2017 2500hd 6.0 gas up-grade questions

dawzie wrote:
Getting my new truck Monday. Double cab, short bed. Has all the bells and whistles. Tow a 13,880 lb total loaded weight with 2880 lb pin box weight.

Besides adding mud flaps, is there anything that needs to be done ??

Cow catcher.

Congrats on the truck, don't stress about stopping for gas. My ford has the 26 gallon tank and I normally get 10-10.5 mpg pulling my 11,000 lb TT at 65. I stop around 180 miles, that's normally 3 hours worth of driving and I'm ready to stretch my legs. Plus I travel with two small kids and a wife that likes to stay super hydrated on a trip....lots of stops.

My father in law has a 2011 2500 with the 6.0. It tows his 9500 lbs trailer just fine. He is able to keep up with my Cummins in the mountains of PA and all the way to Florida and back... it just takes more fuel to do it. The 6.0 is a great engine, lots of power and dependable.

If you expect it to drive like the diesel, you will be disappointed. Its a gas engine, it needs to rev and will burn fuel faster. Its also cheaper to buy and slightly cheaper to maintain and fuel is usually cheaper as well. I towed with a gas engine for several years and never minded the engine revving. I stumbled upon a used diesel while looking for a new gas HD truck, or I would still own gas.

If the 200-225 mile range isn't enough for you, I'm sure there are aftermarket tanks that are larger or you can get a bed mounted tank too. I find that after 250 miles or so I'm ready to stretch my legs anyways. I rarely make it that far with 3 dogs and 2 toddlers though... we are usually stopping long before fuel becomes an issue!

Bottom line, you've got a good truck. Let that 6.0 sing and you'll be fine!

I get searching for gas stations around the 200 mark. I only have 26 gallons though, you should have more I think. I could be wrong but I thought the newer trucks went to 34 gallons ? Yes a efi live tune through Blackbear does wonders for the gm 6.0, and your correct, GM would know about it if it went in for warranty claims. I have that tune and love it, yes there is for sure a difference from stock.

2001400ex wrote:
This is for more fuel. I'd have one but with my current setup, I get 10 when I'm pushing it hard. 12 when I'm driving slow, hand calculated. So I can get 220 miles when pushing it hard. Otherwise I'd buy a Titan tank. Hard to beat 57 gallons.

https://www.alligatorperformance.com/exterior/fuel-tanks/titan-fuel-tanks-7010211-57-gallon-midship-tank-for-2011-16-gm-2500-3500-crew-cab-short-bed


Also, I'd buy a programmer with a cold air intake. Better shifting and little better fuel mileage. I did that to my 03 6.0 and, while I never got the cost back, it was still worth it for a little better performance.

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I've read where the programmer will give about 25hp and 18-20 torque. While maybe not noticeable, every little bit helps. But it would be a warrantee issue now, no way the dealer wouldn't know about the chip.

Until I use the truck/trailer combo I don't know if the 175 mile range is going to be a problem. Between the two of us and the two Goldens, somebody is going to need to, well you know.

Finding gas at every exit is quit common now.

This is for more fuel. I'd have one but with my current setup, I get 10 when I'm pushing it hard. 12 when I'm driving slow, hand calculated. So I can get 220 miles when pushing it hard. Otherwise I'd buy a Titan tank. Hard to beat 57 gallons.

https://www.alligatorperformance.com/exterior/fuel-tanks/titan-fuel-tanks-7010211-57-gallon-midship-tank-for-2011-16-gm-2500-3500-crew-cab-short-bed


Also, I'd buy a programmer with a cold air intake. Better shifting and little better fuel mileage. I did that to my 03 6.0 and, while I never got the cost back, it was still worth it for a little better performance.

