Can hear it now. It's always, wish I would have bought a diesel.

 

2021 Duramax ơn my 3500HD gets on average 16mpg with a mixture of road and city mileage. This truck weighs in at 10,500 lbs without the boat due to my utility box on the back. It only drops 1-2mpg when I attach our 5k boat.

 

I go through a lot of trucks and the current Chevy HD with the Duramax are the best towing machines I have ever owned. MPG is NOT what it used to be with the older diesel's though. Expect 9-11mpg towing a Travel Trailer or anything else boxed shaped and around 16mpg with a boat.

 

I had a 2012 Ford F250 with the 6.2 liter gas motor and it got 12 mpg on the highway empty. Towing my 5,000 pound travel trailer it was around 7-8mpg. I now have a 2020 GMC Duramax and it will get 20 mpg empty on the highway. Towing my travel trailer is more like 10-12 mpg and my 3,000 pound boat will get 16 mpg or so. If a diesel is in the cards financially I doubt you would regret it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone say that they wish they would have gotten a gas motor as far as performance is concerned.

 

Gas engines have more issues with the mountains. Otherwise, 6000 lbs isn't much. It depends on the gearing as well.

Unless you want to tow a lot, I'd buy a gasoline engine. Note: I've had a diesel since 2006. Many of the 18-24 diesels are still having issues with the fuel injection system. That wouldn't be bad if not for causing a complete engine replacement.

Other than bells and whistles, there isn't much of an advantage for 18s compared to older models assuming they are in good condition.

In any case, I agree with 9-11 for gasoline for towing, and 14-16 for diesel and towing. For hwy driving unloaded I think a reasonable guess is 15-16 for gasoline and 3-4 mpg more for a diesel.

If you will only be towing 6000, I'd also consider a 1/2 ton if that's the real weight. You'll get more comfort and better MPG.

 

With gas, you don’t have to deal with DEF either. I was diesel all the way until recently. Now I’ll go gas for towing under 12000 lbs.

 

2004-05-06 early 07 dodgewith 5.9 diesel with higher mileage used should be on your search list

 

2024 Duramax 3500 dually. Still breaking in, but highway mileage is 16-17 if I keep the speed to 65 (aerodynamics of a brick). Hauling a 2500# camper = 12 mpg. Hauling 2500# camper from the Portland area to Newport and towing 9000# ish boat = 9-10 mpg.

I needed the power and payload capacity to tow + haul the camper. If I were just towing 6k pounds, I would stick to either a beefy 1/2 ton or a gas 3/4 ton, and spend the $15-25,000 dollars saved on some property on the coast.

 

Oops.

 

Much of your mileage will depend on dimensions of trailer. If it drags in the wind, mpg goes down.

2015 3/4t duramax makes 20ish on freeway.

14-15 towing sled 5000# (Mostly local or coast range)....Note- Boat is wider than pickup, but not taller. So it drags some wind on the sides, but little over the top.

Cargo trailer is 5500-6500#, but taller and wider than pickup gets 14 on freeway and 12 in town.

I view it like this- If you can afford a new diesel you can afford to tow with it no matter the mileage.

 

I overload my 1-ton Duramax every week or two at work. put 7000lbs in the bed once😒 and I have pulled close to 20,000lbs on a 5th wheel flat bed. I tow my loaded 14,000lb 5th wheel toy hauler 5 mph over the maximum posted in Idaho😁 16-18 mpg average 23-24 mpg on the freeway at 60 mph , about 9-12 mpg towing 15,000lb up over the Montana passes. I lean on the side of overcapacity and long bed. I always seem to find myself in situations where I need everything my truck has and more.

 

Full disclosure, I'm a ford guy, and have only owned fords. I have had every version of Ford diesel ever made, and contrary to what most are finding, I find my current 2024 to be the best out of all of them. It is a 2024 F350 HO CCLB, 3.31 gears, 10 speed auto. I get an honest 22.5 MPG at 65 MPH cruising, and a realistic average in town, country roads, etc of 19.5. Towing my 25' NR Seahwak hardtop, I'll get 13, towing my 20K# fifth wheel toyhauler, I can get 10.5 if I don't push it too hard. Can also get 9 if I'm in a big fat hurry. Never lacks for power, ever.

 

If I was only ever towing 6k lbs I wouldn't even consider a diesel. I own a 95 and 22 Cummins and drive a 22 Cummins for work, and previously a 17 powerstroke also a work truck. I like diesel, but the new emissions junk doesn't make it worth it if you aren't towing 15k plus in my opinion.

 

More info. I have 08 Tundra and get 11 towing my 21 North River. I get 16-17 unloaded on highway. Sometimes a lumpy road and the tail wags the dog a bit. Thinking a 3/4 ton would help that.

 

I have a 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500. Slide in camper, tow a 4000 pound boat. 6.6 gas engine.
Plenty of power, 18 mpg empty hiway, 13-14 running around town empty. 9-10 hauling my gear. Diesel would have cost be $10k more and fuel cost .20-$1 more a gallon, depending on season. Plus, higher maintenance and DEF. No regrets with the gas engine.

 

I have a 2024 Chevy Silverado 3500. Slide in camper, tow a 4000 pound boat. 6.6 gas engine.
Plenty of power, 18 mpg empty hiway, 13-14 running around town empty. 9-10 hauling my gear. Diesel would have cost be $10k more and fuel cost .20-$1 more a gallon, depending on season. Plus, higher maintenance and DEF. No regrets with the gas engine.

