Planning on trading my truck in on a new gas crew cab, I need more room and I am sick of diesel, at this point it is between the new Chevy or Ford. Had a couple questions on the new 6L and truck.

How is the new 6L with 6 speed? I do not care much about mileage, how is it towing? I have a 28' 5th wheel, about 10k lbs I will be towing about 1000 miles a year.

What options are important to get for towing?

What kind of discounts can I expect off sticker?

Thanks for any info.

DONT DO IT......YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!! I had an 05 dually 8.1 sierra purchased NEW.....Traded it in 4 months later. It could NOT maintain 65 mph on level ground pulling 12K. Going up hills I was in line behind the truckers doing 30 with the 4 ways on. Also, I was getting a whopping 8-9 mpg while towing. :eek:

Agreed, you will get horrible gas milage to start with, lower resale value down the road, and you will be lucky to keep a tranny in it. The Duramax will get better milage towing then the 6.0 will empty in my book and you will have the reliability of the Allison trans. Just my two cents. I will never go back to a gasser after driving/towing with my truck.

I don't have the answers to your questions but I did the switch you are contemplating. I went from a Ford 7.3l to the gmc/allison with an 8.1l and have no regrets. A little less mileage towing but cheaper to maintain. I'm not including the cost of 3 tranny's in the Ford but rather normal service.

I don't have the answers to your questions but I did the switch you are contemplating. I went from a Ford 7.3l to the gmc/allison with an 8.1l and have no regrets. A little less mileage towing but cheaper to maintain. I'm not including the cost of 3 tranny's in the Ford but rather normal service.

well of course you liked the gas.. it was a chevy:ro)

A buddy pulls a Bobcat/ trailer/ tools at about 10k total about 20 to 30 percent of the time. He has a Ford F250 crewcab Superduty and is on his 3rd tranny rebuild in under 50000 miles. There is no better tranny than the Ally.

DONT DO IT......YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!! I had an 05 dually 8.1 sierra purchased NEW.....Traded it in 4 months later. It could NOT maintain 65 mph on level ground pulling 12K. Going up hills I was in line behind the truckers doing 30 with the 4 ways on. Also, I was getting a whopping 8-9 mpg while towing. :eek:


If you can't pull 12k on level ground with an 8.1 there was something wrong with it. I pull more than that with my 6.0 at 65 with the cruise on when hauling cattle on level ground with no problems. To answer the earlier question about the new 6.0, you should be fine pulling that kind of weight. I don't have any experience with the new 6.0 and 6-speed, but the reviews it's getting are quite good. Go to www.pickuptruck.com (http://www.pickuptruck.com) and look at the latest reviews they've conducted. The new 6.0 is even beating Ford's V10. The 6.0 is a strong motor despite what most guys will tell you. If you live in hilly country and pull heavy regularly then I would say stay with the diesel.

I have the 6.0 with the 6 speed trans and I pull a bobcat around with it. Today I pulled it 30 miles on faitly level ground with small hills and used the cruise at 60mph with no problems, it did shift around a few times but it pulled nice. I have the 2007.5 and it pulls nicer then my 2005 same truck. The bobcat trailer is a 14k lb gross trailer and the bobcat is probably 8000#. I am guessing the trailer is about 2800 net. Works fine for me, but when I was pulling new bobcat in arkansas hills it did take all I had to give it up them hills.

sick of diesel??????????????????????????
Does Not Compute!!!
Try going to a gasser then you will appreciate the benefits of a diesel.


But if you only use your truck to go to the store, or to the mailbox, you probably never needed it.

I would take a prius over a 6 liter Ford, at least they run.

if hes only towing the 10k load 1000 miles a year, having a diesel would pretty much be a waste if hes running empty the rest of the time.

Be sure to get it with a 4.10 rear end.

Thanks for the feedback so far, just to be clear I am looking at either a Chevy 2500 CC with the new 6L and six speed or a Ford F250 CC with the V10 and Torqueshift, I like the GM better and would prefer to go with it if the new 6L can handle it. My current truck is a Dodge 3500 SRW, decent but the cab is a little small for me now with 2 kids and 2 dogs, handles 10k lbs ok, stability and braking are great, big long hills are not so great, it is not stock either.

