6.2 Max Tow vs Gasser HD

trojanone1 · January 26, 2023

15 hours ago, ShotgunZ71 said:

I recently went back to an HD for towing our TT. Not that the 1500, 6.2, standard bed couldn't do it, just that things feel more stable with the HD for my liking. All my other tow vehicles have been HD trucks, so I was used to that type of a feel when towing. As someone said earlier, these newer HD trucks aren't bad as daily drivers at all. Most ride better than 1500s from a few years back.

The new 6.6 gas with the Allison 10-speed would be a great choice for the OP's use.

Here's to hoping the Build and Price comes out in the next week or two. I've heard beginning of February and the end of February for when it will come online.

28 minutes ago, John813 said:

Gotcha.

I admit I got the 6.2L to at least have something quick in the meantime as I drive quite a bit for work and need a 4x4 for job sites. A sports car would just be collecting dust and with the prices these days I don't need a garage ornament that bad.

Was looking at the gas 6.6L last year too as my payload can get high for short trips, but nothing to where it had to be a 2500. And admittedly, I like the look of the 2500, so that was playing a role too.

For me, due to where I go frequently, I could rock a 2500 as a daily, but I avoid the city/compact areas as much as possible.

That's what I am struggling with. I believe I am only near my payload limits 5-6 times a year during the summer. The rest of the months the truck is empty, minus the occasional Menards runs.

John813 · January 26, 2023

4 hours ago, trojanone1 said:

Here's to hoping the Build and Price comes out in the next week or two. I've heard beginning of February and the end of February for when it will come online.

That's what I am struggling with. I believe I am only near my payload limits 5-6 times a year during the summer. The rest of the months the truck is empty, minus the occasional Menards runs.

Have you found a dealership with a 6.2L 1500 and 6.6 2500?

While the 10 speed trans should help in the 2500, I think you can get a good feeling overall for the power of the truck regardless of the trans and see if also the size of the truck would be a hinder. And then just drive the 6.2L right after.

I went by a local dealer last week that had a RST 6.2L with some options and it was $67k MSRP. It's nuts what 1500's are going for now.

Edited January 26, 2023 by John813

trojanone1 · January 26, 2023

1 hour ago, John813 said:

Have you found a dealership with a 6.2L 1500 and 6.6 2500?

While the 10 speed trans should help in the 2500, I think you can get a good feeling overall for the power of the truck regardless of the trans and see if also the size of the truck would be a hinder. And then just drive the 6.2L right after.

I went by a local dealer last week that had a RST 6.2L with some options and it was $67k MSRP. It's nuts what 1500's are going for now.

I haven't found a dealership with both on the lot, no. Test drives would be a good idea. I've never driven a truck with the 6.2L, so I am afraid I will fall in love with the powerplant and be disappointed in driving the heavier 2500. But if a 6.2L 1500 with standard bed is similar length to a 2500 with short bed, I might as well go with the 2500.

asilverblazer · January 26, 2023

1/2 Ton crew cab with the 6.5' bed is nominally the same length as a 3/4 ton crew cab with the 6.5' bed. The only body differences in length are the bumpers.

The 1/2 ton will be more spry, acceleration, braking, etc. but the difference is not significant to me. The 3/4 is definitely taller, it may not fit in some garages. Getting in and out of the cab is harder, especially since I try not to slide out/off the seat.

trojanone1 · January 26, 2023

When towing using a 1500, is there a big difference between the 5.5 and 6.5 beds?

Ezekiel2517 · February 2, 2023

I have a 2019 6.2 max tow 4x4 with 10 speed. Have a 5609lb dry travel trailer. This truck pulls it without reservation. At almost 13000lb tow rating it also leaves more than enough margin. I did add airbags and a WD hitch to smooth out any bounce. The WD hitch would also be needed on a 2500 for control, but likely not the bags. Overall I'm very happy with it over a 6.6L 2500.

trojanone1 · February 2, 2023

13 hours ago, Ezekiel2517 said:

I have a 2019 6.2 max tow 4x4 with 10 speed. Have a 5609lb dry travel trailer. This truck pulls it without reservation. At almost 13000lb tow rating it also leaves more than enough margin. I did add airbags and a WD hitch to smooth out any bounce. The WD hitch would also be needed on a 2500 for control, but likely not the bags. Overall I'm very happy with it over a 6.6L 2500.

short or standard bed? Can you share your payload #?

