GM Duramax 2500 owners

[ekbruster]

Got a 2500HD GMC Sierra AT4 Duramax in the Spring and will never look back. We have a 2018 30FC Bunk and it tows that thing like it isn't even there. Just got back from Florida from Michigan set the cruise at 72MPH on I-75 and got 12.5 MPG round trip.

If you haven't already I highly suggest getting the trailer tire pressure monitors, its great having it integrated into the vehicle, and love that it keeps track of my trailer mileage independently of the truck. I have the premium package so the side mirrors actually change the display to your blind spot down the side of the trailer when changing lanes (if you use your turn signal) this was an unexpected feature but is really nice.

So far I have no regrets, it did suck down a lot of DEF on the Florida trip, I think I went through about 7 gallons round trip which was more than I was expecting. Enjoy your new rig! Happy Trails.

[renderit]

This one is a Denali and appears to have everything loaded on it. Should I have bought the extended warranty? It was like 2300 for 6 years...I think they would still let me get it.

[lsbrodsky]

My opinion only and what works for me. I have never recommended extended warranties on anything....except vehicles. Now if a vehicle has a 10 year like Hyundai that is different. But I have found that a 3 year bumper-to-bumper just doesn't cut it; stuff is just too expensive on vehicles. I tend to keep my vehicles for an average of about 8 years. In every case, I have made a warranty claim that paid for the warranty. For my GM stuff, which is most of what I have owned, I always use GMPP and am assured of warranty service anywhere in the country, no muss no fuss. Admittedly, if I was still capable of doing my own work on vehicles, I could have avoided some expensive work, but I still buy GMPP for my new GM cars. I did the same with my Volvo and had a drive shaft issue...no additional cost to me.
Larry

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by renderit

This one is a Denali and appears to have everything loaded on it. Should I have bought the extended warranty? It was like 2300 for 6 years...I think they would still let me get it.

You may want to get a different dealer to quote on that. When I purchased our 2020 GMC Denali in July, a GM, bumper to bumper warranty extension that took us to 100,000 miles and six years cost me about $1200. I know that with other brands any dealer can sell it to you. Might be worth investigating.
As for warranties written by anyone other than a manufacturer, I would recommend that you do your homework first. I have spent far too many hours on the phone trying to get legitimate claims settled for customers who had nothing but trouble with their warranty policies. The good companies liked us and would essentially do what we asked... the bad ones were awful.
The factory warranties are well defined and a good dealer can help you through an awful lot!

[moosetags]

We got Vivian, our 2020 Silverado 2500 Duramax in March. We traded earlier than usual to get the new camera system. The Invisible Trailer Camera is really nice.

Brian

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by renderit;

This one is a Denali and appears to have everything loaded on it. Should I have bought the extended warranty? It was like 2300 for 6 years...I think they would still let me get it.

Big ticket item is the duramax engine and that has 5 year / 100k miles warranty from the factory... Emissions control is 8 years / 80k miles by law I believe.

I wouldn’t bother with extended warranty the big stuff is already covered.

[WIZ]

We are proud owners of 2017 GMC Sierra Denali, 2500 HD Duramax. I've added on custom ARE cap with matching paint. It gives us an extra cargo space especially when travel long distances from Canada to Florida every year.
This truck is awesome and it does perfect job towing our 2006 28 ft. Airstream International. I strongly recommend this truck.

[renderit]

Thanks all.

I am looking at the tire monitoring which is in the app but the truck did not have the sensors with it.

I see I can get some on amazon for 59-79 bucks which supposedly work with it. A relearn tool for 20 bucks should cover the rest of it. I would prefer the type I have now which screw on the stems instead of the 'in-tire' type, but it is what it is...

Does anybody make aftermarket cameras to make the trailer disappear? 595 from GMC seems a little high...

[jaybauman]

Originally Posted by renderit

Does anybody make aftermarket cameras to make the trailer disappear? 595 from GMC seems a little high...

It's a lot cheaper if you purchase from ShopChevyParts.com

I installed it on my FC30 and (after some well-documented growing pains) it worked great. I'm putting one on my new Classic 33 (along with a 3" lift) when I take delivery next month.

Initially I thought the invisible trailer view was more of a gimmick. Quickly I learned how useful it could be when towing through big-city traffic needing to merge on/off freeways. Is it necessary? Obviously not. Is it useful? Very.

[Overstreet]

2018 Chevy Silverado, 6.6 L Duramax towing a 30ft AS.....13.5 mpg.

I recently had to tow with a rental when the Chevy was in the shop. Dodge Ram, 2500HD, 6.4L Hemi gas.........towed 30ft AS, same speeds, ..... 11 mpg.

My Silverado was much nicer than the more base model Dodge.

[Trailride]

After 1200 miles my DEF is 1/2 full and the display said 1000 more miles. If that is accurate then I wii get about 2200 miles on the first tank of DEF. 600 miles of that is towing 27FBT.

[DED56]

I have a 2020 GMC 2500 Denali 6.6l Duramax diesel with the Allison transmission pulling an 2016 FC 27. I moved up from a 5.7l Toyota Tundra. About 7k miles towing the AS on the GMC so far and it’s been flawless. Plenty of torque and power, brake controller works well, mirrors and cameras are excellent. Also have the 10k Equalizer hitch. Have had two panic “stops” from 65 mph without any issue, rig stopped straight and quickly. I get about 12-14 mpg towing mainly on interstates. I think the truck’s built in features and info displays for towing are outstanding. Although others remark on the lack of a competitive interior, and reviews I read indicate similar, I don’t find the interior an issue or a disappointment.

