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JJ1 · 10-26-2016, 02:14 PM

I am in need of some advice. I am upgrading my tow vehicle and having a hard time deciding between the deisel vs gas option on the GMC Seirra Denali 2500. I have been pulling our '08 23D with a Cadillac Escalade AWD with the tow package and Pro SeriesnWD hitch w/ a friction sway control for the past 2 years. And while the Cadi has done a good job, I don't feel it was really designed for this type of use. I am just barely under the gvwr of the tv and the cgvwr is equally close to the limit when loaded. So the jump to a larger more capable tv is what I'm looking at and while a 1/2 ton Seirra would be very capable it isn't THAT much more that he Cadi. And considering we are contemplating a move to a 27' or 28' Airstream, I didn't want to have to upgrade my tv yet again. I was wondering if anyone has some real world mpg estimates for the deisel and/or gas versions of this vehicle? I know the deisel will get marginally better mpg around town and more significant mpg when towing...but how much and is it worth the $8,400 cost of the deisel option.
Thanks for your thoughts!
John

WaLee · 10-26-2016, 02:42 PM

I'm over trucked pulling a 23 with a 2004 silverado duramax and have no regrets. I can pull over the sierras and coastal ranges at hwy speed. A late model diesel might be the way to go. It depends a lot on where you travel. Lots of western mountains and the sierras. Diesel.

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interstateflyer · 10-26-2016, 02:55 PM

We towed our 2014 23D with both a 2012 RAM 1500 gas and this year with a 2016 RAM 2500 diesel.

The RAM 2500 really performed well in the western mountains with the 23D. The exhaust brake system is amazing. Going down steep grades is a breeze. The mileage was 16-16.5, even with the new RAM. It will better with age.

We knew that there was a larger, heavier trailer in our future and that we'd be happier with the 2500. Cargo capacity is twice or more than what the 1500 offered. This is important if you plan on extended trips.

Many people make a 1/2 ton gas truck work. We are just more comfortable with a 3/4 ton diesel.

TinShack · 10-26-2016, 03:59 PM

My 2015 GMC Duramax 2500 Denali has about 28000 miles on it and I purchased it new almost two years ago. According to the onboard trip computer I have recently been getting 21MPG HWY non-towing and about 17MPG mixed driving non-towing. On my last 370 mile trip from the Central Coast of California to Northern California I got 14mpg towing my 28' AS weighing about 8300#(rated 9200#). The more miles I put on the truck, the better the fuel mileage gets.

One thing to keep in mind since you are in California is with new diesels, a smog test will be required after only two years compared to five years for a gasser. The ODBII sensors onboard the vehicle that link to the California emmissions computers can be problematic if you have work done to the vehicle that involves disconnecting the battery or flashing the vehicles computer. This can cause the emissions data to be lost and it will fail the smog test. Ask me how I know

! I basically had to drive my truck several hundred miles so it would register more data to send to the state.

I love this truck though. It is one sweet tow vehicle and gives me peace of mind when towing my heavy trailer.

Definitely worth the extra cost for the diesel over the gasser in my opinion.

blucloud · 10-26-2016, 05:12 PM

We have a 2015 GMC Sierra Diesel, 43000 miles. Average mileage 23+ on open road, 16-17 in town, 15 miles towing. Trailer is 28ft forward bed.
Our old 2006 GMC Diesel gave 15mpg towing a 1987 25ft trailer and a 25 ft enclosed car trailer, loaded. No matter what a diesel will preform better tan gas.

Dave

Bruce B · 10-26-2016, 05:49 PM

You can get a very good idea of the real world fuel mileage of each vehicle (or any vehicle you might wonder about...) by checking the actual results posted by real owners here...http://www.fuelly.com
Bruce

rpenczek · 10-26-2016, 06:15 PM

Traded a 2015 1500 Silverado 5.3 that got 18 mpg mixed and 21 hwy and 13 towing my 30 Classic in the Midwest for a 2016 2500 Denali diesel. I get 19 mixed and 24 hwy and about 14 towing.

The biggest difference is no more trailer wiggle when the 18 wheelers pass me. The extra weight and suspension make a difference.

And the electronics are sweeeeet.

Totally happy with the Denali HD.

Isuzusweet · 10-26-2016, 07:22 PM

IMHO, based on feedback from late model diesel owners........

If you have the means to trade in your diesel every three years to five years depending on the length of the powertrain warranty, by all means go diesel. If you plan on keeping the truck past the warranty period, go gas.

Late model 07+ diesels are going through with diesel emissions standards what gas engines went through in the 80's, with DEF, catalytic converters, particulate filters, exhaust reburn systems (EGR) and the myriad of sensors that govern all this. There are a myriad of different systems and diesel techs are having a hard time keeping up with the changes, (some occuring mid year). This could prove a problem for parts to fix diesel emission systems that go out of date or are proven not to meet government standards (VW).

Gas engines on the other hand have evolved past all their emissions problems to work flawlessly with minimal maintenance. Sparkplugs are 100,000 miles versus every 30,000; emission hardware/software problems are almost non-existent these days.

Will you save $8,400 in fuel over the 3-5 years you own it? Only you can answer that. What I can tell you is that a gasoline truck will lose less in percentage depreciation over a diesel truck as the second hand diesel truck market is very fickle. Just ask 2008-10 Ford Super Duty diesel owners that require the complete removal of the front end, and cab, to service the back diesel injectors. I believe the injectors were $750.00 each plus body removal and replacement. The gas engine models don't require this.

