Diesel Tow vehicle options

[Chevy454]

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Granted, he has some work on the truck but he's pulling down 20-22 mpg on the highway and still gets around 14 mpg towing the trailer with two 'Mud Trucks' on it.

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We have the exact same truck, and we don't get NEAR that kinda mileage...empty or loaded. Problem is, car trailers are basically rolling bricks, and eat power/mileage...in fact, we get about 10mpg with our single enclosed with the Dmax and about 8mpg or so with it behind the 8.1L...empty is around 16mpg & 11mpg, respectively (that's here in the hills/curves, both get a couple mpg better on interstate). But before we added the Edge/Attitude and did some other little tricks, we thought we weren't especially fond of the Dmax...

[ORIGLS6]

I agree. I notice a huge difference between pulling my 18' open trailer with a car on it vs. my 20' enclosed.
I like the analogy of the rolling brick. I used to describe my son's Jeep as having the aerodynamics of a brick pulling a parachute.

[Chevy454]

Some numbers on my 2 trucks, per 1,000 miles (assuming diesel @ $4.30/gal & 16/10 mpg, gas @ $3.50 & 11/8 mpg):

<u>Unloaded</u>
Dmax: $268
8.1L: $318
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Dmax saves you $50 per 1,000 miles

<u>Loaded:</u>
Dmax: $430
8.1L: $437
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Dmax saves you $7.50 per 1,000 miles

Ironically, the more expensive fuel gets, the greater the savings will become with the Dmax (assuming the better mpg), but folks can't stand paying high-$4 to $5 per gallon of diesel, or having to pay well over $100 to fill it up...so they've been parking them!

[Chevy454]

I will say this, though, it's a HECK of a lot easier to crank out big power from our Dmax than our 8.1L! Just reach up and hit a button, and WHAM-O, 150 extra hp!!

[ORIGLS6]

Local prices today:

87 octane gasoline $3.89
89 octane gasohol $3.79
Diesel $4.84


Illinois taxes!

[Chevy454]

Hey Cumby: has your son had to have the injectors in that LB7 replaced yet?

[ORIGLS6]

Yep. And it was back in a couple of weeks ago for another fuel delivery issue, but I don't recall what it was. No real problem. Just something he had read and wanted to have checked out.
Did you have the whole 'Bosch return/rebuild debacle'? He was without the truck for two weeks.

[Chevy454]

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Did you have the whole 'Bosch return/rebuild debacle'? He was without the truck for two weeks.

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Yep...I was loaded and headed to Martin, MI, for a race when ours quit...unfortunately, it was *before* the final revised version of injectors, so I'm just waiting for it to happen again. The ballbuster is the LB7s are all running out of the 7/200 warranty and GM/Bosch has said they've ceased all R&amp;D on the injectors...so, no solution to the problem, and they are EXPENSIVE to fix on you own dime.

[ORIGLS6]

Time to trade up.

[CamarosRus]

Thanks for your expereinced opinions/comments.

Evidently no one on this web site (being G.M. muscle car owners) is a fan of the Dodge/Cummins with 6 speed stick.
I had been looking at a 2003 (non catalytic convertor) 3500 single rear tire Quad cab long bed six speed but could get seller to come down on price. He claims to get 20mpg empty with a stock cummins and hadnt pulled any box trailer to know.

If I go with a USED Chev/GMC truck I'm inclined to like the 2500 extended cab 2WD LONG bed. I want the long bed because it seems so much more useful when actually using the truck for misc chores, or possibly carrying a small camper when on the road with car trailer, (or has anybody made a bunk area in front of trailer?????)

What are some absolutes on buying a used Duramax regarding knowledge of previous maintenance. So many used trucks do not have proof of anything ?????

This truck will sit alot and I dont have a business to write it off against...........

Thanks,