The 6.0 chevy with 4.10 is fun to drive and tows well, ford v10 is a major gas hog, if you want all out ball on a gasser 8.1 baby

The 6.0 chevy with 4.10 is fun to drive and tows well, ford v10 is a major gas hog, if you want all out ball on a gasser 8.1 baby
But if he wants the 8.1L engine, he will have to get a 2006 or older truck. The 8.1L gas engine is no longer available in 2007.

I've not heard anything bad about the new 6-speed tranny for the gassers, but it definitely is no Allison.

If your diesel experience has been with the '03 Dodge, I can understand why you might be sick of the diesel.

I would recommend driving a new Duramax diesel before you take the plunge.):h

If your diesel experience has been with the '03 Dodge, I can understand why you might be sick of the diesel.

I would recommend driving a new Duramax diesel before you take the plunge.):h

Its funny how the diesel crowd gets nervous when someone talks about leaving the fold. I liked my diesel but find my current truck does all I want and less trouble. I may try another diesel someday but the current state of them with the DPF and much lower mileage isn't a sales plus.

Its funny how the diesel crowd gets nervous when someone talks about leaving the fold. I liked my diesel but find my current truck does all I want and less trouble. I may try another diesel someday but the current state of them with the DPF and much lower mileage isn't a sales plus.
I'm not nervous at all. I'm simply suggesting that perhaps a Duramax might give him a different opinion of the diesel truck. But a gas engine may very well be the best choice for him.

Nothing wrong with a gas engine if it meets your needs. I also am very leery of the new diesel emission requirements and the DPF in particular. This will likely be my last diesel truck for quite a while.

Ultimately, he will make the decision that best meets his requirements.

i went from an '01 dmax to an '07 classic with the 8.1L with allison. my commute is less than 6 miles when I drive (been riding a bike lately), so don't expect much more than 6k miles per year. it pulls great (12k lbs), and works for me.

The 8.1L with the Allison is an excellent powertrain, but not very many 2007 Classics were built with that engine. The 8.1L engine is not available in the new body style GMT900 trucks :(. So if you want a gas engine in a new 2500 or 3500, the only choice is the 6.0L with the new Hydramatic 6-speed transmission.

BTW - what kind of gas mileage are you getting your the 8.1L classic?

3.73 rear gear, unloaded in 6th gear:
18mpg @55
17mpg @60
16mpg @65

towing 12k, avg is 9mpg at 60 using 4th, 5th and 6th gears.

avg. combined city/hwy is 12-13mpg

Does anyone have the new 353hp 6L? The couple tests I have read make it sound pretty impressive with the 6 speed auto.

I have had two dmaxs and 2 8.1's. If I were earning a living with my truck, I would have a diesel. But, I am not, so I got rid of them and got a gas. If you are only towing 1,000miles/year, then I don't see how you can justify the difference in price to get a diesel. The new 6 liter should be plenty of truck.

I just traded in my 05 LLY for an 07 LTZ with the 6.0. Love the new truck, fit-finish-ride-options-etc are a huge leap over the older style trucks. We go out with our TT between 6-8 times a year & my 05 LLY was really overkill for pulling it. I drove an LMM LTZ at first but the sticker prices have just gotten ridiculous with the new generation diesels. I checked the tow ratings & researched some pretty impressive tests on how the new Vortec pulls & was surprised at how well it ran when I test drove it.

I too am thinking of going to a gasser. Test drove the V10 and the new 6.0 six speed. The 6.0 had waaayyy more pull empty but the V10 didn't even know there was a hill there. Seems like the V10 with it's much lower rpm torque would be better for towing, but overall liked the GM. Thing I didn't like about the 6.0 was it had NO lowend power. Shifted down in a breeze coming at it. Still undecided but I am a GM fan at heart.

