Decison: Eco/6.2L gas V8/2009 6.6L HD

[ROBERT CROSS]

Dianne,

IMO....all good except the Z71 off road suspension. Driven an awful lot of them over the years, a little stiff for my liking, especially on extended trips.

Ask the dealer for a weekend test drive, explain what you want to do.
Bring it home, hook up the stream and go for a ride.
If they're serious about the sale they will say yes. We did at the Chevy Store.

Bob

[justretired]

We have a 09 Silverado 2500 LTZ w/ Z71 and duramax diesel/Allison transmission all the toys inside. We tow a 2012 27FB Classic. It rides very smooth, climbs hills without any problems. Very satisfied with both.

[BigAl]

If you plan to use the truck on a daily basis as well then I would seriously look at the ecoboost.
I have one in a supercab with 8 foot box. Long truck.
Truck payload is 2670lb and tow capacity is 11000 lb.
I tow 31 foot airstream and it is effortless.
The truck is amazingly quiet.
I get at least 12mpg(us) towing and have managed to get over 23 mpg(us) driving on interstate and state highway combined which includes speed zones through small towns and the odd stop light.
Obviously I am very happy with my truck.
Al

[WineStream]

Originally Posted by BDandTTs

• 2011 F150 Lariat Crew Cab, EcoBoost w/ max tow pkg
• 2011 Silverado 1500 LTZ extended cab, 6.2L Vortec V8 w/ max tow pkg
• 2009 Sierra 2500 HD (that's Harley Davidson trim level), extended cab, 6.6L Duramax diesel with 11,000 miles

There's been a few clarifications in the thread, but the best of my abilities (research through websites) the following is true:

An F150 with EcoBoost is a 3.5L V6 with twin turbos. Granted, no slouch, but this is not the 6.2L. If you get the 6.2L it is not an EcoBoost and it only comes in the high-trim levels.

Chevy gas...the description is spot-on to the best of my knowledge. 6.2L V8 is available in 1/2 ton form and with high trim level (LTZ)

Sierra Harley...it's been mentioned before that Chevy never made an Harley edition truck. That was Ford. The HD after the 2500 means "heavy duty". If the Chevy you're looking at has a bunch of Harley trim then it was put in custom by a previous owner. Do a Google search for "Harley Davidson Sierra" and see what comes up...nothing about a GM truck.

Personally I know which I'd choose. I don't currently own a diesel because I couldn't afford it when I bought my tow vehicle and I still can't. But, I've owned diesel trucks in the past. Not only can you pull your Airstream, but if you've like to pull your house off of it's foundation, you can do that, too.

[BDandTTs]

Thanks to all for the help.

Although we were comfortable enough riding in the 2500 diesel, subjecting our trailer to the relatively rough ride of an off road suspension is not desirable -- and we don't want to invest a lot of money at this time in a softer riding hitch. Up here in the north country it seems that snow plow and off-road packages are the norm.

The Eco-boost F150 sounds like a really great car, but a maximum tow package is not available locally and although a dealer located one in Mass., we don't feel that we should make a commitment on it at this time.

So, if you are still willing to stay with us, please give comments and experience about the 2011 Silverado LTZ extended cab with the maximum tow package. This package includes a 6.2L Vortec V8, a heavy duty axle, and disc brakes all around. Don't know much about the transmission, but it is a 6 speed and definitely has tow-haul.

Comments on mileage and performance would be appreciated.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Dianne,

Do you know the axle ratio? 3:73 minimum 4:10 for the heavier trailer, esp in the mtns.

Bob

[BDandTTs]

Bob,
The Silverado 6.2L has the standard 3.73 rear end.
Hydra-Matic 6 speed
GVWR 7200 lb.
Payload 1,879 lb.
Curb wt. 5,321 lb.

I've seen reports on other forums that we might expect 17-18mpg with mixed hwy/city driving without a trailer in-tow, and down to 12-13 when towing. We can hope to do better, but will certainly not count on it. It is obvious that you cannot have a heavy foot and expect decent mileage.

Hey, how is Fado? Maybe he and Tesla will meet someday ... what a pair!

