Diesel vs. Gas?? Best Compromise??

ChevyED · April 17, 2006

I know that this is the age old question, but what are the advantages of Gas vs Diesel?

I need to add another work vehicle and we will be towing a 24 ft. cargo trailer loaded w/equipment for a lot of the next year. These will be relatively long road trips covering the Midwest. The rub is that we will also need this vehicle to make 500-750 mi road trips with no trailer (it all depends on the project).

I am looking for slightly used (2-3 yr. old) 2500 or 3500 vehicle and am wondering if the 6.6 Duramax or the 8.1 gas would be a bettter bet. I have a lot of experience with 5.7 and 5.3 1500 trucks, but not much with the 'big boys'. Maybe even the 6.0 with the right rear gear would be enough, but does it have enough additional HP and TQ? My current '05 Sub tends to labor heavily over hills with the trailer loaded but it only has the 3:42 rear. This is really my family vehicle as well and I need to stop beating it up.

My goal is to (obviously) try to balance the needed power with fuel economy. Always compromise, compromise, compromise. Secondary consideration would be longevity, but I think that this is good with either (diesels last forever don;t they?). Diesel is pretty plentiful on road trips (interstates), but it is nice to just stop anywhere for gas. Prices are all over the board and who knows which will stabilize at a lower price.

Right now, I am leaning toward a '02 Suburban that is for sale locally with an 8.1 engine and 4:10 rear. This should be plenty of power for what I need but mileage will not be good. There is probably no 'perfect' choice since my needs vary greatly, but please help me make the best decision... 6.0, 6.6 diesel, 8.1???

Thanks,

Ed

gave20 · April 18, 2006

My goal is to (obviously) try to balance the needed power with fuel economy
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A diesel would be your best bet then, high teens to low 20's unloaded and 8-10 MPG towing. The higher price of diesel would be offset with the better MPG loaded and unloaded vs. the 8.1

Shocker · April 18, 2006

I'd probably go with a diesel. You'll get better mileage. I'm not sure where the horsepower is, I think its higher than the 8.1. The torque sure is by a long shot.

newbiewar · April 24, 2006

I'd probably go with a diesel. You'll get better mileage. I'm not sure where the horsepower is, I think its higher than the 8.1. The torque sure is by a long shot.

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the 8.1 has more horses...at about 345... more by about 35 i think... i believe the hp on the duramax is 310...

but the 8.1 only has about 450 tq where as the duramax matted to the allyson has 650 tq... when its without the allyson you've only got 520 tq...