2020 6.2 Max Tow Initial Impressions

[INTJ]

2 hours ago, newdude said:

 

Tie Rod end:  

1. First Pass: 35 Y  (26 lb ft)
2. Final Pass: 85–100 degrees

Upper Ball Joint nut:

1. First Pass: 35 Y  (26 lb ft)
2. Final Pass: 60 - 75 degrees

Lower Ball Joint nut:

1. First Pass: 50 Y  (37 lb ft)
2. Final Pass: 125 - 135 degrees

 

 

Thanks!  I am close enough on what i did to be okay. 

Edited May 4, 2020 by INTJ

[INTJ]

3 hours ago, AdamAT4 said:

The 6.2 has more power and more notably torque, on a grade i notice the GM will make it in lower rpm than the Ram. Both trucks are well mannered on the highway. Main reason I chose the GM over the new Ram was the AT4 has a larger presence and the new Ram is like a baby version of the HD and that would bug me as I miss my Cummins.

My old man tried towing a 12,000 pound 5th wheel with his EcoBoost max tow 3.73 geared truck and the rear diff overheated and ruined the pinion.

If you tow heavy long distance get the bigger truck, all the 1500s will tow no problem at expense of fuel burnt but they are not enjoyable for long distance.

The farthest I'll tow is only 60 miles on highway and even for a lighter load of I were towing 10 hour trips I'd get the diesel, fuel savings alone will be worth it.

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk
 

 

For frequent serious towing, say over 6-7000ish lbs, a 3/4 ton or 1 Ton diesel is the best option.  Half ton pickups, though they may be tow rated at 11,000 lbs,  are not a good choice for frequent towing of heavier loads. The weight of the truck isn't enough.  On flat and straight ground it is okay, but coming down curvy mountain passes with a big trailer can be a disaster for a half ton.  I live in Western Oregon and I have seen a smaller vehicle turned over by it's too large trailer on steep and twist part of the FREEWAY.  There are several sections of I-5 in SW Oregon with 50 MPH speed limits due to curves and these are many 6% grades.  Occasional towing, if careful, wouldn't be a problem for a half ton but a 3/4 ton is way better out here if you tow a lot.   A 2500 weighs about a ton more than a 1500. 

 

Also, the big diesel engines get decent mileage when towing, though they are no so great when empty anymore.  My 2002 LB7 Duramax gave me 22 mpg on I-35 in Texas at night from San Antonio to just South of Ft Worth maintaining under 70 mph.  That was around 2003 and before low sulfur diesel.  After low sulfur diesel the best I got was 18-20 mpg.  My 2009 LMM Duramax was even worse.  My 2011 LML gave me 18-19 at 72ish when I would get on a non-hilly part of I-5 here in Oregon. 

 

My 2017 3.6 Colorado would get 21-22 on the freeway at 72 with summer fuel.  My 2018 1500 5.3 Max tow would got 17-19 at 72 and when I installed the Borla exhaust, AFE intake, and Superchips program I got 19-21.  Everything I have seen says the 6.2s get very similar to the 5.3s, so I expect 17-19 mpg on the freeway at 72 mph.  I won't know for a while.  So far I have had my 2020 about three weeks, have gone 150 miles, and have burned about half a tank.  I also wonder if the dealership filled it with Premium.  BTW, those are hand calculated mileages.  The DIC was not too bad in the LML but the way overstated fuel mileage in the Colorado and the 2018 1500.  I don't know about my 2020 yet.   

 

I think the diesel Colorado and the diesel 1500 are really designed for good fuel mileage and light towing.  They seem to do well in that role.  You have a daily driver that gets decent mileage and can easily  tow a boat that weighs 3000 lbs on the trailer.   

 

The 6.2 Max Tow I see as being a great personal truck with good handling, great acceleration, and medium hauling and towing capability, which is exactly what I wanted.

