Few Questions from the newbie

[BIG BILL]

Hi Guys, I'm a new member here and have learned quite a bit from reading current posts. I have a few questions....I currently have a 94 3500 dually w/a 454. One thing I've learned from reading old posts ,is the diesel vs gas debate is a hot topic!

 

Anyway, I'm looking into ordering a new dually while I can before the 06's come out. On that thought, I've read about a 6spd ally for 06? Should I wait for the 06? Are there any changes that might be worth waiting for, or what changes are know and is the tranny true?

 

I have a near 15k lb trailer that I will be towing. What type of fuel economy should I expect hauling on flat ground? (In a perfect world)

 

 

Thanks guys!

[snoman]

Hi Guys, I'm a new member here and have learned quite a bit from reading current posts. I have a few questions....I currently have a 94 3500 dually w/a 454.  One thing I've learned from reading old posts ,is the diesel vs gas debate is a hot topic! 

 

Anyway, I'm looking into ordering a new dually while I can before the 06's come out. On that thought, I've read about a 6spd ally for 06? Should I wait for the 06? Are there any changes that might be worth waiting for,  or what changes are know and is the tranny true?

 

I have a near 15k lb trailer that I will be towing. What type of fuel economy should I expect hauling on flat ground?  (In a perfect world)

 

 

Thanks guys!

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

I tend to stay away from new things the first year out and though a 6 sp would be nice, they had a lot of teething problems with the 5sp when it first came out so if you got a 05, the unit should be fairly trouble free. As for fuel economy, that is a varible that also depends a lot and how you drive tow, the speed and the aerodynamic drag of the trailer too. If speed is high along with drag too the MPG will not be very impressive but I would tend to say 12 to 13mpg (in that range towing) and if you do better great, but if you go into this expecting 16 to 18mpg and get a lot less you will be disapointed. With a 8.1, I would say around 9 to 10 MPG with same load as it is a lot more predictable and does not vary as much with loads.