GMC Denali w/6.2 liter engine

[Mainframe]

My 2018 3.5 F150 has 375 hp and 470 lb ft of torque, the nice thing is the torque peaks around 1900 rpm, so towing with this truck is a lot like towing with a diesel.

I also own a 5.3 Tahoe, and driving the Tahoe is like driving the F150 with the parking brake on, if you are looking for a new vehicle to tow with, I would test drive the 3.5 eco with the 10 speed trans, it is a monster! I am (was) a die hard GM guy, you simply have to drive the F150 to believe it, I still have no idea where all that power is coming from, but it is a dream to tow with.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

The End?
You wish!

Well, I meant it as the end of the worthless information I put in my post.





And still we have Ford salesmen trying to answer the question they WISH was asked, instead of the one that was actually asked.

My wife does that!

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Well, I meant it as the end of the worthless information I put in my post.





And still we have Ford salesmen trying to answer the question they WISH was asked, instead of the one that was actually asked.

My wife does that!

Yep... I started to address that by posting the “experience with 6.2L” question by the OP but I decided to take a nap.

[Jeffjeeptj]

GM used to put a build sheet in the glovebox with a list of all included assembly(options). GM stopped doing that in 2018 or 2019 based on my daughter’s Suburban. Have a GM dealer pull the VIN to see what options this vehicle has. Options of interest are Z82 (HD trailering), G80 (limited slip), and another G code which will tell you the rear axle ratio.
You can look under at the rear axle to get the ratio info from a tag, but, that involves laying on the ground.
Just because it has a receiver hitch does not mean it has the HD towing package (based on daughters Suburban). This makes a big difference in the towing capacity.

Hope this helps.

[Merwin]

My uncle has a 5.3 and I have a 6.2. Same gears 3.73 same gas milage. We travel together a lot.

[Tall frog]

Originally Posted by AlaskaErik

I have a 5.3 and it's painful pulling just 5000 lbs in the mountains. That's why my new truck will have the 6.2. As for premium gas, it's only 20 cents higher than regular here in Alaska.

I thought about the new Duramax, but my truck is my daily driver and there are short distances involved. Also, this being a new clean sheet design, 2020 owners are going to be the guinea pigs that help GM figure out what needs to be fixed in future years. There is also no Max Tow package available with the Duramax.

The duramax is only in 2500,3500 as the 6.6 which is not new. This Lp5 was starting in 2017. The smaller duramax came out in 2019, or 2018.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Tall frog

The duramax is only in 2500,3500 as the 6.6 which is not new. This Lp5 was starting in 2017. The smaller duramax came out in 2019, or 2018.

The 6.6L Duramax diesel engine is not new.
The 6.6L direct-injection gas engine is new for 2020.

[busch543]

Towing 272rl 34'4" and over 8000# with 2007 Yukon Denali 6.2 6speed.
Over 400 Hp. and more than 410 ft. lbs. Pulls like a it's not there (almost).
Don't worry about MPG that would be depressing.
Great Motor.

[busch543]

6.2 Yukon Denali HP correction 380 . My bad.

[Mac549]

Originally Posted by kraftengr

DW and I are looking at a 2019 6.2 liter Denali to tow our Flagstaff Microlite 25 RKS. Does anyone have any experience with the 6.2 liter engine to share?

I pulled with a 2012 6.2 for 4 years. Our boat was about 5k + fuel and all the junk DW could pack into the truck and the boat. Pulled from PHX to Page Az up hill both ways. Strongest small block Chevy I have ever owned. Lots of improvements since 2012. I would not hesitate for a minute.

[Mad Cow]

Well, since GM decided to do unique things to their 1/2 ton engines that I don't care for, I have ignored them. The AFM stuff is one. I am just an old school ex Cavalry Sergeant. I paid for 8 cylinders and none of them get to take OEM or UAW sponsored smoke breaks while the others work. It adds a level of complexity to the engines that is not worth the cost. It is why there has been a higher rate of lifter failure, engine oil consumption, and other issues. I had pretty much been 3/4 ton until I got a 2013 1500. I was inventing too many new swear words so I went back to a 2015 2500 6.0.