Just remember the v10 stands for 10 mpg no matter what. Towing 10 / unloaded 10. They are gas pigs.

I think the 6L is better motor than the V10, I also think the new Chevy is a better truck than the Ford.

I see you have a Cummins with 4.10 gears,I have a 2000 Dodge Quad cab diesel 4.10 and an 01 crew cab 8.1 3.73 GMC,the Dodge is a modded Cummins,and the GMC a stock 8.1. The GMC's cab is much roomier and nicer,i love the truck,BUT,know this,your going to miss the Cummins,maybe not the Dodge,but mark my words,the Cummins is going to be missed.My GMC is spunky and quick empty and around town.Towing any heavy trailer,my 14K dump trailer or 9500 TT the GMC is a total dog towing next to the Dodge.There is simply no comparison in pulling power.The 8.1 needs to downshift 2-3 times on hills and stay over 2800RPM to pull well.The modded Cummins w 4.10 just stays in locked OD,and doesnt know the hill is there.I crest long steep hills in my CTD at 68mph,locked in OD with 9500lb TT behind me,that slow the GMC to 2nd or 3rd gear and 3500=RPM,and under 55 mph.I say get the new Gm truck,its going to do much better on fuel than the Ford V10.The Ford is just a heavier built truck,it weighs alot more,and has a much larger frontal area,and its V10 is a good engine,but its working harder moving all the extra weight and drag a Ford has over a GM truck,thus the poor MPG.

I agree the V10s are gas hogs - I've never seen them get good fuel economy. I also haven't been too impressd with them.

I had a 2004.5 Dodge 2500 crew cab long bed with the Cummins and a 6-speed, and that was an absolutely amazing truck that dwarfed anything else, and it was bone stock. PowerStrokes and Duramaxes had nothing on it, forget about a gas motor. However, it loved to tow and I towed with it about 80% of the time. If you aren't towing more than about 1000 miles per year, you are probably better off getting the gas motor because of maintenance concerns, but I would suggest looking for a used 8100 or a 454. I have a 454 TBI in my Suburban and I love it. The 6.0L is going to require more revs to make any decent power, and towing that kind of weight you aren't going to be happy with it, especially if it's a long trip.

Another option would be to look for a newer Dodge with the true crew cab, like what I had. Really was a great truck. I switched to the Suburban because my towing has decreased significantly (probably about 2000 miles/year of light duty vs. 40,000 miles/year of heavy), I needed 4x4 (the Dodge was a 4x2) and I was hauling more items that needed protection from the elements, thus the Suburban was a natural choice.

I have the NBS GMC with the 6.0 3.73 gears
at first I liked the truck it was getting almost the same mpg
as the 05 duramax that I traded in
now have 3200 miles on it I am about ready to go back to the
duramax. Pulled a 7500# trailer last week 7.4 mpg
pulling in 5th it can't pull any thing in 6th
Had never had it on any freeway till yesterday after 120 miles
13.6 mpg that was running at 65-74 mph
even driving on 2 lane now all all I can seem to get out of it
is 13.8-14.1 mpg
and it can't spin the tires on a gravel road there is a 4-7 sec delay
in throttle response it is really getting to be a pig be a pig
had it to the dealer and they say there is nothing wrong
going to pull a 3000# trailer today that my brother pulled with his 5.3
he gets 10-11mpg pulling it
the 6.0 will be luck to 9 pulling it
if any body want this truck it is for sale I am going back to the Duramax

elkhunt. I don't think there is any question that a diesel will out pull a gas engine. They should because that is what they are designed to do. The gas engine has no turbo, or intercooler, and only half the compression and is smaller in displacement. What do you expect? Plus that fact that you got the higher gears also hurts it's performance. As far as pulling in sixth gear. I am sure that truck is not designed to pull heavy in 6th gear. With a 3.73 gear, it should be cruising at 70 at about 1,500 rpm or less. Nothing is going to pull very good at that rpm, not even a dmax.

The reason it won't spin is because it probably has traction control that prevents it from spinning. My 1/2 tonner does. A tune can probably get all that out of it.

