new direction maybe

[mmarty]

Hi, It's me again. I just started looking at the newer 2500hd with the 6.0 6spd auto. It has a little higher tow rating and I wanted to ask if It would tow better than a say a 05 6.0 4spd auto. Any real experiences?

[Chriscon7]

Do you mean the new 6.2 with the 6L80e?

Perhaps I am mistaken, but i thought they went to the 6.2 at the same time as the 6 speeds?
I may be wrong, but yea i would prefer a six speed for towing

[kcb37]

Depends on what you like.
From what I have read unloaded around town alot of people think it shifts to much. Due to the gears being close together.
Towing, going to depend on the gearing. You may have fewer gears with an older truck, but it will stay at a higher rpm giving more power, it will not downshift as much.
Not saying a 6 speed won't stay in the gear you want, but you will be down to a 5 speed, unless you want double overdrive (the way I understand the 6 speed setup) So your back to a 4 speed with no overdrive. Could be wrong about that though.
Really it should be a mileage thing unloaded, and a little more power with a newer one. Extra gears don't do any good towing if you can't use them, if you are unloaded alot, would be good to have though.

[mmarty]

Just to clarify what year did gm put a 6spd auto behind a 6.0?

[Chriscon7]

Just to clarify what year did gm put a 6spd auto behind a 6.0?

dude, it never did. if you want the 6 speed auto, you're going to have to get the 6.2L

6.0 comes with a 4 speed.

[kcb37]

I'm curious to see what others think, it's been awhile since I read anything about a 6 speed.
Granted I know what I said before, but I will add, having my truck a 5 speed dmax, the extra gear is nice. However compared to my 96 the cruise rpm is about the same. The Dmax can run lower due to the extra torque though. But the end ratio is about the same. The gears in the Dmax are closer together, but it's a diesel also, not high reving compare a 6k redline in the 96 to a 3k redline in the dmax the gears need to be closer.
Again having not driven one, can't imagine what it would be like to have the ally ratios behind the 350.

[mmarty]

Ok, I guess wikipedia is wrong. It still lists the 6.0 as the gas engine in the 2500hd. The 6.2 is only offered in the cad escalade, the denali, and the silverado LTZ from 2007-now in the half tons. The hd models get the 6.0 or the dmax.

[kcb37]

That is also what I recal mmarty, or something close to.
But I have not been close to keeping up with the newer models. More then happy with what I have, they are all paid for so...
Hopefully someone that owns and tows with one will chime in for you.
What are you looking to tow, how often and how much weight?
That question to be specific includes, size, areodynamics, weight in the truck, bumper pull/5th/gooseneck, anything else you can think of? It may seem like something small but it all makes a difference. Also anything you want to change from stock.

[Chriscon7]

Alright so the 6.0 is the base engine in the 2500. What happened to the 6.2? I thought that was what replaced the 6 liter.
My bad, false info.

[ToyHauler]

6.2 is what they advertise as the vortec max in the halfs and caddys i think. to me just seems like a hemi beater for the bean counters that have to have a few extra ponies on paper

[mmarty]

I tow a 10500lb 5er about 6 times a year and I only go to the mountains once a year. Otherwise it's pretty flat here in Nebraskaland.

[kcb37]

You may want the 6 speed for the unloaded mileage then.

[mmarty]

Yeah, but I guess my concern is will a 6.0 4spd auto tow that weight
ok?

[kcb37]

Should tow it just fine.
The way I see it. "having not towed with either"
The 4 speed will be at a higher rpm without having to downshift, the newer engines (2000 and up) like being at a bit higher rpm. The 6 speed will have to downshift to gain the power to match the 4 speed.
No reason it shouldn't pull just as well, other then the 6 speed being newer has a bit more power.

[wm-webb]

I can not answer for about the 2500 or the 6.0/6.2 but I do tow with a 2011 1500 equipped 5.3. Compared to my old 2000 1500 the final drive ratio is the same, both trucks had 3.42 rear ends, both turned about 2000 rpm's at 70 mph. The extra gears are a granny first and I mean GRANNY. Leaving a stop light the 6 speed is looking for second gear before it clears the crosswalk. Trailer pulling GM hit a home-run with this transmission in my book. Pulling a 6500# trailer the 6 speed keeps the engine in it power-band and also provides engine braking. If you have the cruise control set and crest a hill, the trans will down shift to hold your speed going down hill.
I would imagine a 2500 with 6.2 would pull your average 3 bedroom home off it's foundation with the proper hitch, provided it got power to the ground.

[ToyHauler]

i have towed about 8k with the 6.0 2500 4spd one 03 one 06 my guess would be it would be fine on the level areas but would really not like hills. so if you only do it once a year it may be fine. we dont have any new ones but the program in the 03's felt alot better than the 06 thats what i would buy if i were spending my own money

[mmarty]

Thanks for all the good info. I will give it a few more weeks, maybe I'll run across a 8.1 or a more affordable 07+ with the 6spd trans. I am big into trailer control as well as pulling ability so having a trans that will downshift automatically will be good.

[kcb37]

You may like the 8.1 better.
The Allison will almost stop my truck in T/H by itself unloaded. Saves alot on the brakes.

[74vette]

I have a 2007 2500HD with the 6l90e transmission and it has good pulling power. I like the OD for the unloaded mileage. Either one will do a good job for you.

[mmarty]

Well, I settled on a 2010 chevy 2500hd with the 6.0/6spd auto with 4.10 gears. I got a smokin deal on it and should be A-OK for pulling. Got tired of driving 400+ miles looking at wore out 8.1s.