2021 Chevy Silverado 2500HD gas vs. diesel?

[Sawyer Rob]

Most here aren't even answering the OP's question...

The 6.6 gas is miles better than the 6.0 was, better on gas and power...

Diesels cost so much more now to buy, and cost so much more to own I'm NOT buying diesels any longer even though I still have a few, so I'm NOT a diesel hater... But, the last two pu's I've bought are gas, and I'm happy with them. Gas engines these days, last a long LONG time, so it's no longer about durability...

My next pu I buy is going to have the 6.6 gas engine in it...

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would love a little Diesel, as in little pickups. I just can't see myself buying more computer, than engine. It's just WRONG!

 

[deezler]

I would love a little Diesel, as in little pickups. I just can't see myself buying more computer, than engine. It's just WRONG!

Not to mention there is almost more expense tied up in the emissions control system than the internal combustion engine itself.

As far as mpg anecdotes, folks need to realize that while your old 12V or 24V cummins or LBZ duramax could get close to 20 mpg, a new one simply ain't gonna. Buddy of mine just got a 2021 Ram 2500 Cummins. Getting 14 mpg EMPTY, but, doesn't dip too much while towing (might need to break in a bit further). Also sucking down a gallon of DEF every thousand miles (!). It's mostly for his wife to daily drive.... at $60k for a base trim pickup, I just don't get it. While manufacturers don't have to rate the mpg of HD pickups, gas vs diesel is almost a wash now in unloaded driving cycles.

Reliability comparison, IMO, has actually tipped to the gas engine over the complexity of the diesel engine and failure prone emissions systems. I have to laugh when people say how reliable their HD diesel pickups are, but then admit they've put in 2 sets of injectors, EGR cooler, a turbo and a DPF replacement just to make it to 200k miles. A chevy small block will happily putter along past 200k (ideally if you delete the cylinder deactivation).

 

[4570Man]

So we have beaten to death the up front cost. The mileage debate will never end.
However, Engine longevity and resale value are rarely addressed by the gas lovers.
If I want to buy a used truck, anything from a used 3/4 ton to a used single axle dump truck, the diesel will fetch $3,000-$5,000 more. Thats because the buyer knows the engine will last longer under harsher conditions and it will burn less fuel.
Even 4570 says he got his gas dump truck for $2500, and that’s a great buy, but same truck with a CAT diesel would have been $7500.

So the disadvantage of “up front price” must be addressed with ”greater resale value”

I would bet the up front cost minus greater resale value PLUS less fuel cost would end up about the same as gas.

You don’t see gas pickups sitting around in the junkyard with blown motors do you? The ones that are were usually user error not worn out. A gas truck motor last as long as the rest of the truck. Putting injectors in the diesel would cost as much as replacing the entire gas engine.

 

[5030]

Like I said before, Rudy Diesel would roll over in his grave if he know how bad his beloved engine was hacked up in the name of visible particulates.

 

[blee03]

I have towed with diesel trucks and don’t feel that the advantages are worth the downsides unless you’re towing pretty much everyday. And most people aren’t. My ton truck is a diesel but I won’t count that experience since it’s a far cry from anyone semi modern. I’ve moved my full-size backhoe quite a bit with a duramax dually and I’ve rode around quite a bit with buddies in other Cummins and duramax trucks. Yes the power is a lot better. Yes the engine braking is completely different league than anything the gas truck can do. And the mileage is probably twice as much towing although not that far apart for unloaded driving. But the trade off is much higher purchase price, much higher maintenance cost, astronomical repair cost when needed, noisy cab, poor cold starting performance, and anything that’s new enough to really reap the benefits of power is ruined with emissions junk.

Everyone’s got their own opinions

I definitely don’t tow everyday, but when I do I’m not messing around with downshifting, screaming RPM’s and being passed by grandma in a minivan going up a slight incline.

I have a 2012 Laramie Mega cab Cummins with 250k miles that’s been great, I purchased it used with 200k miles. Loaded like up like a Cadillac, comfortable and enough power to tow anything I might purchase in the future. The 6.7L is a lot quieter than the previous 5.9L and starts easily in the winter, I actually never even plugged it in this winter.

This is my 4th cummins and I’ve never had to do injectors, turbo, head gasket, etc. All of them high mileage 200-500k.

I did do 2 transmissions, but not because they broke, because I was adding a ton of power and wanted them to stay in 1 piece.

 

[timswi]

I was pulling a 10k TT for years with GM 1500's and they did OK..Yeah they scream bloody murder going up steep hills but that's what they are designed to do--The reason a ton of hot-rodders are running LS motors nowadays..You can hammer them and they keep going.

I decided to upgrade to a 2500 for stability issues and when shopping I could not find a SLT or above GMC with a gas motor--anywhere. They were all diesels. I ended up with a 19 GMC 2500 Denali Dmax, $62k final price--Given the price of other trucks I looked at I was "ok" with that, sticker was close to 74K. So far very happy with it.

Starts great even in zero degree weather, never have plugged it in yet. 20-22 MPG open road and 15ish combined.

Towing with the gassers was 6-8 MPG. This is around 13 MPG.

$12 for DEF every so often is more of an annoyance than an expense to me.

I'll run this until the warranty is up and probably get another one or the 6.6 gas once it's seasoned a bit.

 

[nikerret]

I would really like to see what the diesels would be, without all of the government mandated crap.

 

[timswi]

I would really like to see what the diesels would be, without all of the government mandated crap.

Yeah, I would too. My L5P runs pretty good larded down with all that crap bet it would be unrecognizable without all that. I've heard it's 8-10k to delete these--I'd never do it but there are some out there I guess.

 

[blee03]

I was pulling a 10k TT for years with GM 1500's and they did OK..Yeah they scream bloody murder going up steep hills but that's what they are designed to do--The reason a ton of hot-rodders are running LS motors nowadays..You can hammer them and they keep going.

Yeah I’ve towed with an LS (5.3L), towing a 2 place snowmobile clam style trailer

I don’t mind them revving to the moon but when they downshift, rev to the moon and loose speed while doing it, that’s all it took me to go back to a diesel.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had 4 LS1 powered Camaros and 1 LS1 powered Corvette. They were great at racing around and burning the tires off. I wouldn’t go back to towing with one though