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07-07-2016, 08:26 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 254
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Chevy/GMC 2500 diesel owners
Considering upgrading my present 2007 diesel TV for something newer. One of the trucks I am looking at is a 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 Z71 2wd. I have no experience in Chevy/GMC and wanted to get some opinions of those who own them.
1. What is the difference between a Chevy and GMC?
2. Love, It is ok, or hate your Chevy/GMC?
3. I am looking at 2010 - 2013 models. Any difference in those years? One year better than another? I would assume the later the better?
4. I am towing around a 34'/9,000 pound TT. For those towing around the same (TT or 5er); what type of MPG are you seeing?
5. Any other pertinent info you would like to pass on.
Thanks,
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2023 Rockwood Signature 2442BS
2022 Ram 3500 Longhorn Limited
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07-07-2016, 10:34 AM
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#2
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 28
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I have a '14 GMC Sierra 2500 (same as 11-14) and towed my toy hauler (~12,000 lbs loaded) all around the midwest and even from WI to FL and the truck towed the trailer really well. I would get between 9.5 and 11 mpg, but that TH was 12.5 ft tall and I think that played into the mileage more than weight.
The Allison trans and the torque of the diesel through the mountains made that trip a breeze.
We have since bought an 5'er XLR TH and the mileage is the same with a heavier trailer.
Dave
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07-07-2016, 10:41 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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1. What is the difference between a Chevy and GMC?
Not much. Built on same line. GMC usually comes with a few more bells & whistles than Chevy (for a few thousand $ more, of course).
Same as Chrysler/Dodge (think Town & Country/Caravan) or Ford/Mercury (Fusion/Milan).
In Forest River Hybrid-speak, same as Roo/Shamrock.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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07-07-2016, 10:45 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KRSmitty
Considering upgrading my present 2007 diesel TV for something newer. One of the trucks I am looking at is a 2011 Chevy Silverado 2500 Z71 2wd. I have no experience in Chevy/GMC and wanted to get some opinions of those who own them.
1. What is the difference between a Chevy and GMC?
2. Love, It is ok, or hate your Chevy/GMC?
3. I am looking at 2010 - 2013 models. Any difference in those years? One year better than another? I would assume the later the better?
4. I am towing around a 34'/9,000 pound TT. For those towing around the same (TT or 5er); what type of MPG are you seeing?
5. Any other pertinent info you would like to pass on.
Thanks,
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Mostly the grill and a few doo-dads. They are made at the same plant as each other (1500's in Mexico, HD's in Flint, MI).
I am a GMC/Chevy guy to the core. If a Chevy will do the job, that's what I get. But I know in today's world the differences in all 3 are slight.
I don't know about the years. Someone else might. I had a 2015 and now a 2016.
When I had a 2015 3/4 (2500) I got 22 mpg (diesel) on highway not pulling, and pulling a bumper pull I got about 13. On my current 3500 dually I get 10.5-12.0 (depends mostly on hills) pulling a fifth wheel.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
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07-07-2016, 11:01 AM
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#5
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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The 2011 D'Max has a bad history when it comes to the emissions. I just traded mine in and it spent more time in the shop than any other vehicle I ever owned. Not saying every 2011 is bad but I definitely had a rotten egg. Only reason I kept it as long as I did was it was all covered. But the warranty just timed out (5 years), so it had to go.
I would recommend the latter years you are looking at, as it seems that GM got the bugs worked out by the 13 model year.
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Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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07-07-2016, 11:01 AM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,243
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You are right in the time frame when DEF was added to Chevy Diesels. If having or not having a DEF equipped vehicle is important you need to check carefully.
__________________
2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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07-07-2016, 11:15 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 626
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I traded in my Chevy for a GMC 2500 and the differences are noticeable, but nothing really major.
