Hadn’t planned to buy an AT4…hadn’t planned to buy new again. With 4 kids we sold the travel trailer for a motorhome and then realized we couldn’t tow any of our 3 vehicles (Audi A7 AWD, Escalade AWD, LML Duramax 4x4…too heavy).
Sold the Duramax and started looking for a 1/2 crew cab. Requirements were 2-speed transfer case for flat towing and bench seat in front for family of 6. The more we looked at 2014 and newer, we realized prices didn’t make sense to buy used. We also sold our Duramax for more than we paid after logging 60,000 miles over 3.5 years so can’t complain.
On Sunday wife tried the door on an AT4 at the dealer lot and it was open. We crawled around and realized how much bigger the new cab was. We test drove it yesterday and it has the 5.3. I had a 2010 Sierra Denali AWD with the 6.2 and an 08 with 5.3 before that.
I know I’ll miss the insane torque that my LML had (towed 12,000 travel trailer up a grade without even shifting). I’m leaning towards waiting on a 6.2 on the next week-10 days but am wondering:
- How is the 5.3 rated for 9,200 lbs while the 6.2 is only 8,800?
- Both have the 3.23 and 10-speed. Will the 6.2 hold a higher gear with more power and balance out the fuel economy?
- Real life mpg on either so far? My Sierra AWD 6.2 would get 15-16 commuting and 19 highway while our Escalade is 14 and 17.
I don’t anticipate regretting a 6.2 purchase and I realize the 5.3 is all I need.
For the base AT4 vs the other options, I'm already seeing things that I would not choose on a base AT4 and but other options that I think should be standard equipment. Since I will be removing the console to install the jump seat, the base trim is what I need in order to avoid things like Bose sub, wireless charger, etc. It will be the most straight forward swap. However, I would need to add one of the upgrade packages to get things that should be standard on a $60K truck like front/rear park assist. In my case, if I added the required package just to get park assist, it would include other things that I don't want/need and with any of the packages, I will end up with a square hole in the carpet once the center console is removed.
Sold the Duramax and started looking for a 1/2 crew cab. Requirements were 2-speed transfer case for flat towing and bench seat in front for family of 6. The more we looked at 2014 and newer, we realized prices didn’t make sense to buy used. We also sold our Duramax for more than we paid after logging 60,000 miles over 3.5 years so can’t complain.
On Sunday wife tried the door on an AT4 at the dealer lot and it was open. We crawled around and realized how much bigger the new cab was. We test drove it yesterday and it has the 5.3. I had a 2010 Sierra Denali AWD with the 6.2 and an 08 with 5.3 before that.
I know I’ll miss the insane torque that my LML had (towed 12,000 travel trailer up a grade without even shifting). I’m leaning towards waiting on a 6.2 on the next week-10 days but am wondering:
- How is the 5.3 rated for 9,200 lbs while the 6.2 is only 8,800?
- Both have the 3.23 and 10-speed. Will the 6.2 hold a higher gear with more power and balance out the fuel economy?
- Real life mpg on either so far? My Sierra AWD 6.2 would get 15-16 commuting and 19 highway while our Escalade is 14 and 17.
I don’t anticipate regretting a 6.2 purchase and I realize the 5.3 is all I need.
For the base AT4 vs the other options, I'm already seeing things that I would not choose on a base AT4 and but other options that I think should be standard equipment. Since I will be removing the console to install the jump seat, the base trim is what I need in order to avoid things like Bose sub, wireless charger, etc. It will be the most straight forward swap. However, I would need to add one of the upgrade packages to get things that should be standard on a $60K truck like front/rear park assist. In my case, if I added the required package just to get park assist, it would include other things that I don't want/need and with any of the packages, I will end up with a square hole in the carpet once the center console is removed.
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