 

Please note all the trucks I have had recently.  That is error on my part, and the frequent truck swapping I have done is expensive.  So don't do that.  The way to avoid doing that is do NOT settle for less than you want if you can afford what you want.  Now if you are at a place in your life where you can't afford what you want--which is where I was most of my past six decades,  then make a smart decision based on the features you need most and don't look back.  However, if you can afford it, don't skimp because it will cost you a lot more in the long run. 

 

 

 

[Cpl_Punishment]

On 5/4/2020 at 1:57 PM, INTJ said:

 

For frequent serious towing, say over 6-7000ish lbs, a 3/4 ton or 1 Ton diesel is the best option.  Half ton pickups, though they may be tow rated at 11,000 lbs,  are not a good choice for frequent towing of heavier loads. The weight of the truck isn't enough.  On flat and straight ground it is okay, but coming down curvy mountain passes with a big trailer can be a disaster for a half ton.  I live in Western Oregon and I have seen a smaller vehicle turned over by it's too large trailer on steep and twist part of the FREEWAY.  There are several sections of I-5 in SW Oregon with 50 MPH speed limits due to curves and these are many 6% grades.  Occasional towing, if careful, wouldn't be a problem for a half ton but a 3/4 ton is way better out here if you tow a lot.   A 2500 weighs about a ton more than a 1500. 

 

Also, the big diesel engines get decent mileage when towing, though they are no so great when empty anymore.  My 2002 LB7 Duramax gave me 22 mpg on I-35 in Texas at night from San Antonio to just South of Ft Worth maintaining under 70 mph.  That was around 2003 and before low sulfur diesel.  After low sulfur diesel the best I got was 18-20 mpg.  My 2009 LMM Duramax was even worse.  My 2011 LML gave me 18-19 at 72ish when I would get on a non-hilly part of I-5 here in Oregon. 

 

My 2017 3.6 Colorado would get 21-22 on the freeway at 72 with summer fuel.  My 2018 1500 5.3 Max tow would got 17-19 at 72 and when I installed the Borla exhaust, AFE intake, and Superchips program I got 19-21.  Everything I have seen says the 6.2s get very similar to the 5.3s, so I expect 17-19 mpg on the freeway at 72 mph.  I won't know for a while.  So far I have had my 2020 about three weeks, have gone 150 miles, and have burned about half a tank.  I also wonder if the dealership filled it with Premium.  BTW, those are hand calculated mileages.  The DIC was not too bad in the LML but the way overstated fuel mileage in the Colorado and the 2018 1500.  I don't know about my 2020 yet.   

 

I think the diesel Colorado and the diesel 1500 are really designed for good fuel mileage and light towing.  They seem to do well in that role.  You have a daily driver that gets decent mileage and can easily  tow a boat that weighs 3000 lbs on the trailer.   

 

The 6.2 Max Tow I see as being a great personal truck with good handling, great acceleration, and medium hauling and towing capability, which is exactly what I wanted.

 

Please note all the trucks I have had recently.  That is error on my part, and the frequent truck swapping I have done is expensive.  So don't do that.  The way to avoid doing that is do NOT settle for less than you want if you can afford what you want.  Now if you are at a place in your life where you can't afford what you want--which is where I was most of my past six decades,  then make a smart decision based on the features you need most and don't look back.  However, if you can afford it, don't skimp because it will cost you a lot more in the long run. 

 

 

 

I'm trying to figure out why low sulphur diesel would return worse fuel economy. Literally the only thing the refineries do to it is remove the sulphur; they don't change the composition in any other way. Sulphur does act as a lubricant but I don't see how that would affect economy, especially since there are lubricity specs on the fuel.

[INTJ]

4 hours ago, Cpl_Punishment said:

I'm trying to figure out why low sulphur diesel would return worse fuel economy. Literally the only thing the refineries do to it is remove the sulphur; they don't change the composition in any other way. Sulphur does act as a lubricant but I don't see how that would affect economy, especially since there are lubricity specs on the fuel.

