Need input for new truck

Howard · July 16, 2006

I'm sure this is a well worn subject but I need a truck that can pull a heavy work trailer of about 6500 lbs. locally and one that I can use to travel from Florida to the mountains of NC monthly, no trailer, about 1300 miles round trip. Obviously I want the best mileage possible these days but also want to be reasonable about spending the $$ for a diesel if it's not cost efficient. My thinking was a GMC/Chevy 2500, 4 wd, 6.0 with a 3:73 rear. I know the mileage will only be about 15 hwy which sucks. My question is, is the diesel worth it? BTW I may get a fifth wheel since I sold my 40 motorhome when diesel was approaching $3.00 gallon. This truck will probably last me many years as my present one is a 95 GMC 2500.

I appeciate all input.

Howard

BADGERMAN · July 17, 2006

Well one thing, you can't get a 2500 and 6.0L with 3.73 gears. You can only get 4.11 gears. Unless you drive about 50-55 mph, you won't get 15 mpg. I usually get about mid 13's driving about 65mph.

Hope this helps.

RubenZ · July 17, 2006

Well one thing, you can't get a 2500 and 6.0L with 3.73 gears. You can only get 4.11 gears. Unless you drive about 50-55 mph, you won't get 15 mpg. I usually get about mid 13's driving about 65mph.

Hope this helps.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Are you sure about that. Thats BS. 4.11's are standard with 3.73's being an option if I remember.

73survivor · July 17, 2006

Go for the diesel! It is better to have too much truck than not enough. We have a farm and have a diesel and the 6.0. Everyone would rather drive the diesel when towing. Better mileage and you never run out of power. Especially if you are going to tow a fifth wheel.

BADGERMAN · July 17, 2006

Are you sure about that. Thats BS. 4.11's are standard with 3.73's being an option if I remember.

Try building one, it doesn't give you the option on the 2500 trucks. It is an option on the 8.1L truck, but not the 6.0L.

GetMore · July 17, 2006

Assuming 13 mpg with the 6.0 and 18 mpg with the Duramax, fuel costs being equal, and just the monthly 1,300 mile trip, you will spend $1,000 more on fuel with the gas engine.

I think you will save even more with the diesel than I calculated, since I think you'll get better mileage, but I wanted to be pessimistic, but realistic.

So, it will take you five years or less to get a return on the extra expense of buying the "Heavy Duty Power Package" but if you sell the truck you will make most, if not all that money back, due to the increased resale value.

On the other hand, if you like to cruise at 90 you might be better with the gas engine.

I would definitely go for the diesel engine, especially in your case.

Daubs · July 17, 2006

I'd suggest skipping the 6.0 all together and looking at either the 8.1 or the Duramax.

My 8.1/Allison CC with 285's and 3.73 gears is getting 11-11.5 around townand 13-14 highway. I don't pull anything with the truck. Buddy has same truck with 6.0 and he gets 11 around town adn 12 highway. It tow's what he needs, but works hard to do so. Don't get me wrong, the 6.0 is a stout engine. But the Big Block is more suited for towing and moving such a big vehicle around.

Guys tell me their Duramax's get 14-15 around town and 17-18 highway. Granted, you are going to get less MPG when towing. And if you are going into the mountains, you are surely going to need the 8.1 or Duramax.

As for which one (8.1 vs. 6.6), you will have to calculate how many miles you are going to drive it per year, factor in MPG difference and cost to purchase. I figured I would have to drive the Duramax 6-7 years before the cost of the engine would be offset by savings in fuel economy vs the 8.1

That is why I'm driving the 8.1 right now. Love the power.

Superman TNT · July 17, 2006

For all the reasons everyone else stated I would go Dmax. I also would not get the 6.0 gas. I have the 8.1 and after talking to several guys with the 6.0 I am getting the same milage they get. I get about 11 average and it doesn't seem to matter if I'm in town or not. Also I tow a 9,000lb 5th wheel and when I'm doing that I get about 6mpg. I have no problem towing the camper but she demands a price at the pump to do it. Next time around I will get the Dmax.

TNT

dewfpo · July 17, 2006

Around here, the price of diesel has finally come down to the price of Mid grade gas after being as high or higher than premium gas! So diesel here is 10 cents higher than RUL which you can use in either the 6.0 or the 8.1L.

I don't know your driving conditions, but if you are looking to save cost and get better mpg, you may be able to skip 4wd. Just get a G80 for the rear. But you know your needs, not I.

Like others have said. The 8.1L gets about the same mpg as the 6.0 except when towing. When towing the 8.1L typically gets better mpg than the 6.0.

DEWFPO

dogzapper · July 17, 2006

I beat myself silly, trying to do the math between the price of a gasser (6.0 or the ustra-rare 8.1) and the Duramax/Allison.

Finally, I asked several friends who are more intimate with the truck field than I am. Their answer was very consistent; don't even consider a gas. The Duramax gives you fifty percent (at least) better fuel mileage, the power is much better than either of the gas engines and, when the time comes to sell, you basically get the extra $6,000 back in added resale price. Their final piece of wisdom is the great longevity of the diesel engine; a gasser with 150,000 miles is hard to sell because it is mostly worn out, while a Duramax engine at 150K has seen perhaps one-third of its time before a rebuild.