Edited February 2, 2023 by trojanone1

asilverblazer · February 2, 2023

I hope nobody misses that the 1/2 ton trucks have three bed sizes: Short, Standard, Long

3/4 ton and up have two: Standard, Long.

Crew cab, STANDARD bed trucks are the same length +/- regardless of truck rating.

The standard bed USED to be called the short bed and some might still call it the short bed...

Ezekiel2517 · February 8, 2023

It's a short bed, 5'7" I think it looks better on half ton. These T1 beds have way more room in them than the K2s. If u ever plan on getting a 5th wheel I would get a 6.5' bed.

Not sure what u mean on payload numbers. The trailer is just under 6k lbs. Probably closer to 7k loaded up. I'll put a couple hundred in bed too. It has a 700lb tongue weight, so I run a load distributing hitch.

I have a 2" level in front and 1.5 block in rear. When I put 50psi in the bags, the truck and trailer sit perfectly level.

trojanone1 · February 8, 2023

10 hours ago, Ezekiel2517 said:

It's a short bed, 5'7" I think it looks better on half ton. These T1 beds have way more room in them than the K2s. If u ever plan on getting a 5th wheel I would get a 6.5' bed.

Not sure what u mean on payload numbers. The trailer is just under 6k lbs. Probably closer to 7k loaded up. I'll put a couple hundred in bed too. It has a 700lb tongue weight, so I run a load distributing hitch.

I have a 2" level in front and 1.5 block in rear. When I put 50psi in the bags, the truck and trailer sit perfectly level.

I'm leaning towards the short bed, only due to looks. I don't think my wife and I plan on upgrading travel trailers for a long time as our current one has bunk beds and is large enough to grow if our family grows. Current camper is a 2013 Jayco Jay Flight 25 BHS with a dry weight of 5770lbs, GVWR of 8180lbs, and listed hitch weight of 755lbs. I am pretty confident I do not load up the trailer to the GVWR rating.

As for my payload question, I'm asking about the trailing information sticker as shown in this TFL link: https://tfltruck.com/2018/10/2019-chevy-silverado-1500-trail-boss-tow-payload-specs/

From my research, the payload # matters more than the manufacturer's statement that the truck can tow 13,000lbs or whatever number they put in the brochure.

My dilemma is do I need a 3/4 ton pickup for the one or two times a summer we go camping further than two hours away, or if I can find a 6.2 w/ max tow LTZ or RST with close to 1900lbs of payload, then I have more cushion in payload numbers vs my current pickup.

Ezekiel2517 · February 8, 2023

I'll have to look when I get home from travel. I remember looking at the numbers on time and it was around 12500 tow capacity on sticker. I was so far above trailer I didn't care to go further.

6.2 with 3.42 rear end and 10 speed handles it no problem. Transmission cooler in the max tow trucks helps a lot when in stop and go. For what it's worth I use to pull this same trailer with a 2014 5.3 z71 gmc, 6sp with airbags It pulled it safely but it would grunt a lot going uphill and passing was next to impossible.

With the husky hitch on it I have towed through 25mph crosswinds with no sway. That's not to say it was pleasant, but with the D rated 33" BFGs I have on it, the trailer and truck stayed solidly planted.

I have done 5 hour tows with this rig. Worst part of it is the ridiculously small 23 gallon gas tank and poor towing fuel economy. If I go 60 with no wind at all I can do 10-12 on flat ground. 65 in a headwind will take it to 7mpg. On average I'll do about 8 because the wind is never not blowing on the Texas gulf coast. But I doubt a 2500 gasser is gonna do much better. And it will do much worse the rest of the time. I can do 20mpg pretty consistently while empty on highway.

