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Roadtoaster · 08-30-2006, 08:22 AM

When I bought my AS in April I thought my 2005 Silverado 1500HD CC with the 6.0L and 3.73 would be more than adequate as a TV. Mileage was acceptable at 11 or so but it did lack power on the hills. Since I was uncomfortable with a screaming engine and knowing that mountain towing is on the agenda next year, I bought a 2006 Silverado 2500HD CC with the 6.6L diesel and Alison tranny and 3.73. Wow, what a difference!!! Real acceleration and climbs hills like there is nothing behind it. First trip (less than 1000 miles on the TV) produced 14.7 mpg at 60/62 mph (no mountains). I suspect that 15 mpg is achieveable after the engine breaks in.

My point in writing this is not to tout GM, just diesels in general. This is my first diesel truck. There is a little more maintenance but it appears they offer some real benefits to those of you/us that will be towing in the mountains or that live in hilly areas.

Of course, I am a little proud as well!

Greg

Boondocker · 08-30-2006, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptrvr

First trip (less than 1000 miles on the TV) produced 14.7 mpg at 60/62 mph (no mountains). I suspect that 15 mpg is achieveable after the engine breaks in.
Greg

Congrats on the new rig Greg, I'm currious, was this interstate or 2 lane milage?

Jim Clark · 08-30-2006, 08:37 AM

Greg, thanks for the info. I have a 2005 25' Safari and need to move from a F-150 to a diesel. I have a few months to wait as I want to finsh paying out the trailer first.

Jim

Roadtoaster · 08-30-2006, 08:44 AM

About 25% interstate with the balance in 2 lane, with several small towns causing slow down and accelerating again. I consider this to be average driving. All intersate in this part of the country should produce something north of 15.5, I hope

Greg

Roadtoaster · 08-30-2006, 09:06 AM

Jim, do a little Google work on the upcomming changes in early 2007 to diesels. If I am understanding the changes correctly, diesels produced in early 2007 will be required to run on the new, cleaner burning diesel fuel. Since there are many more "dirty burners" around, I figured I might have a hard time finding the new fuel early on. I don't know if stations will have to install new tanks or just how this will be handled. It APPEARS the 2007's can't run on the dirty fuel and the earlier models may have trouble running on the cleaner fuel. All of this helped me to make the trade now.

Do some research as I am not all knowing in this area.

Greg

Jim Clark · 08-30-2006, 09:18 AM

Thanks for the information, I will do some research.

Jim

redeagle313 · 08-30-2006, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptrvr

When I bought my AS in April I thought my 2005 Silverado 1500HD CC with the 6.0L and 3.73 would be more than adequate as a TV. Mileage was acceptable at 11 or so but it did lack power on the hills. Since I was uncomfortable with a screaming engine and knowing that mountain towing is on the agenda next year, I bought a 2006 Silverado 2500HD CC with the 6.6L diesel and Alison tranny and 3.73. Wow, what a difference!!! Real acceleration and climbs hills like there is nothing behind it. First trip (less than 1000 miles on the TV) produced 14.7 mpg at 60/62 mph (no mountains). I suspect that 15 mpg is achieveable after the engine breaks in.

My point in writing this is not to tout GM, just diesels in general. This is my first diesel truck. There is a little more maintenance but it appears they offer some real benefits to those of you/us that will be towing in the mountains or that live in hilly areas.

Of course, I am a little proud as well!

Greg

Greg,

Congratulations on your new Duramax powered pickup. But really, it is OK to tout GM , as they have designed and built an awesome towing machine! The best heavy duty diesel pickup for 2005 & 2006 according to JD Power & Associates Quality Survey.

Thanks for sharing how much you like your truck!

dickwhite1 · 08-30-2006, 09:37 AM

I'm trying to sort through which 2006 Diesel to buy - Ford 250, Dodge Ram or Sierra/Silverado 2500 and have only managed to become thoroughly confused. Would apreciate coments - positive or negative- on any or all of these trucks with respect to reliability, comfort, economy, safety, etc. One of the disadvantages of living in a counry with so many choices is that we have so many choices! thanks for your help.

Roadtoaster · 08-30-2006, 09:46 AM

Redeagle313, you are right but I was trying to keep from slamming other TV's!

Dickwhite1, keep in mind I am partial to GM but I did drive all 3 brands before deciding on the Duramax. I figured if I was going to lay out big bucks (big to me anyway) I would go with what I thought was best. The dodge dealership put up a strong fight, even offering to let me take a new vehicle home, hook it up to my AS and take it for a spin. No one else made that offer. Drive all of them and look at the ratings; and good luck in the hunt.

