Best engine for mountain/hill climbing

Z71RAD88 · May 12

I’m trying my best to educate myself on torque, horsepower, transmissions and gas verse diesel. I’m going to be shopping for a new 1500 as I do not tow anything nor have plans too.

My employer is fortunate enough to have a spare company vehicle that’s a GMC 1500 with the 6.2 10 speed and that thing just cruises up Donner Summit in Northern California going to Nevada. It never downshifts it seems to have plenty of power to climb the hill.

My question to the group - how much of climb is because of engine or the 10 speed being able to find the right gear, or is it both? If it’s the transmission being able to keep the truck is the right gear, would selecting the 5.3 allow me to not notice the difference? Or even better would the 3.0 diesel do better with turbos not being impacted by altitude and more torque down low?

I do other vacations and trips in the mountains as well which would be loaded down with my wife and three kids. And a pick up bed and most likely camper shell filled with crappola.

And yes, I’m typing this post in the garage on Mother’s Day otherwise I’d be in trouble for being on my phone.

silveradosid · May 13

the 6.2 needs super gas to perform that way, added expense. if you are not towing i would go with the 2.7 turbo. customboss also lives in high altitudes and has had no problems with his, plus you can run regular gas. ok V8 lovers you can start bashing me now lol

Z71RAD88 · May 13

4 hours ago, silveradosid said:

the 6.2 needs super gas to perform that way, added expense. if you are not towing i would go with the 2.7 turbo. customboss also lives in high altitudes and has had no problems with his, plus you can run regular gas. ok V8 lovers you can start bashing me now lol

I’ll be the first to the party as one of the v8 lovers, a 4 cyl turbo ain’t my jam.

Paul Beaudet · May 13

The 2.7 has pulled well for me on steep slopes (up to 15%) with my 4300# trailer. Barely makes a fuss about it. TBF, no long, continuous climbs near me.

The 2.7 really does drive like a diesel, but much quieter.

Grumpy Bear · May 13

On 5/12/2024 at 5:53 PM, Z71RAD88 said:

I’m trying my best to educate myself on torque, horsepower, transmissions and gas verse diesel. I’m going to be shopping for a new 1500 as I do not tow anything nor have plans too.

My employer is fortunate enough to have a spare company vehicle that’s a GMC 1500 with the 6.2 10 speed and that thing just cruises up Donner Summit in Northern California going to Nevada. It never downshifts it seems to have plenty of power to climb the hill.

My question to the group - how much of climb is because of engine or the 10 speed being able to find the right gear, or is it both? If it’s the transmission being able to keep the truck is the right gear, would selecting the 5.3 allow me to not notice the difference? Or even better would the 3.0 diesel do better with turbos not being impacted by altitude and more torque down low?

I do other vacations and trips in the mountains as well which would be loaded down with my wife and three kids. And a pick up bed and most likely camper shell filled with crappola.

And yes, I’m typing this post in the garage on Mother’s Day otherwise I’d be in trouble for being on my phone.

State Speed Limits | Colorado General Assembly

At one end of the spectrum, You could pedal over Loveland Pass. 11,990 ft. Just can't do it a 70 mph. Another consideration is the speed limit. Some winding Colorado mountain roads have limits as low as 20 mp. Open mountain highways are 40 mph. No idea what yours are in California. Power isn't such a big deal in those situations cause 'speed' is what you need horsepower for. Incline/weight is what you need torque for. What you may lack in motor you can obtain in gear.

This will put the damper on the need for huge power: Variable speed limit signs to be posted along I-70 | FOX31 Denver (kdvr.com)

Everybody buys for the steepest fastest pass they can find run at the heaviest they can buy. What percentage of those buys ever use it? Patients and planning can save a guy allot of money. Just tossing it out there.

Z71RAD88 · May 14

1 hour ago, Grumpy Bear said:

State Speed Limits | Colorado General Assembly

At one end of the spectrum, You could pedal over Loveland Pass. 11,990 ft. Just can't do it a 70 mph. Another consideration is the speed limit. Some winding Colorado mountain roads have limits as low as 20 mp. Open mountain highways are 40 mph. No idea what yours are in California. Power isn't such a big deal in those situations cause 'speed' is what you need horsepower for. Incline/weight is what you need torque for. What you may lack in motor you can obtain in gear.

This will put the damper on the need for huge power: Variable speed limit signs to be posted along I-70 | FOX31 Denver (kdvr.com)

Everybody buys for the steepest fastest pass they can find run at the heaviest they can buy. What percentage of those buys ever use it? Patients and planning can save a guy allot of money. Just tossing it out there.

we can go anywhere from 55-65 mph.

Grumpy Bear · May 14

2 hours ago, Z71RAD88 said:

we can go anywhere from 55-65 mph.

Then your real limit is your patients. Okay, and your pocketbook.

diyer2 · May 14

I live in Colorado, been here a long time. Towing, not towing. Motor homes, towing, not towing.

The best motor? Anybody can go fast down hill.

Z71RAD88 · May 14

5 minutes ago, diyer2 said:

I live in Colorado, been here a long time. Towing, not towing. Motor homes, towing, not towing.

The best motor? Anybody can go fast down hill.

what about up hill? What’s your current rig?

avspin · May 14

I went form a 5.3 to 6.2. I can tell you pulling my boat up to Tahoe was tough on the 5.3, getting passed, struggling uphill. Going to the 6.2 was a big difference for me. Like most, 99% of the time I'm not towing and I love the driving the 6.2. I also have an Audi as my daily drive but enjoy the truck more. Having the ability to turn off the DFM also makes a big change from stock. Unfortunately, I have to remove the Pulsar LT every year for smog.

Z71RAD88 · May 14

8 minutes ago, avspin said:

I went form a 5.3 to 6.2. I can tell you pulling my boat up to Tahoe was tough on the 5.3, getting passed, struggling uphill. Going to the 6.2 was a big difference for me. Like most, 99% of the time I'm not towing and I love the driving the 6.2. I also have an Audi as my daily drive but enjoy the truck more. Having the ability to turn off the DFM also makes a big change from stock. Unfortunately, I have to remove the Pulsar LT every year for smog.

Thank you for your reply.