Chevy 8.1

[mackman1994]

I love my Diesel!!! Even with diesel $.60 to $.70 a gallon higher I still save $30 to $40 dollars a week in fuel compared to my half ton Dodge I had. This all comes out to be a wash when you think about the higher cost of service work, but hey I have one awesome tow rig that I absolutely love.

[11XLITE28BH]

I pull 8750lb TT with my 8.1. Pulls great for a gasser, and has great torque especially at lower RPMs. Almost diesel like. The big beast doesn't have to rev up like normal gas engines to get it's power.

My 8.1 uses a quart of oil every 3500 miles, and is a thirsty beast driving around town, but gets about 12/13 mpg on the highway. Mix in the Allison Tranny and you have a great combo.

I did some research and spoke with a GM mechanic. He said the 8.1 is very reliable...well his words were "bullet proof" but I'll take reliable.

BTW....the engine does not leak oil. It's 496 CI and just burns it off....

[dsrace]

Originally Posted by Dovetail

Looks like some good and some not so. Ill check to see if i can get owners contact info. Not excited about mileage comments. Tundra is 14 around town, 18 on the highway with a cover on it and 10 or better towing. The bigger the engine.....

Thanks for your comments.

no offense to anyone but I never would've guessed a Toyota would pull 9k lbs down the interstate. does it hold it's ground or drop 10 to 15 mph on the hills?

the mileage you listed above is interesting. my 99 f350 diesel,quad cab (not crew cab) , dually long box, 4x4,manual trans gets 18mpg at best empty, on the interstate at 78 mph a/c on and cruise set empty, with box covered and about 15 to 16 mpg in town all in the summer. winter blend fuel kills mpg's here. towing on the interstate at or about 75 to 78 mph ( yes I do...lol ) cruise set 9.3 mpg with not to much wind and med to smaller hills, no mountain pass's or 7% grades 15 miles long lol. just saying a lot more truck and a lot more stability pulling with roughly the same mileage.

[Rick R]

We tow our 2013 Flagstaff 30WFKSS with a 2006 Silverado 2500 8.1 with Allison transmission and love it. 11-12 mpg unloaded and 7-8 towing. I also have a 2002 Chevy Express Van 3500 with 8.1 and 4L80E transmission and Quigley 4/4 conversion for work. It gets 11-12 mpg also. Neither uses more than a quart of oil between changes (5,000 miles) and the van has 160,000 + miles on it.

[GearHd6]

I always loved those Quigley vans! I don't think I've ever seen a Chevy though, only Fords.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by mackman1994

If you are worried about mileage go with a used diesel. You will thank yourself later.

I know I did.

[golfmedik]

I have an '01 Chevy 8.1L 4x4 CC dually and love the truck. Others are spot on with their comments about the mileage. It gets around 12 around around town and 7 while pulling. Remember though, that was 14,000 pound high profile 5th wheel. It uses about 1 qt of oil ever 1500 miles. No big deal as I bought it to PULL. However, my patience, even with the Allison transmission, became short when pulling the trailer and all of the downshifting associated with a camper of that size. Now, it pulls my 9,000 pound toyhauler very well at about 8-8.5 mpg back and forth to deer camp. For the 5th wheel, I bought an F350 6.4L diesel to pull it with and MAN what a difference. I now have just traded the 6.4 for a 6.7 and have yet to pull the 5er. But as others have hinted at, if you buy a bigger truck, as some point you will buy a bigger camper. So go ahead and bite the bullet and get a diesel first and then you can pull whatever your heart desires afterwards. Oh, and get a 3500 so you can haul the 5er with ease when you get one. Good luck in your hunt, Merry Christmas and happy camping!

Monty