decisions, gas or diesel

[wtnhunt]

New duramax sure looks good with the new power and torque ratings significantly higher than last years model.  We were looking last year at possibly getting a new hd truck, salesman(a kid) at the lot when we looked briefly did not know a thing, told me the 2017's would be the same as the 2016's, was he ever wrong!  Anyway weighing out the pro's and con's of gas versus diesel in 2500 trucks and honestly not seeing the advantage of the diesel when the gearing for the gas trucks puts the towing capacities in like equipped virtually the same.  Have a trailer rated at 14k and plan to move some equipment from time to time, either gas or diesel models should pull it fine.  Sure the diesel with the 6 speed allison would get better mpg's, but then diesel typically runs higher than gas.   

Really the biggest concern/question I have is what kind of expense comes along with maintaining the duramax versus a gas engine.  I do my own routine maintenance and typically do my own repairs on our diesel tractors and our cars and trucks, but from all I have heard and read over the years some of the parts on the gm duramax equipped trucks are astronomical and sure the filters and fluids will be higher than the those for the gas.  Can anyone here that has a duramax shed any light on the routine maintenance costs and typical issues upkeep expenses?

[ODH]

I'm kind of in same boat. Have an older 2500 gas with the 6.0. Never had any issues with it pulling what I needed it to. But I have been eyeing a new to me truck possibly with the diesel. I like gas due to the lower upkeep costs of them and there easier to work on. The downside though is the fuel economy.  Pulling my 8000 lb tractor with ballast tires and loader plus weight of dump trailer is pushing 12000 easy. Truck pulls it fine but u never see over 10 mpg. Im sure a diesel would pull a little nicer

[Shaun_300]

If you plan on towing a lot get the diesel for sure, but yes they are more costly to maintain, AND more costly to buy in the first place. Up here you're around $12K to tack onto a truck to add the Duramax/Allison. And also 2011 and newer GM's have the DEF tanks. The 6.0L engine has been proven to be a great engine for the last 17 years. Haven't had to take too many apart in my career and when I did it was due to idiot customers who thought 10,000 mile+ oil change intervals were acceptable. And not checking the oil to boot lol. Remember having to change a crankshaft in one due to a spun rod bearing, there was a quart and a half of oil in the engine when I drained it. Definitely not the engine's fault! 

[wtnhunt]

The truck won't be a daily driver, it will sit some, may not be good for the diesel.  In trucks equipped identically I can get the diesel for about $7500 more.  Don't like the 10 mpg's expectation, my current 3/4 ton with the 350 does a bit better than that even with 4 1500-1800 lb bales on the 3200 lb trailer.  Wonder how much increase in mpg's could potentially be gained with a tune and upgrades?

As much as I would like to have the upgraded duramax, really thinking I am leaning towards the gas.  In the 1 ton and 3/4 ton chevy trucks in crew cab standard box the 3/4 ton with the 6.0 actually has as high a towing capacity with a standard hitch and a higher capacity than the 1 ton equally equipped or with the duramax.  Cost of maintaining is less.  Now just need to find the right dealer to find us the truck.  One local dealer offers a 250,000 mile and 20 year warranty on all vehicles purchased from them, excluding diesel, another selling point away from the diesel.  Kind of holding out til I know the 18's are not gonna have another option for powertrain.  

[ODH]

On 7/19/2017 at 7:49 AM, wtnhunt said:

The truck won't be a daily driver, it will sit some, may not be good for the diesel.  In trucks equipped identically I can get the diesel for about $7500 more.  Don't like the 10 mpg's expectation, my current 3/4 ton with the 350 does a bit better than that even with 4 1500-1800 lb bales on the 3200 lb trailer.  Wonder how much increase in mpg's could potentially be gained with a tune and upgrades?

As much as I would like to have the upgraded duramax, really thinking I am leaning towards the gas.  In the 1 ton and 3/4 ton chevy trucks in crew cab standard box the 3/4 ton with the 6.0 actually has as high a towing capacity with a standard hitch and a higher capacity than the 1 ton equally equipped or with the duramax.  Cost of maintaining is less.  Now just need to find the right dealer to find us the truck.  One local dealer offers a 250,000 mile and 20 year warranty on all vehicles purchased from them, excluding diesel, another selling point away from the diesel.  Kind of holding out til I know the 18's are not gonna have another option for powertrain.  

I tell ya I am serious thinking the same thing. I think the 6.0 is a well proven motor.  Although my buddy of mine bought a new 3500 with the duramax. Deleted emissions. He's pulling around 21000 on his gouseneck fifth wheel hauling water for spraying.  Problem is the price on that was way more than I'd be willing to spend.

[russelon]

I own a gas truck since I don't haul a trailer.

[wtnhunt]

Finally broke down and bit the bullet on a brand new Chevy hd crew cab.  After weighing everything out and looking at the incentives went with the duramax coupled with the Allison 10 speed.  Had to go a ways to get the truck, the 500 mile ride home yesterday averaged 20.9 mpg rolling along mostly at 78.  Pretty impressed so far with the ease this thing gets moving.