Pulling Experience, 2014 6.2 vs 6.6 diesel in a towing / Daily driver

[OmahaBen]

I should have bought the smaller tractor & just changed gears in my 1500. I like driving & parking it better. My 05 1500 was about 1 mpg high on display. 2500 has been 7.9 to 10.8. It should improve as I have changed plugs, wires, knock sensors and O2s are on the way. Those always helped my other trucks.

Ben, you are right about folks fluffing their mpg. 2 days back, an 06 3500 dually diesel driver said he got 17 pulling a 4 horse trailer and 22 empty. He may have, but that seems a bit high to me. I think the diesel will be the tool I need.

8 mpg w/ the 6.0 gas towing so far. Any real #s out there on what the diesel will do in the suburbs & surface roads around town?

I think a 6 speed in my truck would satisfy me for towing. Do you think that made the difference in your towing & also empty mpg?

thanks

One of the main reasons I didn't buy a 2015 2500 with the 6.0 was the poor mileage reports from people I know. Since there is no requirement to post mileage for these trucks my thought is they must suck. In my opinion they 2500 and 3500 should have to post epa mileage just like the rest of the cars. I realize that these trucks are for work but set numbers would be good for figuring cost of operation. I think MPG is overlooked because they don't have to show the numbers.

 

I have heard a lot of high estimates for diesel trucks as well. I do know that with a tune on the 05-07 classic engines they have high mpg since there is no emissions B/S

 

Here are the things that help the 1500s get better mileage.

The 6 Speed certainly helps with the mileage on my truck.

Air Dam on the front

1500 Sits lower the the ground

Displacement on Demand

Variable Valve timing

1000lbs less

The way in which the side of the body are formed (the 2015HD will have the same panels). On my old truck I had stock fender flares and things that stuck out. They way in which the fenders have lines: they indent into the box/fenders and stay very flat overall with nothing sticking out. I can only think this was to decrease drag.

 

If your 6.0 2500 does what you need I would just keep it. Everything costs more on the diesel and sure they are nice. You can buy a lot of regular gas for what diesel costs. Oil Change cost is at least double. Fuel Filters and Urea now.

 

My brother in law had a 2012 6.7 diesel Ford F350 and now has the 2014 Model 6.7. The best he gets is around 15MPG. I have heard the best you will see with the 2015 Duramax is 17ish.

 

I really wanted a diesel and these are the reasons why I didn't get one. I couldn't rationalize it to myself, I just knew better for my situation.

 

To find better real diesel fuel economy numbers you need to look at the diesel forums. However It is really hard to say because of the MPG lying game.

[KMGZ400]

I should have bought the smaller tractor & just changed gears in my 1500. I like driving & parking it better. My 05 1500 was about 1 mpg high on display. 2500 has been 7.9 to 10.8. It should improve as I have changed plugs, wires, knock sensors and O2s are on the way. Those always helped my other trucks.

Ben, you are right about folks fluffing their mpg. 2 days back, an 06 3500 dually diesel driver said he got 17 pulling a 4 horse trailer and 22 empty. He may have, but that seems a bit high to me. I think the diesel will be the tool I need.

8 mpg w/ the 6.0 gas towing so far. Any real #s out there on what the diesel will do in the suburbs & surface roads around town?

I think a 6 speed in my truck would satisfy me for towing. Do you think that made the difference in your towing & also empty mpg?

thanks

Beware that the 05 and earlier dmaxes have a 5 speed. 06 and up will have a 6 speed but they are the most desireable because they have the 6 speed and the LBZ motor. My buddy had a tuned 05 that got about 14 MPG unloaded and that way with a pretty heavy foot. I have an LML which is 11 to current.. Mine is stock but leveled on 33" mud tires and I get 14MPG... Can pull about 17 on the highway. Also you have to remember with MPG that everyone's climate, driving habits, terrain, weight in the truck, tires, etc will affect what the get for MPG that's why what you hear for MPG is so scattered.

[redwngr]

It's easy to show that the greatest influence on mpg of a truck used mostly as a DD is the right foot of the operator.

My 6.2/8spd replace an LML duramax.

Most use will be as a daily driver. Some town, some rural and some freeway. So far it looks like the 6.2/8spd is going to give about 3 mpg better than the duramax. I'm surprised it's that much better.

No doubt it rides better.

I've done a short test pull of my enclosed cargo trailer. The 6.2 will be able to handle this trailer, but on grades or high head winds it will at times shift down to maintain freeway speed. RPM increase when this occurred was not objectionable since the ratios are close and the 8 speed shifts so quickly and smoothly. The Duramax didn't know this trailer was behind it. It would never lose speed if on cruise, and never downshift.

 

Not really surprising given specs.

 

At highway speed, the Duramax in high gear, has it's max torque available if needed and can easily accelerate the truck and trailer if desired. While pulling the trailer at that speed, it can still accelerate quick enough to pull away from many cars.

The 6.2/8spd would also be in the 1700 rpm range, where it's available torque would be about 1/2 what is available on the Dmax. It can still accelerate the trailer, but it will downshift when pushed and will not be embarrassing any cars the way the Dmax will.