The 3/4 tons avoid all this nonsense. The 6.0 and the new 6.6 gasser don't incorporate the goofy stuff the 1/2 ton motors do. And unlike the 6.2 Ecotec, the L8T 6.6 is still a cast iron block. Same pistons but with a longer stroke that results in more torque than the 6.2. And unlike the 6.2, premium is not the recommended fuel.

And I have not seen a brand spanking new 1500 6.2 with all the max tow whatever features come close to $40K drive off the lot price. But I have seen several 2020 2500 6.6L go down the road for $40K. And they incorporate many of the work and towing features... standard... that the 1500's have to be optioned for.

And having the 2500 may be more than needed for what the OP is doing, but I am reminded of computers. Bill Gates said at one time that 640K of memory is all that anyone would ever need. Now we commonly see 16GB of memory in many laptops, more in desktops. And many of us regretted at some point that we didn't get the most RAM and disk drive capacity in our computers when we bought it. The very same thing can be said of getting the 6.6L gasser 2500 over a 6.2 1500. We always tend to grow larger in our needs, not smaller, and the payload and towing of base stock 6.6 2500 will embarrass a max tow 6.2 1500. The base 2020 6.6L Gas 2500 has a towing capacity of 17,400 lb. I have seen available payload for some Crew Cabs well over 3000 lb.

Heck, my New Holland TC33DA 33HP compact tractor will move around a 8,000 lb travel trailer pretty easy, and I have used it to maneuver TT's being parked in my pole barn for the winter, but that is not what I would prefer to use for normal towing. A 2500 6.6 will barely break a sweat pulling around a trailer the 1500 6.2 will have trouble keeping within payload and tow limits. And the 2500 will likely be cheaper to buy and operate.

[Mac549]

Originally Posted by Mad Cow

Well, since GM decided to do unique things to their 1/2 ton engines that I don't care for, I have ignored them. The AFM stuff is one. I am just an old school ex Cavalry Sergeant. I paid for 8 cylinders and none of them get to take OEM or UAW sponsored smoke breaks while the others work. It adds a level of complexity to the engines that is not worth the cost. It is why there has been a higher rate of lifter failure, engine oil consumption, and other issues. I had pretty much been 3/4 ton until I got a 2013 1500. I was inventing too many new swear words so I went back to a 2015 2500 6.0.

The 3/4 tons avoid all this nonsense. The 6.0 and the new 6.6 gasser don't incorporate the goofy stuff the 1/2 ton motors do. And unlike the 6.2 Ecotec, the L8T 6.6 is still a cast iron block. Same pistons but with a longer stroke that results in more torque than the 6.2. And unlike the 6.2, premium is not the recommended fuel.

And I have not seen a brand spanking new 1500 6.2 with all the max tow whatever features come close to $40K drive off the lot price. But I have seen several 2020 2500 6.6L go down the road for $40K. And they incorporate many of the work and towing features... standard... that the 1500's have to be optioned for.

And having the 2500 may be more than needed for what the OP is doing, but I am reminded of computers. Bill Gates said at one time that 640K of memory is all that anyone would ever need. Now we commonly see 16GB of memory in many laptops, more in desktops. And many of us regretted at some point that we didn't get the most RAM and disk drive capacity in our computers when we bought it. The very same thing can be said of getting the 6.6L gasser 2500 over a 6.2 1500. We always tend to grow larger in our needs, not smaller, and the payload and towing of base stock 6.6 2500 will embarrass a max tow 6.2 1500. The base 2020 6.6L Gas 2500 has a towing capacity of 17,400 lb. I have seen available payload for some Crew Cabs well over 3000 lb.

Heck, my New Holland TC33DA 33HP compact tractor will move around a 8,000 lb travel trailer pretty easy, and I have used it to maneuver TT's being parked in my pole barn for the winter, but that is not what I would prefer to use for normal towing. A 2500 6.6 will barely break a sweat pulling around a trailer the 1500 6.2 will have trouble keeping within payload and tow limits. And the 2500 will likely be cheaper to buy and operate.

Long post not much info.

[Mad Cow]

Originally Posted by Mac549

Long post not much info.

