Opinion on which truck???

[JeremyN]

Hello All,

I am writing to get your opinion on a couple trucks that I have in mind. At a local GM dealer, they have the following trucks:

2007 Classic Silverado 2500HD CC D/A - 78,000 miles - asking $32,998
2015 Silverado 2500HD CC 6.0L with 4.10 rear end - 16,000 miles - asking $37,998

I currently own a 32ft SOB travel trailer that weighs in at about 8000 lbs loaded. I currently pull with a 2007 NBS Silverado 2500HD CC 6.0L 3.73 rear end. I have been looking quite seriously into purchasing a 2016 Wildcat 312BHX in the near future. This looks to be the perfect trailer for my family.

I am torn between the diesel and the gas truck. Both are in mint condition. The majority of the towing that I do is in Wisconsin, with the exception of two pulls to the UP of Michigan every year. Each one of these pulls averages about 4.5 to 5 hours.

Also, I do not use my truck as a daily driver. I only put about 4,000 to 5,000 miles on my truck a year, and most of that is pulling my travel trailer.

I know this is a broad question, but anyone have any opinions on either truck? Things I might want to watch out for?

I don't want to really get into the gas vs diesel debate, but just more wondering if there is specifics about each of these trucks that people do like and don't like. Even thought the 2015 is a gas motor, it is very appealing to me with such low miles on it.

Thanks in advance.

[OntarioFireFighter]

If nothing else, 5 grand, for a truck that's got 1/5 the miles, and is 8 years newer, seems like a no brainer to me...

I'm a Ford guy, so can't speak specifically to either truck you're looking at, but a friend of mine pulls a good size fiver with a 2012 GMC 2500HD gasser, and has no issues.

I don't think either would be a bad choice, but for the price, and all other things being equal; I'd go with the newer one, myself...

[jerry226]

I bought a 2015 Silverado 6.0 410 rear end 6 speed transmission to pull my 35 ft 5th wheel that weights 1400+ loaded. It does a great job and has plenty of hp. I pull on flat ground and usually 500 mi trips at most. If I was a full timer and pulling in the mountains I would get a diesel because of the torque. What you are doing the gas would fit your need real good. My 2 cents.

[TURBS]

2015 !

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded
2011 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "11 nights"

[RSchleder]

I agree----no brainer, buy the newer truck!!

[aceinspp]

I'd go with the 15. Also you will be getting a warranty with the 15. I have the 2015 3/4 ton Chevy with the 6.0 and 4.10 gears and like you I use it for mostly towing and about 5000 miles a year is all I put on it. I get 8 MPH towing my 35 ft 9000# V-lite. Does great job for what I use mine for. Later RJD

[honker]

In 2011, GM updated the HD trucks. Main difference is the frame in 2011+ is a stronger fully boxed frame. The pre 2011 trucks had a combination of C-channel and box frame. The 2011+ CC short box 2500s have a GVW of 10,000 lbs while earlier trucks had a 9,200lb GVW. I also believe the 2011+ got an upgrade in suspension components and brakes.

Also the pre 2011 had a 26 gallon fuel tank on the crew cab short box, while the post 2011 have a 36 gallon tank on the short boxes. Long boxes are slightly larger in both cases the 11+ are still significantly larger

I would go with the 8 year newer truck with the lower miles for only 5 thousand more, if the gas engine is not an issue for you. Also, the new interior on the 2015 is, in my opinion, better than the 07.

[KenHwy61]

For the money you are looking to spend on the 2015 gasser, I would wait for a good deal on a gently used 2011 or later Duramax. You will get a better towing experience and it will hold its value much better.

[jtstromsburg]

I'm different I guess, but I would keep looking. I bought an 06(sans truck as the classic 07 your are looking at) for just over $20k this winter, and its a 3500 dually 4x4 loaded. 06-7 had the lbz duramax, and from all ive read, it's the best duramax made. Before all the added emissions stuff, 6 speed Allison, and proven performance ands longevity. If you can find a better deal on an 07, I'd lean towards the diesel. But not at that price. I went from a f250 v10 to my 3500 duramax and love it! No more babying it on the hills. Just set the cruise and go.

[Ddubya]

I just bought a 2013 2500hd with diesel for $32,000 only 56000 miles.


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[B and B]

I would buy the 15, as long as tow pkg is included. The 2007 has no warranty left and is a tired old design, leave it on the lot.

[Rugged Brown]

I don't think that question should have been asked, unless you like antiques.

[mike.t]

I don't think the OP was serious.

[MilCop4523]

our son jsut bought from an airfore Captain a 2006 GMC 2500 D. with 150,000 kms on it for 14,999 Canadian

thats like 500$ US lol.
truck was used to carry an in box camper and was used by the looks of the body very rarely.

[RubberNail]

I have the 2007 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax (85k miles) for pulling my 5th wheel, AND a 2013 Sunseeker class "C" motorhome (36k miles) with the Chev 6.0 (towing a 2007 Malibu). Both pull well. Have driven both in heavy mountains, no problems with either. Neither has been a maintenance problem. If you are doing trailer towing, say 12-15k per year (as we do), go for the diesel, which has the Allison trans which is outstanding for mt. towing. It's barely broke in. If it's 4-5k annual towing, I would go for the 6.0 with the 6 speed. It too is a good trans and tow/haul works well.
One thing to be aware of, a 2500HD 6.0 (my son has one of these, 2006 over 200k mi) is not the same TRUCK as the 2500HD Duramax. Different trans, rear ends, axles, bearings, etc. as there is a lot of beefing up to handle the Duramax.

[schrederman]

I'd leave both on the lot and continue looking. If you're stuck on GMC or Chebby... you're limiting your options. Looking for a clean, used-not-abused, 2011 or later diesel 3/4 ton would be your best bet, especially with the TT upgrade you're thinking about. I was not convinced for a long time and kept buying gassers. I was in the "I have plenty of power" crowd for a long time. Now that I've gone diesel, I'll never go back. Yes, there's that much difference. My truck really blows my hair back...

[RubberNail]

One thing I forgot to note on my reply. The 2007 Duramax classic is a LBZ motor - same as the 2006. You don't have to worry with the DPF fluid, and you don't have the additional layers of pollution equipment that came with the model change. And, you still get the 360hp, 650 ft-lb torque. Fuel mileage averages 17.5 solo, 11 towing. My 6.0 Sunseeker "C" (4.1 rear) averages 11.5 solo, 10.5 with toad.

[hbillsmith]

The older diesel is fine but that price is ridiculous.

[Crusadernoob]

The 07 Classic has the BEST duramax you can get! That's what I would get, in fact when I looked for a truck it was an 06 or 07 classic. That's my advice and FWIW I have worked at GM for long enough to know.

[DocGTO]

2011 was a big year for GM. They switched from the LMM Dmax to the LML Dmax. In 2013 they changed their frame, suspension, and brakes. Big leaps and bounds with that move. A 13+ would be the best bet but you cannot go wrong with an 11+ LML Dmax. Best of the bunch and the Allison tuning is much better.