1st reports on the new 2015 GM p/u's

[jim_summers]

is it too soon to hear some first hand reports on the new GM trucks ? I'd love to hear real towing reports from 1500 owners that have the 6.2 max towing pkg and from 2500 owners with the same pkg in the 6.0L engine. I can't believe GM won't put the 6.2L in the 2500's. Thnx

[jerem0621]

MM49 wrote:

Ridgerunner29 wrote:

MM49 wrote:
I really don't understand why any of these trucks would be considered when the RAM 6.4l 2500 is available?
MM49

We probably all feel the same way about the particular truck we decided to buy. I picked he Chevy 2500HD because it appealed to me more than any other truck. RAM is better for you, Silverado is better for me.

You can have your torsion bars. I wouldn’t consider a vehicle with them.
MM49

I haven't heard that argument Against GM since about 1996...

[MM49]

Ridgerunner29 wrote:

MM49 wrote:
I really don't understand why any of these trucks would be considered when the RAM 6.4l 2500 is available?
MM49

We probably all feel the same way about the particular truck we decided to buy. I picked he Chevy 2500HD because it appealed to me more than any other truck. RAM is better for you, Silverado is better for me.

You can have your torsion bars. I wouldn’t consider a vehicle with them.
MM49

[Ridgerunner29]

MM49 wrote:
I really don't understand why any of these trucks would be considered when the RAM 6.4l 2500 is available?
MM49

We probably all feel the same way about the particular truck we decided to buy. I picked he Chevy 2500HD because it appealed to me more than any other truck. RAM is better for you, Silverado is better for me.

[MM49]

I really don't understand why any of these trucks would be considered when the RAM 6.4l 2500 is available?
MM49

[glazier]

Mr.Beebo wrote:

mtofell1 wrote:

That looks like a super nice setup. IMO, the 6.0 is a total dog and not worth anyone's time but I tend to get a lot of flames for saying that.

I'm glad it is just your opinion. My first hand experience as a contractor is that the 6.0 has and is doing everything we ask of it without issue.

I agree, I have never been disappointed in our 6.0 trucks at the shop. I am going to buy another one of those dogs before the end of the year. My crews have never complained about them, I have bought that engine since GM started making it. I have also bought Duramax engines the entire time as well, all tools have an application.

[monkey44]

This post began quite a while ago -- right after we bought the 2015 2500HD w/4:10 and 6.0L gas -- and just popped up again.

After a couple camping trips to the west coast, and a few local trips, I still feel the same way. This 6.0L engine will be our choice every time. I'd maybe decide now for the 4:10 RE ... It does pull better, and even with only 3200 lbs, it hauls very well up the mountains. I can't remember now if the 3:73 did it quite a s well, but the MPG is so similar, it's probably not worth the exchange for the 3:73 ...

IF I do it again in a year or two, will definitely stay with the 6.0L and 4:10. I've always liked it and thought the 6.0L was the true powerhouse for GM, and this one hasn't changed my mind.

[hawkeye-08]

I have a 2011 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4wd 6.0/6 sp/3.73 and wish I had gotten the 4.10 for several reasons.

1) better pulling power
2) better mpg
3) and the biggest reason, enough rpms at normal towing speeds to stay in lower gear. with my 3.73, the rpms are too low to handle much hill or wind without shifting down. A few hundred more rpms would help.

Folks have to realize that in the old days, top gear in the transmission resulted in much higher rpms at highway speeds, but now with double over drive on these 6 speeds, you have plenty of gears to run 70 plus at decent rpms.

[Ridgerunner29]

I traded my 2012 2500HD for a 2015 2500HD with same setup except 2012 model had a 3.73 diff and Goodyear tires, 2015 has 4.10 diff and Michelin tires. 6.0 CC 4X4 LT. Right out of the box the 2015 gets better mpg by 1 mpg. 9.5 towing over a 500 mile trip vs. 8.5 on the same 500 miles with same rig and load. New one gets 15.5 mpg on the highway with no load. Old truck got 14.5 mpg on highway with no load. My experience with the 6.0 is that it mpg will improve around 25,000 miles. MPG calculations were done by hand and odometer was checked against mile markers on the interstate.

