Diesel Tow vehicle options

[Jonesy]

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http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/795200212.html

Rob, This above Duramax is in Portland, OR

Seller bought this truck from Original (old man) in Florida at 50K miles and pulled a loaded trailer out to West Coast..truck now has 56K miles

Here's his story !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


"Hi Chuck, I towed a 40' 2 car hauler from Ga. loaded with 2 cargo trailers a 20' and a 16' had motorcycles in one and misc. in the other a total weight of 11,200. Tow rating for this truck is 12,950. Pulled with ease, no problems. I averaged 14 to16 mpg towing (he made side trip to N.C. before picking up trailers in GA) and 22 to 25mpg truck only, this truck has never been abused, not used as a work truck and was stored inside when not in use"

I still would like long bed, but probably could live with short................

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I have a 2005 Duramax Crew Cab shortbox and I dont get near the mileage that guy gets. He must only drive 55-60 on the freeway. I get 15-17 around town and 17-18 on the highway at 75 mph. I hear all thes4e stories about great fuel mileage and all I have seen since I bought this thing new was maybe that I am getting 2 mile per gallon better than a gas truck! It pulls great, but I dont pull alot of stuff. I must have a lemon. Maybe I should letter up my truck

[Chevy454]

Yeah, that kinda mileage out of an LLY is a *bit* of a stretch...maybe he's using that "new math", though?!

[Xplantdad]

Maybe he's driving downhill both ways?

[Donnie]

well, I have a LLY with just over 9,000 miles on it and I get 19.3 empty on the highway and 12.2 pulling a 24' enclosed @ 65 to 68 MPH. and I do get a little over 18 around town and highway mixed.

[bilede]

My 2005 lly would get 20 consistently unloaded and got as high as 24 on the highway so mileage does vary from truck to truck, driver to driver.

[TN2Lane]

A couple of things re: mileage
-Rear end ratios - there are basically 2 available on 2500 & 3500 GMs - 3.73 and 4.10. Most Duramax's have the 3.73, most 8.1s have (err...had) the 4.10. Check dieselplace.com - they've got a list of all the axle codes and their ratios.
-4WD - the 4x4 versions get 1-2 mpg less, even when running in 2WD mode. That front differential still has to turn, even when it's in neutral. Plus, 4x4s have more stuff to break. Unless you need 4x4 (planning on going off road, live in a blizzard zone, etc.), get a 2WD. 2WDs generally have less resale value, so if you're looking used that's a plus.

[SmallHurst]

Plus, take another 1-2 off for duallies. Plus the 1-tons typically had the 4.1's. It all adds up, plus I don't think Rob has a level piece of ground around until he hits the interstate!!!

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
A couple of things re: mileage
-Rear end ratios - there are basically 2 available on 2500 & 3500 GMs - 3.73 and 4.10. Most Duramax's have the 3.73, most 8.1s have (err...had) the 4.10. Check dieselplace.com - they've got a list of all the axle codes and their ratios.
-4WD - the 4x4 versions get 1-2 mpg less, even when running in 2WD mode. That front differential still has to turn, even when it's in neutral. Plus, 4x4s have more stuff to break. Unless you need 4x4 (planning on going off road, live in a blizzard zone, etc.), get a 2WD. 2WDs generally have less resale value, so if you're looking used that's a plus

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From GM, you can *only* get a 3.73 in a Duramax...no choice...on the 8.1L, 3.73 or 4.10 (both of ours are 3.73).

As for the 4x4, if you *never* get off of concrete/asphalt or never see ice/snow, you'll be fine with a 2wd...but I'm here to tell ya, you can get in a pinch EASILY with a trailer in tow...been there, done that. A certain snow covered parking lot in Nebraska comes to mind...

[ORIGLS6]

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As for the 4x4, if you *never* get off of concrete/asphalt or never see ice/snow, you'll be fine with a 2wd...but I'm here to tell ya, you can get in a pinch EASILY with a trailer in tow...been there, done that.

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Gas, Diesel, propane, steam powered............ doesn't matter. If you're pulling a trailer and think you might EVER get off pavement,....get the 4WD.
I would gladly drive a 2WD truck as my daily driver, but I do tow my trailer a few times a year and HAVE used the 4WD more times than I care to remember. So,.... since I don't have the option of multiple trucks,... 4WD it is.

[Canuck]

I agree that a Diesel is the way to go for ultimate towing. When I bought My Yukon XL2500 in 03, there were no diesel options for the Suburban style Chev/GMC. I considered a Ford Excursion,because they offered a diesel. I chose the Yukon because it offered 4 wheel steering and beacause 90% of my driving is non towing and having tp park in conventional spots. My wife did not want to wrestle a 3/4 ton P/U around as well.
I just returned from a 6000 mile trip towing a 24 ft Well Cargo. After over 60 hous behind the wheel there was probably only 2 hours cumulative driving where I wished I had the grunt of a diesel. These were generally crossing mountain passes. For those instances I was down to 45-50 MPH and keeping the revs at 3000 -3300.
On the flat and modest grades the truck with 6.0 gas engine and the 480LE trans cruises nicely without a hint of 8000 Lbs out behind. I got 11 MPG on average for the trip.
If I had towing requirements more that 1 week a year I would switch to a diesel, for now the 4 wheel steering is the option that makes me want to keep the 03 for a while.