Looking To Add Another Chevy To The Farm

MAC88 · October 2, 2011

Hi guys,

I have been reading all ove rthe web and trying to sort out what truck to buy for my work/towing needs. I travel 35-45k a year and need a towing rig 25% of the time and need a back up tow rig 100% of the time. The 1500 is just not quite heavy enough for my towing needs and finding one with 3.73 or 4.10 gears is very hard.

I have narowed it down to a 2002 or newer 2500hd or 3500 ext or crew cab (bed length no matter) my issue is the engine tranny combo. Ihave found some nice 8.1 but the mpg? is just that The 6.0 seems to be a gas hog and a diesel is just not worth it to me as the cost of it is way up.

I tow between 6,000-12,000 lbs when I do and the rest is 35-55mph driving.

I really am looking for all opinions (good& Bad) and/or places to get some solid info. Any and all comments are appreciated.

Stevens03 · October 2, 2011

Surprisingly the 8.1 and 6.0 get similar fuel mileage, but obviously the 8.1 out tows the 6.0. Both are rock solid

MAC88 · October 2, 2011

Surprisingly the 8.1 and 6.0 get similar fuel mileage, but obviously the 8.1 out tows the 6.0. Both are rock solid

That is my big what if. I avg 600+ miles per week and I have toyed with the get a 2nd car just for towing and another for dd and that gets expensive as well. Bottom line is I wanted to hear from people with these trucks to offer there advice. I cant afford a newer one. Keeping it under $15,000. I know displacement and high mpg's don't mix just wanta happy medium.

My wifes 2001 ecsb 5.3 w 3.73 gets 15-18 mpg and has 218,000 on the odometer and still going.

Stevens03 · October 3, 2011

You'll get between 9-11 towing with either one 13-15 mpg without towing but you won't see more than that out of the 8.1L The 6.0 will average 13-14 tooling around and 16-17 highway. You'll do better unloaded with the 6.0.

bones30 · October 3, 2011

If you are towing 6k - 12k I would try to get 4.10s. I have a 6.0 with 3.73 and it seems like a dog towing 6k. Just my experience, good luck.

tbhuge · October 3, 2011

If you are looking at mileage and good towing capabilities, I would go with the diesel. It will cost a little more up front, but with the amount of miles and distance you are driving the Diesel will beat the 6.0 and 8.1 hands down with mileage and towing. You said you average over 600 miles per week, you are going to be filling up at least twice a week. I have a 2006 1500HD with the 6.0, in town I get around 230-250 miles per tank before the light comes on. These gas tanks are only 26 gallon. You can get larger tanks, but those are about $1000 each.

APT · October 3, 2011

Sorry, 35-40k mile per year means diesel will cost less overall, and you'll have far more power for towing. I think the 6.0L is rated to tow about 8000 pounds for 3.73 and 10k for 4.10, while the 8.1L is 10/12k. So, you need the 8.1L/4.10 combo anyway. Fuel costs alone will be about $30 less per week with the diesel.

And long bed = larger tank. Get that s you are not stopped for fuel every other day.

yukon25008.1 · October 3, 2011

Ive always been a bbc guy.. but ive had two trucks with the lly duramax, two 6.0 hd,s and three with the 8.1, and dont think i would go in something other than the 8.1, like other guys said the 6.0 and 8.1 are to close with mpg,s to be not worth having the right ammount of tq/hp, If i pulled the work trailer more or my camper was much heavier could justify a diesel.. wish the made a nbs truck with a big block,

music · October 3, 2011

Diesel, and it doesn't have to be GM. The Cummins and the older Ford 7.4 (not the PS6.0!) would also be good choices. With that much weight and miles, it's worth the upfront cost. Also, depreciation on a diesel is less per mile driven, so I bet it's cheaper long term too.