I think the bottom line is that he only pulls 1,000 miles/year. Get a 6.0 with 4.10 gears and run it in 5th when towing and save the huge cost difference between it and a dmax.

I am not impressed with my dad's 04 GMC with the 6.0. I took it to the lake with me this weekend. It averaged about 11.8 and that was it. I had myself, my son, our bag, a little fire wood, and about 30 gallons of gas in the bed on the way down. On the way back I was pretty much empty except for me and my son and still got about 11.8. It just doesn't seem to see anything better then that.

My one ton dually which is a 93 with the 7.4L TBI can do that if not better. I have seen my truck reach into the 12 mark. That was with me, my son, our bag, 2 1/2 inch socket sets, full set of wrenches, about a dozen ratchet straps, to strap, jumper cables, bottle jack, and misc junk under the front seats.

Both comparisons were done at 75MPH to. His truck has the same gearing as mine also and has the 4L80 also.

And towing........mine does a much better job at. I don't think I would get a 6.0 for myself. Not a bad engine, just don't expect it to be a towing beast or a fuel efficient one either.

I havent been around 6.0s much but I have heard that fleet managers really liked the gm gas engines because they consistently go several hundred thousand miles without ever having any problems. I heard a ford guy trying to run down GM with this line," at work we have a little over 400 chevy trucks and they we keep one spare engine on hand." If one engine is all it takes to keep the breakdownes of 400+ trucks you do pretty good. I had an 8.1 and am driveing a duramax for my dad right now. I want my next truck to be an 8.1.

Ther is a comparison test at pickuptruck.com of the new rigs. Interesting read.

Ther is a comparison test at pickuptruck.com of the new rigs. Interesting read.

That's for sure, though the diesel is faster it is not by much, for the amount and weight I tow gas is the way to go.

That's for sure, though the diesel is faster it is not by much, for the amount and weight I tow gas is the way to go.
may not be faster but: keep upping the weight and the gasser will eventually fall off. also the diesel is stressed a lot less than the gasser is (ie wound out) with weight behind it.
i understand your point though, for the amount of use it see's, a diesel just isnt worth the extra cost unless you're haulin heavy....

well the new diesels start so well, not "stinky" very quiet etc id get a diesel but if your minds set on a gas get the 6.0. Will tow decent, get decent milage etc. nice mix. dont get the ford gas, they have problems spitting out spark plugs, and the v10 is a gutless gas hog

well the new diesels start so well, not "stinky" very quiet etc id get a diesel but if your minds set on a gas get the 6.0. Will tow decent, get decent milage etc. nice mix. dont get the ford gas, they have problems spitting out spark plugs, and the v10 is a gutless gas hog

If your going gas I HIGHLY recommend the 8.1L. Reagularly tow 18' enclosed trailer full of equipment and never have a problem towing AT ALL. It pulls right away from lights and never looks back. A buddy of mine has the 6L in same truck with same setup but with a 14' trailer and it struggles around the freeways. It's always shifting down and never stays in a gear. If your not towing much I would go with the 6L but if you are then go with the 8.1L. As far as mileage I think all truck gas motors SUCK it down. Difference is only going to be 1-3 mpg between any truck from what I have experienced. Just my 2 cents.

well the new diesels start so well, not "stinky" very quiet etc id get a diesel but if your minds set on a gas get the 6.0. Will tow decent, get decent milage etc. nice mix. dont get the ford gas, they have problems spitting out spark plugs, and the v10 is a gutless gas hog

well the new diesels start so well, not "stinky" very quiet etc id get a diesel but if your minds set on a gas get the 6.0. Will tow decent, get decent milage etc. nice mix. dont get the ford gas, they have problems spitting out spark plugs, and the v10 is a gutless gas hog


what....once wasn't enough :D

If your going gas I HIGHLY recommend the 8.1L. Reagularly tow 18' enclosed trailer full of equipment and never have a problem towing AT ALL. It pulls right away from lights and never looks back. A buddy of mine has the 6L in same truck with same setup but with a 14' trailer and it struggles around the freeways. It's always shifting down and never stays in a gear. If your not towing much I would go with the 6L but if you are then go with the 8.1L. As far as mileage I think all truck gas motors SUCK it down. Difference is only going to be 1-3 mpg between any truck from what I have experienced. Just my 2 cents.

