Diesel Mpg?

gsalvatori · March 26, 2008

I apparently cannot use the search button correctly, so I come to you guys, what mpg am i to expect from a 2500, diesel? Should i just wait for the infamous 09 Hybrid?

vranasaurus · March 26, 2008

I apparently cannot use the search button correctly, so I come to you guys, what mpg am i to expect from a 2500, diesel? Should i just wait for the infamous 09 Hybrid?

The increased efficiency of a diesel doesn't make up for the increased cost of the fuel or the increased initial investment. The only caveat being that if you pull heavy loads a lot the diesel will be far more efficient than the gasser and earn it's keep more rapidly.

I say this to you as a man who drives a gas powered truck because I can't afford a diesel. Even though I would love to have one.

Get a diesel because you want it or can use it, because they really won't save you any money.

tvrsq51 · March 26, 2008

I have never seen a floodgate open so fast.

gsalvatori · March 26, 2008

I apparently cannot use the search button correctly, so I come to you guys, what mpg am i to expect from a 2500, diesel? Should i just wait for the infamous 09 Hybrid?

The increased efficiency of a diesel doesn't make up for the increased cost of the fuel or the increased initial investment. The only caveat being that if you pull heavy loads a lot the diesel will be far more efficient than the gasser and earn it's keep more rapidly.

I say this to you as a man who drives a gas powered truck because I can't afford a diesel. Even though I would love to have one.

Get a diesel because you want it or can use it, because they really won't save you any money.

Good answer. i have a v8 gasser that i used to tow a small trailer with. Now that teh trailer is much bigger i was thinking about diesel but i only tow once or twice a month anyway. I was hoping my gas costs would get jsut a lil lower than $700 per month with a diesel, i mostly frive HWY. I am ----- this close to selling my gasser, buyig a regualr car and just buys a POS truck to tow with when i need to.

Is there any diesel truck that will get me 20 MPG Average? My friend with a RAM gets close to that. If there is i would like it. Teh initial cost is not really a concern to me, i have firends that can help quite a bit, i just want to know if there is a truck out there, anything that can tow at least 6000 lbs and can get me 20mpg (notwhile towing)

gsalvatori · March 26, 2008

I have never seen a floodgate open so fast.

???

ejfranz · March 26, 2008

You should get 13US mpg (15.8 Imp mpg) or 18L/100Km under Load

Empty (4 adults, lugage and mountain bike) I get 19 US mpg (22 Imp mpg) or 12.3L/100Km on the hwy Vancouver to Penticton

In town about the same or better than with a load.

I travelled coast to coast with my camper and found the guys with the 8L V8s would roar by me on the down hills and I would Roar by them on the uphill .

Buy a diesel if you tow or carry a load.

dewfpo · March 26, 2008

I apparently cannot use the search button correctly, so I come to you guys, what mpg am i to expect from a 2500, diesel? Should i just wait for the infamous 09 Hybrid?

What year are you asking about? The diesel mpg numbers really took a big hit with the new EPA regs and the ULSD. Pre-'07 are seeing noticeably higher numbers, especially around town.

With only 6,000 lbs to tow 1-2 times a year, stick with your existing gasser or wait till the '09's come out with smaller diesels in the 1/2 pickups. You should be able to easily pull 20 mpg with the 1/2 ton diesel and have plenty of grunt for pulling that 6k load.

DEWFPO

Riverjet502 · March 26, 2008

Yes it is very easy to crack 20 mpg with a 3/4 ton diesel. I just sold my 1992 Dodge with a cummins. Had it for 16 yrs. Running 60 mph empty it would religiously due 22, 22-1/2 mpg. Banging around town 15 was very normal. Pulling my jetboat I would see 15-17-1/2 mpg. Just depended on how hard I was running down the road. Reason I didn't jump into another diesel at this time is because the tree huggers killed off the milage with the ULSF and all the emmisions crap that is now stuck in the exhaust. The boys with the 07's and newer I have spoken with tell me they only get 16 mpg if lucky and have had numerous problems. Also keep in mind that not all stations are selling the ULSF yet. So currently I drive the 04 3500 gasser waiting patiently for the bugs to get worked out for all this 2010 compliant crap! Then I'll buy another new oil bunner...OK I vented again.

wellinghurst · March 26, 2008

Yes it is very easy to crack 20 mpg with a 3/4 ton diesel. I just sold my 1992 Dodge with a cummins. Had it for 16 yrs. Running 60 mph empty it would religiously due 22, 22-1/2 mpg. Banging around town 15 was very normal. Pulling my jetboat I would see 15-17-1/2 mpg. Just depended on how hard I was running down the road. Reason I didn't jump into another diesel at this time is because the tree huggers killed off the milage with the ULSF and all the emmisions crap that is now stuck in the exhaust. The boys with the 07's and newer I have spoken with tell me they only get 16 mpg if lucky and have had numerous problems. Also keep in mind that not all stations are selling the ULSF yet. So currently I drive the 04 3500 gasser waiting patiently for the bugs to get worked out for all this 2010 compliant crap! Then I'll buy another new oil bunner...OK I vented again.

