chevy pickups - Montana Owners Club

jpkelpe · 01-25-2005, 03:26 PM

I know there has been discussion on towing vehicles. But I would like specific info.

i am looking seriously at a chevy 2500 with 8100 V8 and allison transmission. the other option is a regular 2500 HD with 6000 V8 and regular transmission. I want to know if any one has had either/or both of them and how they performed. how does the gas mileage compare between the two.

I Will definately be getting a GM product because of the supplier discount I have.

Montana Sky · 01-25-2005, 10:12 PM

jpkelpe,
In my opinion, I would go with the 8.1L with the allison tranny. The allison has the the tow mode with grade braking that will help you on those long grades. I have a good friend that I travel with frequently that has the 8.1L and he averages 8-10mpg towing his coach. My thinking on tow vehicles is better to have more than just barely or maybe not even enough truck. If you go with the 6.0L you are getting a max ball hitch trailering weight of 9,900lbs and a fifth wheel max trailering weight of 9,900lbs. This in on a 4x4 ext. cab long bed truck and I got these numbers off the brochure for 2005. As far as the 8.1L on the same truck you get a max ball hitch weight of 12,000lbs and for fifth wheel 13,400 if you go with a 3.73 rear end. The 4.10 rear end will take you to 15,400lbs for fifth wheel towing. Now if you are not totally stuck on the gas motor, I would highly suggest looking into the Duramax Diesel on the Chevy Silverado. I tow the 3400RL with my Duramax and average 13-15mpg towing with my coach weighing in at 13,200lbs. To sum things up, I would at least go for the 8.1L for the towing capacities and second being the Allison tranny. Good luck on your decision. Enjoy your new Mountaineer

Glenn and Lorraine · 01-26-2005, 12:43 AM

Not much I can add to what Montana Sky said.

My 2500HD with the D/A combo totally does the job with room to spare.

kdeiss · 01-26-2005, 02:22 AM

No question in my mind 8.1 with the Allison

sreigle · 01-26-2005, 05:17 AM

The specs on your Mountaineer shows UVW is 8910 with GVWR of 12,040 lbs. That 8910 unloaded vehicle weight does not include propane or battery. That takes you to around 9100 lbs. Add your gear, food, maybe a little water in the fresh water tank and you're probably over 10,000 lbs. At this point you are over the tow rating for the 6.0L gasser. Plus, with the 6.0 I've heard a number of people say they were not happy with its performance in the upper part of it's tow rating. That's just what I've heard from others and may not represent everyone. The 8.1L on the other hand gets lots of good reports on it's towing ability. I don't know what kind of mileage these engines get when solo but I'd be willing to bet the 8.1 will get you better mileage and longer life when towing simply because it's not pushing itself to keep up as much as the 6.0 would be.

This is strictly my opinion. I have no first hand experience with either engine but wanted to pass on about the weights and what I have heard from those who do have those engines. Others may not agree with me and should feel free to say so. I won't be offended by that.

Montana_2304 · 01-26-2005, 05:55 AM

Steve, I agree with you on the 6000 engine. Have a friend with a HD2500, pulling a 26' 5er, about 8000 lbs..Not too bad on level ground but up the hills that engine is wound up tight, thats where it's high torque is at. I believe that it is a small block engine, where the 8.1 is a big block.
Charlie and Sue

rehorner · 01-26-2005, 01:44 PM

If you have to go gas, I agree that the 8.1 is the way to go. HOWEVER, a friend of mine has that engine in his Avalanche and he gets about 10-12 mpg solo! Try to talk yourself into the Diesel/Allison. It's a great towing combo. And, if you keep the vehicle for at least 60,000 miles or so, you start getting a return on your fuel cost.

Bob and Pam

azstar · 01-26-2005, 01:50 PM

kdeiss,

Ken, I too prefer Gas and haven't considered the Chevy's, thinking the V10's were my only options. With Dodge droping out of the race, I was thinking it was Ford or nothing. I have now realized, I should be including the 8.1 Chevy in my thinking. My question for you and others with this Truck is, can you give us a report on your mileage both towing and empty? I currently get 8.5 towing and 15 to 16 Hwy. empty with my V10 and I'm OK with this but don't think I want less than that.

Thanks and Happy Camping

Bill Hill · 01-26-2005, 04:44 PM

If you have to pick from the 2 you mentioned, definitely go with the 8.1/Allison. The Allison transmission is wonderful, and with the gas engine you won't need an exhaust brake. Tow ratings are based on what the factory considers acceptable performance, and you won't get it with the 6.0. But if you can, get the diesel: better torque (what pulls a trailer), better fuel mileage, and it gets my vote for the coolness factor as well!

