Cool....

I had a friend just trade his in because of milage, not sure of how many miles were on it, but he claimed 7 mpg, it was a year or two old, low miles.
And I guy I work with just bought a brand new HD and is claiming 7 mpg.
Neither one of these two really tow anything... and of course are complaining because they thought they were buying a daily driver :rolleyes:

I've always owned full size 4 wheel drives and consider myself lucky to get over 10 mpg.

With the incredible advantages in fuel economy, low end torque, engine life and dependability from the new diesels, why would anyone consider a gas engine for a heavy duty tow vehicle today??

T2x

For me it is the $7,700 added cost for the Duramax/ Allison combination is why I am leaning towards a gas engine. I usually don't keep a vehicle for a long period of time so I just don't know for how many times that I actually tow my boat if it is justifiable to spend the added money.

I went out today and was looking at trucks and some of the prices were topping $50k.
I want to tow my boat and not have to live in the truck.

I did see a nice Chevy HD 2500 Regular Cab LS 4x4 with a 6.0 that had a tow package and heavy duty transmission for MSRP of 33k.

Thanks for the information and I'm still taking it all in. I know that for towing that the Diesel is the way to go but it is all the other little things that I'm also thinking about.

Cordell

I HAVE PULLED 38 TOPGUN WITH MY 03 GMC 2500HD CREW CAB 4X4 , WITH 6.0 AND 4.10 GEARS AND PULLS GREAT........................

I've been very happy with my 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD CC 8.1L/ZF 6-speed/4.10 truck. I can get the same mileage as the 8.1L/3.73/Allison trucks and have all the power advantages of the 4.10 gears. On my last trip I got 16-MPG running empty at 75-MPH and 12-MPG pulling 5,500 lbs. Best of all while towing at 75-MPH I have all the power I need from a nice quiet engine and 6 gears to choose from. I’m very glad I choose not to pay $4,000 for a noisy diesel engine and $2,000 for a mileage reducing automatic tranny.

I also towed a 12,000lb. load from L.A. to Flagstaff when the truck was new with 2,000 miles on the odometer. Coming up the hill from CA the truck got 7-10 MPG and pulled just as good as any stock diesel.

Counterpoint.......


1. The diesels gets 50% more MPG

2. The diesels gets at least 50% more engine life

3. The diesels have a higher resale

4. The diesels are faster while towing

But then again....I have a Powerstroke...maybe the Duramax isn't worth the money.;)

T2x

I have both 7.3 and a 6.0 litre Ford Diesels. I also have a 01, 190k duramax, an 02 duramax and just ordered an 04 duramax with the 310hp/590tq. If I could take the GMC powertrain and put it in my Ford Dually, I would be the happiest man in the world. I will be going to Vegas next week to also check out the new Ford 250's/350's and get hp/tq numbers and see what it will look like, along with the new GT, and Mustang.:D

Not to hijack this thread, but...on the other end of the scale, will my Astro Van (5400 lbs. towing capacity) pull my boat out of the water if necessary? Not interested in towing distances, just want to be able to pull the boat in the event of a hurricane....Up the ramp and a few blocks home.

Boat is 25' Corsa (Cigarette-type hull) with 454/330 TRS. Estimated weight is 4500 lbs. Not sure how much a trailer weighs...

Thanks,

D. Ocean
Pompano Beach, FLA

I went with the Tahoe Z71 with 5.3 3.73
But I have no intentions of towing anything over 25 with
it, I will just trade it in when I get a bigger boat which will be no less than a 29'

on number 1, mine doesnt. it pulls good, not great to me, and gets 10-12 in town, 13-14 on highway and 7.5 pulling a 27 boat with twins. It does have 35" tires, which i know will knock down the mileage, but i wasnt as pleased as i thought i would be. 2001 psd f-250

2,3,4 are correct :D