Which Trail Boss should I buy

[Johnny7]

Do you need to use premium fuel in the 6.2?

Suppose to use the mid grade.

 

[Dickie Dunkelberger]

Suppose to use the mid grade.

Please provide evidence for this, otherwise this is bad information and should not be posted here to provide confusion.

GM actually recommends 93 for the 6.2, but the manual says a minimum of 91 (see below). 93 is not always widely available in all states hence the reason for minimum 91. My state doesn't generally have 91, so I always use 93 when able or sometimes 92 from the station closest to me if I am just trying to get a few more miles until my next Costco run.

The only truck engine that recommends mid-grade (89) is the 5.7L Hemi.

The 6.2 is a higher compression motor and can benefit from the higher octane in the premium fuel and is specifically tuned for it, engine can knock without it. I am sure you can run some 89 or 87 from time to time without issues if you are in a pinch (would only do that for a short distance until you can top off with premium when found - again see below from manual).

 

[Johnny7]

You make a great point and I stand corrected. I was going with what the dealer told me. If all else fails read the manual.

 

[Dickie Dunkelberger]

You make a great point and I stand corrected. I was going with what the dealer told me. If all else fails read the manual.

Anecdotal evidence that things have been fine is not irrelevant. These engines are pretty advanced and will pull timing and should protect themselves (at the cost of performance and mileage). Your biggest mistake was trusting the words of a dealer

 

[Johnny7]

Anecdotal evidence that things have been fine is not irrelevant. These engines are pretty advanced and will pull timing and should protect themselves (at the cost of performance and mileage). Your biggest mistake was trusting the words of a dealer

That last part has been very evident concerning a few issues I have had with the truck.

 

[Transient]

I went with the 6.2. Paying for the 6.2 over the 5.3 gets you a better butt kissing from GM should something like bad valve springs happen. Actual GM fix in that scenario for the 5.3 was to replace only the broken valve springs. For the 6.2 they replaced all of the valve springs. Only other engine I considered was the 3.0, and I have a love-hate relationship with not getting it. Diesel is just as expensive as premium, but your cost per mile is lower because the 3.0 has a much longer range. Best mpg I've seen with the 6.2 was 24.4 (DIC reading) while cruising north towards Las Vegas from San Diego at 78 mph. I've driven my Trail Boss across the country twice. Bought it in Virginia right before moving to California. Just moved from California to Florida a few months ago. Biggest difference I noticed after leaving California was mpg. I was only able to get 91 in San Diego. I'm now in Pensacola, FL where I get 93. My average is up 2 mpg now that I'm able to get 93. I also upgraded my tires from stock size to 35 inch Duratracs right after moving to Florida, so I think there's something funny going on with that southern California gas. Btw, premium is between $0.80 - $1 more per gallon than regular in my area. It's disgusting. Cheapest I saw regular advertised tonight was $2.82/gallon. Nonetheless, I enjoy spending less than $100 to fill my tank. Oh, and let's go Brandon. I'm glad I'm no longer in Newsome-stan. Now I don't need to worry about having my numerous guns with me that were illegal in California. I'll make a deal with you -- get the 6.2 and I'll give you permission, and my endorsement, to move to Utah. You know you want to. Everybody else in California wants to also. Gov Cox has asked Californians to stop moving to Utah. I'll sponsor you so you're allowed into the state, lol.

 

[Stormin08]

Please provide evidence for this, otherwise this is bad information and should not be posted here to provide confusion.

GM actually recommends 93 for the 6.2, but the manual says a minimum of 91 (see below). 93 is not always widely available in all states hence the reason for minimum 91. My state doesn't generally have 91, so I always use 93 when able or sometimes 92 from the station closest to me if I am just trying to get a few more miles until my next Costco run.

The only truck engine that recommends mid-grade (89) is the 5.7L Hemi.

The 6.2 is a higher compression motor and can benefit from the higher octane in the premium fuel and is specifically tuned for it, engine can knock without it. I am sure you can run some 89 or 87 from time to time without issues if you are in a pinch (would only do that for a short distance until you can top off with premium when found - again see below from manual).

View attachment 7458

i am currently running through the second tank of 89, now with cooler temps...i want to see if it would knock and it has not.
i will see very soon 1/4 tankish what my dragy says about performance, and will then do the same with 91 and 93.

