2015 Chevrolet 2500HD 6.0 Gas and 12K fifth wheel

I now have a 2008 Ram 2500 with 6.7 Cummins. It tows great but I want a new truck. I am retired and live in the Baton Rouge suburban area. What that means is a lot of short 1 -3 mile trips without many longer ones. I have an Edge Insight so I can see when the truck starts regenerating, which is a lot. I live near the interstate and spend at least 30 minutes a week just driving to let the truck complete a regeneration. A gas truck would be better for me the 90% of the time when not towing, since it is my daily driver. I have a fifth wheel 34' long, 10,600 empty and 12,000 almost exactly per the CAT scales ready to camp.

I am considering a 2015 Chevrolet 2500HD with 6.0 gas, 4.10 axle and 6 speed. I have towed with gas before and fully understand that gas engines create power when climbing grades above 4,000 RPM. I have read more reviews in the last few weeks than I ever thought I would. It seems many people tow 10K plus and are happy with this engine, while about the same amount towing the same weight hate the engine. I know this configuration (2WD crew cab short bed) meets the new J2807 standards for 2016 at over 21K GCWR (almost 15K towing). Truck has about 3,300 lbs of payload, which is more than enough.

The gas truck weighs empty almost the same as my quad cab Cummins. I know my GCWR will vary between 18,800# and 19,100# ready to camp. This is well under the 2015 20,500# GCWR. I live in Louisiana, so about 50% of the towing time is flat land, 30% of time is rolling hills in southeast US, and 20% of time is mountains (I like the Rockies and Smokies).

I really value the input of members towing over about 10K with this truck. Please give me any towing input, good or bad, when towing. Yes, I know to expect 6-9 mpg towing and overall 12-13 mpg. If that's off, please let me know.

So how well does the engine, transmission and axle ratio perform when you are between 80-90% of the trucks tow ratings?

I know the diesel is best when towing, but this truck is a daily driver 80-90% of the time.

Thanks. Keith

Tow Vehicles

nevadanick
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
I have one for a work truck and pull a gooseneck trailer that is sometimes in the 14k range and it does fine as long as you can deal with the noise of 5000+ rpm pulling hills and dont mind 6-7mpg.
hawkeye-08
Explorer III
Dec 04, 2015
We pull a travel trailer that is near 10,500lbs when loaded with a 2011 GMC 2500HD 6.0/6sp 3.73 CCSB. I wish I had the 4.10 gears since the 6sp has double overdrive and plenty of gears for handling the 4.10s. You already know the 6.0 has to turn some higher rpms for the power.. It tows it fine (yes, I would love a diesel, but don't drive or tow enough to make sense).

I haven't towed the Rockies yet but would not have a problem going slower if needed.
transamz9
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
My FIL has the 4X4 version of the truck you want and pulls a 14,000# 5er and has no problems.
kw_00
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
Well I don't pull 12K with mine, but around 10K and have no issues. 7.5 mpg so far is the lowest that I have seen towing for my truck. Usually in Fl I get 8.5 on average towing my camper in the sig. I wish mine did have the 4.10 instead of the 3.73, but realistically not an issue for what I am doing with it. Empty I get 13.5 to 17mpgs depending where. Hwy 17.0mpg unloaded at 70 mph in Fl. Otherwise in town I have seen it 13.5 but mostly I get 14-15 mpg in Fl. The 6 speed will be a blessing verse the older 4 speed when towing. I lock out 6th and town in 5th in FL and hitting hills will drop into 4th around 3500rpm while keeping speed. In the mountains u could hit 3rd but at the lower mph. It will drop into 4th and keep. Very reliable, just a great proven all around drive train. If u have read any of my previous post, I am very happy with this truck, and yes I have pulled with diesel prior (Duramax and Cummins).
shepstone
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
I have a 2010 savanna with the 6.0 its a trooper of an engine, but I think you might be pushing it with 12000 probably need the 4:10 gears. With mine the power comes on early but runs out of steam sooner
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 04, 2015
What color is your new truck going to be? :B
maxwell11
Explorer
Dec 04, 2015
Keith,
what gas engine does dodge or ram sell with their heavy duty pickup trucks?

I do see some local highway maintenance trucks 2500, 3500 series with gas engines or at least I did not see a diesel name plate on the side of the hood/fender.

do not know if a gas powered ram would be worth a look see.

so far, I have been happy with my dodge ram diesel, guess I just shutter at the thought of going back to a gas motor,

but my experience towing with an older gas motor may have been worst than yours.

I sure do like the power and fuel mileage of the old Cummins diesel.

good luck with your truck buying experience. always fun to buy a new truck,

these new exhaust or motor brakes are great so I have been told.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Dec 04, 2015
Color? Maybe, Quiet Green Envy??? Chris
rhagfo
Explorer III
Dec 05, 2015
maxwell11 wrote:
Keith,
what gas engine does dodge or ram sell with their heavy duty pickup trucks?

I do see some local highway maintenance trucks 2500, 3500 series with gas engines or at least I did not see a diesel name plate on the side of the hood/fender.

do not know if a gas powered ram would be worth a look see.

so far, I have been happy with my dodge ram diesel, guess I just shutter at the thought of going back to a gas motor,

but my experience towing with an older gas motor may have been worst than yours.

I sure do like the power and fuel mileage of the old Cummins diesel.

good luck with your truck buying experience. always fun to buy a new truck,

these new exhaust or motor brakes are great so I have been told.

The Ram gas option the 6.4 Hemi. Reported to be a strong pulled. To
kzspree320
Explorer
Dec 05, 2015
Thanks for the info. Probably will be a white LT if I go that way. I like the Ford F250 with 6.2 and 4.30 for towing power, but they are about 7 inches longer and will not fit in my garage. That's a deal killer for me. I like the Ram with 6.4 Hemi and 4.10, but the transmission gearing is not as good as the Chevrolet. That's why the Chevy beat the Ram (which has both more HP and torque) in the TFL Ike Gauntlet test (both had 4.10 axles).

I know the Chevy 6.0 is an old engine, and lacks the raw power of its competitors, but GM does a good job of putting that power to the wheels. The 6.0 is a very reliable engine. I think it would be the best truck about 95% of the time. I'm just not sure it would do OK on grades. That's why I really value this information.

Please keep it coming. Thanks. Keith