I am planning to buy a Silverado 2500HD pickup. Which would be more fuel (gas) effecient, a 2 wheel or a 4 wheel drive? I will mount a 2000 lb camper.
Any input appreciated.

 

As a whole, your pickup (any pickup) is NOT fuel efficient, so MORE is irrelevant especially when carrying a load. My point is that a 4x4 will offer more stability on slick roads, better take off capability from a stand still on and off road, and you can always run in 2x4 when 4x4 isn't needed, improving gas mileage a little. If you look up 'findacar' it's a gov fuel economy site that is very accurate. Enter model year, make, model and the high-low end fuel mileage is given. I don't think it matters if it's a 2 or 4 wheel drive, both would consumer vast quantities of ethanol enriched refined petroleum.

 

More so, than worrying about fuel mileage, you should consider the added expense of about $4000. more for a 4 x 4. When I was looking to buy my new Silverado, I tried to remember how many times I had actually used the 4 x 4. At first, I could not remember ever using it, then I remembered using it maybe once or twice in the last 4 years. Was that worth the extra 4k? I bought a new Silverado LT 2wd.

 

A 2wd truck will weigh a bit less than a 4x4 model; be able to tow more, will cost less to purchase initially, is cheaper to maintain and is going to give you (very) slightly better fuel mileage.

That being said, the 4x4 will come in VERY HANDY should you ever need it and the truck will be worth more at resale.

The actual answer depends upon where you live, what you haul and the type of driving you do. Obviously, the climate is a factor as well. 4x4 will be more useful in the northern part of Vermont than in Florida.

If fuel mileage is a big concern, consider the Duramax turbodiesel if you are going to get a heavy-duty version of the Silverado. If you get a used one, seek out a pre-2008 model that does not have that stupid DPF system on it.

 

I recently purchased a 97 2500 Silverado 2wd primarily for towing my travel trailer. Not an easy find in my neck of the woods. I specifically looked for a 2wd because I knew I would rarely use 4wd, and with a decent set of tires and either the trailer and/or a quad or sled in the back I wouldn't have many issues with traction. If you are going to be primarily on pavement or even some gravel, I'd go with the 2wd. If you routinely see off road and sloppy conditions, I'd go for the 4wd.

 

In reference to the Silverado 2500HD 2 wheel or 4 wheel; Anyone with mileage experience with payload or empty?

 

My guess is that on the highway unloaded you'll see mpg in the high teens, if you're lucky low 20's. Towing or camper hauling with a 2000lb load in the box, my guess is you'll be low teens. I see between 9 and 12mpg with a 5000lb (dry) trailer and a 650lb quad in the box.

 

Here's an idea that I've seen guys doing lately...

Buy a half ton. Save yourself some money up front and some money on fuel economy. Use the money you save to buy a flat deck trailer with 3500lb axles. Mount the camper on the front of the deck, and now you have a camper trailer that doubles as a toy hauler and you won't max the towing or payload capacity of your vehicle, plus you have the added benefits of decent gas mileage unloaded.