Same engines
same chassis
same tranny
front grille is different between them
the interior is slightly different, and the GMC has a few more features in the nav/head unit, but other then that, if you put them side by side with no badges, you'll only notice the front grille difference
__________________
2013 Prime Time Tracer 3200BHT
2016 Chevy 3500 CC, DRW (aka: bigbootyjudy)
Ribs in the smoker and Whiskey in hand
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07-07-2016, 11:43 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 254
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flybob
You are right in the time frame when DEF was added to Chevy Diesels. If having or not having a DEF equipped vehicle is important you need to check carefully.
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I have heard from several users of DEF that it is not that big of deal. Have to fill up the DEF tank every so often...that is about it. Unless there is more to it?
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 2442BS
2022 Ram 3500 Longhorn Limited
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07-07-2016, 11:55 AM
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#9
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KRSmitty
I have heard from several users of DEF that it is not that big of deal. Have to fill up the DEF tank every so often...that is about it. Unless there is more to it?
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When GM made the transition to meet federal requirements (2010 I think) they had a lot of issues with the DEF, exhaust & emission systems/parts failing, etc. If you go to the Duramax forum you can see the issues folks had and how they started to disappear by 2013. Like I mentioned I had a bunch of issues but a coworker with a 2011 3500 only had problems with glow plugs. (another issue with those years...GM had a service bulletin that allowed dealers to change all 8 and after they did that on mine I never had an issue with the plugs again)
__________________
Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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07-07-2016, 11:58 AM
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#10
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(Dry Huunday)
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eastern North Carolina
Posts: 2,298
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But overall the DEF system is not that big of deal. Just a few bucks a gallon depending on where you get it. Some dealers even top it off during an oil change.
__________________
Beau & Sue
FurKid Express
2015 Coachmen Catalina 303RLS
2016 Chevy Silverado LT 2500HD Duramax
The more people I meet, the more I like my dogs!
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07-07-2016, 12:07 PM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 12
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I would look at the 2011 or newer. The tow ratings jumped a lot in 2011 with the new frame, brakes, etc. Example: 2010 3500 Dually rated to tow 15,900, 2011 3500 Dually rated to tow 21,600.
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2006 34FK Work and Play
2016 Chevrolet 3500 Duramax DRW
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07-07-2016, 12:26 PM
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#12
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South West PA
Posts: 3,012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DreiHunde
The 2011 D'Max has a bad history when it comes to the emissions. I just traded mine in and it spent more time in the shop than any other vehicle I ever owned. Not saying every 2011 is bad but I definitely had a rotten egg. Only reason I kept it as long as I did was it was all covered. But the warranty just timed out (5 years), so it had to go.
I would recommend the latter years you are looking at, as it seems that GM got the bugs worked out by the 13 model year.
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X-2 2011 was a problem year.
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07-07-2016, 12:28 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Oklahoma City Metro Area
Posts: 235
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I upgraded from a 5.3 Avalanche pulling our Mini Lite 2502ks about 5500 pounds to a GMC 2500 Duramax. WOW what a difference. Now I pull a 10000 lb 32 ft 5er and hardly know it's behind me. Mileage on highway 21, towing 12 to 14 depending on terrain. I do a lot of Interstate driving being in Oklahoma and use very little DEF.
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2016 Open Range Light 297RLS Fifth Wheel
2015 GMC 2500HD 6.6L Duramax
Days Camped. 2015: 17
Days Camped 2016: 58
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07-07-2016, 12:34 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Between Pickles Gap and Toad Suck, AR
Posts: 6,070
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On the DEF, I just added DEF for the first time.....at about 6,600 miles. Much of that was towing which I'm sure matters (I guess it does).
Only issue I have with the vehicle in any way is where the DEF is added. Ford and Ram put the intake next to gas tank. Chevy? Open the hood, get a stool, and wedge it in near the firewall. Still, it's rare.
I paid $17.00 to fill it all the way up at $2.69 a gallon at Speedway in Jackson, TN last week. It was convenient and I was out. Wally World sells it for about $7.00 for five gallons. I think it holds about 10 gallons. DIC tells you when to add.
DEF is nothing but Urea and Water.
However, it is dated. I was told by tech that it's like 'milk'. You don't go get new milk, bring it home and add it to the existing older gallon that is half full. But I also know guys that do exactly that with DEF and have no issues.