 

[Kebooble]

I went with the 6.2. Paying for the 6.2 over the 5.3 gets you a better butt kissing from GM should something like bad valve springs happen. Actual GM fix in that scenario for the 5.3 was to replace only the broken valve springs. For the 6.2 they replaced all of the valve springs. Only other engine I considered was the 3.0, and I have a love-hate relationship with not getting it. Diesel is just as expensive as premium, but your cost per mile is lower because the 3.0 has a much longer range. Best mpg I've seen with the 6.2 was 24.4 (DIC reading) while cruising north towards Las Vegas from San Diego at 78 mph. I've driven my Trail Boss across the country twice. Bought it in Virginia right before moving to California. Just moved from California to Florida a few months ago. Biggest difference I noticed after leaving California was mpg. I was only able to get 91 in San Diego. I'm now in Pensacola, FL where I get 93. My average is up 2 mpg now that I'm able to get 93. I also upgraded my tires from stock size to 35 inch Duratracs right after moving to Florida, so I think there's something funny going on with that southern California gas. Btw, premium is between $0.80 - $1 more per gallon than regular in my area. It's disgusting. Cheapest I saw regular advertised tonight was $2.82/gallon. Nonetheless, I enjoy spending less than $100 to fill my tank. Oh, and let's go Brandon. I'm glad I'm no longer in Newsome-stan. Now I don't need to worry about having my numerous guns with me that were illegal in California. I'll make a deal with you -- get the 6.2 and I'll give you permission, and my endorsement, to move to Utah. You know you want to. Everybody else in California wants to also. Gov Cox has asked Californians to stop moving to Utah. I'll sponsor you so you're allowed into the state, lol.

Is cylinder deactivation causing lifter failure this a thing to worry about on the 2023s? should I be worried about buy one?

 

[Dickie Dunkelberger]

Is cylinder deactivation causing lifter failure this a thing to worry about on the 2023s? should I be worried about buy one?

I would not. All of the modern truck engines have something that someone could consider an Achilles heel. All of the V8s have lifters with deactivation. The turbo engines have carbon buildup and well the turbos themselves. Diesels have both a turbo and more prevalent emissions control issues. The GM V8s with AFM have been around now for a while and while the earlier ones seemed to have more issues, the newer ones seem to have better lifters less prone to failure

 

[Johnny7]

I went with the 6.2. Paying for the 6.2 over the 5.3 gets you a better butt kissing from GM should something like bad valve springs happen. Actual GM fix in that scenario for the 5.3 was to replace only the broken valve springs. For the 6.2 they replaced all of the valve springs. Only other engine I considered was the 3.0, and I have a love-hate relationship with not getting it. Diesel is just as expensive as premium, but your cost per mile is lower because the 3.0 has a much longer range. Best mpg I've seen with the 6.2 was 24.4 (DIC reading) while cruising north towards Las Vegas from San Diego at 78 mph. I've driven my Trail Boss across the country twice. Bought it in Virginia right before moving to California. Just moved from California to Florida a few months ago. Biggest difference I noticed after leaving California was mpg. I was only able to get 91 in San Diego. I'm now in Pensacola, FL where I get 93. My average is up 2 mpg now that I'm able to get 93. I also upgraded my tires from stock size to 35 inch Duratracs right after moving to Florida, so I think there's something funny going on with that southern California gas. Btw, premium is between $0.80 - $1 more per gallon than regular in my area. It's disgusting. Cheapest I saw regular advertised tonight was $2.82/gallon. Nonetheless, I enjoy spending less than $100 to fill my tank. Oh, and let's go Brandon. I'm glad I'm no longer in Newsome-stan. Now I don't need to worry about having my numerous guns with me that were illegal in California. I'll make a deal with you -- get the 6.2 and I'll give you permission, and my endorsement, to move to Utah. You know you want to. Everybody else in California wants to also. Gov Cox has asked Californians to stop moving to Utah. I'll sponsor you so you're allowed into the state, lol.

Sounds like you’re in the Navy. All those areas have bases. Haha

I envy you. My grandsons are here so it’s hard to leave Cali. I like them that much.

I love the 6.2 Definitely notice the power. Wish they offered the 6.0 diesel. That would have been great.

 

[DetroitTB19]

I bought the 2023 3.0 liter diesel TB and absolutely love it. Has excellent power and getting great mileage.

 

[Kebooble]

I bought the 2023 3.0 liter diesel TB and absolutely love it. Has excellent power and getting great mileage.

That is great to see. How is the DEF usage? Have you noticed any oil use?

 

[DetroitTB19]

I have around 7k miles and just did my third DEF refill. It does use more when pulling a trailer. No oil loss or any problems to report.

 

[fotoguy21159]

Hello, I am Buying a trail Boss very soon. I need in put on which engine i should get. I hear the 5.3 has some lifter issues and I hear the Duramax has oil usage and emission issues. I would love to hear from owners of both so that i can make an informed decision.

My 2019 that I bought used has the 5.3, but if I had ordered one I was going with the 6.2. Not long after buying it, I installed the roarpedal and with just normal driving it feels as responsive as the 6.2. If you get down on it the 6.2 will definitely out run it, but the roar pedal makes it very responsive and I'm enjoying the gas mileage of the 5.3 which has reached as high as 23-25 mpg on the highway with non-ethanol.

 

[Kebooble]

My 2019 that I bought used has the 5.3, but if I had ordered one I was going with the 6.2. Not long after buying it, I installed the roarpedal and with just normal driving it feels as responsive as the 6.2. If you get down on it the 6.2 will definitely out run it, but the roar pedal makes it very responsive and I'm enjoying the gas mileage of the 5.3 which has reached as high as 23-25 mpg on the highway with non-ethanol.

Great info, Thanks