 

We were all surprised when the change was made.  It was not expected.  Don't know why, but many of us had a drop in mileage.    

[Ezekiel2517]

On 4/24/2020 at 8:36 PM, BigDog88 said:

Finally got to tow with my new 2020 HC 6.2 NHT max tow.  Pulled my 31ft TT to branson, mo from KC area.  Ive been dying to see how it would tow on the hills betweem Springfield and Branson on Hwy 65.  My 2015 suburnan with a 5.3 and 3.42 tow package always did “ok” as long as i was ok with sometimes getting down to 45-50mph towards the end of some the incline pulls.  I immediately noticed a differnce in how it towed just leaving the house and the drive down.  The 6.2 NHT handled the hills like a champ with power to spare.  I never got below 65 (which is speed limit) and didnt have to “pull the guts out of it” to do so.  RPMs mostly around 3k on the steep hills and never over 3500.  The 10 speed is so slick and i dont miss the hard down shifts for climbs like in my 2015 5.3.  

 

Also if you think you want the tow mirrors for your NHT Max tow or even a non Max tow for pulling a big trailer.  Forget it, they are not needed if you have the technology package with all the cameras.  This was a feature i was unaware of, in tow mode, when the turning signal is turned on, the camera on the side mirror shows on the infotainment screen all the way down the trailer and more.  It has to show everybit as much and more than what a the tow mirrors would show.  Really cool feature.  I wasnt a fan of the big tow mirrors on a 1500, as it didnt look right to me.  Glad i didnt get them as i dont think they are needed.  

 

Good job GM, im loving this truck!

I have a 2019 with the trailer camera package and cameras in my side mirrors.  Mine does not show me my blind spots when I turn on my blinkers.  Is there somethign I need to do to activate this?

 

Agree with the power of these.  I was doing 60 behind a slowpoke with my loaded 6500lb (empty weight) RV and a loaded truck and I passed them with ease.  Hit 80 before I knew it.  My old 5.3 would have just blown a head gasket and laughed at me.

 

I get pretty crappy MPG towing though.  I usually do around 8mpg, but I almost always have a heavy crosswind or headwind.  Seems like its never behind.  In dead calm weatehr I can do about 10mog if I keep at 65.  My old 5.3 would do 10-12 all day with a Diablo tune on it so I was diassapointed with this.

 

I looked into the towing MPGs on the the new 2500 forum.  Honestly they are not doing that much better.  The small fuel tank is the most annoying part of towing to me. 

Edited May 23, 2020 by Ezekiel2517

[Jav_eee]

I have a 2019 with the trailer camera package and cameras in my side mirrors.  Mine does not show me my blind spots when I turn on my blinkers.  Is there somethign I need to do to activate this?

No, the 2019s don’t don’t do it at all.


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[Supercup]

I had a series of 2500/3500 diesel trucks when I towed a lot.  Then kids sports kept us from using the toyss and boat much.  So I sold the toy box and enclosed race trailer and bought a 2014 Raptor which was my daily.  It was fine for the moto's on open trailer and for the boat which was about 7,500 lbs..  I sold the Raptor at 100,000 miles - not one issue with that truck, oil changes, brake pads once and one set of tires (in addition to original).  I had to add Deaver custom springs and air bags to tow better, but overall was very happy with making the switch back to gas and half ton.

 

Last July I picked up a 2019 AT4 Carbon Pro after the Raptor, as I am not a fan of the Raptor with Eco Boost and the GMC dealer offered me such a great lease I could not pass it up.  So far it has worked great - sans the peanut fuel tank - my old Raptor had 36 gal from factory and all my diesel trucks I switched out the tank with a Transfer Flow, that were typically 50 - 54 gallons.  It is my only dislike of the AT4 - tank is just way too small and no one makes "replacement" tanks for 1/2 tons - just bed tanks and I don't want to give up the room. 

