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Steve Bryant · 02-05-2016, 10:13 PM

This morning, I drove a 2016 Sierra SLT Crew Cab (short bed) pickup with the 6.2L engine, 8L80 transmission and the Max Tow Package. I was blown away by the performance, ride and handling. Forward and side visibility are excellent and the tow mirrors are exceptional. Also, in monitoring the instantaneous MPG in steady-state driving at 60 MPG, it appears to exceed that of my Jeep Grand Cherokee (which also has a V8, 5.7L Hemi with cylinder deactivation and VVT). Unless GM comes out with a 2500 Suburban/Yukon XL for 2017, I know what I want as my next vehicle.

nvestysly · 02-06-2016, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bryant

This morning, I drove a 2016 Sierra SLT Crew Cab (short bed) pickup with the 6.2L engine, 8L80 transmission and the Max Tow Package. I was blown away by the performance, ride and handling. Forward and side visibility are excellent and the tow mirrors are exceptional. Also, in monitoring the instantaneous MPG in steady-state driving at 60 MPG, it appears to exceed that of my Jeep Grand Cherokee (which also has a V8, 5.7L Hemi with cylinder deactivation and VVT). Unless GM comes out with a 2500 Suburban/Yukon XL for 2017, I know what I want as my next vehicle.

I'm feeling the same way. I'm considering a used 2010 C2500 Suburban but it only has the 6.0L. The crew cab truck with short box and topper might be the way to go.

So when I start looking for a used vehicle... What year did Chevrolet and GMC start offering 1500, 6.2L, 8-speed, maximum towing packages?

gandttimes · 02-06-2016, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nvestysly

I'm feeling the same way. I'm considering a used 2010 C2500 Suburban but it only has the 6.0L. The crew cab truck with short box and topper might be the way to go.

So when I start looking for a used vehicle... What year did Chevrolet and GMC start offering 1500, 6.2L, 8-speed, maximum towing packages?

2015

George

bpcaudill · 02-07-2016, 02:34 AM

Hello folks,
Would like to chime back in on this thread. As I had stated back earlier last year, I was really growing tired of living with my 15' Duramax Chevy, along with having found out about the 6.2 tow-max package GM had in limited quantities.Here's what my thoughts are at this point.
In my mind, unless you're going to use the additional weight carrying the 2500 series offers at least 80% of the time, it's now the wrong vehicle. GM clearly cut some major corners by not building with a similar rack and pinion steering the 1500s have. The recirculating ball type on the bigger truck is way to vague. We have rutted roads, and any lane changes over 60mph were white knuckle. I did lower tire pressure, but still no where as good as the smaller 1500s. And as other folks have mentioned, you do feel the extra weight the 2500 package has.
Also the torsion bar front suspension is not as compliant as the coils on Dodge or Ford…Putting anything up in the bed was a joke as well. As I stated the only time that truck even began to be useful was when I had my trailer attached and 400lbs of gear in the bed. Even then, climbing up and out of the bed was uncomfortably hard.
I did wind up stumbling onto a left-over 15' GMC crew cab with the 6.2 and 8speed. Luckily there were several rebates I was able to use to offset the near 58 thousand sticker price.
I haven't looked back!! The 6.2 gets great gas mileage, is a hoot to drive, and is perhaps the smoothest vehicle I've ever been in. Better than my wife's Acura TL.
If you can afford the silly asking price, they are the way to go.
Hope this helps with some of you who are considering going up to a 2500. If you feel you absolutely need to go with the bigger series, I wouldn't go with GM….
Pat

Andrew T · 02-07-2016, 05:41 AM

Unless GM comes out with a 2500 Suburban/Yukon XL for 2017, I know what I want as my next vehicle.

If you would prefer a full size SUV over a Pick-Up take a look at the Ford Expedition EL. They are a very good tow vehicle and I would select it even if they built a 2500 Suburban. The big advantage it has over a Sub is the independent rear suspension. It gives it a better ride and more stability at the same time. The suspension is very robust as long as you set the hitch up properly there won't be any payload issues that matter.

Having a solid body structure from front to rear eliminates all the chassis flex you get in a Pickup.

The biggest downside to it used to be the dated 5.4 engine but now it has the 3.5 Echoboost with a 6 speed transmission. Next year it should get the new 10 speed.

I hope this helps.
Andrew T

DC Bruce · 02-07-2016, 07:50 AM

Regarding when GM offered the drivetrain under discussion, it was 2015 as another post said.
With the exception of the 8-speed, everything else was first available in 2014. However, the 8-speed contributes a lot to the value of this whole package. The 6-speed offered in 2014 with the 6.2 and 5.3 engine has poorly chosen gear ratios. The Fast Lane Truck boys showed just how bad this was when they ran a 2014 6.2 liter up the "Ike Gauntlet" pulling 10,000 lbs. So, if it was me shopping for a used 2014, I'd choose the Ecoboost F150 over the Chevy/GMC 6.2 unless I absolutely needed the extra 200 or so pounds of payload offered by the Chevy/GMC. For a used 2015, I'd make the opposite choice.

Seinbelld · 02-28-2016, 05:13 PM

Hey guys,

We pulled the trigger on a 2016 Sierra SLT Crew Cab with the 6.2 and max trailering yesterday. It has 1,903 lbs. of payload so will hopefully give us plenty of room as far as that goes.

Purchased at a dealer near STL... They are the second largest volume dealer in the country.... Well worth the 9 hour drive as we got nearly $12k off and a solid trade in. Highly recommend! They still have a black one and have a few more coming in soon.