HomeOnTheRoad · 01-27-2005, 02:32 AM

Many of us with either the Allison GM or the TorqShift from Ford have found with the diesel engines and this transmission an exhaust brake is not necessary. Both of these transmissions have excellent grade braking, effectively eliminating the need for an exhaust brake.

rames14 · 01-27-2005, 02:34 PM

jpkelpe -

The regular transmission in the 2500HD with the 6000 V8 is the 4L60, I believe. That transmission has been around for over 25 years, in various configurations. This is the same tranny that goes in the Blazer, Tahoe and Suburban. The 1-2 shift is harsh, with new transmission band coming out later in the year and a 4L70 after that. The Allison is by far the more superior transmission. The Allison is also used in the a1 Abrams tank. Design life is double with the Allison. The 6000 V8 towing capacity may or may not be the limiting factor, but the transmission would be the big driver for me. I work with plants that supply parts for both transmissions (also Ford and Chrysler). I have a Silverado 2500HD with Allison. Nuff said. Good luck with your search for the perfect TV.

padredw · 01-28-2005, 03:14 AM

Nothing technical, but another personal testimony: we moved up from a Chevrolet gasoline 2500 to the Duramax/Allison 2500 and it was like entering a new world. We take our 2955 RL regularly to Colorado and feel confident on both the up and down sides of the passes (for example, Wolf Creek).

Bill and Ann · 01-28-2005, 04:06 AM

I totally agree with padredw. The diesel is the only way to go. 14 mpg pulling and 24 mpg without. The way the tranny works in tow mode is unbelievable.

padredw · 01-28-2005, 04:11 AM

I only wish I could get that kind of mileage. 12 MPG towing would be excellent for me (probably means a favorable wind!). I'm wondering if I might need some adjustment(s)? I must admit that I move on down the road--65 mph would be normal, though I vary uphill and down, never use the cruise while towing.

rames14 · 01-28-2005, 04:14 PM

padredw -

I have found the Silverado/Diesel to be very speed sensitive for mileage. If I go over 70, it deteriorates rapidly. If I keep around 65, I get about what you're getting. I suspect at 60, it would greatly improve again. But, we only have 12k on our unit, so its still breaking in yet. By the way, how was your ski trip?

MIMF · 01-28-2005, 10:51 PM

Gentlemen, all I can say is, that I love my combo. (see signature) Even as an everyday driver. That thing fit better into my lifestyle better than I could have imagined when I bought it in August of 04. It gets better fuel economy than the GMC 2002 heavy half with the 5300 I had previously.

My wife works for a major heavy highway and bridge construction company based here in Elkhart county. They purchase tons of trucks every year. They have purchased all of the different brands. Three years ago they started buying Chevy 2500HD's all the way up to 4500's. They immediately discovered that their preventative maintenance a break-down costs started to drop. Even with everybody and their brother driving and loading 'em differently. Therefore, in August when we were in the market to buy for our little 5'er and whatever coach we would get it the future, she told me the way it was going to be!

padredw · 01-29-2005, 07:05 AM

rames14, Thanks for your comment re: MPG. That all squares with my experience. And thanks for asking about our ski trip. I skied for 5 full days with my daughter. Mom did not ski this time. I was on my third year of 70+ skiing. The "free" pass now costs $99. but is a gold pass good for the entire year. I have put up a few of the photos, which you can access at our home page
>> dwilliamson.com

jpkelpe · 01-29-2005, 08:46 AM

Wow!! what a lot of helpful information. Made us think more about this and now we are starting to consider the duramax--thought it would cost more to go that route, but in the long run looks like it may be a better deal. Actually we would not need to be looking but since we had a "little accident" it makes us need to look. we had a 2005 chevy 2500 and it pulled our Mountaineer fine in this flat land. after going to Branson we weren't too sure about how it would go in the Mountains, and we do like the Rocky Mountains.

aljolleyjr · 01-29-2005, 09:27 AM

I wish that I got that kind of milage. I towed mine from Ohio to Florida last month and I got from 7.9 to 9.1 running around 68 to 70 mph. I even had it checked at the dealer and they said that everything checked out ok and that was about normal.

sreigle · 01-29-2005, 10:52 AM

MIMF, that's really interesting. Where my brother works found just the opposite, their costs went way down when they moved to Fords. Makes a guy wonder, doesn't it? Just goes to show they're all probably good choices, as these things seem to average out over time and over a larger universe.

The magazines, hard copy and online, all say the Fords out tow everything else by a considerable margin and Ford's been the number one selling truck for 28 years in a row and best selling vehicle of any kind for 21 years. But next year all of that might change. It depends on who is the new kid on the block with the latest updates, etc. Bottom line is all three majors' diesels can do a great job as can their largest gas engines.

Me, I like Fords. Glenn, he likes Chevys. Others, they like Dodges. Guess what, we're all right.

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