Shortly after that, I took my venerable Z-71 down to the dealer for LOF. The job ahead of me was a 2004.5 Duramax and I happened to take a look at the take-in slip....287,000 miles on the truck. I asked my service writer if this was a typo and he said, "No, the guy delivers new trailer houses for a living and his Duramax is on the road fully six days a week." I inquired about the service he has had. My writer replied, "He uses dino oil and has a LOF every 5,000 miles. He has us also do the recommended service, as GM describes in the manual. He has never had a single warranty problem, nor a problem of any sort. Just lube, oil & oil filter, plus the recommended service."

I talked to the guy while waiting for my Z-71. His story was precisely the same as my service writer. The Duramax just runs.

I bought my new baby, my new Duramax, a few days later. I love it.

Steve

dewfpo · July 17, 2006

I beat myself silly, trying to do the math between the price of a gasser (6.0 or the ustra-rare 8.1) and the Duramax/Allison.

Finally, I asked several friends who are more intimate with the truck field than I am. Their answer was very consistent; don't even consider a gas. The Duramax gives you fifty percent (at least) better fuel mileage, the power is much better than either of the gas engines and, when the time comes to sell, you basically get the extra $6,000 back in added resale price. Their final piece of wisdom is the great longevity of the diesel engine; a gasser with 150,000 miles is hard to sell because it is mostly worn out, while a Duramax engine at 150K has seen perhaps one-third of its time before a rebuild.

Shortly after that, I took my venerable Z-71 down to the dealer for LOF. The job ahead of me was a 2004.5 Duramax and I happened to take a look at the take-in slip....287,000 miles on the truck. I asked my service writer if this was a typo and he said, "No, the guy delivers new trailer houses for a living and his Duramax is on the road fully six days a week." I inquired about the service he has had. My writer replied, "He uses dino oil and has a LOF every 5,000 miles. He has us also do the recommended service, as GM describes in the manual. He has never had a single warranty problem, nor a problem of any sort. Just lube, oil & oil filter, plus the recommended service."

I talked to the guy while waiting for my Z-71. His story was precisely the same as my service writer. The Duramax just runs.

I bought my new baby, my new Duramax, a few days later. I love it.

Steve

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The engine was designed specifically for this type of work. Lots of hauling, lots of miles, always running.

DEWFPO

Howard · July 17, 2006

Thanks to everyone's reply. You guys answered my question, Duramax it is.

Howard

dogzapper · July 18, 2006

Thanks to everyone's reply. You guys answered my question, Duramax it is.

Howard

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Howard,

COOL, very cool.

Something I didn't mention in my painfully long post. I wrote for gun/hunting magazines for many years and retired last year. As soon as the Duramax came out, it was absolutely the dress of the day for gun hacks. Because of this, I've driven every configuration, every year and generation of the Duramax.

I could not buy the earlier generations; I hated the lag in acceleration after the "go petal" was pushed. It was explained to me that it was a "diesel thing."

The current, Third Generation, LBZ engine is what I wanted all these many years; absolutely NO LAG. And the six-speed Allison 1000 is the finest. Man, this baby just winds up like a Corvette and goooooes. Bone stock.

Personally, I'm way past satisfied with 650 ft/lbs of torque. It pulls my measley 8,000 pound travel trailer like it was nothing. It is plenty enough for me and I'm not going to screw up a great thing with mods.

Mileage? I'm getting 20-22 mpg on the freeway at legal speeds (plus maybe a few mph ), a solid 15 mpg around town and the two trailer towing trips, here in Oregon's mountainous country, yeilded 13.7 and 13.6 mpg. My DIC is exactly on and I haven't set it for about 400 miles...the driving has been mixed city/freeway and it's reading 18.7 mpg. Personally, I could not be more thrilled with the mileage.

I'm personally convinced that the 2006+ and 2007 "Classic" will be remembered as the best-of-breed. The 2008s (the 9000) will be out in early 2007; they will feature compliance to the new Federal Emmision Guidelines, which will undoubtedly compromise both mileage and power. And, if not, it will surely cost the consumer more $$$$ (some say 3K to 4K more).

Get it now, enjoy it and drive around with a BIG sappy-looking grin on your face, like me.

Enjoy your new truck, my freind.

Steve

ALarsh · July 18, 2006

Diesel if your going to be running a lot (18K+ miles a year)

Gas if your doing less than 18,000 miles a year.

I think a lot of guys put the gas engines down like they are a POS. I have the 6.0 and I get 15 mpg highway at 74 mph w/ 2,000 lbs of cargo. I recently installed a K&N airfilter and Wait4Me tune. I should be around 16-17 highway based on claims. I still have to test it out though.

My 6.0 tows 4,000 lbs everday and the occasional 8,000 lb load. It smiles and asks for more.

I would say it cost about $5,000 more than a 6.0 gas. Here diesel is at $3.09 and gas is $3.11. The gas engine averages 13 mpg and diesel averages 18 mpg. Better resale on diesel. You pick.

JRKRACE · July 18, 2006

I went through this dilemma awhile back and bought the 6.0. In your case however,

I would buy the diesel. In 2004, the price difference came out to be around 8500.00 for

the fact that they had 1000.00 rebates on the diesel vs. 4500.00 on the gas. I also plow snow, so the diesel limits what you can hang on it. That being said, the 6.0 had done all I asked of it, with zero problems except 3000 mile oil changes. But with the towing and commute you do, the diesel is the way to go...