[slowfive0]

Great topic and discussion! It is noticed and appreciated!

 

I find it of particular interest because I had similar concerns. I was in a position where someone was interested in my truck (had 200,000 miles) and wanted to give me good money for it. "IF" the 8spd/6.2 combo had been out (early 2014), I would have most definitely bought it. It wasn't and I didn't want the 6 spd combo. I ended up going with a duramax and I do love it, but I don't "need it". I can't park it i the parking garages downtown where I work every day. Major PIA there. It is basically more truck then I need plus it is a little bigger then what I would have bought (CC/5.5 bed 1500). I have the CC with the 6.5 box 2500HD.

 

My .02: From what I've researced and seen on-line and some personal tests of my own, the duramax seems to edge out the 6.2 combo on the hwy. Towing is a no brainer with win going to Duramax obviously. City mileage and short trips, my feeling is the 6.2/8 spd combo would edge out the duramax.

 

I do a mixed driving and have been averaging 17mpg for the last 20,000 miles. This is according to my DIC which I religiously compare to my paper calculations on each fill up. I've found that the DIC is very close (within .1-.2) of my manual calculations. Easily this variance could be due to how much I put in after she clicks off if you know what I mean. I try to be consistent on each fill up, but I'm sure there are slight variances no matter how hard I try. If I drive 65-70mph, I have no problem getting 21 or more. Very easy! The gas I drove (although it was brand new with no miles on it) didn't seem to want to do much more then 20 in same testing. My duramax on the other hand sucks if I do strictly city driving. Throw in a regen and it goes all to hell.

 

My truck shows an average speed which I feel is a very good indicator of a persons type of driving. Mine is 33mph over 20,000 miles. Every tank I average 33-34mph and get 16.5 - 17.5 mpg. I have gotten 18 but that's hard. I have gotten worse if I let it idle or beat on it. I could easily see how someone driving similar speeds could average 15 or even 14. Depends on how hard the right pedal is worked - lol

 

Sorry for ton of info. Hopefully, it makes some sense and helps someone out.

 

I want to put a better audio system in and some other mods, but I'm not sure I'm going to keep this. For myself, I'm VERY INTERESTED in your comparison between your duramax and your new 6.2/8 speed. Thanks for sharing all of this great info to all. Great thread!!!!

 

 

It's easy to show that the greatest influence on mpg of a truck used mostly as a DD is the right foot of the operator.

My 6.2/8spd replace an LML duramax.

Most use will be as a daily driver. Some town, some rural and some freeway. So far it looks like the 6.2/8spd is going to give about 3 mpg better than the duramax. I'm surprised it's that much better.

No doubt it rides better.

I've done a short test pull of my enclosed cargo trailer. The 6.2 will be able to handle this trailer, but on grades or high head winds it will at times shift down to maintain freeway speed. RPM increase when this occurred was not objectionable since the ratios are close and the 8 speed shifts so quickly and smoothly. The Duramax didn't know this trailer was behind it. It would never lose speed if on cruise, and never downshift.

 

Not really surprising given specs.

 

At highway speed, the Duramax in high gear, has it's max torque available if needed and can easily accelerate the truck and trailer if desired. While pulling the trailer at that speed, it can still accelerate quick enough to pull away from many cars.

The 6.2/8spd would also be in the 1700 rpm range, where it's available torque would be about 1/2 what is available on the Dmax. It can still accelerate the trailer, but it will downshift when pushed and will not be embarrassing any cars the way the Dmax will.

 

[Jsdirt]

I wouldn't touch any new diesel today. The emission garbage has turned alot of them into unreliable pieces of S ...

 

My ol' man sold his '02 D-max to my brother. Had it's share of problems, but nothing compared to the '09 he replaced it with. From right off the showroom floor to about every 300 miles or so, the DPF would plug, throwing the truck into limp mode. Of course, no owner-serviceable components there ... so off to the dealer to get raped of $200 per visit. Happened about 8 times before he finally took it to a performance shop, and trashed that stupid DPF. Gained 3 MPG around town, and can now tow his center-console down the Cape without going into limp mode halfway there.

 

Even heavy trucks (International, for example) are bogged down with emissions crap. The downtime at the company I used to work for has charted a "hockey stick" that al gore would be proud of. Also see the highways littered with TT units that ran out of urea & left them for dead.

 

Engineers need to come up with a better way of doing things here ... AND the gov't needs to butt the F out ... but that's another topic for another day!

[OmahaBen]

Another thing to keep in mind for Daily Driver a 6.2 vs Duramax.

 

The Duramax truck will cost roughly 7,000 more with a similar truck Crew Cab, 6.5 Box 4x4 SLT

 

I bought my truck for $42,600 2014 Crew Cab 6.5 4x4 6.2L SLT Max Tow at Laura Buick GMC is Collinsville IL. The cheapest 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax 4X4 I can find now is roughly $49145 from them.

