deacon

Hey everyone,
I am looking at upgrading my '07 1500 and getting a 2010 2500 LTZ (6.0). I tow a 25' Salem and have some problems going over mtns. Is the new Silverado 2500 that much better?
Thanks!!

Sirius018

If you tow through the mountains a lot, and can afford it, I would go ahead and get the HD but go with the duramax instead of the 6.0L, but that's just my opinion.

maxxman04

i highly agree going with the duramax diesel. up till a few years ago, i towed with 350's. the last being a 97 vortec in my z71. had same problem uphill, not much power, high rpm's, gas eater. bought my duramax, average 13-16 mpg with 4k lb trailer and two quads in bed. uphill is easy, pretty fuel friendly. now, the newer ones (mine's 04) have more power, better economy, and can tow your trailer like it isn't even there. the hd 3/4 ton or 1 ton won't need the weight distribution bars either. i consistently tow my trailer without them not a single problem. if you really tow that much, the duramax hd is the only rig you should look at. it is more than worth the extra money to buy it and you won't be disappointed.

deacon

Thanks for the input, guys.
Diesel isn't really an option because of the price and that we don't tow that often. My wife and I would just like to be able to stay at the speed limit when we do tow over hills.
The market seems ripe right now to buy a 2500, but the towing capacity looks to be about the same as the 1500...

Thanks again!

maxxman04

the 2500 will handle more load, but staying at highway speeds over hills with a gas motor puts alot of strain on motor. you'll be in higher rpm's trying to maintain speed. this is true for all the regular gas motors. on other hand, even diesels will slow a bit up hill if hill is steep enough. the diesel has the torque to pull at lower rpm vs gas motor, with a bit better fuel economy, alot less stress, but with a load, pretty much all rigs are gonna see some degree of slowing uphill. just one of those things. unless you don't mind high rpm's, 2nd gear, foot to floor driving.

deacon

Thanks, Maxx!

That sounds good. The HP and Tq ratings and the 3.73 rear end is substantially better in the 2500, so I was thinking it should be easier going up and over. It's just that the info on the 2500 shows basically the same towing capacity as my '07 1500. I thought that was a little odd, but what you're saying makes sense.

maxxman04

as far as the cost of diesel, it evens out basically, cause the diesel gets better highway mileage, and even city mileage, over the gas motor. my 04 averages 17 city/22-24 highway. my 98 tahoe averages 8 or so city/maybe 15 or so highway. this is with good, quality ignition stuff, the mfi conversion. i don't tow much last year or so, but havin the power and torque from diesel is beyond nice when i need it. more food for thought.

nauticstar87

If you can't afford a brand new D-MAx, look at used, not a bad idea.

If you do get a gasser, I will have to suggest, intake, exhaust and a custom tune. My truck went from 12mpg to 15mpg city. And you can feel the extra power when towing. Doesn't work near as hard as it used to and I put much bigger tires on it to.

deacon

They want 10 Gs more for the diesel up here! I had a hard time finding this 2500HD!
Maxx has convinced me that the 2500 will be good for us. Plus, having the extra stiffness and payload abilities will be nice! Gonna get it tonight...

Nauticstar87, how did you custom tune? I cannot find an after-market chip, like a Diablo, Superchips, etc. Did you go to a Dyno-tune? Also, I have always used K&N and Flowmasters on my cars. Any others out there that work better on trucks?

Thanks again everyone!!

nauticstar87

DO NOT GO THE CHIP ROUTE!!!!! Stay away from Diablo adn Superchips and all that. I went through www.blackbearperformance.com, not the only one out there that does a custom PCM tune, but all Justin's tunes are good. He has Data-Logging, mail order, or in person tunes. It blows the chips and programmers out the water. I have half a Volant CAI, I can't install the whole thing cause they sent me the wrong one, and a Super 44 Flowmaster. Also went from 245/75 to 285/75 tires.