New truck fever has set in..going to start looking...a few questions for you guys first..

Before I even priced in my mind I wanted a 2500HD. I was surprised to find out by simply pricing online that the 2500HD is listed as $3-4K less than the 1500HD..Why is that so??? Is it because of the demand of the 1500?? I know that is the case between the Tahoe vs. Surburban, my wife has driven both..Surburban is cheaper.

Also anyone that is in a 2500HD, what type of gas mileage should I expect both towing and just city driving back and forth to work???

Thanks in advance for any input..

Well I just bought my better half a 2003 2500HD, nice truck if I do say so. First Chevrolet we have ever owned. Just now have about 2500 miles on it so I doubt it is broke in. Mileage is 14 at best so far, hope to change that with a complete K&N air filter system when they are available. The only way you are going to know you are towing is to either look in the mirror or watch the gas gauge. The 1500HD is only available with the crew cab and 6 liter engine that may be the reason of the price difference. I had a Dodge with a 318 that got 15mpg at best so we are pretty much used to that type of gas bill. She hauls horses with it and I haul a boat or tractor. With the lifestyle we lead we chose the Silverado package and picked it up for 20390.00, thought that was pretty good too. If you get one be sure and run synthetic oil that will help mileage, I plan to change to that as soon as my oil change is due. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

i have a 2001 chevy 3/4 ton 4 wheel dr. automatic with the 6.0 engine with 24,000 mi. i get 11 mpg.- when i pull my 26' pontoon, it gets 7! ouch!!! my truck has k&n cold air induction and filter, hypertech programmer,flow master exhaust, and 32" tall goodyear mud tires. i love my truck, but the mpg. stinks. if you pull a trailer much, go with the duramax diesel.

I own 2002 2WD 2500HD Ext Cab 6.0liter w 4.10 rear end. Driving in the city i get 14-16 mpg. Towing 11-13 mpg. The gas mileage gets better the more miles you put on. You have to watch the heavy foot with this setup or you can easily get below 10 mpg. Good truck.

stripersteve I reckon your mileage is a little less than mine because we did not get the 4 wheel drive. Did the K&N help mileage at all? Did you go with the filter or the whole system? Did the Flowmaster help or just give you more sound? Have heard good things about Gibson systems, believe that is the right name.

it's a combination of 4wd,4.10 gears,bigger mud tires, and somewhat of a heavy foot. my pontoon has a ten foot long fixed upper sundeck that grabs alot of wind. i don't think you are going to see much of an increase in mpg with what i have on mine. the k&n is the whole system. i had a gibson exhaust on my last truck and didn't like the sound. if you go with flow master, get the 3 chamber mufflers. if you get the 2 chamber mufflers, you will be taking it back to the muffler shop like i did. man these suckers are LOUD! i haven't noticed an increase in mpg, as you can tell, but a big increase in power. this is my first 4wd, and i'll never have another truck without it. even with decreased mpg.

Gus,
You may want to check with your warranty carrier before installing K&N air filters. I have heard that some warranties will not honor coverage for vehicles with K&N or other after market air filter systems. Just a suggestion.
Good Luck

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Be Vewy, Vewy Quiet. We're hunting wabbits.
-Jeff

i think it's a federal law that automakers can't demand you use their filters unless they provide them for free. i'm not too worried about it, because it doesn't take long to change it back.

I purchased a new 2002 GMC crewcab 2500HD 4x4 (gasoline) in october. I love the truck the reason I bought it was for towing my boat. I have a 24 1/2 foot bay boat and it is real heavy. I have pulled it at 70 mph at 2500 rpm and cannot even feel it back their. I have 6500 miles on it so far I get 15 mpg on highway and 12 pulling my boat. I feel it might get better if I kep my foot out of it.

I have a 2001 2500HD 4door 4X4 with the 6.0 and 4.10 rearend. Gas mileage is 15-16 hwy. I simply love the truck and the extra room you get over an extended cab. I don't know about the new models, but when I bought mine the 4.10 was the only option in the 2500. I think the 3.73 would help mileage and still get the job done. But this truck will go anywhere and pull nearly anything!!

Happy Hawg Hunting!!

The Freak

I have a Chevy 2001 1500 1/2 ton. It has a little over 24000 miles. The engine is a 5300 V-8 two wheel drive with a 3:73 locking rear end with a towing package. I get about 18.4 on the highway, never checked anything ealse. It tow's my Champion like it wasn't back there. Skip

I have a 2001 Chevy Z71 ext cab with a 4:10 and get about 17-18 ( on a good day!) hwy if I stay under 73 and about 13-14 in town, or about the same pulling my 4000lb rig. I agree that the 4:10's are a little overkill but I am able to pull in overdrive using the "Tow/Haul" feature and let the computer shift for itself. I bought this gear set to pull a DeepV Offshore boat with and then swapped for a smaller bayboat 4 months later!?! Duh?
I am thinking about the next truck already as my lease expires in Novemeber and probably will downsize somewhat in order to increase my everyday mileage as much as possible. I really like and use the 4x4 on the ramp and down on the beach and to hunt with.
I noticed an ad on a Dodge 1/2ton ext shortbed that had a 4x4 with a 4.7 litre ... anybody with any experience in smaller 4x4's pulling 4000-5000lbs? Explorers/Trailblazer sized SUV's are sure cheaper than the fullsized stuff too and a lot easier to drive and park in Dallas traffic. Right now I am leaning towards a 2x4 Suburban/Tahoe/Expedition with Positrac and a 3:73 axle with M/S's on the back. Comments?
Ron

2002 2500 HD Turbo diesel/Allison Trans with crew cab and LT package. What load? I haul a 21 Triton, 4 horse stock trailer, 16 ft flatbed with 120 bails of hay in the trailer and truck bed. Mileage ranges between 16 and 19 MPG. Like a rock! I bought the truck to pull a large 5th wheel. 2 months after I bought the truck my wife decided she did not want to get rid of the motorhome. Go figure!

I have a 2000 chevy z-71 ext. cab and it will pull whatever I need to pull. I put the K&N filter kit on mine and a flow master. It improved the throttle response. It added more power but not a whole lot. It will get up and run. I get about 15 or 16 city and 20 highway. I would probably get more in city but I think everyone wants to race me. I kid my wife all the time and tell her it is a race truck. She just laughs at me and tells me to shut up.

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David

Hey Wiley,

In response to your question, I have an older Explorer with the 5.0 V8 AWD. Talk about a good engine choked to death by todays environmental restrictions. Towed my full size tournament rig all over god's creation with out a hiccup. Has 95k miles on it and I've only had to get a new fuel filter and replace the seals on the rear driveshaft. Oh, and it chewed a few sets of plug wires. I'm not a Ford man but I'm impressed. I'm certain you'll do just fine with one of the Expeditions or Tahoes. Just get an aftermarket locking differential if you go the 2x4 route. I've seen alot of ruined treads on the ramp with the 2WD and I can't say I ever spun a tire pulling my or my buddy's boat out of even the steepest ramp.