Considering upgrading my present 2007 diesel TV for something newer. One of the trucks I am looking at is a 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 Z71 2wd. I have no experience in Chevy/GMC and wanted to get some opinions of those who own them.1. What is the difference between a Chevy and GMC?2. Love, It is ok, or hate your Chevy/GMC?3. I am looking at 2010 - 2013 models. Any difference in those years? One year better than another? I would assume the later the better?4. I am towing around a 34'/9,000 pound TT. For those towing around the same (TT or 5er); what type of MPG are you seeing?5. Any other pertinent info you would like to pass on.Thanks,

1, trim2, there are better choices, but there OK.3, 4, expect 10-11 towing no matter what5, drive them all and pick what you like the best

GMC is a higher priced GM truck. Other than a few luxury items like interior or plastic, they are the same truck. I have a 2013 3500 4wd, single rear wheel duramax and love it; however, I have had several issues with the NOX sensor and radiator and going through the GM repurchase. But, I am staying with GM because the truck has never left me stranded, only warning lights have come on and GM agreed to give me a new truck. I have two friends who have about the same year trucks and neither has had any issues at all and love the truck. That is why I am staying with Chevy. I would suggest you get the most current year as possible because in 2010 GM had to put emissions equipment in the diesels. Each year after they have made whatever part/technology improvements needed. Towing is awesome, I love the exhaust brake system. I get about 18mpg non-towing and about 11-12mpg towing my 35' 5th wheel trailer. I will be going from a shortbed to a long bed for additional comfort towing, so you might want to consider all options. Good luck

2011 is the first year of the LML series Duramax which added DEF. That first year had a lot of issues with NOx sensors going bad, TCM (trans control module) going bad and DEF tanks having to be replaced. Personally I would look at 2012 and up. 2011 also got an entirely new chassis with a lot of beefed up drivetrain components including brakes and exhaust brake. 2011+ is a much more capable truck from a towing perspective.

N-Trouble wrote:2011 is the first year of the LML series Duramax which added DEF. That first year had a lot of issues with NOx sensors going bad, TCM (trans control module) going bad and DEF tanks having to be replaced. Personally I would look at 2012 and up. 2011 also got an entirely new chassis with a lot of beefed up drivetrain components including brakes and exhaust brake. 2011+ is a much more capable truck from a towing perspective.I have a GMC Duramax 2011 model year and agree with this poster completely. When it is working right it is a heck of a tow rig.

1) trim and cosmetics. Other than that, they are the same vehicle. there are some differences, GMC doesn't have the WT (very base version) and until recently Chevy didn't have the Denali equal, now they have the High country. but for other versions you'll find prices virtually identical.2) I had an 04, Chevy after 125K miles went to our son and we now have a 2015 GMC Denali. We love both, and 04 was and is still trouble free. 15 only has 20K miles on it, but so far is flawless. very quite, better handling than the 043) I think the chassis changed in 11 and then it was updated significantly again in 154) as for towing 9K lbs, piece of cake, but expect between 10 and 13 mpg depending on (a) SPEED and (b) terrain. 60 or so on flat ground I can get 13, usually it is in the 11-12 range.

Chevy/GMC 2500 diesel owners | Good Sam Community

DustyR
Explorer
Jul 11, 2016
SoCalDesertRider wrote:
I'd keep the '07 :)

Anything diesel after '07 is full of a bunch of emissions garbage...

Chevy/GMC = same truck with different names and trims, been that way for a few decades.

The 07 is highly sought after unit because of the lack of emission controls.
greatwhitenort1
Explorer
Jul 10, 2016
ktmrfs wrote:
1) trim and cosmetics. Other than that, they are the same vehicle. there are some differences, GMC doesn't have the WT (very base version) and until recently Chevy didn't have the Denali equal, now they have the High country. but for other versions you'll find prices virtually identical.
2) I had an 04, Chevy after 125K miles went to our son and we now have a 2015 GMC Denali. We love both, and 04 was and is still trouble free. 15 only has 20K miles on it, but so far is flawless. very quite, better handling than the 04
3) I think the chassis changed in 11 and then it was updated significantly again in 15
4) as for towing 9K lbs, piece of cake, but expect between 10 and 13 mpg depending on (a) SPEED and (b) terrain. 60 or so on flat ground I can get 13, usually it is in the 11-12 range.

