Gas vs. Diesel Tow Rigs

[lightning59]

I would like input on gas vs. diesel on used trucks, any thoughts are appreciated. Total cost of ownership (oil changes,fuel and filters,batteries,repair costs) I am looking at all makes and and I have always benefited from aking the questions before buying. Models and years to stay away from etc. Thanks in advance. P.S. i don't pull my boat very often but I pull utilty trailers and always like more power than I need to barely enough to get the job done. Biggest truck I have owned was a light 3/4 Chevy, 5.7 4x4.

[NICKYPOO]

I love my Duramax/Allison. Great fuel mileage, tons of torque and very little maintenance. The Allison trany is worth every penny. I've put on one set of brakes and one fuel filter in 94,000+. Besides regular oil/fluid changes and a K&N, thats it. Best truck I've ever owned and I will not go back to gas.

[lightning59]

NICKYPOO, What model year is your rig?

[noworries]

All considered, I'll say that a diesel truck is more expensive to own than a gas truck, but probably not by much. Oil changes take 3 gallons (at 7,500 miles), fuel per mile is more even with diesel's better mileage, dual batteries, etc. Initial purchase cost is higher. But, be that as it may, now that I've got an '05 Dodge 2500 with the Cummins, I'd never own another gasoline powered full size truck again.

At least with the Dodges, the 3/4 ton and the (single rear wheel) 1-ton trucks differ only in that the 1-tons have helper springs to raise the payload some. However, I put 5,000 lbs of gravel in the bed and the 3/4 ton springs only almost touched the stops. It tows a 10K lb brick trailer over the Grapevine to LA at 65 MPH with throttle (but not EGT) to spare.

Also, the newer gasoline engines make their power at obscene RPMs for a truck. The idea of towing up a long hill at 4,000 RPM makes me cringe.

I love my diesel.

[G-MONEY]

Duramax!!!!!

There is no comparison between gas and diesel when it comes to towing. The most important question is, look at how much you tow and how far you tow. For us it's 260 miles to the lake one way so it was a no brainier. The diesel engines will out last the gas so if you are planning on keeping the truck for a long time it is a something to consider. As far as oil changes you end up changing the oil less often but it cost a lot more to do it. You also have a fuel filter you will have to change every 20-25k miles. The duramax also has a filter for the transmission.

[xpjim1]

I have a 2003 Silverado 1500HD with the 6.0 and 3.73 gears. It has 86,000 miles on it. I have had no issues and have not even replaced the brakes yet. Only issue i had was the dash cluster went out at 70,000 miles and it was replaced under a recall.

Gas milage non towing is 16-17 highway at 70 - 75 mph and about 11-12 town. MPG over 86,000 miles is 13.5. Towing i can get 9.5 mpg if I go around 60 mph. Over that it goes down to the high 7 to low 8 mpg range.

When I bought diesel trucks were about 8K more in price. There are times I wish I had the diesel power but overall I am happy with the gasser

[Domsz06]

if your going to keep a truck for over 10 years then a diesel is the way to go, if you change your rig every couple of years then gas is the way to go. The new gas rigs will pull any boat out there with plenty of power left.

That being said if you don't mind a bit more money up front then diesel is amazing. It will out pull and out last any gas job out there. Right now stay away from ford's. All new diesel's are getting stupid MPG due to the new low sulfer and the new emission requirements put on the rig. That all being said I have a 7.3 powerstroke, my bro didn't turn if off for almost 3 days and averaged 89mph from oklahoma to Steamboat springs and back. (in a blizzard too) The diesel trucks are amazing.

Personally if your not pulling far get a gas. SPBFAN has a new toyota and it pulls his 24v with power to spare.

If your going to buy used stay away from the 6.0 fords. Get a durmax with the allison tranny. Best combo you will ever have and itwill ride so much better too. If you want cheap get a dodge. If you find a steal on a ford, make sure you get a warrenty.

[Timmy!]

'07.5 Duramax here. I traded in my '03 Chevy Avalanche on it 1 year ago and have no regrets. The power is ridiculous and I can get better fuel mileage (19-20 hwy) and towing as well (12 ish vs 8) but diesel does cost more to buy. Look at trade-in or used values as well. I couldn't find a used diesel in decent shape for less $25k when I was looking a year ago and my Avalanche traded in for $14k. You pay more up front but from what I can tell it seems to hold its value better long term.

My main thing was that our lake is 55 miles away and lots of hills (plus we are at 5,000' here) and the Avalanche just felt gutless pulling the RZ2 at highway speeds.

[lightning59]

Thanks for the responses so far, keep them coming. I plan on keeping whatever I purchase for quite some time. It will be four full doors ( 3 kids ) and the occassional adult in the back. I live in the Ozark Mountains ( I know, not REAL mountains but something to consider nonetheless. Thanks again guys!!!

[Dan and Christy]

I'll echo what the others have said. I LOVE my Duramax. I have an 04 2500 HD D/A.

Pros:
More torque
Better fuel mileage
Longer engine life
Power to spare
Great turbo whine

Cons:
Higher initial cost
Oil changes are about $60

[Timmy!]

I live in the Ozark Mountains ( I know, not REAL mountains but something to consider nonetheless. Thanks again guys!!!

If you have any large hills, you will absolutely love the transmission in a diesel! It will downshift automatically for you and hold your speed down the hill as well, it won't coast on you. That is the 2nd best feature of the diesel IMO (torque is 1st).

[NICKYPOO]

NICKYPOO, What model year is your rig?

'04 GMC K2500HD Crew Cab Short Bed.

[NICKYPOO]

If you have any large hills, you will absolutely love the transmission in a diesel! It will downshift automatically for you and hold your speed down the hill as well, it won't coast on you. That is the 2nd best feature of the diesel IMO (torque is 1st).

X2!

[Fast1911]

I love my Duramax/Allison. Great fuel mileage, tons of torque and very little maintenance. The Allison trany is worth every penny. I've put on one set of brakes and one fuel filter in 94,000+. Besides regular oil/fluid changes and a K&N, thats it. Best truck I've ever owned and I will not go back to gas.

Duramax!!!!!

There is no comparison between gas and diesel when it comes to towing. The most important question is, look at how much you tow and how far you tow. For us it's 260 miles to the lake one way so it was a no brainier. The diesel engines will out last the gas so if you are planning on keeping the truck for a long time it is a something to consider. As far as oil changes you end up changing the oil less often but it cost a lot more to do it. You also have a fuel filter you will have to change every 20-25k miles. The duramax also has a filter for the transmission.

'07.5 Duramax here. I traded in my '03 Chevy Avalanche on it 1 year ago and have no regrets. The power is ridiculous and I can get better fuel mileage (19-20 hwy) and towing as well (12 ish vs 8) but diesel does cost more to buy. Look at trade-in or used values as well. I couldn't find a used diesel in decent shape for less $25k when I was looking a year ago and my Avalanche traded in for $14k. You pay more up front but from what I can tell it seems to hold its value better long term.

My main thing was that our lake is 55 miles away and lots of hills (plus we are at 5,000' here) and the Avalanche just felt gutless pulling the RZ2 at highway speeds.

I'll echo what the others have said. I LOVE my Duramax. I have an 04 2500 HD D/A.

Pros:
More torque
Better fuel mileage
Longer engine life
Power to spare
Great turbo whine

Cons:
Higher initial cost
Oil changes are about $60

X5 Love my 07 Duramax..........it'll almost pull the corner stone out from granny's house............highly recommended for all the reasons above

[gman]

Duramax is the ticket. May also want to consider 4x4. Lots of torque to tow that boat.