Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives New 6.2L chevy engine

All,

I have a 2008 K1500 crew with the 5.3L. We are looking at upgrading the truck as we are considering a camp trailer that weighs 5500lb. empty, 6500+ loaded. I was seriously leaning 2500 6.0L gasser, but have recently learned of the new 6.2L with an 8 speed tranny in the new 1/2 ton. 95% of driving will be a commuter but 6-8 times a year it will be used to pull. They are rated for a pretty hefty 11,700lbs for towing.

Anybody have experience/opinions?


Thanks in advance,

Elk Country

There are other things to consider when pulling heavy loads other than the engine, not to say that's unimportant.
As a rule the brakes of 1/2 ton trucks are smaller than 3/4 ton trucks, and that can be very important.
There are other differences also which should be considered.
Yes you will see and hear lots of people talk about hauling heavy trailers with 1/2 ton trucks.
At some point, the trailer might be driving the truck also.

A year ago, I was faced with the same decisions- after towing my 6500 lb. trailer for a few trips, mostly in the mountains, with my Ram 1500, I felt like that even tho it was rated to do so, it was really struggling at high RPM over the mountain passes, and just didn't feel like I was fully in control.
I sold it, bought a GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax, and could not be happier about the decision. Plenty of power uphill, but as important to me, the exhaust braking capability is a big plus on long downhills.
Another important part of the equation, IMO, when towing, is the transmission. The GM Allison tranny in the Duramax version is one of the best there is.
I think that as a general rule of thumb, that if you are routinely towing over 5000#, the 2500 series trucks are essential, with the diesels being icing on the cake.

How much more power does the 6.2 have over the 6.0? My BIL has a Chevy 2500 with the 6.0 pulling a 30' camper, 8400lb. He says it's way underpowered. He's in lower gears all the time.

Two years ago, I bought a 2015 Chevy 1500 with the 6.2. It also has the max tow package which includes a bigger radiator, tow mirrors (which I love), electric trailer brake controller, and a few other things as part of the max tow pkg. Although I haven't towed anything as heavy as what you want to do, I can tell you it does not lack in the power department. The engine is factory rated at 420hp/460torque. As a daily driver, I average around 17-19 mpg mixed city and highway (unloaded), and 21-22 hwy, with best being right at 23. Not bad for a 5500lb truck.

A set of long tube headers on those engines is a night and day improvement. When going up hill at a higher RPM, they simply shine.

A good tune running 93 octane does make a huge difference with the GM gassers. But if you do plan on towing quite often looking at the diesels should be suggested.
I towed a lot with my 1500 Silverado even after putting a 6.0 in it with heads, cam and a turbo it pulled heavy loads great. But your never going to be as efficient as a diesel. But then again diesels are expensive and costly to service.

Except a tune will void the factory warranty.

My 6.0 does well enough sure a Duramax would be better. But $9k better. I dont think so. Friend put a supercharger on his 6.0 for 2 grand and equal weight I'd bet on that race.

I've had 11,500 behind mine, and it pulled it great. i was blown away how well it did with that much weight one the bumper

Gas trucks are way overgeared these days, and that is strictly so suburban cowboy commando commuters (like me) make enough empty mpgs to keep the EPA happy. It is liberating to dispense with the notion that the gasser is supposed to cruise towing at the same rpms as unloaded, and understand that 4000 rpm or more isn't the end of the world when climbing. Let 'er eat. Compare torque peak rpms of your newer gasser with your Duramax, and then see how that plays into the empty cruise and towing RPM conversation. There is no way I'd own a gas pickup with diff gearing higher than 4:10s. Ford supplied some V10 superduty trucks with 4:30s instead of 3.73s, and they have reputations as strong trucks when so geared.

I have a 7.3 diesel and a stick (because I'm a control freak) in my '99 ford, but if forced to buy new gas, would look for whomever has the best combo of gearing and doesn't derate or pull power for shifting (as GM has done with gassers/autos in the past).