 

I still have an open trailer and tow car to track and side by side to desert and dunes etc. plus boat - so nothing over 7,500 lbs, so works fine.  But I am missing the comfort and convenience of an enclosed trailer, as everything you need just stays in there.  Toy Box is nice for comfort and as we go more will want at least an enclosed car trailer.

 

Toy box that will fit RZR 4 will be at least 24' so looking at 9,000-11,000 lbs or more with RZR, water, fuel etc.  If I forgo the comfort and go for Aluminum car trailer 20'-24' I will be 7-8,000 lbs with RZR, but with car for track I will be closer to 9-10,000 lbs again.  I agree with OP that once you go north of 7,500 lbs, the bigger truck is just a safer towing option.

 

You only need to experience it once, the trailer driving the truck!  For sure with a 1/2 ton and 10,000 lbs, if things go wrong you will quickly go from driver to passenger!  Over the years have had a few white knuckle experiences and can tell you if you tow heavy and a lot - a diesel dually will be your safest option.

 

I prefer to drive the 1/2 ton and it fits in the garage where the 2500/3500 won't fit in.  For now I am going to see how much we are heading out with the toys for awhile and if we start going like we used to, then I would guess my next truck will be a diesel truck. 

 

In the meantime, the 6.2 10 speed combo is the best motor tranny combo I have ever had on any truck to date.  It works flawlessly and the truck is great to drive!  If it had a 36 gallon tank that would make it an even better package.  Hope Triton or Transfer Flow make us a replacement tank! 

 

Edited May 23, 2020 by Supercup

[Supercup]

4 hours ago, Jav_eee said:

 

No, the 2019s don’t don’t do it at all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

That is a bummer - I was going to take my 2019 AT4 out and put it in tow mode to see if mine did it, guess I don't have to. 

[BigDog88]

5 hours ago, Ezekiel2517 said:

I have a 2019 with the trailer camera package and cameras in my side mirrors.  Mine does not show me my blind spots when I turn on my blinkers.  Is there somethign I need to do to activate this?

 

 

Agree with the power of these.  I was doing 60 behind a slowpoke with my loaded 6500lb (empty weight) RV and a loaded truck and I passed them with ease.  Hit 80 before I knew it.  My old 5.3 would have just blown a head gasket and laughed at me.

 

I get pretty crappy MPG towing though.  I usually do around 8mpg, but I almost always have a heavy crosswind or headwind.  Seems like its never behind.  In dead calm weatehr I can do about 10mog if I keep at 65.  My old 5.3 would do 10-12 all day with a Diablo tune on it so I was diassapointed with this.

 

I looked into the towing MPGs on the the new 2500 forum.  Honestly they are not doing that much better.  The small fuel tank is the most annoying part of towing to me. 

Yea I’m not sure that is available on the 2019’s.  Really like the feature on mine.  Makes changing lanes and turning corners really slick.

 

I’ve got the same problem as you, it doesn’t matter where I’m driving pulling a trailer I am driving into the wind. I dont notice hardly at all with the 6.2 10 speed compared to how much it just zapped my 5.3.  But man the 6.2 is THIRSTY!  Really wish it had a bigger gas tank like your said.  We just drove from KC to Mt Rushmore and I felt like I was stopping at every gas station.  I averaged 8.9 running 70.  But yea when I was looking at going 2500 didnt look like mpg wasn’t that much better, maybe 1-2 better but not a lot.  Bigger gas tank would be very nice.  But pulls like a champ!  Plenty of power to pass going up a hill where I generally only did so with my 5.3 on flat ground or going down hill.

[Mike_F]

Quote

If it had a 36 gallon tank that would make it an even better package.  Hope Triton or Transfer Flow make us a replacement tank!

Would be nice if a larger tank became available.

I have a LTZ 1500 CC with a standard bed.

Was under the truck just being nosy and realized they could have easily add 10-15 gallons to the existing tank with room to spare on that size bed.

