Trying to decide if should trade in 2500hd 6.0 gas for new 3.0 diesel, have same tow capacity

[NeverCold]

1 hour ago, ckes2500 said:

When I first bought the trailer I had an Avalanche and I understand about the difference between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton towing, night and day, I've considered the 5.3 with max tow but not real sure how i'd like since same hp and tq as current truck and now with the motors having the DFM, those electronics scare me more then the new 3.0 diesel. From what i've researched the 5.3's only get a little better then my current 6.0, maybe 15-17 mpg in the real world, I could be wrong but that's what I have seen a lot of. I'm sure the 6.2l would be fun but not to thrilled about have to always run premium fuel.  Currently my truck is not my daily driver, I have a little beater car that gets 30 mpg, but who knows how long it will be till that thing needs some $ put into it.  Thought of having another 3 year bumper to bumper warranty is nice but one way or another your still paying.  Anybody tow with both the 5.3 max tow and a 3/4 ton with gas motor, just curious how it handled.  I probably shouldn't be worried about the tow factor too much considering its gonna be a while before getting new travel trailer, just like to plan ahead and have option available if need be.  Once again appreciate the responses and opinions, its helping me decide whether to do 

Over the last 4600 miles I have gotten 18.6 mpg.  I daily the truck in heavy traffic (for example, a worst case last week it took me 2.5 hrs to go 26 miles, normally it takes me around 1.25 hrs).  Best tank has been 19.4mpg, worst tank was 15 (2nd fuel up).  

 

If you're putting 15000 miles a year on your truck, the difference yearly fuel cost difference 13 mpg for the 2500 HD gasser, and 29mpg for the 3.0L diesel 1500 at prices $2/regular, $2.65 diesel (that's my fuel prices locally) would be ~$940/year fuel savings.  Since it is not your daily driver, and we assume about 5000 miles a year in truck driving, it's $313/year in savings.  

 

Don't go into this thinking that fuel economy is going to be some sort of world changing number.  If you're only driving 5k/year in the truck it's ~$300/year or about $25/month.  

If you want it because you want it, that's the only reason.  Capability and financially it doesn't make any sense though.

 

[ckes2500]

I wish gas was only 2 bucks a gallon, I'm paying over 4 bucks a gallon for regular and diesel is a hair cheaper

[NeverCold]

12 minutes ago, ckes2500 said:

I wish gas was only 2 bucks a gallon, I'm paying over 4 bucks a gallon for regular and diesel is a hair cheaper

At $4/gal for reg, $3.95/gal for diesel and 5k year, you'll save $850/year in fuel or about $72/month.

 

fixed a typo

[MaverickZ71]

Payload, sway control/stability and long term braking ability will be better on the 2500 than on a maxed-out 1500.  

[redwngr]

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[redwngr]

On 11/3/2019 at 1:42 PM, ckes2500 said:

Currently have 2014 GMC 2500hd with 6.0 gas and 3.73 gears, no longer have travel trailer that was 7800 lbs., so I don't necessarily need the HD now but  will probably get another one in a few years down the road around the same weight.  Went and test drove the 2020 Chevy 1500 with 3.0 diesel, drove real good, power was smooth and strong, I know when I get new trailer payload will be a factor but towing capacity will be the same considering my current truck only has a tow capacity of 9400 lbs. and so does the new 3.0 diesel.  The better fuel mileage would be huge plus considering only 13 mpg in truck now and thats being gently on throttle.  Just don't want to get rid of current truck and regret when I go to tow with only 1/2 ton truck.  Even when I was towing only usually went around 100-200 miles round trip but there is a lot of hilly areas in my area. Another consideration is dependability of the new diesel.  Any responses are appreciated

Towing and empty comparison of the 3.0 chev and 3.9 ram.  Same day same trailer.  Not quite as heavy you had.  They said this one was about 7000lb

This seems to be on relatively flat ground but it is with cruise on at 70 mph. They are pulling an enclosed trailer weighted with a water tank.  Also has a rack on top which will increase drag.

Chev was running along at 1500 rpm...so I'd assume that means it was in 10th.

My '16 5.3L max tow 8 speed would not have been in 8th.

[ckes2500]

What kind of gas milage you get on the 5.3 with max towing, wont be towing anything for at least couple years

[redwngr]

1 hour ago, ckes2500 said:

What kind of gas milage you get on the 5.3 with max towing, wont be towing anything for at least couple years

Towed a 14 x 7 v-nose tandem (smooth sided) from Port Huron to Phoenix on the interstate. 

 

It would have been lighter than the one they tested, and it did not have a rack on top. 

 

Typically 0 - 5 above posted speeds.  So a lot of 70 - 75, similar to what they tested.  Truck always it was able to maintain speed (ie it got the job done) but entire trip it was probably in 8th for less than 15 miles. 6/7 common, 5th occasionally.

 

Mileage was usually between 8.5 and 9.5.  Makes for a lot of 'early' fills when stations are further apart (don't really need fuel, but can't quite be sure of making the next fuel location)

 

[ckes2500]

I was meaning unloaded on daily basis

[becker87]

Have about 3200 miles on mine now, still Loving the power, sound, and mileage. Granted my mileage did take a hit when I put larger duratracs on. Current tank im on I'm averaging close to 21 with a good amount of idling and short trips. Have no problem getting over 23 with a little longer city trips and less idling time. Now before the duratracs I was averaging 26-27 only on town so I may switch out to a set of Summer tires come spring. I have not towed anything larger than a pontoon for longer than a few miles so can't comment there.

For me in the summer months I put a lot of city miles on in the construction industry so the money saved was an easy choice. Diesel around here is 2.80 which is about 30 cents more expensive than regular and 30 cents cheaper than premium. From my old 6.2 which required premium there is a pretty significant cost savings per mile.

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[L86 All Terrain]

If it is any consolation I did a 2,000 mile round trip pulling 7K. I didn't even consider taking my 6.2L 1500 even though it would have towed stronger than my 2500 6oh and better on gas. The benefits to the 2500 chassis are totally noticeable. More stable, better braking, even if the power is way less adequate the truck still feels better and safer. If you're a towing or payload guy, 2500 is a necessity. If you're only going a few hundred miles per year, the 1500 would suit you better on a day to day basis. You cant compare the livability of driving the 1500 vs. the 2500 in a daily driven situation. 

 

If you put on serious miles, stay with a 2500, if your just going to the lake out of town a couple times per year, go 1500. 

[MallCrawler]

As an '18 Ram EcoDiesel owner I say WAIT on the 3.0L Duramax. The EcoDiesel had (and still has) all kinds of problems, including a nationwide recall on all '14-18 models due to EGR cooler failures and subsequent fires. 

 

Let the new Duramax mature a couple years before trading away your tried and true 6.0L.

 

[ckes2500]

Thanks for all the feed back, never really was interested in the ram eco diesels. Sucks for all the problems, do you regret getting the 1/2 ton diesel.  What kind of MPG is anyone getting with the  newer 5.3 with max tow and the 8 speed trans.  The more I look at the trucks I am seeing crazy deals on the 2019's with 5.3 and max tow.  The DEF systems seem to keep screwing up the diesels.  Still looking

[MallCrawler]

No regrets on the half ton diesel here. Averaging 26 mpg (and there are tunes available to turn off the EGR system). I've heard nothing but praise for the Chevy 3.0L diesel so far, even from the RAM guys. I think it will be a fine engine but I'd still give it a year or two before getting into one. 

[8100 Power]

For you guys that have had a 6.2L, how does the lack of power feel on the 3.0L.. the HP difference is really noticeable on paper.. wondering how it feels in the truck?