diesel or gas

[djorgensen3]

I have had 1/2 ton trucks and SUV's for years and they will pull a small car trailer with a car on it ok, but not great. I also hunt and go out of town quite often throughout the year. Now I recently(within the last two years) took my 1/2 ton with car trailer and my father-in-law took his 3/4 ton diesel to go 500 miles to get two 75 corvettes that were given to me as project cars. My "little" truck did okay but the 3/4 ton diesel did it a WHOLE lot better. He could pull away from me going uphill like it was no problem....cuz it wasn't! He also could stop much better than I could. The back of my truck dragged its butt the whole way while the big truck sat level. What does this mean? It is much safer to drive while pulling a trailer. I also used my 1/2 ton to pull a 28' toyhauler last September and it was probably at least 1000lbs over the towing limit of the little truck. It was empty too. But it was my only option at the time. I was afraid of blowing up the tranny the whole time. I will give it to the 5.3 though, it did the job. My in laws pull that same trailer with 6.0HD and it has heaps of trouble doing it. I really liked my little truck however I traded her in on a 2011 2500HD Diesel CC 4x4. I LOVE THIS TRUCK!!! I pulled a car on a trailer and had to keep looking in the mirror to see if I was still hooked up. And with the four wheel disks and BUILT IN brake controller, it stopped on a dime. All in all, it steers better, rides better, has more room and when I am using it as a truck it is much safer to do those pulling jobs even though I don't do it often. Good luck in your decision but I hope you pick up 3/4 ton at least.

[WSSix]

Oh, I intend on getting a 2500. I'm just not sure if I want or need the diesel since I won't be towing that often.


Thanks

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by WSSix

Oh, I intend on getting a 2500. I'm just not sure if I want or need the diesel since I won't be towing that often.


Thanks

Brother in Law gets a new work truck every two years -- his job is heavy equipment (lift trucks) -- normally he gets an F250 diesel... last truck he gets GAS... We've towed to California and back - two diesels and his gas truck -- all with trailers and hot rods... him being heaviest... we never lose him on a hill... and he's getting roughly the same milage we are with the diesels. Biggest difference - he just doesn't have the low end grunt... but he's never falling behind!

It remains to be seen about whether or not he'll take a big hit on the resale market. But then the diesel cost 7K or so more up front - and lately - I've paid more per gallon for diesel than he is for regular gas....

[Stuart Adams]

Originally Posted by vinz68

I bought my 08 2500 duramax new and 70,000 miles later I still love it. Best truck I have ever owned!!

Ditto.

[jjarky]

I've got an 08' 1500. I got the Vortec Max package which comes with the 6.0, basically same engine they put in the 2500 if you go gas. I added a set of firestone airbags in the rear to handle some extra load and keep the rear from sagging under weight of a trailer. I'm pretty sure my truck was rated at 10,000 lbs tow capacity.

I really like the 6.0. I have pulled many cars on my steal floored 17ft trailer many times. It pulls great, but really sucks the gas! Like 6mpg in tow/haul mode if your hitting hills and running 70+ (6" lift and 35" tires probably doesn't help that either ). I have also pulled a 24ft enclosed bumper pull, but wouldn't want to do that very often.

If you are going to be pulling a lot, I would go with diesel. If you will be towing occasionally, the 6.0 does a fine job.

My buddy has an 05 diesel with a programmer and he smokes me. No contest.

My next truck will be diesel.

[Vegas69]

I was in the same boat about 2 years ago. I wanted to buy a Chevy/GMC but felt the 2500 was just a little more truck than we needed and it was really tough to find a 6.0 1500 with the gearing and towing package needed to pull 8-10k. It gets driven around town and grocery store parking lots more than to the track and on hunting/fishing trips. Hate to say it, but we ended up with a Tundra. It just feels more nimble and all teh 5.7's tow 10,500. I also like the back up camera and misc. options that are easy to find in the resale market. Not with this and that and this option bull **** on the Chevy/Gmc. I've towed to CA and back with it 3 times now. If you've ever dont that, you know the El Cajon and Baker grades in mid summer are a true test for a truck. I pull them both at 55mph and the temp gauges don't even move with a 24ft enclosed with a car and gear.(8-9k) I could pull them faster, but I don't want to beat up my truck. It says Made in USA.

[wmhjr]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Brother in Law gets a new work truck every two years -- his job is heavy equipment (lift trucks) -- normally he gets an F250 diesel... last truck he gets GAS... We've towed to California and back - two diesels and his gas truck -- all with trailers and hot rods... him being heaviest... we never lose him on a hill... and he's getting roughly the same milage we are with the diesels. Biggest difference - he just doesn't have the low end grunt... but he's never falling behind!

It remains to be seen about whether or not he'll take a big hit on the resale market. But then the diesel cost 7K or so more up front - and lately - I've paid more per gallon for diesel than he is for regular gas....

Sorry Greg but I'm calling bs. There is zero possibility of him weighing more, pulling just as strong AND getting remotely near the same mileage. Zero. You'd have to invent new laws of physics. No way now how no time.

[street3285]

I recommend diesel. They cost a little more in maintenance, but I believe they will last longer is taken care of properly. The power is unreal and the mileage is good for a truck that heavy. i have a 2008 Duramax, and will never go back to a gas again. This might even be the last truck I buy. 65K and still strong.

I have it programmed with a 4" turbo back. So my mileage is a little better without the smog stuff on it.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by wmhjr

Sorry Greg but I'm calling bs. There is zero possibility of him weighing more, pulling just as strong AND getting remotely near the same mileage. Zero. You'd have to invent new laws of physics. No way now how no time.

Okay -- I just made it up. Except that it's true. I personally wouldn't believe it except that we've now made 3 or 4 trips together... with his new gas truck.

The milage he's getting is 7+ ------- I get 10.4 to me that's close enough when you do the math and figure what I paid EXTRA for the diesel. And I pay more per gallon for diesel at each fill up.

The last two trips I'm dragging my '32 Ford - he's got my Nomad that weighs almost DOUBLE the '32.... So you can do that math as well.

[clill]

Hey Greg...