To get a diesel or stick with a gas vehicle.

V1ZION · June 7, 2015

So I'm in a dilemma, I can't decide what I should get, gas or diesel. I know you shouldn't buy a diesel unless you need one but I'm right on the fence. I'd be either looking at a 2013ish Sierra with the 6.2 and around 40,000km or a 2011-12 duramax with 80,000km for around $5000 more then the half ton, I tend to keep my vehicles for 5+ years so I want something that lasts. With either vehicle I plan to lift it 4"+ and squeeze 35s under it, while I would also like it to be as quick or quicker then my current vehicle (2007 Sierra Denali with the 6.2). I know it's dumb to want a quick lifted truck, but I think it's cool. I currently would be using it as a DD and fuel costs don't really bother me but I'd like decent Milage, but I also know diesels don't like short trips, I'm about 20 minutes each way to work. I also have future plans to get a travel trailer, it wouldn't be anything massive but I'd also put a quad in the box when I go out. I'm just wondering if it's worth it, I like both engines, I just don't want to get the half ton then regret it when I get a trailer, or slow it down with the big tires. Thanks for any advice or help.

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KMGZ400 · June 7, 2015

Get whatever your gut tells you to get. Your gonna have people chiming in with their own personal opinion about diesels aren't worth it etc.. All I can say is, I was in a similar boat as you and I bought a new duramax and have 100 percent Jo regrets whatsoever.. I'll take the extra cost and maintnece any day over a gasser. IMO!! Only you can decide what you want

KARNUT · June 7, 2015

I would go diesel, it's going to cost a little more judging by the way you describe yourself get a diesel. Especially if you plan to hang on to it awhile.

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doverarjim · June 7, 2015

What do I know but you have stated two problems to me, You want to lift it and pull a trailer, and you want it lifted and fast. And yes you can do both of those things with either truck but you and it will both suffer (I think) For me the diesel is a worker bee, it hooks to a load and pulls it like no tomorrow all day every day, the gas rig is for DD and getting small things A to B. I do DD my dmax but sitting here at 80,000 miles I am in it for the long haul, I tend to keep my trucks 10 -15 years and I expect this one to go 500,000 miles before it is done. Most of the fast dmax trucks are not DD some of the older ones with tuners might live that way but the lml is harder to tune. Just my $0.02.

ujtruck · June 12, 2015

my truck (work horse), brings $$$ in to my pocket + going to church, weddings and all important functions in life.

if $$$ not an issue, then go for diesel - I saw somewhere saying "" real truck don't have spark plugs.

Cowpie · June 21, 2015

Right now, in many areas, diesel and gas are the virtually the same price at the pump. That would suggest going with diesel. Even the additional up front cost of buying a diesel and the increased maintenance would be offset due to better fuel economy. But it was only a few years ago that we hit the $5 mark on diesel with over $1 a gallon spread between diesel and gas. One has to take all of that into account. It could easily happen again. Right now, the edge goes to diesel. From my point of view, I hope it stays the way it is on fuel cost, or lower. I go thru over 20,000 gallons of diesel a year and it sure feels good to get diesel at the same price as gas for a change!

If there is a need for diesel, or you anticipate a need, then go for it. I couldn't justify doing so, so I got the 6.0L gasser in my 2015 and have no regrets and haven't run into any situation where diesel would have been worth getting. But each of us has different needs and situations. I mostly haul. I hardly ever tow. Some mostly tow and hardly ever haul.

The Dmax will probably exceed the life expectancy of the 6.0L gasser, but there are a LOT of 6.0L that are run well close to 300,000 miles with no major issues. The L96 6.0 is a rock solid motor with a long track record of dependability. The Dmax is no slouch either. That is the beauty of all of this.... whether it be gas or diesel, we have some pretty good motors available. And while the Allison is definitely a very strong transmission, the 6L90 behind the 6.0L also has a good track record. Now, whether the rest of the pickup holds up well to the length of time either of these motors can go will depend on region of the country and what you are doing with the pickup.

For me, diesel will be in my semi truck and my ag tractor, but not in my pickup. Can't speak to every situation or need, just mine.

And I am biased to some degree... any 2500 is better than any 1500! Just a biased, personal thing. I love the feel, the ride, the handling, the overall capability of an HD over a 1500 any day. And I need the haul capacity that a 2500 could give me over a 1500, so I was not swayed in any way to look at the 1500's even with the 6.2L.

Babyhauler · June 22, 2015

After a few months of my 1st diesel, 04 Duramax Crew 4wd, I would take a 6.2 6 spd 1500 in a second if I was not pulling all this weight around town. I had an 02 2500 6.0 Crew 4wd that I used for about 7 months and it did not handle pulling my John Deere as well as the diesel. The diesel is much better for keeping up with or ahead of traffic when loaded as most of you know. The dual exhaust sounds great but I am tired of the engine noise already. Any better firewall insulation available? I still drive my gas burner & it is much quieter than the diesel. I recently drove my sons 05 1500 2wd crew (my old truck) and it drives so much better than these 2500's. Rides better, steers easier, easier to park, and is more nimble than my "real trucks" Of course, it is terrible at pulling the tractor around. His old 04 1500 ext cab w 3.73 gears is like a sports car compared to the others. Drifts great! Maybe the newer 2500's drive better?