The 8.1 is not available anymore, when you talk about your buddy with the 6L, are you talking about the new 6L 353hp with with the 6 speed or the old one? there is quite a difference.

I just got rid of my 04 LB7 for the new 2500HD gasser. I have a 30' 5th wheel I towed 4,000 miles in 40,000 total miles of driving the diesel so it didn't seem worth it. Also living in Alaska the warm ups in the morning took forever, and I only work 9 miles from home.

I do like my new truck for daily driving, my wife can get 11mpg in town, I only get about 10MPG (I like the dual exhaust). Towing it does fine on the flat stuff, no trouble what-so-ever(4.10 rear end), but in the hills I'm missing the Duramax. Towing I get 7-9 depending on how I drive, just need to realize I'm not in a diesel anymore.

I did go from an 04 LS to an 07 LTZ will ALL options except DVD and NAV(doesn't work here anyway). The ride is much better, and my new truck is a Z71. I do miss my old truck only when I hook up my trailer, and as soon as there is a programmer out, I WILL be getting that! There is a ton of TM, but I have managed a couple good burnouts operating the trans in manual mode.

2007 K2500HD Classic with 6.0L, 4L80E, 4.10s. I offroad it and I didn't want the weight on my wallet or the front end. I don't tow and I drive it like a sportscar. Without that weight, it handles damn good. Woohoo.

Well I am thinking now I may just get a '07 2500hd classic CC with the LBZ, with the $4k rebate it is not much more than a new style 2500 CC with the gas motor, there are plenty around here at the local dealers to pick from as well.

Well I am thinking now I may just get a '07 2500hd classic CC with the LBZ, with the $4k rebate it is not much more than a new style 2500 CC with the gas motor, there are plenty around here at the local dealers to pick from as well.

My understanding is there's a LOT of difference between the "old style" and the NBS as far as body, interior and frame are concerned. The NBS is supposed to be much improved. I'm planning on buying a 2500HD ext. cab NBS with the 6.0 and it will be because of the much improved ride, among other things. You might want to take a closer look at the differences before you take the plunge.

I can vouch for the improvement from the 800 to the 900 series trucks. I've had my 07.5 LTZ for about 10 days now & am amazed by how much better it rides compared to my previous 05 even though the new truck is 4wd. Don't get me wrong, I liked my 05 & it never gave me any trouble but the new trucks are light years ahead IMO...;)

A boost for the OBS ride could be as simple as Bilstein shocks. I'll let you know after lift/Bilsteins. :D

Well I am thinking now I may just get a '07 2500hd classic CC with the LBZ, with the $4k rebate it is not much more than a new style 2500 CC with the gas motor, there are plenty around here at the local dealers to pick from as well.
Wow, I'd be all over that.

I've got a '02 8.1 and a '06 LBZ. With a $4k rebate (which I have not seen here in Ca...no classics) I'd trade my 8.1 in a heartbeat for a LBZ.

The 8.1 is not available anymore, when you talk about your buddy with the 6L, are you talking about the new 6L 353hp with with the 6 speed or the old one? there is quite a difference.

Sorry I was not aware of the discontinued 8.1L:o:

My buddy had the old 6.0L also. Wasnt very strong. Also have not been in new 6L to judge so I'll just stick to 8.1's discussions from now on cause I think Im a little behind on news.lol. :D :sorrysign

My company that I work for has both V10 Manuals and V10 autos. After driving both, I can say, if you want a V10 you NEEEEEEEED the manual trans. And the 4.30 gears. Our trucks pull between 5000lbs and 14000lbs. It was OK but I liked my old F350PSD or the DMAX better.

Disclaimer : I like my trucks like I like my bikes. Just roll into the throttle and go. No need to wind the pi$$ out of them.