Cheers
Tony

interstateflyer · 10-26-2016, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

IMHO, based on feedback from late model diesel owners........

If you have the means to trade in your diesel every three years to five years depending on the length of the powertrain warranty, by all means go diesel. If you plan on keeping the truck past the warranty period, go gas.

Late model 07+ diesels are going through with diesel emissions standards what gas engines went through in the 80's, with DEF, catalytic converters, particulate filters, exhaust reburn systems (EGR) and the myriad of sensors that govern all this. There are a myriad of different systems and diesel techs are having a hard time keeping up with the changes, (some occuring mid year). This could prove a problem for parts to fix diesel emission systems that go out of date or are proven not to meet government standards (VW).

Gas engines on the other hand have evolved past all their emissions problems to work flawlessly with minimal maintenance. Sparkplugs are 100,000 miles versus every 30,000; emission hardware/software problems are almost non-existent these days.

Will you save $8,400 in fuel over the 3-5 years you own it? Only you can answer that. What I can tell you is that a gasoline truck will lose less in percentage depreciation over a diesel truck as the second hand diesel truck market is very fickle. Just ask 2008-10 Ford Super Duty diesel owners that require the complete removal of the front end, and cab, to service the back diesel injectors. I believe the injectors were $750.00 each plus body removal and replacement. The gas engine models don't require this.

Cheers
Tony

Well...that's depressing...thanks!

Bruce B · 10-26-2016, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by interstateflyer

Well...that's depressing...thanks!

Not sure that advice is universally agreed on...
Certainly there have been teething problems with clean burning diesel technology but there are lots of high mileage clean diesels out there from all manufacturers.
Just sayin...
Bruce

JJ1 · 10-26-2016, 08:01 PM

Many thanks for the replies. I appreciate the point of view and perspective you all share.
Cheers!

tjdonahoe · 10-26-2016, 08:04 PM

I kept my last dodge with 6.7 cumalong 6 speed auto for 10 years and 110,000 miles all towing a31' airstream, coast to coast avg 12.5 mpg, no problems, just traded for another dodge...you take care of them they will run for many years, you don't have to trade every 3 years, I don't know about any late model fords, just what I hear, I haven't had any problems with dodge or the Cummings engine, or the Chrysler 6 speed automatic....

Wanna EB · 10-26-2016, 08:08 PM

I had a 2016 Denali and the Duramax drivetrain is excellent in every way. I traded it based on some tire/road noise that was driving me nuts.

Seinbelld · 10-26-2016, 08:12 PM

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f463...ck-137859.html

This thread may be of interest. We tow a 30 ft International with one. 1,900 lbs of payload and 12,000 lb tow capacity. Haven't tried it out West yet.

Eric

2012FB · 10-26-2016, 08:18 PM

2015 Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab Regular Bed LTZ 2500 Duramax. It is a safe relaxing fantastic TV.

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SailorSteve · 10-26-2016, 08:19 PM

I have a 2011 GMC gas 6.0 that I've been very pleased with. Usually around 15 mpg when not towing and 9-12 mpg towing. The towing mileage went down only slightly on multiple trips across the Rockies from on way to Utah from Indiana and going east to the Carolinas. I was enchanted by the torque of the diesels but decided that with the much higher initial cost and the ridiculous service expense for general maintenance including the urea, I decided I could be a little more patient going over the mountains. The truck could maintain my normal highway speeds on the inclines but I don't like to hear it whine as it shifts down.
I guess it's a matter of patience and frugality vs. the great feel of a diesel's power.

OttawaValleyGuy · 10-27-2016, 11:18 AM

In my humble opinion buying a dieseljust to TOW your trailer is false unless you plan to TOW it a half million miles.
A good gas engine such as a vortex or triton v 10 will do just fine
HOWEVER in a diesel the Dodge Ram with the cummins coupled to a six speed tranny will do an amazing job
But I am sure others will have a few words to say

I spent over 30 years in the bus business as an owner of UP to 26 gas and diesel units.
I say no more

EarlM · 10-27-2016, 11:23 AM

I have a 2015 GMC Denali 6.5 bed SRW 3500 and a 30 Ft Classic the only way to tow. Big Trailer Big Truck--Big Trailer Small TV not safe in my opinion

Earl

xrvr · 10-27-2016, 12:18 PM

If you're not going diesel then I would get a half ton with the extra payload package. My opinion, a 2500 with a gasser the same size as a 1500 gasser is not necessary. Get the best payload rating you can. The 2500 with the gasser will give you the same lack of power as the 1500 with the same engine.

phann · 10-27-2016, 12:41 PM

Our TV: 2016 RAM 2500 with Cummins diesel
Towing MPG average: 14 (mix of freeways, mountains, etc)
Not towing, freeway average: 18 (20-22 without hills)
Not towing, around town: 15-16

Major benefit of diesel: the exhaust brake makes downhill driving/towing sooooo much easier/safer.

We will use our TV for towing about 4-6 months per year. I rarely use it as around-town transportation since we use another vehicle for that purpose. I've read elsewhere in the AirForums that it is better for diesel engines to be driven on longer trips, vs being used frequently for short trips. They say, for example, that it is not good for diesels to be routinely used for stop-and-go commuting, or around-town/running-errands use. I've read that if you won't be using the TV primarily for towing or other heavy-duty work, you may be better off with a gas engine. I'm no expert, but this may be a factor for you to consider.