RobWNY wrote:
I have a 2015 2500HD with the 6.0 gasser. It has a love affair with gas stations. Got a whopping 6.7 MPG on average on our last trip. Have never seen the 8-10 MPG others claim to get while towing. I get anywhere from 9.3-9.7 MPG with nothing in tow! The Tow/Haul mode isn't all that wonderful either. Plenty of times, it's failed to downshift the engine after cresting a hill. Sometimes I'm a third of the way down the other side of the hill and the engine has failed to downshift and is still screaming. I've had a couple of instances when the LCD display didn't work and had a black screen so I had to adjust radio volume etc. from the steering wheel controls until I could stop, turn the truck off and then re-start it. Also the backup camera hasn't engaged the LCD screen a few times and I've had to put the truck in Park and then back into reverse to get it to work but other than that it has been an OK vehicle. Of Course, when brought in to have these issues checked out, nothing wrong can be found. In the end, it's an OK vehicle but nothing to write home about.

I have a 2015 GMC, double cab 8' bed with a Leer cab high cap. I have averaged between 13.8 and 16.8 on the 4 lane when not towing and between 7.9 and 9.8 towing a 6400ish trailer. That's in SW and central PA where nothing is flat. Sounds like you have something amiss somewhere to get those mileage numbers.

There is a software upgrade a dealer can flash that will correct the radio lockup and backup camera issues.

KD4UPL wrote:

RobWNY wrote:
dave, I tow a 2014 27RK Heartland Trail Runner. Loaded it's about 8500 pounds. As for speeds, I go the speed limit. If it's a 55 zone, that's what I do. If it's a 65 zone like on the Thruway or Interstate, I'll do that but much of the time when in a 65 zone, I'm going 60ish if I have the cruise set and I'm on any kind of uphill grade. Like I said, even when I'm not towing, I get an average of 9.3-9.7 MPG and at my age, I'm not driving it hard. I have a buddy who has a 2013 GMC version and he gets about the same with his truck towing his cattle trailer that's about 8,000 when loaded.

Somethings wrong to get that bad of mileage. My truck at work is a 2015 Chevy 3500 4wd with the 6.0. It has a big tool box bed and ladder racks. It's always carrying enough tools and guys to weigh between 9,000 and 10,000. It averages around 11.5 to 12 MPG and that's with 4.10 gears.

I agree something is not right with the truck. Before blackbear tune I got 7.5-8.5 towing and 13.5-15 empty city. Now I get 8.5 -9.5 towing up through Georgia at 65mph and I'm getting 14.5-15.5 city empty. Hwy I'm getting 17.5 at 70mph. That's a fully loaded 4x4 4 door. My fifth wheel is 10K loaded. I have no issues even pulling more then that. I have went over 12k at times and no problems, just make sure that you use the toggle switch on the stalk and downshift prior the hill. It also allows you to lock out the gears that you don't need. I don't know, I just don't have issues with my truck. Pull with diesel and gas and really happy with the 6.0 and 6 speed combo.

RobWNY wrote:
dave, I tow a 2014 27RK Heartland Trail Runner. Loaded it's about 8500 pounds. As for speeds, I go the speed limit. If it's a 55 zone, that's what I do. If it's a 65 zone like on the Thruway or Interstate, I'll do that but much of the time when in a 65 zone, I'm going 60ish if I have the cruise set and I'm on any kind of uphill grade. Like I said, even when I'm not towing, I get an average of 9.3-9.7 MPG and at my age, I'm not driving it hard. I have a buddy who has a 2013 GMC version and he gets about the same with his truck towing his cattle trailer that's about 8,000 when loaded.

Somethings wrong to get that bad of mileage. My truck at work is a 2015 Chevy 3500 4wd with the 6.0. It has a big tool box bed and ladder racks. It's always carrying enough tools and guys to weigh between 9,000 and 10,000. It averages around 11.5 to 12 MPG and that's with 4.10 gears.

dave, I tow a 2014 27RK Heartland Trail Runner. Loaded it's about 8500 pounds. As for speeds, I go the speed limit. If it's a 55 zone, that's what I do. If it's a 65 zone like on the Thruway or Interstate, I'll do that but much of the time when in a 65 zone, I'm going 60ish if I have the cruise set and I'm on any kind of uphill grade. Like I said, even when I'm not towing, I get an average of 9.3-9.7 MPG and at my age, I'm not driving it hard. I have a buddy who has a 2013 GMC version and he gets about the same with his truck towing his cattle trailer that's about 8,000 when loaded.