1/2 ton GMC

[Jmort1754]

3.0 duramax or the 6.2 gas motor ( both on the lot)

Drove both of the responsiveness of the 6.2 is nice, however I drive more like an old man now.

Haul a 27 ft camper and the 14 ft UTV trailer.

During the week commutes are short short. Long trips on the weekends.

 

[tdhanses]

3.0 would be perfect, love mine, we have the 6.2 in my wife’s Yukon and that thing drinks the fuel fast, I mean super fast. The 3.0 just sips it and has plenty of power.

The 3.0 is fine for short trips, it gets to operating temps quick even in winter.

On avg I go around 500-550 miles per tank with in town and hwy driving, our 6.2 goes about 350 miles doing the same.

 

[180ls1]

Keep in mind the maintenance on the 3.0. The whole engine has to come out every 100k or so many years to replace a belt. Stupid.

I am not sure what the smaller gas turbo engines tow, they have come a long way in recent years.

 

[EdP]

After having a 3/4 ton truck I won't own another 1/2 ton. The difference in how they are made and how long parts last is stunning. For example, my 98 Ram 1500 needed new front brake pads at 25K, my '07 Ram 2500 needed them at 90K. The ride is a bit rougher, but it is worth it to me.

 

[tdhanses]

Keep in mind the maintenance on the 3.0. The whole engine has to come out every 100k or so many years to replace a belt. Stupid.

I am not sure what the smaller gas turbo engines tow, they have come a long way in recent years.

Not true at all, so false it’s funny.

At 150k it’s recommended to remove the transmission to replace the belt, it’s now rated to be changed at 200k.

 

[180ls1]

Not true at all, so false it’s funny.

At 150k it’s recommended to remove the transmission to replace the belt, it’s now rated to be changed at 200k.

Yeah, good call, trans not engine but I remember it being a big job. Its also every 7/10 ish years.

 

[tdhanses]

Yeah, good call, trans not engine but I remember it being a big job. Its also every 7/10 ish years.

So budget $200 a year and your good.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I had a 3.0 and LOVED it. It pulled my 16 foot flatbed atv trailer and rzr like it wasn’t even there. It drank def like crazy when towing, but if I wasn’t towing I hardly ever added any. They say the belt doesn’t need to be changed as often as originally thought.

I’d get the 3.0 and love every second of 25-32 mpg out of a capable pickup truck!!!

 

[Afhunter1]

3.0 all the way. I ordered my truck with the max tow package. Bumps up rating to 12,500# and some other goodies. Towing power is great. I just had a 2500 6.6 duramax. Babymax is fine for me. I tow lots of stuff having a farm and also a 10k boat. My truck isn’t even broke in yet and I got this fuel Econ with it set at 82mph for almost an hour in the hills of pa

 

[DooleyVT]

I’ve got the 3.0 Trail Boss and I’m super happy with it. Tows great, 28 mpg average, quiet, smooth and zero issues so far. It would be tough to go back to a gasser again.

 

[den57]

2021 3.0 ......

 

[manitou1]

Keep in mind the maintenance on the 3.0. The whole engine has to come out every 100k or so many years to replace a belt. Stupid.

I am not sure what the smaller gas turbo engines tow, they have come a long way in recent years.

It is every 200k... which is 10-15 years of use for most people.

 

[gbflyer]

Gas

 

[MuleyFever]

I just went through the GMC debate a few months ago and was considering the same thing you are. I found that the 6.2 gets more negative press than the 3.0.

 

[Zak406]

Not true at all, so false it’s funny.

At 150k it’s recommended to remove the transmission to replace the belt, it’s now rated to be changed at 200k.

I don’t have a dog in the fight but everyone talks about this like people keep vehicles these days. Most people trade vehicles in every 100,000. I own a 6.6 diramax but I would recommend the 3.0. My buddy has one and loves it.

 

[displacedtexan]

Yeah, good call, trans not engine but I remember it being a big job. Its also every 7/10 ish years.

And pulling a trans isn't a big job for anyone who's actually going to be doing it.

 

[displacedtexan]

I would definitely get the baby Duramax.

The era of large displacement gas engines being the best option in a half ton pickup (really the vast majority of pickups) is over.

 

[180ls1]

And pulling a trans isn't a big job for anyone who's actually going to be doing it.

It's definitional but most would say a several thousand dollar service is "big."

 

[TheHammer]

The 3.0. Not even a comparison. Get rid of it at 3yrs/75k for another new one and you’ll never have to do anything besides oil and filters.

 

[Jmort1754]

Anyone else have first hand experience with the 3.0