How's that 6.6 gas working for you?

[LITEPHIL]

Getting ready to order a new Chevy truck and trying to decide on either a HD2500 gas or the 1500 5.3 with the NHT option. I will be towing around 7,000 lbs and the 1500 is rated at 11,000. I know the HD2500 will handle the weight better but the 22-23 mpg empty with the 5.3 is nice where as 16 (I would hope) with the HD2500 and probably pretty bad around town may justify the 1500. The NHT package is a pretty nice tow package with bigger rear springs,axle,lower gears and extra coolers.
My current 2019 1500 5.3 works really nice with 6,000 lbs but I want a new truck. No need to chime in with a 2500 diesel or early 6.0 gas. Not going there but the 3.0 Duramax is in the back of my mind and is rated at 13,000 lbs with the NHT option.
Thanks!

[LITEPHIL]

Well, now I'm leaning towards the 3.0 Duramax. I'll be the first one to tell ya that 3/4 tons tow better. My last four trucks before my current 1500 were 3/4 ton so no debate here. But the new 1/2 tons are pretty stout and the NHT package has beefier rear springs and rear end with a 3.73. The new HD2500 seem really big too.
Any one not like the little Duramax ?
Thank you all again

[Grit_dog]

Truth to the heavier chassis being better suited for towing and that’s not really even debatable. However “better” doesn’t = necessary in your scenario, as mentioned by others and yourself as well in a round about way.
Fuel mileage? You presumably know about how many miles you will generally drive and that’s an easy calculation as to what it will save you. Regarding actual mileage numbers, idk what you average with your ‘19 model, but 22-23 mpg average (not towing of course) sounds very optimistic. Actually it sounds not even achievable. Based on a lot of miles on a 2001, 2016, 2019 and 2020 5.3 Chevys over the last several years.
All 4 trucks are or were in the 14-15mpg average not towing. Newer being a little better of course. I did take 1 trip with the ‘19 5.3 8 speed where we drove fairly “slow” by my standards. Got that truck up into the 17s and thought that was pretty impressive.
I can’t fathom how one would get 20mpg avg out of these trucks.
Point is, I know the big truck will not get as good of mileage but I would bet the real world difference between the two models you’re considering is on the order of 2-4 mpg not 6-7 mpg.

[Draggo]

I'm towing about 7,500 with a '21 GMC Sierra 2500 with the 6.6 gas engine. Especially after coming from a 1500, the 2500 tows our trailer with ease. It's a much more comfortable relaxing ride now. As for mileage, non-towing I've gotten anywhere from about 11 or 12 around town to about 17-18 on the highway. Towing, around 9-10 but that's not much difference than I was getting with the 1500.

[Dadoffourgirls]

Here are some stats from my 13 months of a 6.6 gas reg cab dually:
-
I drove 16324 miles, Avg 13.0 mpg.
459.1 total hours, 79.6 idle.
1308 gooseneck towing miles, 8.2 mpg
Brake pad life - 96% F, 97% R
203 travel trailer miles, 8.2 mpg

I do not have a pic of my best 50 miles mpg. This vehicle did not get very many roadtrips. Being reg cab, and dually, my wife did not like the ride, and it did not have power seats. It rode much better with 4k pounds in the bed.

The gooseneck trailer had 15k pounds on it for half the mileage, empty the other half. The travel trailer is around 9400 lbs.

[LITEPHIL]

Thank you for your answers. Was curious of what folks are experiencing with the new 6.6 gas too. Actual mileage and how it tows. I know they will get the same mileage towing.

[Lantley]

Either truck will move the trailer.
Your question is more about setting your priorities.
If towing is your priority you will choose the heavy duty truck because it will perform better while towing.
If towing is not your priority you will base your decision on other factors and your towing performance will be compromised.

[ssthrd]

Looks like you have already decided on the 1500. If fuel mileage is your biggest concern and you can justify the cost in your mind, IMO the Duramax is the way to go.