[Luke Grisott]

Congratulations on your new forever truck. That’s a nice looking truck.

[Cap-N-Red]

I have an ‘18 GMC 2500HD Duramax/ Allison. Pulling our 28’ classic 60-65 mph I get between 13 to 14.5 mpg. If I go over that the mpg drops quickly.
The truck I had previously was an ‘05 GMC DURAMAX/ ALLISON also I put 350,000 miles on it when I decided to replace it. It only got 10 mpg at 62 mph which was the sweet spot for that engine model. It also had one less speed in the transmission. With the newer tranny at 60 mph your turning almost 250 rpm less.
The guy that bought the ‘05 has put another 100K on it and it’s still running.

[OldScout]

My 2500 has been a joy and preforms great. Also I have had no problems what so ever and my wife loves the ride as I do. She hated the ride of my 2016 Super Duty. And lastly it pulls my 25 ft Flying Cloud like it is not there. 1/2 tons have that tail waging the dog effect. Love my truck!

[mefly2]

2500 Silverado: 10-12 towing, 12-14 otherwise ... at 62 mph.

[IFLY]

I have an 09 GMC Diesel Dually that I absolutely love.


Here is a real world reference for you. In 12 years of ownership beyond the normal maintenance stuff, here is what has failed on my truck and needed to be replaced:


TCM
Fuel Filter Head
#4 Glow Plug


All of these repairs combined didn't reach the $2k mark and the service was done at a GMC dealer.


Before COVID I parked my truck in the airport garage monthly as I went away on business trips without issue. You learn very quickly with the 2500/3500 series trucks where you can and can't park. It becomes part of the ownership experience.


We are attempting to come into the AS world (looking for a 34' SO) from a 40' fifth wheel that weighed 15k. My sweet spot for towing/mileage was 65 MPH which yielded a consistent 10 MPG.


I don't think that you would ever have any regrets with a 2500 diesel once you get used to it and it's size.

[kellycox7]

The "tank" feeling will wear off; just remember it's not a sports car when you need to slow down. My electronic mileage reads about 8% high, and suspect yours will too, so check it the old fashion way once in awhile. I get about 12-13.5 mpg pulling 28' Airstream with a pretty good load of "stuff" in the truck bed.


As far as break-in, mine consisted of a 4200 mile trip to Yellowstone, from Texas, pulling an RV. But, my truck had 700 miles on it when bought, so the break-in was hopefully done by the dealers shuffling it all around the country. Just follow the instructions in the manual.


After receiving horrid service from Houston area GMC dealers (they want to sell you all the stuff that you don't really need...they have vivid imaginations), I've been doing all of my own service possible, following the "severe service" guidelines for maintenance. Main thing is to change oil and filter on schedule; also, I change my own transmission external filter (use Allison brand only). I've also put high quality fluids in my front and rear differentials, as well as transfer case.



Mine is a 2017 with 63,000 miles, and just put on my second set of tires (mainly due to damage on one tire during an "excursion" in Colorado mountains). If you rotate your tires faithfully (about every 7000 miles for me), you can put 60,000 miles on the OEM tires.


I've looked at and driven the newer ones, but I still LOVE my 2017 and can't stand to part with it. Will probably drive it until I "fall into a deal" (which I can't imagine happening).


The only "dislikes" I have are:



(1) The GPS and voice instructions both SUCK big time. I've driven a Ford F250 that understood every single word, while this GMC has no clue what I'm saying. Don't even try it if you have high blood pressure.


(2) When you're backing up at night-time, the camera screen BLASTS you with super bright light, blinding you totally.



(3) Instrumentation and information center is archaic, compared to Ford or others. Buy yourself a plug-in engine / data monitor (not a tuner, just a monitor); you'll know everything you need to know all the time.

[renderit]

I am starting to get more comfortable with it. Moving our storage sheds to one closer that I can put the new 25 in when not on the road. Tons of trips from the old one to the new one. Nice way to get acquainted with it. Only bummer is the rain started today and I don't have the cover for the bed yet...

[PC Conner]

2018 2500 Duramax Silverado towed 27' FBQ FC from Apple Valley, CA (about 40 miles west of Barstow), through Denver, and terminated in Melbourne area of FL last summer. Average fuel was around 15mpg, but quit worrying about that. Never hesitated except on an upgrade on a state hwy in CO--just pushed peddle a bit more. No issues passing or being passed. This truck is the nicest car I have owned. I don't even get the criticism about the interior.
Only complaint on 2018 is place of DEF fill tube--super dumb--over the passenger fender instead of by the fuel fill tube like on the MOPAR and Ford trucks. I guess GM thinks we are dumber than the other companies--What a hassle. I have a small step ladder I use for filling DEF, surround the opening with a rag and rinse after cause it seems I don't control filling well.
GM improved the 2018 over previous years by moving the fuel filter to a more convenient location--easy task now. Earlier models had more work to get to the fuel filter.
Much prefer the Chevy grill over the GMC grill--not just aesthetics. Adding a front mount trailer hitch is much easier on the Chevy.
Hopefully, you will have no regrets.
Happy Trails