The manual says premium recommended. I usually run regular and put in a can of octane booster or run mid grade 89. I've towed with 89 and couldn't really tell a difference from 93 but usually I will use 93 when towing. Lots of people on this forum will go apeshit over this, but I say F it. I have a good powetrain warranty

Edited February 8, 2023 by Ezekiel2517

BB68 · April 1, 2023

On 2/8/2023 at 8:12 AM, trojanone1 said:

I'm leaning towards the short bed, only due to looks. I don't think my wife and I plan on upgrading travel trailers for a long time as our current one has bunk beds and is large enough to grow if our family grows. Current camper is a 2013 Jayco Jay Flight 25 BHS with a dry weight of 5770lbs, GVWR of 8180lbs, and listed hitch weight of 755lbs. I am pretty confident I do not load up the trailer to the GVWR rating.

As for my payload question, I'm asking about the trailing information sticker as shown in this TFL link: https://tfltruck.com/2018/10/2019-chevy-silverado-1500-trail-boss-tow-payload-specs/

From my research, the payload # matters more than the manufacturer's statement that the truck can tow 13,000lbs or whatever number they put in the brochure.

My dilemma is do I need a 3/4 ton pickup for the one or two times a summer we go camping further than two hours away, or if I can find a 6.2 w/ max tow LTZ or RST with close to 1900lbs of payload, then I have more cushion in payload numbers vs my current pickup.

Most people don't realize the majority of the stabile towing feel of a 2500 comes from the tires. All the 1500s come with P tires that are squishy - for comfort.... I have found just going from 18" wheels to 20"s w/P tires helped substantially. Now if I swapped tires to LTs along with 20"s??

We tow all over the Midwest and CO WY hauling cars and a Cobalt boat. I probably put on more miles just with a trailer than most people do combined per year. I do all of this with a 6.2 ccsb 1500. I'm looking at trading for another but this time it will have max tow and possibly 6.5 box... still debating the longer box. I just can't justify a 6.6 Dmax (extra maint or fuel gelling in the winter - I used to be a JD tech and have had my fair share of gelled diesels) or the terrible empty mpg of the gasser 2500s.

Edited April 1, 2023 by BB68

the wanderer · April 1, 2023

10 hours ago, BB68 said:

Most people don't realize the majority of the stabile towing feel of a 2500 comes from the tires.

Nope. The massive increase in stability comes from the stiffer suspension, the stiffer frame, the longer wheelbase, the heavier weight of the truck, the bigger brakes. All stuff you can't do to a 1500.

Not saying you personally need a 2500 in your situation, you can definitely make a 1500 feel better with better tires. But that doesn't mean the tires is even close to the first reason a 2500 tows better.

trojanone1 · April 1, 2023

24 minutes ago, the wanderer said:

Nope. The massive increase in stability comes from the stiffer suspension, the stiffer frame, the longer wheelbase, the heavier weight of the truck, the bigger brakes. All stuff you can't do to a 1500.

Not saying you personally need a 2500 in your situation, you can definitely make a 1500 feel better with better tires. But that doesn't mean the tires is even close to the first reason a 2500 tows better.

Is it debatable though that the current 1500's are comparable towing to 2500s from twenty years ago? Although all the tech they throw in these trucks (added weight) is what can limit to what a 1500 can tow.

BB68 · April 1, 2023

19 minutes ago, the wanderer said:

Nope. The massive increase in stability comes from the stiffer suspension, the stiffer frame, the longer wheelbase, the heavier weight of the truck, the bigger brakes. All stuff you can't do to a 1500.

Not saying you personally need a 2500 in your situation, you can definitely make a 1500 feel better with better tires. But that doesn't mean the tires is even close to the first reason a 2500 tows better.

There are 2 types of people ones that get it done and ones that sit on the sidelines..... This was my observation from getting it done for decades with a 1500 at home.. going from 15s - 16s(back when 1500s came with LT tires) - 18s to now 20s. My service trucks at work have been 2500s and 3500s with many more miles put on them...

2500 to haul cars and a boat lol what a joke