I realize that newer auto's are better about this...but it bugs the crap out of me to listen to an automatic transmission try to find a gear in which it can lock the converter and not roast itself, diesel or gas. Moreso when towing heavy stuff on logging roads (btdt, with 454/4L80E 3/4 ton suburban). Any auto is going to hunt for it's EPA-driven optimal gear at all times, tow/haul or not, rather than just sticking it out at 4500 rpm for the duration of the climb, or 3000 rpm for the duration of the twists/turns/ups/downs. What a PITA.

The high water mark for gas pickups are the 6.0/NV4500 GMs and the V10/ZF6 fords, but the standard transmissions got shelved a decade ago. Maybe dodge has/had a similar OD stick for the hemi, IDK. Depressing. Makes a guy want to build a tow/haul only pre-EFI GM crewcab truck with a carb'd 454 of proper compression (9.0:1 to 9.5:1) and appropriate cam timing (210 to 220 at 0.050"), 4.56 gears and an NV4500 or spicer med duty standard trans. It would be fun to compare loaded economy with such a critter against a newer truck. Buy a milsurp K30 for the 4.56 axles (14-bolt FF and dana 60), a good 2WD pre-87 GM crewcab, and marry the two...

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Guys,

Thanks for all of the responses so far. Please keep them coming.

After much consideration I'm leaning towards a 2012-2015 Chevy K2500 with the 6.0L gas. The extra expense and maintenance cost of the Diesels are just too much to justify.
I will only be towing the camper 4-8 times a year and most of those trips are under 150 miles. I know a few guys that have gas 3/4 ton trucks and have picked their brains to the point of annoyance.
To a person they have really nothing bad to say about the gas engines when pulling a trailer and a couple use them every day for work trucks.
A diesel would pull better sure, but I don't think they make sense for my needs.

Elk Country

That short or a tow I would go gasser for sure. A lot cheaper and less to go wrong. I love my duramax but if it didn't tow 5k/year through the Rockies I would have gone gas.

My brother has a '15 with I believe the 6.0. Work truck, hauls some bikes and sleds....he seems to like it just fine.

I have a F250 with the v10 5spd and 4.33 rear end Vek mentioned. For as much as I tow, I'm with ya. Diesel would of been nice, but not worth the extra costs.

I wouldn't tow much more than a small boat with a half ton.. You need the bigger brakes bigger radiator .....think gears more than motor...Hp rating is not near as important as torque....

The 6.2 is a bad ass motor. Like the Z-28 of trucks and sounds good to boot. Actually gets better highway mpg than my Silverado with the 5.3 liter and 3.08 gears.

Hi guys.... I have a 2003 Sierra 2500HD with the 8100 and a 5 spd Allison. How do the newer (2014 and up) 6.0's compare to the old 8100? I know they don't have the torque the 8100 does but how good are they at making up for it with the 6 spd tranny's vs my 5 spd? I've been kicking around the idea of a newer truck and I don't know if I want to go with a 6.0 or a diesel.

Was looking at the 6.2 motor for a GMC Yukon and read that it's the same engine they use in the Z06...

Where did he find a supercharger for a 6.0 GM, for 2k$ and what brand is it? I want to know. A buddy in Colorado has one on a 2500 hd, 6.0 and it's the real deal but cost one heck of a lot more than 2k$. Would much appreciate you checking that out and getting back here on it.

That 6.2 is nothing like the earlier Chev. small blocks, and even the LS series. It's the LT1 which is a completely new engine, They started from scratch and everything is different except for for bore spacing. That thing is awesome. Same engine as the new Corvette stingray only tuned for truck use. A friend has one and loves it, says it goes 13's stock. He's also at sea level. You're in No. Colorado elk country/elevation (?) and will be towing which is a whole different thing. Get a diesel. Turbocharging makes a huge difference at altitude......all the difference in the world. You just don't feel mountain grades even when towing. Diesel torque makes even daily driving a lot more enjoyable. In 13yrs I've towed only a couple times with my diesel but do go up and down mountain grades and wouldn't trade it for anything.

I have a 2010 2500HD 4x4 CC 6.0/6L90, I was looking for a 1500 4x4 CC 5.3/6L90 but this one popped up, white on black leather that was most important to me. I knew the 6.0 was a gas hog but bought it anyway. It has averaged 12.1 mpg but tows fantastic, ride is good for a 2500.

