Help! Duramax vs. Quadrasteer

[Hit'the'road]

I'm new to the Airstream world, or the trailer pulling world for that matter. I will be getting a 25' International CCD. Now I'm trying to figure out the tow vehicle. I've sought advice from friends and this forum but I'm getting more confused. I want to stick to the Chevy Silverado because of some pricing discounts I can get by having a friend at GM. I've driven the 2500HD Duramax/Allison and the 1500 Quadrasteer. I was impressed with both. The quadrasteer was appealing because it drives more like my Volvo XC, which I will be giving up for the new truck. The Duramax was appealing because of power, fuel efficiency etc.

This will be my only vehicle, used for towing and everything else. I live on a narrow winding road. The turn into my driveway is greater than 90 degrees. I plan to tow at least once a month and about 12 continous weeks each year.

Reading the different threads here, both vehicles have strong supporters. What's the advice when considering between the two?

[Silvertwinkie]

Well, to me it looks like this.

I like the Duramax, but it might be a bit overkill for a 6300lb coach. I mean a good 6.0L with 4.10 gears would do beyond well with your 25' CCD. I am unsure quadrasteer is avail with the Duramax anyway.

So I would suggest that if quadrasteer is important based on tight manuvering, go with the 6.0L w/ 4.10 rear end, quadrasteer and make sure the truck is a 2500. Mostly because the 4L80E is a stronger trans than the 4L60E that they put into the 1500s. There are other perks to a 2500 besides the trans, but the trans is the big one for me.

Now if you are planning a 30' slide or moving to a coach closer to 10,000lbs, by all means, go Duramax, but you might also be walking from quadrasteer (but don't quote me on that).

[MikeL]

Think you'll find the Quad. is only avail. in light duty models, while enough to tow a 25' AS there is about $2000. hit for the quat steer option--quit a bit for the few times you may be using it, plus if you ever decide to move up to a heavier trailer you'll be looking at trading trucks again,---just a thought----Pieman

[Silvertwinkie]

Mike is right...I am thinking of the 3/4 ton Suburban. That one gets quadrasteer. Though the 1500HD is technically a 2500 with 1500 badging. If you had your heart set on quadrasteer and a 1/2 ton, the 1500HD would not be a bad way to go (unless you had your heart set on the Duramax).

[Pick]

Go with the Duramax. With increasing fuel costs, I think the diesel will pay for itself. You will get 4-5 mpg more on the diesel, towing, plus a rock solid Allison transmission.

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Pick

Go with the Duramax. With increasing fuel costs, I think the diesel will pay for itself.

Ironically, diesel prices within a 50 miles raduis of Chicago (including lower Wisconsin and northeast Indiana) are now more expensive than premium 92-93 octane gas.

That aside, even if diesel were .10 to .20 per gallon less expensive, the calculations of the break even point for the expense of the Duramax/Allision combo ($5k) would take near a decade to show depending on how many miles driven per year, knowing that the average driver puts about 12k on the clock anually. Folks should NOT buy a Duramax thinking that there is some huge savings. That savings might be there, but it is not an overnight payback, but it is an overnight, upfront cost to aquire the Duramax. $5000 for the Duramax buys a HECK of a lot of gas...depending on what grade you use, and the cost it is WELL over 2000 gallons at some of the current prices!

Power and torque....Duramax hands down. But I still submit, it is more than the 25' CCD will require.

[Diesel Pusher]

Get the duramax and be done with it. you will be glad you did. Not only is the fuel economy better, the resale will be higher because it costs more initially and the diesels tend to hold their value better than the gassers.

The quadrasteer is a nice feature, but I think you would like the diesel better in the long run. Once you get one, I don't think you would ever consider going back to a gasser.

Just my .o2

[Janets Husband]

I own a Duramax, I tow with a Duramax, Therefore I am!
Don't wish you had done it differently.
Be the Duramax, be one with the tow.
Let a whole new world open for you.

[hookedonclassic]

I made the leap to 3/4 ton and Duramax this summer and for the first time am not under powered or pushing the tow rating limit. I agree. I'll never go back to less of a truck.

[davidz71]

Diesel is 6-10 cents more here in TN. than unleaded gas but you get more miles per gallon with the diesel than say the 6.0 gas engine. The diesel is more expensive on the front end as noted but you should get most of that money back later. The Allison auto transmission is a better trans than either of the 2 other transmissions. The rear end on the diesel is an 11.5" model that is the same as on the 3500. The diesel pulls harder than the 6.0 gas engine so consider it if you plan on pulling a bunch of hills.

