Help w Duramax diesel plz?

[FishinHatteras]

So I have almost talked the better half into getting a diesel. Looking at a used 2013 Cheby crew cab 3500 w 73k miles. Duramax under the hood of course. I have worked on hundreds of diesel engines in boats and military equip. Never owned a diesel truck before. My plan is to keep this truck for a long time. My question is to the current Duramax owners on the board. What are your real time mpg figures plz? I had a Dodge owner tell me y-day he is gettting btwn 18-21 on the highway empty, and better than 13 towing a 6400lb boat. What are you guys and gals getting?
Thanks!
Gavin

[Melody Ranch]

I love my diesels. Have owned them forever 25 years. I have been thru the bad and the good ones too. 35,000 miles on a two year old truck is high....not high for diesel total milage, just high for two years. I usually get a year or two old with about 5,000 and less than 10,000....a significant savings. Come and look (EBAY) Central Texas, clean, absolutely no rust or Winter driven trucks. It would easily be worth shopping and a trip to purchase. NEVER buy unseen.

[FishinHatteras]

Good point Melody. That is high for only two yrs old. I wasnt too happy w the price of 43500 for starters either. What had me interested was I could take my Michelins, rims and my Leer top with me. Throw em on before I left the lot.
What kind of mileage are you getting?
Thanks,
Gavin

[moosetags]

We have a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Duramax crew cab, long bed, pick-up. We ordered this truck new. His name is Fred and we have had him since August 5, 2011, and he is now about to turn 90,000 miles.

Since new, Fred has carried a 3,200# Outfitter pop-up truck camper full time. His fuel mileage with just the truck camper on board is consistently 12 MPG. When pulling our 25 foot Airstream, he consistently gets 10.5 MPG. I can't provide any fuel mileage figures for an empty truck as Fred does not have any experience without a significant payload.

We have found that driving conditions don't make any significant difference in fuel mileage. We generally drive the highway at or about 65 MPH.

Brian

[tblkfsh]

I have a 2007 2500HD, Duramax (LMM), get 19-20 empty on the highway(70mph) and 10-13 towing a 35' fifth wheel, depending on terrain. I haven't checked it with the Airstream.

Terry

[Melody Ranch]

Keep the Leer and the tires.

[Jack46]

We bought a 2012 2500HD Duramax crew cab with an ARE cap in January at 59,000 miles. It now has about 73,000. Our experience on a recent 11,000 mile trip through the Southwest, CA, OR, and return overall was between 13-14 mph hauling our 30' FC and a load in the truck. Have not yet done a long trip not hauling but in checking from time to time I would guess 17-18 mph.

[Tater]

My 15 2500 Duramax is one of those "high mileage " trucks since we have 25k on it the first year. We bought it to use and see the country. Current mileage towing the 30' Classic is 12-13. Highway empty is 20-21. Around town is 17-18. Towing the car trailer which weights about 5k loaded is 16.0 at 1020 miles right now. Lifetime mileage to date is 15.7 at 26,117 miles. My wife enjoys driving the truck as well. I now start paying for oil changes and their retail price is $89. I get 50% off since I have other GM vehicles that are serviced there.

[pmclemore]

My 2004 Chev Silverado 2500 Duramax gets about 18 on its own and 13 pulling my 31' Limited.

Pat

[Thiatt55]

Just recently traded my Duramax diesel in on a new Ram 3.0 EcoDiesel. I had the GMC from 2007 till three weeks ago put on 87000 mi. Towing about half those miles. Towing a 25 FC. Mine was a crew cab long bed dually. Too big for comfort especially when not towing. I'd get 18-19 on the Hwy, and 11-13 towing. But one thing I did not like is I only got 12-14 crawling around (slow driving in town). Hope that helps.

One thing it did have was insane power and speed., fastest vehicle I ever owned.

[amaier7771]

We have two Chevy Duramax trucks!

A 2003 2500HD Crew, short-bed Duramax with the LB7 engine. We have 177,000 miles on it. Empty we get 22-25MPG at about 65MPH, and pulling a fairly heavy 5th wheel, we got around 11-12mpg at about 60MPH.

A 2007 2500HD Crew long-bed Duramax with the LBZ engine. We have 115,000 miles on it. Empty we get about 19-23MPG, pulling the Airstream we get 12-14MPG, at roughly the same speeds as those listed above for the 2003.

It seems that speed is a huge factor, and if you use the "tow-haul" Allison transmission mode engaged. If we drive either Duramax over 70MPH, the milage plummets!!!