LOL, is this what the salesman told you? Same chassis since '11' new body style for the HD's in '15'
edatlanta
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
My 2006 GMC with the LBZ engine has 165,000 on it and I'm going to drive it until it or me rusts away. It has been paid for for a long time and zero monthly payment is nice.
Skidus1
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
No issues with my 07 LMM as of yet. I do want a newer truck for the reason others have posted after 2011. The paid off truck with 41k keeps me from doing it. Man the new ones are nice :)
SoCalDesertRid1
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
I'd keep the '07 :)

Anything diesel after '07 is full of a bunch of emissions garbage...

Chevy/GMC = same truck with different names and trims, been that way for a few decades.
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Jul 08, 2016
KD4UPL wrote:
GMC has a different grill and emblems. That's the only difference.
I've had 4 Chevy work trucks over the last 13 years. They all worked hard and gave excellent service. My current truck has over 212,000 miles on it and the engine has never been opened up. I love them.
There were significant changes in 2011. I wouldn't even consider a 2010 model.

not quite just emblems and grills. but they are basically cosmetic differnces. As an example for 2015 there were exterior colors that are unique to either "brand" along with interior trim colors, GMC has completely different headlights than Chevy, and GMC doesn't have the low end WT combo that chevy has. And in some cases the colors are listed with different names, but the same color code and are identical.

And there are some differences in interior trim options and colors between the two.

But they (other than the headlights) basically cosmetic, so it's really either which you like better, or which dealer you like better.

And yes the 2011 chassis is huge step up from 2010 and earlier. I've had both.
KD4UPL
Explorer
Jul 08, 2016
GMC has a different grill and emblems. That's the only difference.
I've had 4 Chevy work trucks over the last 13 years. They all worked hard and gave excellent service. My current truck has over 212,000 miles on it and the engine has never been opened up. I love them.
There were significant changes in 2011. I wouldn't even consider a 2010 model.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Jul 07, 2016
ktmrfs wrote:

3) I think the chassis changed in 11 and then it was updated significantly again in 15

Same chassis. '15 got the new body style and interior but exact same chassis/drivetrain as 2011+
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2016
1. What is the difference between a Chevy and GMC? As stated - trim.

2. Love, It is ok, or hate your Chevy/GMC? Love it.

3. I am looking at 2010 - 2013 models. Any difference in those years? One year better than another? I would assume the later the better? The later model year you get, the better the emissions system will be (more "bugs" ironed out). All the major manufacturers have increased the GVWR/payload ratings as the years have passed. My 2013, after scaling loaded, has about 3,000 lbs. left on the rear axle for pin weight. Earlier trucks had less.

4. I am towing around a 34'/9,000 pound TT. For those towing around the same (TT or 5er); what type of MPG are you seeing? We get 19 - 20 on the highway not towing and 11 average (coast-to-coast/north-to-south) towing a 13,400 lb. fifth wheel.

5. Any other pertinent info you would like to pass on. You will not be disappointed with the DuraMax/Allison combo for towing. Pay attention to scale weights, payload, brakes, tires and hitch setup.

Rob
ktmrfs
Explorer II
Jul 07, 2016
1) trim and cosmetics. Other than that, they are the same vehicle. there are some differences, GMC doesn't have the WT (very base version) and until recently Chevy didn't have the Denali equal, now they have the High country. but for other versions you'll find prices virtually identical.
2) I had an 04, Chevy after 125K miles went to our son and we now have a 2015 GMC Denali. We love both, and 04 was and is still trouble free. 15 only has 20K miles on it, but so far is flawless. very quite, better handling than the 04
3) I think the chassis changed in 11 and then it was updated significantly again in 15
4) as for towing 9K lbs, piece of cake, but expect between 10 and 13 mpg depending on (a) SPEED and (b) terrain. 60 or so on flat ground I can get 13, usually it is in the 11-12 range.

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