HP and torque mentioned earlier. Average pricing mentioned in the post. Capabilities mentioned in the post. Only thing not mentioned was color of paint and tires.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by Mad Cow

Well, since GM decided to do unique things to their 1/2 ton engines that I don't care for, I have ignored them. The AFM stuff is one. I am just an old school ex Cavalry Sergeant. I paid for 8 cylinders and none of them get to take OEM or UAW sponsored smoke breaks while the others work. It adds a level of complexity to the engines that is not worth the cost. It is why there has been a higher rate of lifter failure, engine oil consumption, and other issues. I had pretty much been 3/4 ton until I got a 2013 1500. I was inventing too many new swear words so I went back to a 2015 2500 6.0.

The 3/4 tons avoid all this nonsense. The 6.0 and the new 6.6 gasser don't incorporate the goofy stuff the 1/2 ton motors do. And unlike the 6.2 Ecotec, the L8T 6.6 is still a cast iron block. Same pistons but with a longer stroke that results in more torque than the 6.2. And unlike the 6.2, premium is not the recommended fuel.

And I have not seen a brand spanking new 1500 6.2 with all the max tow whatever features come close to $40K drive off the lot price. But I have seen several 2020 2500 6.6L go down the road for $40K. And they incorporate many of the work and towing features... standard... that the 1500's have to be optioned for.

And having the 2500 may be more than needed for what the OP is doing, but I am reminded of computers. Bill Gates said at one time that 640K of memory is all that anyone would ever need. Now we commonly see 16GB of memory in many laptops, more in desktops. And many of us regretted at some point that we didn't get the most RAM and disk drive capacity in our computers when we bought it. The very same thing can be said of getting the 6.6L gasser 2500 over a 6.2 1500. We always tend to grow larger in our needs, not smaller, and the payload and towing of base stock 6.6 2500 will embarrass a max tow 6.2 1500. The base 2020 6.6L Gas 2500 has a towing capacity of 17,400 lb. I have seen available payload for some Crew Cabs well over 3000 lb.

Heck, my New Holland TC33DA 33HP compact tractor will move around a 8,000 lb travel trailer pretty easy, and I have used it to maneuver TT's being parked in my pole barn for the winter, but that is not what I would prefer to use for normal towing. A 2500 6.6 will barely break a sweat pulling around a trailer the 1500 6.2 will have trouble keeping within payload and tow limits. And the 2500 will likely be cheaper to buy and operate.

Readers Digest Version: Buy 2500 6.6 Diesel. That was easy.

[Mad Cow]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

Readers Digest Version: Buy 2500 6.6 Diesel. That was easy.

True. Or buy the 6.6L gasser 2500 and save $10K in initial cost and cheaper operational cost.

[bshort]

I have a 19' GMC with the 6.2. Pulls just as good as my 16' 6.6 did. (That'll create some tears).

[martinto]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

I have a truck.
I have another truck.
I have yet another truck.
and a camper.
And a boat.
And an ATV and trailer.


I pull them all.


The End.

With that Denali, you could probably pull em all at one time!

[Rockinh]

Thinking the Denali is an Suv

[OYO]

I have a 2109 Sierra with the 6.2. I test drove a 5.3 before deciding on the 6.2. The 5.3 with the 8 speed was kinda clunky shifting. It had enough power, but the 10 speed/6.2 combo was silky smooth and had more than enough power.

I traded an '09 5.3 LTZ. It pulled ok, but on hills it was turning some serious RPMs.

I'm only pulling 4,500 lbs, the 6.2 doesn't know it's there. Overall I'm getting about 1.5 mpg better than I did with the 5.3.

As for high test gas: it's suggested, not required. I've ran both. MPG wise high test is 1 to 1.5 better. I'll definitely go HT while towing.

6.2 No regrets.

[kraftengr]

Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!

You are amazing and I cannot thank you enough for your input! To close the loop...As chance would have it, we ended up buying a used 2019 w/8K miles. It is a Chevy Silverado High Mountain with (of course) the 6.2 liter engine. We are on the first day of our first trip with it at the Jersey Shore. Drove 130 miles - mostly highway w/ few hills. So far so good! Thanks for you guidance!