There was a recall on early Duramax LB7 engines, in which GM replaced things having to do with the injectors(at no cost to us even though the milage was about 122,000 at the time). Other than that, regular fuel filter changes, oil changes, brake pads, and shocks, both trucks have been almost trouble free. We were pulling a 5th wheel that was over 10,000lbs, and up until last fall we also hauled a LANCE truck camper in both of the trucks. We have since sold the 5th Wheel SOB, and the Truck camper. We now exclusively pull the 25FB Airstream with a Polaris RZR UTV in the bed of the 2500HD Longed. Our travels with these trucks is camping is all over the USA, but mostly in the Rocky Mountains.

My better half was dead set against a diesel, fearing noise and black smoke of the 1980's and 1990's diesel pickups! I finally talked her in to the 2003 after a test ride in which she could not hear the diesel engine and a great ride!! Then when I was about to trade the 2003 in on the 2007, she confided in me on the way to the dealer, that "she hated her minivan" and wanted to have my 2007 Chevy as her driver!! Never looked back and we are both happy, and our neighbors look at us strangely sometimes having two 3/4ton Diesel trucks in our driveway!!

Get the "2013 Cheby crew cab 3500 w 73k miles" you will not regret it!!

Al

[Foiled Again]

Be sure you compare based on cab size and bed size. Also 2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive. And of course the size of the Airstream and all of the other stuff one carries in the bed. I won't own another 2 wheel drive - 4 WD won't always get you unstuck, but it's way better than 2 WD. Will probably cost .5 to 1 mpg mileage. I had the full cab and super long bed - 8 feet. This time I'll be flexible - still want a back seat but will consider a club cab, and will get the 6.5 foot bed (the super long one took 4 lanes in opposite direction to do a U turn!(with or without the Airstream!))

My mileage experiences agree with what others have said, ESPECIALLY going fast while towing - and around town mileage does stink, and isn't good for a diesel. When I sell the EcoBoost I will almost surely get a POS sub-compact for round town driving.

Paula

[Tater]

My 15 is 2WD. I have no need for a 4 WD. But to each their own. My trucks have always been 2WD.

[greenflag]

I have 136000 on my 2008 crew cab 2wd Duramax. No major repair issues. I drove it to Oklahoma with four adults and luggage at 70 mph. I averaged 21+ for the trip. I towed my 25' AI to Alaska on a 5 month 15,000 mile trip. Most of the mileage towing. Side trips were taken in a sedan towed by another couple in a motorhome. I averaged 14.3 for the entire trip. I tow at 62 mph. When I bought my 30 footer, I lost about 1 MPG.
In seven years the Duramax has never left by the side of the road.
I previously towed with a gas powered truck. As long as I tow I will not go back to gasoline.

[dannydimitt]

Duramax V8 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duramax_V8_engine


Wikipedia


The Duramax is a General Motors diesel engine family for light-and medium duty trucks, designed by GM and Isuzu. The 6.6-liter Duramax is produced by DMAX ...‎Engine RPO Codes - ‎See also - ‎References - ‎External links

[bauere]

Our 2500HD Duramax short bed crew cab with 50 gal aux tank in bed (86 total) is a 2011 with full storage in bed (ARE CAP) pulling Classic 30 @about 9000 lbs. there are 74000 miles, broke in at 53K. Towing ranges between 13.5 over Rockies, 15.2 in Kansas/Nebraska. No trailer run from Mount Airy, Nc to Boston we saw 21. The best part is engine performance and integrated trailer break control with exhaust break, an amazing truck to tow with, cruise control is great.

[Antique Pedaler]

Originally Posted by Jack46

We bought a 2012 2500HD Duramax crew cab with an ARE cap in January at 59,000 miles. It now has about 73,000. Our experience on a recent 11,000 mile trip through the Southwest, CA, OR, and return overall was between 13-14 mph hauling our 30' FC and a load in the truck. Have not yet done a long trip not hauling but in checking from time to time I would guess 17-18 mph.

Same here on our '05.

[Betty Farmer]

He is about right - depends on the terrain. We have owned a 2002 GMC since it came off the line. Have had absolutely no problems. Has over 100,000 miles and have no intention to replace it. Pull every kind of trailer with it, travel trailer, heavy goose-neck horse trailer w/living quarters, a long goose - neck utility trailer - loaded. Doesn't make it any difference as to weight behind it. Good luck.

[cwf]

2012 4x4, Dmax, Crewcab short box.

It just rawks..... 11-12 'city'... 10-11 towing 34'AS...23-25 running light, no AS, nothing in the bed (60-65MPH). Bump up to 75MPH and you hit lower... 17-18MPG.

I have had 2 failed injectors under warranty, Both 'original' batteries in the first year, replaced (not under warranty)...one set of Goodyear 20" stock tires...upgraded to Michelins..

I replaced all fluids at about 38k miles... and it just runs great...

[nipperguy]

We have a 2009 2500 HD with 78K miles. Mileage: 20-21 on road empty, 13-15 pulling 31' '73 Sovereign that weighs approx. 6700 lbs. Bought truck new and have been very happy.