Having said that, the only factor with the 25' unit you mentioned would be how long you intend to keep the truck. If you plan on only keeping the truck for a few years before trading in then I would just go with the 6.0 in the 1500hd and the 4L80e (or newer 4L85e?) transmission. If you plan on keeping the truck for a long time like I do when I am pleased with a vehicle, say 10 or more years, or plan on going with a heavier trailer later, go with the diesel. You will probably get more out of it than a worn out 6.0 engine.

Good luck on your choice.

[Over59]

It would be a lot easier if they put the duramax in a burb with the quad. Hands down the winner. Coming to a show room near you in 200?. Until then it looks like the 1500HD is the compromise position. Of course if you have the max and run across that once in a lifetime deal on a 34'er that has to go today.

Now I hear those diesel engines burn home heating oil in some states

[andyfuson]

I love my new Chevy, pulls like a dream.

[Soiree]

I have the Duramax, love it. Towed the 25 Classic from AZ to AK this summer. Averaged 62 MPH, 15+ MPG. The turning radius of the straight truck is not all that different from the Quad.

[Big Dee]

It's the QuadraSteer, hands down! Here's why:

1) You mentioned tight turns. If you haven't test driven QS then you have NO IDEA what a difference it makes. It's night and day. I can turn circles around any truck without QS. I can manuver around parking lots better than some small cars. I kid you not. As for towing with QS, well, there is NOTHING like it. Again, if you haven't tried, you have NO idea what a difference it makes in manuvering. As for the idea of paying big bucks to use QS rarely, well it is used every time the truck turns. Worth every last cent.

2) Who wants a big, noisy, smelly, clumsy diesel as their everyday commuter car. Not me. Especially when Duramax power is not needed. A 1500HD with a 6.0 Vortec will tow that 25' AS up any mountain pass in North America with aplomb. Then when you unhook, you have fun truck to go explore with. And the rest of the year, a great everyday vehicle.

All I can say is test drive QS yourself. It will be a no-brainer!

[Silvertwinkie]

Originally Posted by Over59

It would be a lot easier if they put the duramax in a burb with the quad. Hands down the winner. Coming to a show room near you in 200?.

2006 is sounding like the next chance it might happen. I mean GM is just like Ford when it comes to keeping up with the Joneses....and Ford packs their diesel in their Excursion.....

[Big Dee]

Apparently, Delphi and GM are having trouble mating QS with the bigger engine. Don't know what exactly is the problem but I hope they get it worked out. Seems GM hasn't worked on it very hard on solving the problem. Delphi is not happy with GM. Look for QS to be on Nissan's Titan and Armada in 2006.

[PWRSTRK]

Diesel trucks are amazing these days. Not smelly, clumsy, etc. Ours is smooth, quiet and fun to drive. The power is amazing. The power is SO consistent. We have a Ford, but I'd buy diesel anyday. Tom

[j54mark]

On the plus side, my Duramax gets excellent economy, produces no visible soot, emits no detectable smells, and is little different in noise level than any large displacement gas engine.

On the down side, I had the pleasure of watching the dealer back my crew cab short bed out of a service bay today (they offer $11.95 oil changes for as long as you own the vehicle - can't pass that up). He went up, then back, then back a bit more, then up, then back, back, up, and finally got it out. What they do with crew cab long beds, I have no idea.

But really, I use mine for daily transportation, and it is not bad at all in standard parking lots.

Mark

[RivetED]

Originally Posted by Hit'the'road

...What's the advice when considering between the two?

"DIESEL.!"

[Hit'the'road]

Thank you everybody for your thoughts.

I guess one of the problems I'm having is that I just don't have enough experience towing a trailer to know how to evaluate my needs. I am somewhat nervous about being able to maneuver in tight spaces, especially at my home. So, I lean to the quadrasteer. But I don't want to be under powered when trying to get over Donner Summit on I-80, or not have a transmission that will go the distance, or break the bank because of fuel costs. So, I lean to the Duramax. I've owned my Toyota pick up for 14 years, so this will probably be a long term purchase. It there were a Duramax/Quadrasteer option I would do that.

I don't want to end up after a year wishing I had made a different choice. I guess I can always change if my tow vehicle doesn't work out the way I had hoped.

The whole trailer and truck buying experience is getting to be stressful. I'm going to need a quiet lake to take my AS to in order to recuperate when it is all done.