Greg

BillTex · 08-30-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dickwhite1

I'm trying to sort through which 2006 Diesel to buy - Ford 250, Dodge Ram or Sierra/Silverado 2500 and have only managed to become thoroughly confused. Would apreciate coments - positive or negative- on any or all of these trucks with respect to reliability, comfort, economy, safety, etc. One of the disadvantages of living in a counry with so many choices is that we have so many choices! thanks for your help.

First; I admit to being a GM fan, just moved from a 1/2 ton to a 2006 D/A CC. The new truck now has about 3500 miles on it, 50% of those are towing. I average about 15mpg towing, a mixture of interstate and 2 lane mountainous roads in New England (well, we call them mountains here...). To call this thing a towing machine is an understatement, the D/A combo has to be driven, under a heavy load, to be appreciated.
So far the economy of the diesel is just ok-I am told it will get better with mileage, and it has improved slightly.
It is the first diesel I have owned, and my experience is hooking up a rig like this (whatever brand you choose) really takes the stress out of towing. We have camped more this year than ever. And made more trips further from home than ever. I expect to keep up this addiction now, we still have several more trips planned for this year...it really is much nicer to tow with a proper truck!

Streamer1 · 08-30-2006, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Greg, thanks for the info. I have a 2005 25' Safari and need to move from a F-150 to a diesel. I have a few months to wait as I want to finsh paying out the trailer first.

Jim

Jim Clark, what has been your experience with your f150 which has motivated you to switch to a diesel?

ZoominC6 · 08-30-2006, 06:56 PM

Congrats Greg. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine. The torque is awesome isn't it? I just hope the interior will hold up as long as the power plant is supposed to. Happy trails.

Roadtoaster · 08-30-2006, 07:20 PM

I hope the same thing about the interior as I plan to drive the wheels off of this one; although it may well out live me. It is one impressive vehicle.

Greg

StingrayL82 · 08-30-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dickwhite1

I'm trying to sort through which 2006 Diesel to buy - Ford 250, Dodge Ram or Sierra/Silverado 2500 and have only managed to become thoroughly confused. Would apreciate coments - positive or negative- on any or all of these trucks with respect to reliability, comfort, economy, safety, etc. One of the disadvantages of living in a counry with so many choices is that we have so many choices! thanks for your help.

Dick,

We bought a 2005 Dodge CTD last summer. This summer we took our Sovereign on its first cross-country trip. Going up Wolf Creek Pass, CO, we got 18.2MPG, averaging 60MPH. In Idaho, we got the same results going up to Cascade. On flat ground, we get anywhere between 19/21MPG. I'm pretty happy with those results.

Frederic

hookedonclassic · 08-30-2006, 07:48 PM

Greg. Congrats. I love our D/A. I'm still amazed at how smooooth the Allison shifts. And wait until you get into the mountains. Not only the power but how the tranny works for you going up and down the mountains. With about 33,000 miles on mine, I'm getting 13 on a good day and 11.5 more typcial but I'm in the 65+ mph range towing. 19-20+ solo. It sure is sweet with our 34'. I'd never go smaller again.

GO Bob · 08-30-2006, 08:19 PM

Don't for get that while the Alison will down shift on a down grade it will up shift to stop the motor from over reving. I can't remember at what RPM, but the sound is like it is over reving. Be ready to aply the brakes!!!

Bradjun1 · 08-30-2006, 08:22 PM

Greg,
Welcome to the Dura Max world. We have just put 80,000 miles on our 02 DuraMax without a problem. We just traveled 5920 miles and our trip mpg was 15.22. We were towing our 74 Tradewind. When we towed our 99 34 Limited on a 8000 mile trip our trip mpg was 13.78. That sure beat the 9 mpg of our 454. Hope yours works out over time. Brad

hookedonclassic · 08-30-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GO Bob

Don't for get that while the Alison will down shift on a down grade it will up shift to stop the motor from over reving. I can't remember at what RPM, but the sound is like it is over reving. Be ready to aply the brakes!!!

Coming down the Rockies into Denver, the tranny downshifted and I'd have to watch the tach as it would redline unless I used the brakes. Another thing to be aware of is that in hot weather, the electric fan will kick in at about 220 degrees and it sounds like the engine is really reving but the tach does move at all. It's just the fan. It'll run for a few minutes and gradually shut down. It's just doing it's job.

68 Overlander · 08-30-2006, 08:42 PM

Congrats on your new truck. While I'm a PSD owner and fan, I respect the advancments and quality of the others...Dodge too for their awesome 5.9. Owning a diesel is peace of mind that only come through experience. You will love that truck!

Goin camping · 08-30-2006, 08:49 PM

I upgraded from a F-150 to a F-250 PSD. What an improvement! I pull grades with my trailer at the speed limit with plenty left. Buy whatever make you like as they all have pluses and minuses but in the end they all tow like a son of a gun!!