Would have been nice if they had an option to order a larger tank.

 

Just towing boats up to 6 grand but she drives and pulls like a dream with the 6.2 and 10 speed.

Only 1000 miles so not really checking towing MPG yet.

 

Came out of a 05 2500HD with a 6.0 &4 speed.

That was one thirsty truck, even down hill. LOL

[INTJ]

I too noticed all the extra room for a larger tank.  I wonder if the tank from a long bed is larger and if it would fit?

[Cpl_Punishment]

11 hours ago, INTJ said:

I too noticed all the extra room for a larger tank.  I wonder if the tank from a long bed is larger and if it would fit?

I think the long beds get a slightly larger tank. 29 gallons, maybe? No idea if it would fit, though. Not sure if GM only puts it in the long beds because of the space or because they think someone with a RCLB WT is more likely to be working than a family with a CC short bed. 

[Supercup]

Looking up parts - looks like one fuel tank for all 1/2 ton trucks - 26 gallons

 

link:  https://www.gmwholesaledirect.com/oem-parts/gm-fuel-tank-23138361/?c=Zz1mdWVsLXN5c3RlbSZzPWZ1ZWwtc3lzdGVtLWNvbXBvbmVudHMmaT1HSDE0NzQwNSZyPTEmYT1jaGV2cm9sZXQmbz1zaWx2ZXJhZG8tMTUwMCZ5PTIwMTkmdD1sdHomZT02LTJsLXY4LWdhcw%3D%3D

 

Sure GM figures - 300 + mile range on low end (no tow) and 500+ at 20 mpg - is all that is needed - they don't consider towing.  And they save money only having to certify one fuel tank.

 

Max tow should get 36 gallon tank - plenty of room under there on my AT4 for another 10 gallons, maybe more.

[INTJ]

3 hours ago, Supercup said:

Looking up parts - looks like one fuel tank for all 1/2 ton trucks - 26 gallons

 

link:  https://www.gmwholesaledirect.com/oem-parts/gm-fuel-tank-23138361/?c=Zz1mdWVsLXN5c3RlbSZzPWZ1ZWwtc3lzdGVtLWNvbXBvbmVudHMmaT1HSDE0NzQwNSZyPTEmYT1jaGV2cm9sZXQmbz1zaWx2ZXJhZG8tMTUwMCZ5PTIwMTkmdD1sdHomZT02LTJsLXY4LWdhcw%3D%3D

 

Sure GM figures - 300 + mile range on low end (no tow) and 500+ at 20 mpg - is all that is needed - they don't consider towing.  And they save money only having to certify one fuel tank.

 

Max tow should get 36 gallon tank - plenty of room under there on my AT4 for another 10 gallons, maybe more.

 

This is the one for my truck.  Only 24 gallons.  The Mexico built trucks tanks are twice as the US built.  That doesn't make any sense......

 

https://www.gmwholesaledirect.com/oem-parts/gm-fuel-tank-84619577

[Cpl_Punishment]

5 hours ago, Supercup said:

Looking up parts - looks like one fuel tank for all 1/2 ton trucks - 26 gallons

 

link:  https://www.gmwholesaledirect.com/oem-parts/gm-fuel-tank-23138361/?c=Zz1mdWVsLXN5c3RlbSZzPWZ1ZWwtc3lzdGVtLWNvbXBvbmVudHMmaT1HSDE0NzQwNSZyPTEmYT1jaGV2cm9sZXQmbz1zaWx2ZXJhZG8tMTUwMCZ5PTIwMTkmdD1sdHomZT02LTJsLXY4LWdhcw%3D%3D

 

Sure GM figures - 300 + mile range on low end (no tow) and 500+ at 20 mpg - is all that is needed - they don't consider towing.  And they save money only having to certify one fuel tank.

 

Max tow should get 36 gallon tank - plenty of room under there on my AT4 for another 10 gallons, maybe more.