I 2nd this. Depending on miles driven also. I also have the same camper and a 2019 Duramax 2500. Towing boat with camper, get about 12,5-13 mpg. since this truck is only used for the camper and or boat, should have got gas rig. Only have 34k miles, as I drive a car for daily driver, so I can park in town. Can buy a lot of gas for the extra cost of the diesel. I don’t see much difference in maintenance costs, maybe $30 an oil change for the extra oil.

 

2024 Silverado 2500 gasser. I get around 15 mpg general driving and dropped down to 10 pulling the Grady from Salem to Newport. Switched from a 2007 Duramax and have been super happy.
font tow that much so I didn’t think a diesel was worth the extra money up front and increased maintenance costs.

 

2022 Ram 3500 21 and change hiway. 19 around town
towing 27 Grady white about 15/16

 

Did you notice this posting was a year old?

 

Gas engines have more issues with the mountains. Otherwise, 6000 lbs isn't much. It depends on the gearing as well.

Unless you want to tow a lot, I'd buy a gasoline engine. Note: I've had a diesel since 2006. Many of the 18-24 diesels are still having issues with the fuel injection system. That wouldn't be bad if not for causing a complete engine replacement.

Other than bells and whistles, there isn't much of an advantage for 18s compared to older models assuming they are in good condition.

In any case, I agree with 9-11 for gasoline for towing, and 14-16 for diesel and towing. For hwy driving unloaded I think a reasonable guess is 15-16 for gasoline and 3-4 mpg more for a diesel.

If you will only be towing 6000, I'd also consider a 1/2 ton if that's the real weight. You'll get more comfort and better MPG.

With gas yo

2004-05-06 early 07 dodgewith 5.9 diesel with higher mileage used should be on your search list

…..and no DEF!

 

You might want to consider the GM 3.0 diesels. I towed this Allied 23 Corsair back from Lake Chelan to my house in Utah. Averaged 14mpg over 800 miles. I have the ZR2 Bison version, so the offroad suspension is a little soft for towing. I plan on adding airbags in the near future. Truck gets 23-26mpg on average, I've heard guys with lighter tires get closer to 30. Add in a titan 43 gallon tank and it's got some really impressive range.

 

my 03 dodge 4 door 4x4 2500 with 5.9 diesel is getting a steady 15mpg with almost 405,000 miles. running smooth and strong

 

My work truck is a 2024 F350 Crew with the 7.3 godzilla gas motor. 14-16 on the highway depending on how fast i drive, 10.8 on my 5 mile stop and go commute, and 12 or so towing long distance with a 17 foot sled. I would expect 8-9 with a large travel trailer or a camper. It has no issues towing a heavy duty trailer with a 10,000 lb excavator on board faster than I want to go. It's not a diesel, but it gets the job done and cost 11k less than a 6.7.

 

I don't like emissions any more than the next guy, but I'll never understand the DEF derangement syndrome. People act like keeping it full is more work than pulling and rebuilding a transmission. Adding it is easier than adding washer fluid on most vehicles.

 

It's not the keeping it full part. It's the issues with the system most manufacturers seem to have.

 

Let's call it what it is then, and not be simplistic and inaccurate.

This isn't the only place I see it though. From Facebook groups to forums, the mere thought of adding the fluid really gets guys riled up. I've got a couple buddies that just ***** and ***** about having to buy a jug at Costco and dump it in, like they'd rather go get a root canal. Hows about you go to that fuel stop half a mile from your house, stick both the diesel and the DEF pump in at the same time, and quit ********. It ain't that big of a deal.

 

Do they make a gas truck with an exhaust brake? I didn’t think so….

There isn’t a gas engine out there that can compete with any modern diesel when it comes to towing, especially when hills are involved.
2017 Ram 2500 6.7 CTD: 19-20ish on the highway, 15-16ish around town, 11-13ish towing

 

I’ve been running new truck through my head every now and then. Not because what I have hasn’t been flawless in engine and running gear, simply because of potential upcoming costs that folks say are inevitable. Getting stranded somewhere is something to avoid if possible. ‘05 Duramax, 155,000 miles, immaculate care all of those miles. Run Lucas fuel treatment every single fillup. Tranny fluid/filter changes on 25,000 mile schedule. What’s to worry about, right? I just do that. What I don’t like about the new trucks are the short beds and buying a bunch of standard doodads that mean nothing to me. What to do???

 

That 2005 is in the sweet spot for GM reliability. Not the best LBZ duramax, but the LLY in yours is almost as durable. You can't buy anything new that will be that reliable, and new will likely leave you stranded or limping at some point. If you decide to sell, please post here, I might be interested.....

 

I'm surprised how few places have Def at the pump. Find a truck stop and fill it up, not a big deal. Got a 24' cummins this winter. Can't tell you how enjoyable it is pulling the trailer at 1250-1700 Rpm's. As soon as the warranty is up I won't have DEF to deal with, until then if i run into a problem its the dealers issue

 

Just how much DEF do modern trucks go through? Seems like an awful lot. My wife has a 2011 X5 with diesel and has it topped off at oil changes, 7,000 miles. No topping off at fuel stops. Something wrong with this picture….

 

I have the 3.0 Diesel. Go through about 1 gallon DEF per 1,000 miles.