Based on my needs should I get gas or diesel?

mabarnes536 · March 16, 2015

OK so I need some help deciding. Currently we have a 2010 Silverado 1500 extended cab. We also have a 9 month old son and we have been talking about trying for our second sometime in August or September. Getting my son in and out of the extended cab is fine but once we have our second it is going to be very hard to have both in my truck so I am looking at getting something with a bigger cab. My wife and I have also been talking about getting a travel trailer so this is why I have been looking at the 2500s or F250s. It will be a little while before we get the travel trailer, 3-4 years. Why not get the truck now so that way we are not buying a truck and a travel trailer at the same time. I really like the diesels but for the first 3-4 years of its life it is mainly going to be a daily driver to and from work, about 20 miles each why, and trips to HomeDepot. Should I get pony up and get the diesel or just opt for the gas? Also I live in West Virginia so we would be travel throughout the state, without a trailer at first and then later with, and the surrounding areas with longer trips as the kids get older. Thanks for the help!

fondupot · March 16, 2015

Right now. Seems like the gasser is a better fit. You can always trade up in a few years.

Cowpie · March 16, 2015

I would agree. Unlike the diesels of a decade ago, these new ones are real money pits when issues crop up. The emissions stuff on them is a nightmare. You didn't mention approximate trailer weight or terrain you would be typically pulling the trailer over. And keep in mind, the 6.0L L96 in the 2500 is no slouch. It bested the 6.2L in the Ram by quite a margin on the Ike Gauntlet pull. And that 6.2L had 60 hp and 50 lb torque over the 6.0L. The 6.0L and the 6L90 trans is a formidable combination. Solid, proven track record of durability and reliability. And parts are easy to come by and repair cost substantially less than diesel.

You will never break even on the higher cost of the diesel over gas. the cost of the package itself, the higher cost of fuel, the increased cost of maintenance, etc. Even with the better fuel economy of the diesel. Anymore, one can only truly justify a diesel if they have a definite need for it's capabilities on a regular basis. Otherwise, it is more of a social statement. Kind of a "my junk is bigger than yours because I have a diesel". And you want to really create issues with these newer diesels, then short trip with them frequently.

bfron · March 16, 2015

Had to make that exact decision a few months ago. After looking at added initial cost, maintenance demands and the fact you have to drive it a certain way with the emission controls. That made the 6.0 gas a no brainier and glad that's what I got.

CRApex · March 16, 2015

You will have no issues or nightmares if you purchase a diesel, I have owned them for years and speak from experience. My previous truck was a 2011 with the DPF and DEF system. I now have a 2015 and have put 16k on it so far and neither truck has had any issues or special needs. The fuel does cost a bit more and you do need to put a few gallons of DEF fluid in every oil change but thats it. On the new trucks (2015's) GM covers those expenses for the 1st two years. That said, the diesel is overkill if it will just be a daily driver for 3-4 years and they do cost significantly more than the gas version. If you do go the diesel route, be confident that it will perform just fine on 20 mile daily trips...no issues at all. The diesels are a pleasure to drive either as daily drivers or towing, tons of power and very quiet.

SMiller · March 16, 2015

I would get the gas hands down!

mabarnes536 · March 16, 2015

Thanks guys for the info. My only problem is that I don't know enough about desiels, mainly the new ones, to know what I would be getting into. I have been doing a lot of ready and talking to friends that own and have owned one. A lot of mixed opinions and I think that is what I am going to get, just like arguing who has the better truck, Chevy or Ford or Dodge.

Cowpie: Not sure on the size of trailer yet, planing on looking at them this sping/summer to get an idea of what we want. As for terrain we a looking at the mountains of WV and the Smokey Mountains. Also taking trips to the north east and maybe the beach. Not going out west anytime soon but not out of the question in about 8-10 years.

fondupot: I want to get something I am not going to have to trade up for a while. I am trying to avoid have a payment on a truck and a trailer at the same time. I am the kind of person that takes out a three year loan to get it paid off a fast as possible.

sahls01gmc · March 16, 2015

As a father of 3 kids, I'll let you in on a secret. You won't be able to go camping near as often as you are hoping to. You'll still be able to go, but it will have to planned out more than you would with just your 1 kiddo. That being said, a 3/4 ton gasser will do 100% of the tasks you ask it to do. I have 300,000 on mine now, and wouldn't change it for anything (except a new one!)

HD trucks are built to haul everything you described. Engine choice just comes to personal preference.

Will a diesel pull the same trailer "easier"? Yeah, it probably will.

Will a gas engine cost less to maintain and drive? Yeah, it probably will.

02suburbanZ71 · March 16, 2015

These guys are right. The 6.0 and 6l90e is a beautiful combo and much more affordable than a diesel

pcf · March 16, 2015

Depending on how heavy the trailer ends up being, you will need a little patience with the gasser in the mountains. Paying attention to the road, using that thing between your ears, and being vigilant about conserving momentum, will make a bigger difference in the mountains than the engine in the truck.

The Duramax will out perform the 6.0 by leaps and bounds, make no doubts about it. Whether it's worth the extra money and maintenance is up to you.

02suburbanZ71 · March 17, 2015

If your doing serious towing in the hills with the 6.0 invest in a trucool 40K and amsoil transfluid. A blackbear tune would help also driving in M

BigKahuna · March 17, 2015

Get the gasser. My last two trucks were diesels and I'm now driving a gasser. So much nicer for a daily driver.

I have a heavy RV trailer and realistically we use it 2 or 3 weekends out of the year. That's the only time there would be any benefit at all to owning the diesel, and the gas one will work just fine. The rest of the time the gas always wins, no contest.

SMiller · March 17, 2015

All you have to know about the LML Duramax is emissions issues that they have yet to figure it and bad CP4.2, at $12,000 to fix I say no thanks.

6.0 is thirsty, cheap, slow, steady, and reliable...

Cowpie · March 17, 2015

Well, I am thoroughly happy with my 2015 2500 6.0L so far. Haven't yet put it through all it's paces, but just from what I have done with it so far, I am quite a happy camper. And I must have gotten one of the good ones, as it really is not all that bad on mpg. Averaging 13.5 mpg for all miles so far. Did 16 mpg on a 200 mile road trip. And that was on E15 winter fuel! Heck, my 2013 1500 5.3L only averaged 14 mpg for all 25,000 miles it had on when I got rid of it. I would still be happy with the 2500 even if the mpg was worse. It is heads and shoulders above the 1500 overall. Totally different truck in just about every way. I could never grow fond of the 1500, but this one has instantly become something I like.

servantsalesmen · March 17, 2015

Also think of the price difference. I don't know how much money is a factor for you, but personally I'd rather have a truck with a gas motor and spend the extra 6 grand on interior options and gas than get a diesel. If you were towing 10k plus on a weekly basis, it would be a different story, but for a daily what will also be used on longer trips, I'd rather get a more refined cabin and the gas engine.