GMC/Chevy HD gasser question

We have a 2011 Suburban with 6.0L/6-spd/3.73. We towed two 2200 mile trips this year, plus our summer weekends. We aren't pushing the limits at around 7k loaded TT, but I comfortably tow at 70mph in 5th gear when not too hot and never below 3rd gear @60mph up any interstate mountain. It likes to spin. I budget 8mpg at that speed and get 7-9mpg depending on wind and hills. Otherwise, 65k miles in under 4 years. Two non towing trips to South Carolina, one Orlando trip, and lots of carting kids around town. It is our main family vehicle replacing a minivan and does everything we ask in luxury and comfort.

However, if I could get the pickup diesel powertrain in SUV form, I'd have that instead.

Goostoff wrote:
Looks like 10k is about it for performance on the 6.0. my trailer is right around 15k when we are on the road. My 454 gets a hell of a workout on even the slightest hill and I average 5 MPG as well. I know the LS series engines are much more efficient and all but there is no replacement for displacement. Maybe look for a truck with the 8.1 if you want to go any heavier.

HAHAHA. You don't get out much do ya? The 6.0 now days will eat your 454 for lunch and not even belch. The 8.1 was also a great motor but still not up to par with the newer 6.0.

OP, my FIL tows right around 15,000# with his 2015 and has no problems staying right with me and my '13 Cummins. He just has to let'er rev to get to his power band. Good luck with what ever you decide to go with and have fun. Also BTW, like others have said, don't let short trips steer you one way or the other as far as your decision. Short trips are just as hard on a gas motor as they are on the new diesels.

Is everybody sure there right that these new diesels are great for running around town? I have always thought just the opposite. Your going go in to regen a lot more often. Also you never really warm the whole engine up. I drive my civic around town and the truck when working or hauling.

The disparity between ability between gas and diesel has shrunk to the point in recent years that it really comes down to personal preference (gas vs diesel) up to a certain point...

Thanks!

Jeremiag

dave17352 wrote:
Is everybody sure there right that these new diesels are great for running around town? I have always thought just the opposite. Your going go in to regen a lot more often. Also you never really warm the whole engine up. I drive my civic around town and the truck when working or hauling.

It's like anything else, a matter of opinion. It's a fact that a diesel engine likes to work and be run extensively. That's exactly what they were designed and built for. I'm quite sure you can run around and do short trips with a diesel and of course some do. But is it recommended and/or good for them. I just don't think so. Some will argue otherwise, and that's fine. Again, it's opinion. But with the state of emissions equipment and maintenance these days its not worth it. Just look at what the majority of fleet vehicles are going to these days. Especially those with excessive short trips and prolonged idle times. Gas.
That is all.

dave17352 wrote:
Is everybody sure there right that these new diesels are great for running around town? I have always thought just the opposite. Your going go in to regen a lot more often. Also you never really warm the whole engine up. I drive my civic around town and the truck when working or hauling.

I've got almost 30,000 on my 2012 Ram CTD. I'm retired and unless I'm going camping (4000 miles yearly) the rest is around town with the occasional (every 4-5 weeks) trip somewhere on the interstate amounting to 150 miles RT. I've never seen the 80% clogged DPF emissions message. I don't have DEF so my regens are closer than if I had DEF. Zero issues so far. I'm really not sure where the 'can't drive around town' folk lore started. This is my 1st diesel so maybe it was on prior models or other brands.

I'm not going to say I won't have an issue today, next week or next year but so far no issues.

I really love our 2500HD. We tow a 7,000 lb. travel trailer or a 6,000 lb. utility trailer. There is no question that it can tow more. It is comfortable when pulling all day and is stable around big rigs and in reasonable wind when towing. Usually we just use tow/haul mode on the trans and keep the speed at 60. It could tow faster but this speed seems to be the sweet spot where it is most comfortable for me with our rig. We have pulled our TT over the Appalachians twice and the only driving adjustment has been to manually shift the gears and to duck in with the big rigs and keep the speed to 45 or so. We haven't pulled up the big mountains out west but would not hesitate to do so. I would also not hesitate to tow heavier as long as we could stay within the numbers. Our yellow payload sticker says we have 2,875 lbs of payload. With our family of 4 and the stuff we carry we probably wouldn't run out until the trailer is over 10,000 lbs.

Our configuration is a 6.0, 4.10 diff, 6 speed tranny, 4x4 with factory towing mirrors and a topper that sticks up a little above the cab. It isn't designed for gas mileage. Most of my driving is around town and overall I'm averaging about 11.5. Towing we get the same as others have noted, 7.5 to 8.5.

Today I pulled 12500 up a 6% grade that goes for 5 miles with my 6.0 and was passing semis. That motor is so dam strong, it will drink gas but it flat will pull a load. Unfortunately it looks like we will be trading off the 6.0 on a Duramax this week. I am gonna miss that truck, likely my personal all time favorite.