Best GM Tow truck for 22 Foot enclosed trailer with 4000 LB GS?

6.0 and Duramax will get about the same towing 10-11 MPG, 6.0 might get 15-18 if you keep speeds down and Duramax 20+ if you keep speed down, (stay out of the turbo!)

 

I have an '05 Chevy crew cab, long bed, 4x4 with the duramax and allison trans. I calculate all my mpg's by hand. On the highway, if you stay 60-65, I get between 20-22 mpg, empty. While towing my car on an open trailer and all my junk in the back, I get around 16-17 mpg. Towing my 31' camper all loaded down with the kids, bikes, wood, etc. I get between 11-13 mpg.

The reason I bought the diesel is because I do drive about 25K a year. And on the web sites I looked and and people I talked to, the 6.0 was only getting about 13-15 mpg. So for me, even averaging 18 mpg overall, I'm getting 20% better mileage. Of course, right when I bought my truck is when diesel prices went past gas prices and stayed there. And, on average, they're about 10% more than gas. So I look at it as I still came out ahead. At today's prices, it is going to take me about 4 years just to break even on the additional cost of the diesel engine. But I plan on keeping this truck for 13 years, or around 300K. I maintain it well, so it should last me. And during those first four years, I've got enough pulling power to yank a house off of it's foundation. I love it and don't regret the purchase a bit.

 

Thanks Roberta and Phillip
That is exactly the info I was looking for:beers2:

 

Pros & Cons

The cost to service the diesel engine and the diesel fuel system will be higher also. Some of the owners can correct me here if I am wrong but I would think the costs add up to a considerable sum of money.
I would check with the GMC dealer, I figure they will have some hard to turn down deals around the end of the first quarter on new trucks.
The 6.0 GMC 2500HD 4X4 with towing package would be my recommendation unless you are towing very frequently.

The company I work for has a 05 Chevy 3500 8.0 with the Allison trans.
That 8.0 engine makes some serious power, and it is a gas hog. I like the way you can blip the throttle going down a hill and the trans. will downshift to slow you down.

Bert

 

Thanks for your feedback Bert

 

I have been looking and thinking about a diesel but I see no deals on the horizon until GM puts on a real incentive to buy. I have a 99 LT z71 4 wheel drive with 150K and it still runs just like the day we bought it. But you cannot get anything for it on a trade.

 

As far as maintenance, the diesel engine does hold 10 quarts instead of 5.

The air filter is about $25 if you buy 3 at a time.

The fuel filter is about $35 if purchased 3 at a time. And you really have to change them every 10K miles.

That's about all I can think of. There is also an external filter for the Allison trans. Those are about $12. Change about every 10K.

Basically, I spend about $100 every 10K miles on filters and oil. But that is being conservative on most things. I'd rather change something out before it really needs it rather than wait and find it really dirty and clogged.

Just remember also that if you are one of those people who can hang on to a vehicle for a long time, a properly maintained diesel engine will easily go 300K miles. You'd be hard pressed to get that much out of a gas engine. Especially if you tow a decent amount of time with it.

I just got back from a trip to New Orleans with my church. I drove my truck loaded down with 4 other people, all our luggage, and supplies for our week of home building. I drove 80 mph both ways, about 2200 miles for me. I got just over 18 mpg overall. Truck didn't use a drop of oil either. My truck currently has only 58K on it.

 

Jim
That is typical,to get fair money for your truck sell it privately yourself.
Phil
I am a maintenance fanatic on all my vehicles so what you described is fine with me
Thanks

 

I have an '07 Duramax w/ Allison and it tows great. Mileage is good also. Only compaint I have is it smokes like a fiend sometimes. Blue/White smoke. Have had to pull off road several times due to I couldn't see to drive. Chevy says it is "normal" for these trucks to do this. May be normal, but sure is a safety hazard! Probably will get rid of truck soon since Chevy doesn't want to address problem. Service tech at dealer said that they have this problem with a few of the diesels they have sold, but not all of them.Always had Chevies, will be looking at a Dodge diesel next.

 

Steve, we, Turbo Dave and I have escalated your issue with the GM folks, hopefully they will discover the mystery of your truck, and you will love it even more, I hope! Happy New Year to you and Leann see you at Norwalk!

 

I love my 2006 Chevrolet 2500HD Ext.Cab Duramax!!!! Tows great and runs great!!!! By far,one of the quietest diesels on the market.


My recommendation is buy a Chevy.

 

Carl ,not meaning to hi jack the thread but a friend of mine just bought a new Chevrolet roll back wrecker , Duramax, and it is quieter than my gas motor