I've always thought it was ironic how back when diesels got better mpgs and the fuel was cheaper that they weren't as popular as they are now with worse fuel economy and higher fuel prices (albeit tons more power).

Not owning a diesel, all I can report is why i don't own one-because they price isn't worth it for me. I think a lot of people buy them because they think they will save money, but unless you are driving hundreds of miles per day on the highway you will never make up the difference. They are made to tow like crazy. If you need to do that, then get a diesel. They aren't primarily designed to save money with mileage. They are designed to tow a lot of wieght effectively.

As far as getting 20 mpgs and towing 6000lbs. Depending on how often you tow that much or more, the new AFM 5.3 would get it done. I drive a Suburban with that motor to Florida last year from KY and got 22 mpg average with 8 people and luggage.

ws6_guy · March 26, 2008

I say keep what you got and upgrade to the half ton diesel when its released.

mitchell87 · March 26, 2008

I say keep what you got and upgrade to the half ton diesel when its released.

X2

921500Z71 · March 27, 2008

2004 GMC crew cab short bed 4x4 3/4 ton dmax lb7 - last two tanks 1 being mostly freeway at 70-73 and stopping at a gas station twice and the occasional pedal to the floor to get around somebody being stupid. 18.77mpg with a slight head wind. 2 being 5 percent towing 12k lbs, roughly an hour of idle time also had 3 people ride with me so i could show them what this diesel can do then a split between city and highway after that: 14.7 mpg. Like mentioned earlier 20mpg isnt a hard task with a non emissioned diesel (I just have a muffler, not cat or egr or dpf or any of that crap like the newer diesels) as for a new one I guess its still achievable you just got to drive slower. Or like what was said get a half ton diesel. Might be able to get high 20s then

One more thing compared to my 92 which weighs roughly 1700 lbs less I have a gotten a best of 18 mpg over 227,000 miles and a low of 6 mpg. I guess this isnt to fair of a comparison since one truck is 12 years older then the other but that is my own personal experience.

Daubs · March 27, 2008

When ordering my 04 HD crew cab I broke out excel and calculated the cost of vehicle and fuel based on ~14k miles per year. With those numbers, the "break even" point was seven to nine years.

If I got the Duramax I would have to drive it for 7-9 years before the savings in fuel would offset the initial cost of the diesel package. I don't tow that much so the diesel option wasn't really an option for me.

Granted, I'm getting 10-11 MPG with my truck now, but my truck was $5,000 cheaper than the Duramax. You can buy a lot of fuel with $5,0000

And who keeps a truck 7 years anyway? Not this prarie dog...

Shaners · March 27, 2008

When ordering my 04 HD crew cab I broke out excel and calculated the cost of vehicle and fuel based on ~14k miles per year. With those numbers, the "break even" point was seven to nine years.

If I got the Duramax I would have to drive it for 7-9 years before the savings in fuel would offset the initial cost of the diesel package. I don't tow that much so the diesel option wasn't really an option for me.

Granted, I'm getting 10-11 MPG with my truck now, but my truck was $5,000 cheaper than the Duramax. You can buy a lot of fuel with $5,0000

And who keeps a truck 7 years anyway? Not this prarie dog...

Your calculations are very true if you are considering recovering your money through fuel savings alone. However your have to figure in resale value of a Dmax versus a 6.0L or 8.1L. The Dmax will bring two to three grand more on trade than a gas powered truck. Therefore the payoff on the Dmax is much quicker than most people think because you recover some of the initial cost when you get rid of your truck.

BlackSilver · March 29, 2008

Buying a diesel has nothing to do with operating economy or trade-in value. Diesels are good for one thing --- working hard hauling or pulling heavy loads as a regular way of life.

If you're just hauling groceries and pulling a boat to the lake on the occasional weekend, save your money (the "upcharge" is around $9,000 when you consider the engine and required upgrade transmission) and wait for the hybrid.