It's simply the catalytic converter process of the diesel world. I for one am glad they have it.......my diesel is quiet as any gasser, and no odor, fumes, smoke, or smog.
__________________
"Next to prayer, fishing is the most personal relationship of man" Herbert Hoover
"American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God"Lewis Grizzard
FROG AR-0019-242
2016 GMC Denali 3500Dually--2017 CC 36CKTS
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07-07-2016, 12:35 PM
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#15
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Frog-Toberfest Organizer
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,330
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I bought a Chevy 2500 HD in January to pull my 40' toy hauler and I just love it. Def has not been an issue, just fill it up and keep driving. All my friends that I camp with have Chevy 2500 HD and love them.
__________________
2016 Vengeance 320A
2015 Chevy 2500HD LT 6.6L 4x4 ccsb Z71 trim
2012 HD Electra Glide
Andersen Ultimate Aluminum fifth wheel hitch V2
Days camped '16=43, '17=47, '18=57 '19=47 '20=47 '21=64 '22=62 '23=72
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07-07-2016, 12:38 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 626
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Electra glide
I bought a Chevy 2500 HD in January to pull my 40' toy hauler and I just love it. Def has not been an issue, just fill it up and keep driving. All my friends that I camp with have Chevy 2500 HD and love them.
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I agree though, the DEF isn't as bad as people make it out to be, however, there were some issues with it at first. I had to add the stuff for the first time to my truck last month around 5k mile mark. But I've heard it'll increase over time.
__________________
2013 Prime Time Tracer 3200BHT
2016 Chevy 3500 CC, DRW (aka: bigbootyjudy)
Ribs in the smoker and Whiskey in hand
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07-07-2016, 12:44 PM
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#17
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Michigan
Posts: 32
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BTW, the 2014 GM model trucks were made in both versions. Meaning they shared the same body as the 2007 thru 2014 and the introduced new 2014 body style as well. This is still shared in today's 2016 model. Therefore there are 2014 models in both the old and new body styles.
Also, I have a good friend that owns a '15 1-ton Denali 4dr LB SWB Duramax/Alison pulling a 42' Jayco 5er with no issues for over a year now. With the cruise on, 70 mph, 1500rpm, 14mpg.
Some Day, I hope!
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07-07-2016, 12:47 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,022
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OP stated they were looking at a 2011 Z71,,,,,,, that is a 4WD, not a 2WD. I've had both gas and diesel 2500 2WD, they have a higher payload and lower maintenance issues without the 4WD running gear. Just sayin'
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07-07-2016, 12:48 PM
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#19
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Frog-Toberfest Organizer
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,330
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I think I had 3k miles when I just had to refill mine. I am thinking mine was not full when I got it from the dealer. I went to Advance Auto and bought two of the containers. They suggested I only use one to fill up. I keep the other in my garage but my indicator went back up over 70% with just one. I am only 5'8" and found it wasn't to hard to fill up under the hood. The package the DEF comes in has a flexible spout so it was easy to pour.
__________________
2016 Vengeance 320A
2015 Chevy 2500HD LT 6.6L 4x4 ccsb Z71 trim
2012 HD Electra Glide
Andersen Ultimate Aluminum fifth wheel hitch V2
Days camped '16=43, '17=47, '18=57 '19=47 '20=47 '21=64 '22=62 '23=72
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07-07-2016, 01:03 PM
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#20
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Senior New Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 24
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Chevy 2500 HD diesel
We have a 2014 Silverado 2500 HD Z71 4x4 6.6 liter diesel and Allison trans. This has been the perfect truck to pull our 32 ft Crusader 5th wheel. It's basically been adjust the trailer brakes gain, hit the tow button, the exhaust brake, and cruise control, and the truck takes care of most everything except steering ! Mileage has averaged over 15 when towing and over 16 when not pulling a load. (We've been through the Ozarks so far but not the Rockies) The DEF is not a big expense, about $10 every 3000 miles or so and easy to refill...the truck will begin to indicate when needed with a 1000 mile warning.
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