmax over any 1/2 ton as my daily, even if I didn't tow much or not at all. They are flat out better trucks, feel more substantial, and I love the power/torque curve. At least in my opinion. (If we are just talking gassers, I could see preferring a 1/2 ton with a hot rod engine over the workhorse in a gas 2500).

I think you are the exception rather than the rule. My Father-in-Law also drives a F350 powerstoke to work daily, but his commute is 8 miles round trip and he owns a business which requires trailer moving and he has a diesel pump on the property.

For the rest of us, a bigger heavier truck is rarely the more attractive choice. If you are happy, that's great. I have yet to want to do anything with my truck that it couldn't handle.

CRApex · September 4, 2019

10 hours ago, jjackkrash said:

I'm looking forward to driving a 2020, but I think the ride quality on the GM 2500s has been very good since about 2011 (the year the HD trucks got the big chasis and suspension update).

And the new version rides even better than the 2011-2019 models.

ShotgunZ71 · September 4, 2019

6 minutes ago, CRApex said:

And the new version rides even better than the 2011-2019 models.

Yes it does! The ride is nothing short of amazing for a heavy duty truck. The steering is near effortless and the bumps and bounces are very tempered.

CRApex · September 4, 2019

1 hour ago, aseibel said:

For the rest of us, a bigger heavier truck is rarely the more attractive choice.

I doubt many HD drivers would agree with this, even if they only tow sporadically.

aseibel · September 4, 2019

5 minutes ago, CRApex said:

I doubt many HD drivers would agree with this, even if they only tow sporadically.

Obviously anyone who chose to buy an HD wouldn't agree. If you chose an HD, that means you are not in the group I am talking about.

"The rest of us" means those who don't have heavy duty needs - which is the majority of truck owners. I don't think the average pickup truck owner would actually enjoy driving an HD everyday, not to mention filling it with fuel.

CRApex · September 4, 2019

5 minutes ago, aseibel said:

Obviously anyone who chose to buy an HD wouldn't agree. If you chose an HD, that means you are not in the group I am talking about.

"The rest of us" means those who don't have heavy duty needs - which is the majority of truck owners. I don't think the average pickup truck owner would actually enjoy driving an HD everyday, not to mention filling it with fuel.

You're on an HD section so that is more of what I was referring to. If I made a similar comment on the 1/2 ton section "For the rest of us, a light duty truck is rarely the more attractive choice." I'd probably get similar responses. Most browsing that section are interested in 1500's, not all but probably the majority.

aseibel · September 4, 2019

6 minutes ago, CRApex said:

You're on an HD section so that is more of what I was referring to. If I made a similar comment on the 1/2 ton section "For the rest of us, a light duty truck is rarely the more attractive choice." I'd probably get similar responses. Most browsing that section are interested in 1500's, not all but probably the majority.

Understood. If you go back to my original thought, my opinion was that the OP had a poor reason to buy an HD if he only wanted to avoid AFM. He currently drives a 1/2 ton. So he is the one I was talking to, not you or anyone else who already chose to buy an HD. I'm glad you are happy with your truck, as I am with mine. We both had the opportunity to choose exactly what we wanted.

gearheadesw · September 4, 2019

I think the half ton to 3/4 ton market is well defined. If you think mileage, 1/2 ton, if you want soft suspension to soak up bumps, 1/2 ton. If you need a 3/4 ton truck, your 1/2 ton will tell you. Approaching twice the weight of the 1/2 ton, it will have less reduction in performance then it’s little brother, I feel great driving my 3/4 ton daily, 1500 pounds of tools makes 1/2 tons sag, sway, and wallow.

KARNUT · September 4, 2019

I probably driven 3/4-1 ton trucks one million miles. Half tons close to the same in my working life. I still own a half ton retired. Nothing beats driving a sports car or a sports sedan. My vehicles of choice most of the time. My travel car is a Camry, a very satisfying touring vehicle. My 83 year old mother daily drives a diesel one ton. Different strokes.

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m5guy · September 5, 2019

I have owned

two 1/2 ton Denali's (2012 and 2014)
2015.5 2500 Denali LML
2016 2500 Denali LML
2017 3500 SRW Denali L5P
2020 3500 SRW Denali L5P (awaiting arrival in September)

If I did not need to tow, I would be back in the 1/2 ton. Ride is significantly better, acceleration, step-in height, fit in my garage. All better. However, have toys, love 1-ton SRW. Ride is good and I drive every day in the winter in Michigan. Watch size of new HD. It is actually almost a foot longer than outgoing HD (10.5 inches). This is what I have to deal with in my garage for new HD - this is an SLT I took home to test fit in the pictures before placing order.

CRApex · September 5, 2019

1 hour ago, m5guy said:

I have owned

two 1/2 ton Denali's (2012 and 2014)

2015.5 2500 Denali LML

2016 2500 Denali LML

2017 3500 SRW Denali L5P

2020 3500 SRW Denali L5P (awaiting arrival in September)

If I did not need to tow, I would be back in the 1/2 ton. Ride is significantly better, acceleration, step-in height, fit in my garage. All better. However, have toys, love 1-ton SRW. Ride is good and I drive every day in the winter in Michigan. Watch size of new HD. It is actually almost a foot longer than outgoing HD (10.5 inches). This is what I have to deal with in my garage for new HD - this is an SLT I took home to test fit in the pictures before placing order.

Looks like its parked in your living room looking at the first pick! Nice garage!

Edited September 5, 2019 by CRApex

m5guy · September 5, 2019

Thanks - Moderate thread hi-jack, but epoxy coating my floor, insulating and heating my garage is one of my favorite investments. These two vehicles fit a bit better than the new HD.