Hello. I am currently looking into buying a new Silverado Crew Cab 4x4. I plan using it to tow a boat occasionally. Depending on which boat I purchase the weights can vary from 7500 to 10000 lbs. Prob more likely 7500 lbs. I am currently debating on purchasing the 6.2/6 speed combo or waiting on the 4.5 to come out. I am concerned about whether the 4.5 will be worth it with the extra initial cost and extra cost of fuel. I would really like to have a diesel, but just don't know if its economical anymore. Thanks in advance for your help.

I would sit down and do the math for both versions. Only you can decide whats really the best choice for you. I would figure the rough initial cost of both, cost of fuel, and total mileage driven every year, you also should look at how long you keep vehicles and what you think the resale value will be after that time. Then there is always the cool factor like saying your one of the first to own the new duramax. Dont forget gassers suck:D


Oh yeah I almost forgot, what kind of mpg is expected from the new duramax? I drive my little 1/2 ton diesel conversion around all the time and get 32mpg mostly city so it is a far better choice over any gas truck.

Also remember the Dmax will have alot better resale value 2..3...5... years down the road.. like carcrafter22 said... something to think about..

Yeah the 4.5 will have better resale value and get better millage towing then with a gasser

Oh yeah I almost forgot, what kind of mpg is expected from the new duramax? I drive my little 1/2 ton diesel conversion around all the time and get 32mpg mostly city so it is a far better choice over any gas truck.


I don't see this vehicle in your sig, could you elaborate a little for me please. What kind of 1/2 ton vehicle are we talking about (a van?) and if it is what mods have you done to get 32mpg in the city?!

Thanks,
Russ

Thanks for all the responses. I think I might just wait for the 4.5. Does anyone know what the tow rating might be?

I don't see this vehicle in your sig, could you elaborate a little for me please. What kind of 1/2 ton vehicle are we talking about (a van?) and if it is what mods have you done to get 32mpg in the city?!

Thanks,
Russ

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266815

Thank you, excellent info!

what you have here is something i would like to call a "good problem" I can speak for the 6.2 vortec and that thing is a beast! My uncle has it in his sierra denaili and he loves it. Though as you can imagine it doesn't get the best MPG's in the world. I would wait and see what the 4.5 has to offer, if that thing can get 20-25 MPG highway its going to be very hard to turn down. Also like mentioned earlier the 4.5 will get better resale value. the 2009 6.0 vortecmax can tow up to 10,700 pounds, my guess for the 4.5's max tow rating would be anywhere from 11,500 to 12,000 pounds.

Depending on towing weight, GM claims a 40 to 70 percent improvment in fuel economy while towing with the 4.5 compaired to a 6.0. Just some food for thought.

yup zick hit the nail on the head. :D I just hope the new 4.5 will be as fuel efficient.

If you may be towing 10k, i would go with the diesel. I believe the 6.2 is only rated at 8k. To get the 10k rating in the half ton you need the 6.0 and trailer tow pkg.

Gas is 3.39 and diesel is 4.05 so that is almost 20%. Bet the sticker loaded for the 4.5L will be nearly 50 by 2010 and lets say 42K for a 3/4 ton gas. Again that is nearly 20% so that makes it a wash. But 3/4 ton will have much better brakes and in the long run may be less to maintain. Don't see the 4.5L being such a great thing.

If you may be towing 10k, i would go with the diesel. I believe the 6.2 is only rated at 8k. To get the 10k rating in the half ton you need the 6.0 and trailer tow pkg.

Not sure but i think you are refering to the 6.2L in the Denali. For model year 09 the 6.2L will be availabe in the sivlerado, in LTZ trim only though.
So i would assume the tow rating would be more around the 10-11 thousand range.

my moms cadilac has the 6.2 and it gets great millage on the hwy we averaged 21 mpg on our way to dallas and that was loaded down with six people and luggage

Get the vehicle you want and dont worry about the motor. For recreational towing a small 5.3L will do fine. No reason to waste money on a diesel or a big gasser just to daily drive and tow a boat. also whoever said diesels retain their value hasnt taken a good look at the used market. My 2005 with 40k miles which stickered at $45k has lost half its value in 3 years.

Not sure but i think you are refering to the 6.2L in the Denali. For model year 09 the 6.2L will be availabe in the sivlerado, in LTZ trim only though.
So i would assume the tow rating would be more around the 10-11 thousand range.


Here is a link with the different engines/tow ratings, looks like the 6.2 can do 9600 lbs. But to get the 10400 lb rating you need the 6.0, it is odd that the largest gasser does not have the highest tow rating.

http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2009&regionID=1&divisionID=1&type=0&vehicleID=6941&section=trailer_specs&page=&butID=8

I don't think the Diesel is was or ever will be more economical than a Gasser with all the extra cost, but after owning one I will never buy another gas truck. I love passing cars in 6th gear at 2000rpm.

Here is a link with the different engines/tow ratings, looks like the 6.2 can do 9600 lbs. But to get the 10400 lb rating you need the 6.0, it is odd that the largest gasser does not have the highest tow rating.

...with 3.73 axle ratio and the NHT "Max trailering package, which includes higher cooling capacity" is rated 10,400lbs. (4WD)

The 6.2L L9H with the 3.42 axles ratio (without NHT) is rated 9,300lbs. (4WD), the same towing rating as a similarly equipped 6.0L L76, which I think has better low end torque.

What's odd to me is that the much smaller 5.3L is rated to tow the same, or in some cases, even more (with K5L cooling package).

I don't think the Diesel is was or ever will be more economical than a Gasser with all the extra cost, but after owning one I will never buy another gas truck. I love passing cars in 6th gear at 2000rpm.

What he said, but in my case... 5th gear, around 2500 rpm, and just a touch of smoke to boot.

Here is a link with the different engines/tow ratings, looks like the 6.2 can do 9600 lbs. But to get the 10400 lb rating you need the 6.0, it is odd that the largest gasser does not have the highest tow rating.

http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/domestic/proddesc.jsp?year=2009&regionID=1&divisionID=1&type=0&vehicleID=6941&section=trailer_specs&page=&butID=8


I guess we were both a little off. It is funny that you can only get the 3.42 rear with the 6.2L.

well the Duramax 4500 is about a year away. while the Vortec 6200 is offered now. when do you need the truck again? the Duramax will offer better economy than the Vortec, in terms of mileage. also, diesels will have a longer lifespan, probably about 2 to 3 times longer than any Vortec motor. also power must be a factor. Vortec 6200 V8 will have 403 Hp and 417 Ft-lb of torque and could get about 15 mpg at best. the Duramax 4500 V8 will have 310 Hp and 520 Ft-lb of torque and could get as much as 25 mpg.