The 6.0 and the 6.2 are different engines, the Gen V is direct injected, aluminum block and have AFM standard but not sure if that is also in 2500's. A lot of people do not like AFM.

AFM delete is not cheap on the Gen IV and I am not sure if it's possible on Gen V's.

If I only towed 6-8 times a year I would be inclined to choose a 1500 6.2/8L90.

Thanks for all of your responses guys. Sooooo many things to consider. Every time I think I have my mind made up, Something else creeps up and scrambles everything. The biggest consideration is this will be my daily driver. The 2500 with a 6.0L averaging 12-13mpg is really a big negative in my book. However going diesel is more initial cost and maintenance so that isn't high on the list plus the wife isnt thrilled about diesels! Looks like the 1500 6.2L with a 6.5' box is the way I'm leaning..........today! Probably going to wait untill next summer to get serious but it's fun to do the research!

Would really like to hear from you guys with the 6.2L 1500s!

Shoot straight

Elk Country

Are the 6.2s needing 93 octane? Seems like I read that earlier?

I own two 6.2L GMC's. My old one, a 2011 6.2L Maxx, now has 169k miles on it. It ran on 87 octane gas most of it's life, until, on a lark, I started running 91 octane in it, and immediately noticed a definite uptick in performance. So, then I looked in the owners manual, LOL, and sure enough, 91 octane is recommended. My new one is a 2017 Denali Ultimate with the newer direct injection 6.2L. The owners manual on the new one recommends 93 octane for full performance and best fuel economy, but lesser octanes can be safely used. My daughters 2009 Pontiac G8 GT 6.0L also recommends premium, but will run fine on 87, but with a decrease in performance. I run 91, no ethanol, in both of my 6.2L's now, since 93 is not available in my hood, as far as I know.

My point is, you don't have to run high octane gas in the 6.2L, but if you really want them to snort, 91 is the way to go. BTW, I am told by a former Ford salesman, that this is a common phenomenon these days, where the manufacturers rate the horsepower and fuel economy using high octane gas, but the engines run fine on lesser gas, but with a decrease in performance. Still better than a certain car I own, which is supposed to burn 91 ONLY.

Drive a new diesel before you kiss off on them. My '04 feels primitive compared to a friend's '13 Denali, and the new ones are a whole world more refined now than just 5yrs ago. From outside it's hard to tell the new Chevy's are diesel, inside the cab you can hardly hear the engine. And torque with any diesel has to be experienced to be appreciated. Test drive up a mountain grade from a stop and you'll be sold.

I have an '11 2500 duramax and a '16 2500 with 6.0 in the household. I haven't towed with the '16 yet, but I will this fall. As a daily runabout, the gasser seems just fine to me. We will see how it does with a trailer. I like the dmax a bunch but it costs more to run in maintenance and initial cost, and some of the emissions stuff can be a pan in the backside. That being said, I have 100k on it without too much in the way of non-routine maintenance.

ETA. I tow long distances (5k per summer). If short true were the rule, I would pick the 6.0 for the cost savings and general gasser convenience. Mileage is better in the duramax, enough so that it pays for the diesel upcharge in fuel cost plus a bit more.

I just bought a new RAM diesel. I looked at Chevy, Ford and Ram. Chevy diesel drove nice, but it had the lowest stance and their DEF tank is under the passenger area and reduces clearance by several inches yet. You also have to fill the DEF under the hood.

The Ford cab is wonderfully roomy, but I can't stand how their steering column adjusts. The gas engine also has a lag when you press on the gas. Salesman said all Ford gas pick-ups are that way. The Diesel was nice, but for that column. Also, in the independent tests I have seen the Ford came in last for mileage and speed when loaded. First for speed when empty.

The Chevy 6.0 2500 I tested made me yearn for my 2000. My 2000 was better. The new one seemed to struggle to get to highway speed. The Chevy had less room and less options for $7,000 more than the RAM.

I was told by a guy that his 1/2 ton Chevy with the 6.2 was a great motor and he got 12 mpg while pulling. He didn't say what he was pulling though.

Everybody likes to talk engines,
some transmissions.

Easiest way to make or break a pulling vehicle.


Rear gear. Can make a little motor out pull a bigger one.


Try to find two identical trucks with different ratio.
You will be amazed at the difference.