Dianne

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by BDandTTs

Bob,
The Silverado 6.2L has the standard 3.73 rear end.
Hydra-Matic 6 speed
GVWR 7200 lb.
Payload 1,879 lb.
Curb wt. 5,321 lb.

I've seen reports on other forums that we might expect 17-18mpg with mixed hwy/city driving without a trailer in-tow, and down to 12-13 when towing. We can hope to do better, but will certainly not count on it. It is obvious that you cannot have a heavy foot and expect decent mileage.

Hey, how is Fado? Maybe he and Tesla will meet someday ... what a pair!

Dianne

Dianne,

The mpg are certainly doable with a little concentration, We averaged 11.5 last year on our cross-country, 5512mi, ave.sp 52mph 8.1w4:10's.
Are you planning on a weekend test drive?

Fado's doing fine, a little sad because his cousin Harley in California passed away two day's ago. So hard when they leave us.

Bob

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by BDandTTs

Bob,
The Silverado 6.2L has the standard 3.73 rear end.
Hydra-Matic 6 speed
GVWR 7200 lb.
Payload 1,879 lb.
Curb wt. 5,321 lb.

The payload is low. As with most 1/2 and 3/4T trucks. A 7k trailer can have a 1k TW, leaving not a lot of truck payload capacity once WDH adjusted. This should be a consideration if one packs heavy. A TT that maxes out at 6,200 with a 12% TW of 750-lbs is easier to live with if so. (TT GVWR is but one way of looking at it.)

Find the RAWR for a closer look at what one can do, and the tire weight capacity (even if one has to change them).

I avoid 4WD, offroad, etc, spec'd trucks. How one uses it solo is at least as important a determinant, if not more so. Being higher off of the ground is worse for all kinds of performance.

With a 6-speed automatic one does not need 3.73 gears anymore. 3.42 more likely. That ratio on that truck is for oversize, offroad tires that inhibit rolling from a standing start.

[BigAl]

Did you guys notice that my 150 ecoboost has a 2670lb payload and 11000lb trailer capacity.
Al

[tpi]

Originally Posted by BDandTTs

Oh my, we find ourselves comparing apples, oranges and pears!

We currently pull a 22' CCD, but anticipate getting a 26-27' pre-1990 in the future.,

What are the specs on the 26-27 foot trailer?

My Tundra pulls my 25' Safari nicely (6300 gvw). I would think the GM with 6.2 should do the same. Towing MPG about 12 in my case.

To me it boils down to the specs on your anticipated trailer.

[BDandTTs]

Hey, thanks everyone. It really did help to hear differing views and experience. We're getting the Silverado 1500 with the 6.2L Vortec engine. I think the added HP, torque, and payload over the capacities of our Titan will be good for us and our Airstream. The truck will have comfy leather inside, and a practical utility rack in the bed. Loading kayaks and bicycles will be so much easier. We'll post a photo soon.

I'll try to explain, or justify, at least some of our reasoning. First, our 22' CCD has a GVW of about 4500 lbs, and a tongue weight of about 600. We've not had problems towing with the Titan, but have sometimes wished for a bit more power when climbing. We shouldn't need 403HP often, but it will be there.

We seriously considered the gently used 2009 GMC 2500, but in the end, the off-road suspension was a killer for us. Those of us that love our 22' CCDs worry about frame flexing and the hard ride would not have been good. The AirSafe (or is it AirRide?) hitch does sound like the way to go, but another $1K or more -- not at this time. Our dreams of a larger trailer are just that at this time -- dreams.

I've not heard from one person with an Eco-boost that gives anything but rave reviews, but there were no 2011 models available that met our requirements -- Lariat, 6.5' bed, and max. tow. The other drawback in northern Vermont is our local Ford dealer, while we're doing business with a very reasonable Chevy dealer.

Rednax, we need 4X4 -- we live about 2.5 miles up a gravel road, and especially suffer during mud season.

Again, thanks to all. Wish us many smooth miles, and happy trails to you,
Dianne

[ROBERT CROSS]

BD&TT...

Congrats, look forward to the pic's.

Bob