ChevyTech77 · October 3, 2011

Duramax, hands down. 12k is over what a 6l is rated for, not to mention that the 6l is an overall and all around dog anyway. If you can get 12 mph with an unloaded 8.1 on the highway, You're doing good. 8 mpg towing 12k would be a stretch. An older, well taken care of, LB7 will pull down 10-12 mpg pulling 12k and near 20 mpg unloaded if you can keep it 65 mph and under. Again, Duramax/Allison, all the way.

redjewel2ss · October 3, 2011

in your particular case, diesel is the only option!

are you looking at a dually, or single rear wheels?

yukon25008.1 · October 3, 2011

I think lately diesels in general are under used everyone just buys the diesel because they have the money and are just looking for the best! A good gas motor with the right HP and TQ is perfect for his case.. People dont realize how capable the 8.1 is...Its not just a gas hog..It does what its built to do..Pull! I get 11-12 all day long not towing and i have a heavy foot. any real gm guy will tell you the 6.0 isnt gonna do much better, Ive had them all..I know

tyhuck · October 3, 2011

I think lately diesels in general are under used everyone just buys the diesel because they have the money and are just looking for the best!

Around here its the "in thing" for guys with small genitalia to drive diesels on 37s with huge tailpipes belching out black smoke. How many guys do you know that work out of a truck that has a tailgate that is neck high?

However, in the OPs case, My suggestion is get the diessel just because of the miles driven per year. The cost of fuel will be greater, and the initial purchase cost will be greater. However, if you rack up 250K miles in 3 years the hit to the book value will be less on a diesel than a gasser. Plus, if you can get an 06 or older diesel, you can get up to 25mpg with a good tune and intake and exhaust upgrades. The 8.1 would be a great motor, and more than capable of the task at hand, but it may not be as sound of a financial investment from a resale standpoint.

However, if you are going to keep it forever, that changes the game a little. Keep in mind that it is cheaper to maintain a gasser than a diesel. Im not sure what a new 8.1 would cost, but I could almost guarantee that it is cheaper than a new 6.6 would be. Maybe Im way off, but its another thing to concider. Every diesel Ive ever seen has been more expensive to maintain (parts, oil, filters, injectors, etc) than gas engine parts. That all being said, personally Ide still go with a good used duramax.

jusbecuz · October 4, 2011

Surprisingly the 8.1 and 6.0 get similar fuel mileage, but obviously the 8.1 out tows the 6.0. Both are rock solid

That is my big what if. I avg 600+ miles per week and I have toyed with the get a 2nd car just for towing and another for dd and that gets expensive as well. Bottom line is I wanted to hear from people with these trucks to offer there advice. I cant afford a newer one. Keeping it under $15,000. I know displacement and high mpg's don't mix just wanta happy medium.

My wifes 2001 ecsb 5.3 w 3.73 gets 15-18 mpg and has 218,000 on the odometer and still going.

I have an 04 3500 4X4 CC/LB with the 8.1/Allison 4:10 gears. I average around 12 mpg running around town. On the highway empty, I usually get into the 14's. I tow a boat and a fifth wheel, and often in tandem. I would guess I am around 12k with both trailers. Towing I get between 7 and 9 mpg, depending on the terrain. I get around 360 miles to the tank when the fuel light comes on, so I fuel up every week at around $100 per tank.

My prior truck was a 03 Dodge 3500 DRW 2WD 5.9 Cummins 4:10 gears. I averaged 18 mpg in town, 22 on the highway, and 12 - 14 towing, again depending on the terrain. I had the same size fuel tank in both vehicles, and I usually fueled up every week and a half to 2 weeks, I would get 550 to 600 miles to the tank at around $120 per tank.

To me the bottom line is you are going to pay one way or the other. You may pay more for a diesel initially, but you will recoup the costs in fuel savings and resale. You can get a gasser cheaper, but you will pay more in fuel costs. Even with diesel being more than gas, you would save around 2-3k a year in fuel costs. So pay now and save later, or save now and pay later. I am not pushing the diesel, as I love my 8.1. I pretty much knew what I was getting into mpg wise with the 8.1, and don't regret it at all, but it does get a little expensive filling up every week. Just some real life experince that may help you make your decision.

MAC88 · October 4, 2011

Thanks for all the info

I started looking at the diesels this morning

I have found some 2001-2003 diesels duramax and was wondering if someone on the site can run/does run the vin # to check warranty history. The mileage ranges froma 2001 250k reg cab k2500hd to 88k 2002 k2500hd crew.

If there is an off site place to run the vin # or I am not sure if the dealer will do it prior to sale.

Anything to watch out for???