But, you are balancing mpg/performance.

I LOVE the Chevy LS engines. The iron block 6.0 is bullet proof and powerful as is the dodge Cummins. I'm not a fan of the ford gas engines and not a fan of the ford 6.0 diesel. The old Ford's with the 7.3 diesel were real trucks.

The GM 6.0 liter gasser/6L90 transmission/4.10 rear end is a really good combination for a gasser for everything except fuel economy.

Thanks for the responses guys.

After looking at a new bedroom set at the furniture store Sat. afternoon, the boss wanted to drive thru the local car lots. Found a 2017 Dark Blue Chevy 2500 Duramax for $69K. Salesman said that Chevy's special pricing didn't apply the 3/4 trucks.
Drove over to the GMC dealer...Nuthin'! Down the road we turned into the Ford Dealer, turned the corner and there she was! A 2017Dark blue F250 Lariat 4x4 Shortbox with a 6.7L Power Stroke. Sticker said $63k. It was a little chilly so the boss sat in the truck as the sales guy made his way to us. After the usual small talk he asked if I was interested. Not for $63k! He said that since we saw the truck "on line" he could knock the price down to $56k...NOW we're talkin. Talked it over with the better half and we took it for a little drive. Loved it so we decided to talk numbers. Ended up at $42K after negotiating trade of my '08 K1500 crew and I keep the topper. DONE DEAL! I even talked them into a spray in bed liner, clear bra on the hood and 1/2 price on the Platinum maintenance package which extends the warranty to 7yrs and includes 15 oil changes @$125/ea. Was not even thinking new truck let alone a Diesel, but basically got the Diesel for the gas price. I've always been a Chevy guy, but for the difference in price I'll give Ford a try! $13k difference isn't something to sneeze at. I wish I knew how to post a picture as she is a great looking truck!

You guys have been a really big help...THANKS AGAIN!

Elk Country

Yeah, the MSRP normally has a couple dollars cushion for them to play with. They didn't lose any money on it.

More than a few dollars from what I'm seeing on the tube. Some of our local dealers are advertising as much as 22% off MSRP on the slower moving 2017's! I wonder what they would say if you walked in with your calculator and multiplied their MSRP number by .78 and started your negotiation from there? I always figured that when the sales guy stopped smiling that you were getting closer. He isn't your friend. Sis and I were buying her a new car and when we headed for the door another $1,000. came off the price. I've always thought that there would be a nice sideline for a presentable guy with some negotiating skills helping a single woman buy a new car. Women get intimidated by car salesmen and end up paying too much. Because they don't trust themselves buying a used car and a possible problem, they are buying a lot of the new ones.

How is the truck doing for you, sounds like a nice truck. Remember we like truck porn almost as much as gun porn, pictures would be nice but we will not hold it against you.

BIGR,

So far we love it! The cab is incredibly roomy. I'm still learning all of the buttons and the Nav. features seem endless. I'm averaging 15.5 mpg to work and back, not bad. We purchased a 28' Jayco camp trailer that weighs about 7000lbs dry and the diesel pulls it down the highway as fast as I want to, but I keep it under 70mph.

I have plenty of pictures on my phone and I would be happy to text one to a member that knows how to post pics. If someone would do it for me!

Thanks for asking. So far so good!

Elk Country

Good deal, I am glad its working out for you.

Now that sounds like a happy ending to me!

My daily driver right now is a 2017 GMC Denali 1500 with the 6.2L. For a truck the gas mileage is very good, I am sitting at 9.8L/100kms with 50/50 city & highway.

For towing, the engine has more than enough power for your weight. The problem is when towing a big square box, like an enclosed trailer, the wind will really push the truck and trailer around - especially in the mountains. I also find the 6.2L and the 5.3L start starving for air at high altitudes under heavy loads.

That F250 was a very wise choice. Just do oil changes more often than not and use high-end motor oil - seeing motor failures around 300k.

Problably a wise choice for you I tow nothing with my 2017 1500 . Just ran to South Carolina from North Dakota last month.i drive fast and pass hard. The 6.2 averaged 19.5 on the cheapest gas I could buy. Ethanol. Love this engine. Good luck and happy trails. Ed k