I am buying a 3/4 crew cab to tow some of my toys, how bad was the milage on the vortec 454's? I have a cottage/spare truck with the 350 in the same age group and am very happy with it's mileage. Thank's

I had a 99 3500, with a 7.4, and it was a gas hog! albeit the truck
was a loaded down service truck, with a crane etc.. it got about
8-10 mpg- towing, or empty !!!! find a duramax! only way to go!!

I won't be diving it a ton, so I can live with 10 ish, I have had 2 duramaxs in the past and loved them, but don't want $50,000 sitting in my shop 90% of the time. I hated the 6.0 gas motor in my new body style 2000 GMC years ago, that thing drank gas. I pulled a bobcat on my equipment trailer and some supplys and it got around 6 or 7 mpg.

The only comparison I can give you is between a 1993 Suburban 2500 with the 454 vs the 350. I know Vortec was not out then but I can only imagine if anything the percentages would be similar.

When we purchased our Suburban back then the dealer was a good friend of mine. Originally we were going to go with a 350 but he said considering the weight of the Suburban 2500 4x4 he would suggest going with the 454 and let us drive one of each for the week. I am glad he did. We ended up going the 454 rout. Around town there was about 2mpg difference and I consistently got about 10 in that truck. On the highway I would get between 13-14. Towing was where the big difference was. The 454 actually got better mileage and I can only guess it was because it did not have to work as hard and my foot was not in it as much.

I would not hesitate to get a 454 over a 350 again, especially with how you plan to use the truck.

Had a '98 2500 with Vortec 7.4, auto, 4:11 rear, 4x4. 11-12 mpg as daily driver. Can't say how it did towing, but it was bad. I thought it had alot of power till I traded it on an '05 Dmax, what a difference. The diesel made a believer out of me. BC

my 01 dually 8.1 is about 15 empty and 9-10ish loaded.

Thanks alot for the info guys.

I still have my 99 3500 Dually it will get about 8-9 mpg pulling my 24 python with a 2000 lb truck camper in the bed.
I would also like a new Duramax , but the truck is only used for camping and boating.
I can buy a lot of gas for what it would take to replace it.