Duramax towing MPG

[brain55]

Does anyone have some real world mileage numbers for a 2010-2011 K3500HD with the Duramax and Allison 6-speed towing 14K+. I'm curious, I think I can just about justify a new truck on fuel savings alone, switching from my 2001 K3500 with the 8.1L and 5-speed Allison. I'm towing a 14K+ lb GN trailer almost daily, and getting in the 5 MPG neighborhood. I'm spending roughly $1000 a month on gas. If I can cut this in half or close to it, the cost of a new truck might be worth it.

Brian

 

[CCOUGHRAN1]

I seriously doubt you will cut the number in half. Just this weekend we traveled 700 miles with friends. I was in my 5.9 Dodge 3500, my buddy was in his 2010 GMC D/A K3500. I was pulling a loaded 24' stock trailer, he was pulling a 20' equipment trailer with a Polaris Ranger on it. He was averaging 10 mpg, I averaged a hair over 14. We were running 65-70 all highway, about 50/50 flats and hills.

In our area,
87 gas is 2.46 gallon
diesel is 2.90 gallon

Figuring $1000.00 @ 2.46 I assume you are burning 400 gallons, and running ~ 2,000 miles per month.

Take the same 2000 miles per month with a D/A loaded to 14k, and I have my money on 8-9 mpg, lets say 8.5... Running 2k miles at 8.5 mpg, you will use 235 gallons @ 2.90 = 682.34 per month in fuel. Add up the additional cost of diesel oil changes, fuel filters, and the margin shrinks even more.

My best guess is that you will save about 300.00 month in fuel, on the high side.

 

[AKfish]

Are you referring to the latest GM truck with the urea injection system?

AKfish

 

[nmu98]

Aerodynamics will play into your question. Pulling a 14K fifth wheel or 14K of iron?

I towed around 10K of tractor and implements on an equpment trailer and would average 10 to 11 on the expressway if I was 65 or under. The regenerations that new vehicles go through to clean the dpf hurt mileage.

The 8.1 sucks fuel no doubt, but I doubt your plan would be a dollar making venture. The increased maintenance, higher insurance and higher fuel would take its toll.

 

[CharlieS]

My son drives an 08 Chev with the duramax/6 sp. allison. Pulling a 20 ft bumper pull enclosed snowmobile trailer (10K + lbs) in the colorado and wyoming mountains at reasonable speeds for the roads encountered, consistantly does 14+ mpg.

 

[bdeboer]

'08 2500 Chevy with Duramax Allison Crew Cab Shortbed. Just averaged around 12 mpg pulling a 30' bumper pull RV on a 1200 mile round trip from Central Ohio to Marylands eastern shore.

Truck consistantly gets high teens without the trailer on freeway trips, occasionally 20.

Seems to be around 15-17 rural driving.

 

[brain55]

Aerodynamics will play into your question. Pulling a 14K fifth wheel or 14K of iron?

I'm pulling my mobile shop. So it is 14K+ lbs of weight, not just rated for 14K.

Brian

 

[Renze]

Towing a 2 horse Vee nose trailer on short trips, my S70 TDI uses 9 liter per 100km. Thats a bit over 11km per liter or 6.9 mile per liter, or 26 miles to the gallon... On long highway trips towing 5k pounds (tractor on a 20ft utility trailer) i get similar numbers... With 140hp and 300+ Nm its still plenty fast for hauling horses.
Downsizing (reducing dead weight) would get you more economy than just trading it for a Diesel.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Does anyone have some real world mileage numbers for a 2010-2011 K3500HD with the Duramax and Allison 6-speed towing 14K+. I'm curious, I think I can just about justify a new truck on fuel savings alone, switching from my 2001 K3500 with the 8.1L and 5-speed Allison. I'm towing a 14K+ lb GN trailer almost daily, and getting in the 5 MPG neighborhood. I'm spending roughly $1000 a month on gas. If I can cut this in half or close to it, the cost of a new truck might be worth it.

Brian

I had a 05 Dmax 3500 4x4 SRW and with 15,600# behind it I would get right at 13 mpg when not in the shop. It had 3.73 gears. I was pulling a boat that was very aerodynamic. My neighbor has the same truck but in a 07 and he tows a 12K 5th wheel and just got back from a 9,000 mile trip. He averaged 11.3 mpg. His low as 8mpg and his high was 12 something. Again aerodynamics play a big role.

All 3 Ford diesels I have owned get a little better towing but did not do as good unloaded as compared to the Dmax. Go figure.



Chris

 

[aczlan]

Towing a 2 horse Vee nose trailer on short trips, my S70 TDI uses 9 liter per 100km. Thats a bit over 11km per liter or 6.9 mile per liter, or 26 miles to the gallon... On long highway trips towing 5k pounds (tractor on a 20ft utility trailer) i get similar numbers... With 140hp and 300+ Nm its still plenty fast for hauling horses.
Downsizing (reducing dead weight) would get you more economy than just trading it for a Diesel.

You tow 5000# behind a S70? Thats a lot of weight for a 4000# car.

Aaron Z