For the OP's limited towing, I would get a 1500 and add some air bags to support the back end when loaded, gears to handle the tire size and program it. It would be a much better daily driver if you like it to handle, park easy and not so loud inside. But, I'm just a 51 year old and I like quiet, except when I want some noise, mainly exhaust, not engine and wind noise. So, from a guy with 2 1500's and 2 2500's, I like driving the 1500's but they can't hang with the 2500's when pulling or stopping a load. Maybe this will help. Good luck

Babyhauler · June 26, 2015

There was a thread in the Towing section back in the spring about the same question concerning towing and daily driving between a diesel and gas burner. Maybe someone can find it. The OP bought the 1500 & documented towing and mileage and answered so many questions that many of us had. There was a lot of good information on there. Maybe I'll get a chance to find it later.

Good luck.

V1ZION · July 4, 2015

That's for the advice guys, I'm leaning towards the 1500 right now. I don't tow enough to justify it, I'm just a weekend warrior and not using it for work, plus any TT I do end up getting isn't going to be massive.

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Hantke · August 27, 2015

It's a hard call, I love my diesel, I love my gasser to, my 2500 is lifted and chipped and all that fun stuff (by a previous owner), and runs like a top at 120K miles. I know it will hold its value 5 years down the road, I get better fuel economy than all my friends, and diesel is 2.39 a gallon by my house where gas is sitting around 3.05 last time I checked. Diesel has always been close to the same or cheaper in the area, and with the B20 blend and biodiesel mixes becoming more popular the prices just seem to keep dropping. It was an easy no-brainier for me to get a diesel.

I am also biased somewhat as someone who's loved Diesel since they were a kid and spent time working for CAT and went to school originally for Diesel Tehnology... But hey, we all have something that makes us happy. On that note, buy whatever makes you happy! If you've got that urge to own a diesel, go for it! Worst case scenario you don't like it and your resale value hasn't been totally murdered.

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V1ZION · August 27, 2015

It's a hard call, I love my diesel, I love my gasser to, my 2500 is lifted and chipped and all that fun stuff (by a previous owner), and runs like a top at 120K miles. I know it will hold its value 5 years down the road, I get better fuel economy than all my friends, and diesel is 2.39 a gallon by my house where gas is sitting around 3.05 last time I checked. Diesel has always been close to the same or cheaper in the area, and with the B20 blend and biodiesel mixes becoming more popular the prices just seem to keep dropping. It was an easy no-brainier for me to get a diesel.

I am also biased somewhat as someone who's loved Diesel since they were a kid and spent time working for CAT and went to school originally for Diesel Tehnology... But hey, we all have something that makes us happy. On that note, buy whatever makes you happy! If you've got that urge to own a diesel, go for it! Worst case scenario you don't like it and your resale value hasn't been totally murdered.

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I think I'm going with a diesel. I feel I'll regret not getting it for the things I want to do. Plus if I don't like or regret it they hold there value pretty good. I'll just save up a little more for a downpayment and look for a good used one that took the initial depreciation hit.

Hantke · August 28, 2015

You won't regret it, just keep in mind the maintenance cost is higher when you bring it to a shop

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GuyGene · November 20, 2015

I'm late to the party boys, as usual for me, but I'm thinking I need (aka, want) a 2500 diesel next. I would like to get a bigger travel trailer, go across country, etc., but don't know for sure yet. I found an '06 2500 Duramax with 177k miles for $23,500 old boy's asking. Looks great in pics. I've always wanted a 2500 real truck... Heheheheeee. Of course, I'd also like the 6.0L gasoline! In a 2500 of course.

00Silverado4x4 · November 20, 2015

Me personally I was driving a 1500 and since it was wrecked and got a heck of a deal on my 2500 I figured I'd take whatever was already under the hood. Just happens to be gas, so that's what I got. Been awesome so far, handles well being loaded down, or at least as far as I have loaded it down so far. I personally don't worry about gas mileage, I needed the functionality of a running truck vs what was left of my previous truck.

Mortgage Paul · February 17, 2016

My buddy was contemplating this same thing, but he's a Dodge guy.

He calculated the cost x time x miles driven and found a 6.4 would be way cheaper in the long run.

So far he hasn't regretted it a bit. The new gassers get damn good mileage, and his old diesel 2012 wasnt that great for mileage once they added all the emissions crap.

Personally, I'd like a 6.0 with a TURBO and an Allison of course.