The programing for grade braking does not seem to be as aggressive as the 2012 model. Torque management seems to be a little more aggressive in the 2015. The 2015 is much quieter in the cab. I did not get all the bells and whistles so I can't give any idea about all the high tech stuff. The dash controls are positioned better than in the old truck (4X4, trailer brake, etc…). The glove box is much smaller in the new truck. The console on the LT is more narrow than the old truck (less storage space in the new console and smaller cup holders). Narrow console may mean wider seats. The back doors are obviously larger and there appears to be more leg room in the back seat.

I hear they are coming out with a mid-year refresh on the 2500HD that will include some minor cosmetic options and WiFi (which I don't understand the benefit of in a truck).

[monkey44]

lbrjet wrote:
What any 1500 is missing (including the F150 HD) is a full floating axle, a stronger frame, a stronger axle, a stronger transmission and better brakes when compared to any 250/2500 truck. You won't find an aluminum block in any 250/2500 truck either.

This one too ...

The difference is quite a bit. Six lug wheels too, vs eight lug.

And heavier duty everything, it's not just about payload, it's about stopping the weight at 60-70 mph as well, and rolling downhill with all that weight pushing behind you.

Ask this question: Do you want to be 'barely safe' or 'truly safe'?

[jim_summers]

M44- I'm pretty much same as you. We tow a 6500 lb TT w/ about 200lbs added to it. It's got a 670lb hitch weight that goes into the p/u truck payload. That's really no big load for a 2500HD. The time we are unhooked is more than the time towing. We tend to camp 1 place and do a lot of tourist-ing about, on our own. I'd love to see the 2500HD w/ a 3.73 as well. Thx for the info on the 4.10 & its mpg.

[monkey44]

Dadoffourgirls wrote:
Jim - In 2014, GM made the 4.10 axle standard. There was information that the 4.10 improved fuel economy over the 3.73 up to 60 mph. If all your driving is over 60, it was not going to be improved. If the majority of time you are under 60, it was better.

Michael:

As a former 3:73 owner, and now a 4:10 owner, it's a little puzzling to see the 4:10 getting better mileage than the 3:73 with all else equal (including the new trans) -- the math makes no sense. But I can say for sure that this 2015 6.0L w/4:10 gets very similar mpg as did my 2003 6.0L w/3:73 when hauling the same TC. But, 4:10 gets better mpg empty than the 3:73 -- between one and two mpg better.

But it still makes me wonder if the 2015 6.0L and the 6sp with 3:73 would also gain in mpg for the same reasons the 4:10 does. If given a choice, I'd still like to try out the 3:73 under the same driving conditions and with the same drive train (except the RE) and see what it gets.

I'm real happy with this truck, but would really like to have that option (3:73) because I don't tow nearly has heavy as most do, and would surely gain with that RE option (I'd think so anyway) and without losing that potential for better mpg.

I know, I know, who cares about mpg with a 2500HD, which we buy to do the work not to save $$$ on gas -- but still, all things being equal, if I could get the same truck (basically) and gain one or two mpg better (10%), then why not buy it. I would, for sure -- but am probably among a limited number of 2500HD drivers because most buy it for towing, not hauling a truck camper at 3200 lbs.

[jim_summers]

Thanks (again) for the input and info.Looking at the tech data for the new 6 sp GM tranny, it seems the "new" 4.10 is geared a lot higher than the old 4 speed, 4.10 was. it's almost as high as the 3.73 actually. I'm still pouring over the websites for the info lbrjet gave me in this post, on "better brakes in the 2500HD". That might be a deal breaker in favor of the 2500HD.
Oh, I was asked about the TT I tow. I was looking to upgrade some time from the 25R to a Artic Fox 26X. it's hitch weight is 1035. That would take up most of the payload of a 1500. Hm-m-m? Glad I ask the questions and got the input here. Thnx again.

[APT]

GM could also advertise a much higher standard tow rating with the 4.10.

[lbrjet]

I think it awesome GM changed to the 4.10 as the standard axle. Smart move.