 

Premium Here is 2.40 per Gallon and Diesel is still 3.10 seems to be the going rate for Diesel.

 

You have to be hauling heavy loads and a regular basis to justify the diesel. Or that you just "want it" more.

 

You can buy a lot of gas for the difference in fuel cost and the upcharge for the diesel engine.

 

 

 

 

Great topic and discussion! It is noticed and appreciated!

 

I find it of particular interest because I had similar concerns. I was in a position where someone was interested in my truck (had 200,000 miles) and wanted to give me good money for it. "IF" the 8spd/6.2 combo had been out (early 2014), I would have most definitely bought it. It wasn't and I didn't want the 6 spd combo. I ended up going with a duramax and I do love it, but I don't "need it". I can't park it i the parking garages downtown where I work every day. Major PIA there. It is basically more truck then I need plus it is a little bigger then what I would have bought (CC/5.5 bed 1500). I have the CC with the 6.5 box 2500HD.

 

My .02: From what I've researced and seen on-line and some personal tests of my own, the duramax seems to edge out the 6.2 combo on the hwy. Towing is a no brainer with win going to Duramax obviously. City mileage and short trips, my feeling is the 6.2/8 spd combo would edge out the duramax.

 

I do a mixed driving and have been averaging 17mpg for the last 20,000 miles. This is according to my DIC which I religiously compare to my paper calculations on each fill up. I've found that the DIC is very close (within .1-.2) of my manual calculations. Easily this variance could be due to how much I put in after she clicks off if you know what I mean. I try to be consistent on each fill up, but I'm sure there are slight variances no matter how hard I try. If I drive 65-70mph, I have no problem getting 21 or more. Very easy! The gas I drove (although it was brand new with no miles on it) didn't seem to want to do much more then 20 in same testing. My duramax on the other hand sucks if I do strictly city driving. Throw in a regen and it goes all to hell.

 

My truck shows an average speed which I feel is a very good indicator of a persons type of driving. Mine is 33mph over 20,000 miles. Every tank I average 33-34mph and get 16.5 - 17.5 mpg. I have gotten 18 but that's hard. I have gotten worse if I let it idle or beat on it. I could easily see how someone driving similar speeds could average 15 or even 14. Depends on how hard the right pedal is worked - lol

 

Sorry for ton of info. Hopefully, it makes some sense and helps someone out.

 

I want to put a better audio system in and some other mods, but I'm not sure I'm going to keep this. For myself, I'm VERY INTERESTED in your comparison between your duramax and your new 6.2/8 speed. Thanks for sharing all of this great info to all. Great thread!!!!

 

 

 

[Babyhauler]

Merry Christmas,

This thread is getting better by the day. Lots of good info.

If I buy a diesel, if will end up being probably an 02-05 or so. $13k-$15k or so. Maybe a Dodge or even a Ford if I could steal it. NO FLAMES! I would much rather have a Chevy of course. I think I could get $11k for my 2500.

I have spent enough buying the tractor, equipment trailer, dump trailer, mower, and a car for my 16 year old. I am clearing the woods for a drive, parking area & covered parking for all this stuff. About 20 80 ft pines to cut. New driveway should be 120-140 ft plus parking and trun around area. Lots of clay gravel & crusher run still to buy. Sorry, that got way off, but it is critical to my overall situation.

Would an intake, exhaust and Black Bear tune help enough or just be a bigger knife at a gun fight? Prob not?

Thanks to all.

[Jsdirt]

Making it breathe is always good ... but these days I'd be worrying about breaking things. I do see lots of guys with the older D'maxes getting some sick power out of them before they grenade though.

 

Even with my 5.3 I'm afraid to do much more than my plug-in Hypertech, CAI, and Corsa cat-back. Between check engine light nightmares, and grenading trannies, engines, and rear ends, I'm content to leave it alone.

 

Ford really screwed up with the 6.0 & 6.4. Don't know whether to blame Ford or International for that debacle. The 6.4 is a PILE of junk, mainly due to the emissions crap. They didn't help things by using STEEL valve guides (WTF ... didn't we learn that didn't work in 1915????), no brass inserts on con-rod small ends, and crappy, thin rocker arms that are JUNK at 100k. Plus the fact that everything is 10x harder to work on, and TWICE as expensive. What the hell were they thinking. The 6.7 is a big improvement .... but the use of ceramic bearings that SHATTER in their turbocharger was not their best work .... I'll take a 7.3 any day of the week!

 

Will we EVER get a reliable truck from ANYBODY??? Guess we're stuck building one ourselves. A Ford chassis with a GM body and a Cummins under the hood.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[avalonandl]

Ben- Your 6.2 has as much torque as the old 8.1 its just at 4000 rpms. It will tow the 10,000 just stay at 65or less. I used to tow my Chris Cat with an Avalanche 2500 the boat weighs 11,000 lbs and I had the 4.10 gears. Got 8.5-9 mpg pulling that. My Duramax really pulls it like its not there.

 

I think you made the right choice with the 6.2 its a great engine.

 

Avalon