So far, so good. The AS is now at the dealer so we will be taking delivery in the next couple weeks. No towing experience so wish me luck

Eric

gandttimes · 02-28-2016, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seinbelld

Hey guys,

We pulled the trigger on a 2016 Sierra SLT Crew Cab with the 6.2 and max trailering yesterday. It has 1,903 lbs. of payload so will hopefully give us plenty of room as far as that goes.

Purchased at a dealer near STL... They are the second largest volume dealer in the country.... Well worth the 9 hour drive as we got nearly $12k off and a solid trade in. Highly recommend! They still have a black one and have a few more coming in soon.

So far, so good. The AS is now at the dealer so we will be taking delivery in the next couple weeks. No towing experience so wish me luck

Eric

Very jealous here. Congratulations and safe towing.

George

DC Bruce · 02-28-2016, 10:58 PM

You should be happy. I know have 25,000 miles on mine, all since last May. Best non-towing mileage is 23.8 mpg between SFO Bay Area and Yellowstone NP and back. Speeds between 65 and 80. Best towing mpg 13.6 on a trip from Malibu to Tucson and back with stops at various parks in Az. And SoCal. Speeds: 55 in California; 60 in Az. or posted limit, whichever is lower. The fast lane truck tested this truck and the 5.3 V8, both similarly equipped and found this truck got 0.1 mpg better on a 100 mile loop towing the same load in Colorado at 70 mph.

Steve Bryant · 02-29-2016, 09:45 AM

Eric,
Congratulations!!! Keep us posted with your impressions along the way!

Steve

bpcaudill · 02-29-2016, 11:01 PM

Eric,
Would also like to add in my congrats.. And yes, even with the discounts you were able to find, these are still pricey trucks.. I giggle every time I take mine out for a drive. A much better source of transportation that I hope gives me many years of use.
On another note, has anybody put an air assist system on the back to help with rear sag from our heavy Airstreams? I know where I can get an entire system, including the auto fill pump for a reasonable price.
Pat

white laker · 03-01-2016, 05:24 AM

I now have close to 30,000 miles on mine and it still out-performs my expectations. I'm getting better than 11.5 M.P.G. pulling my 31 Classic fully loaded. load it up and het pulling!
Happy camper here....
Pete

Steve Bryant · 03-01-2016, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpcaudill

Eric,
On another note, has anybody put an air assist system on the back to help with rear sag from our heavy Airstreams? I know where I can get an entire system, including the auto fill pump for a reasonable price.
Pat

Pat,
Have you worked with your load equalizing hitch to try to get the truck and trailer level? That's what you need to do before you consider anything like air springs.

I'm currently planning buy one of these trucks in the next six to twelve months to tow my 34' trailer and I don't anticipate any need to install any air assist.

Steve

bpcaudill · 03-01-2016, 10:11 PM

Steve,
Not had a chance to do anything with setting the truck up to pull our 25' front bed International. One thing I'm not wanting to do is put too much weight back on the rear axle of the trailer, which to my understanding is what the weight distribution systems do.
You won't regret buying one of these 6.2 rigs. I consistently get 16mpg. running around town and more than 21 on the highway…
Just wanted to see what other folks might already know…
Pat

pappy19 · 03-01-2016, 10:20 PM

If you wait for the 2017 Ford F-150, it has an automatic leveling with the tow package. The most popular vehicle for a long time.

gandttimes · 03-02-2016, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

If you wait for the 2017 Ford F-150, it has an automatic leveling with the tow package. The most popular vehicle for a long time.

Don't tell us you believe all those adds!

George

dznf0g · 03-02-2016, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappy19

If you wait for the 2017 Ford F-150, it has an automatic leveling with the tow package. The most popular vehicle for a long time.

Nameplate, not vehicle.

nvestysly · 03-06-2016, 08:11 AM

I'm still dreaming about owning one of these trucks. Perhaps in a few years....

Just want to make sure I understand the 2016 Chevrolet and GMC offerings. Based on the brochures, if I want all three options (6.2L, 8-speed and max trailering package), I find myself narrowed down to Silverado LTZ and Sierra SLT. Other models have one or two of the three options but only the LTZ and SLT have all three.

See attached highlighted specification sheets. Am I understanding correctly?

dznf0g · 03-06-2016, 01:06 PM

That is correct. I really would've preferred an LT with all 3, but it can't be had that way. I'd have preferred 18" wheels too.

gypsydad · 03-06-2016, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznf0g

That is correct. I really would've preferred an LT with all 3, but it can't be had that way. I'd have preferred 18" wheels too.

Just had to test drive one today after reading this thread, so headed to Escondido! Overall, very impressive ride, great acceleration on freeway, smooth shifting up/down, very low cockpit noise, and comfortable....I drove the LTZ loaded with heavy duty tow package--(loved the mirrors). No sunroof, Bose 6 speaker system( no sub woofer~ sounded ok, but not great). Dealer said you can get the retractable running boards, like I have on my F150 Platinum as an add on or standard with the High Sierra package as well as upgraded sound system standard on that model; they did not have one on the lot. I am not "blown away", compared to my 2012 F150 Platinum in looks, but I will keep track as I get to end of life on this TV...Major selling points: it's gas, no turbo's to worry about, plenty torque and HP for my 25', great ride, warranty is 5 yrs/60K; price I was quoted by manager (with current discounts) was less than I paid for my Platinum in 2012, and I think this one should go 200K+ miles??

Not sure my Echoboost will go that long...could be wrong.