To Diesel or Not to Diesel?

[Wumba]

We're looking to get a V-Lite 30WFKSS around the end of January. Looking for opinions on a TV. It's either going to be a Chevy 2500HD diesel or gasser. The terrain I will be driving will be hilly, as we live in E. Tennessee. We don't plan on conquering the Rockies or anything that extreme. Is diesel overkill, or a more prudent investment then gas? I will not be buying new, as this TV will be used solely for towing. I have a diesel narrowed down to 2007 or 2008 due to no environtmental stuff on it. A gasser will probabaly be a newer model as the price is much cheaper on those. Thanks!

[wayne anthony]

Went gas last couple times. Back when I bought my '06 diesel was a $5000 option, and I figured if I got 14 with gas and 20 with diesel, break even would be 137,000 miles. Not positive, but I think now if you get the diesel, you have to get the Allison trans. One thing, talking to a camper last spring, he was complaining about the smell and standing in diesel fuel when gassing up. My feelings, is if the trailer is over 8000 lbs. I would go diesel. Wayne

[dretired]

How much is your "load" going to weigh ?? What can the chevy tow with gas or diesel ??. How FAT is your wallet ???

[herk7769]

my two cents.

I have the 2500HD Sierra and I did get both the Duramax Diesel and Allison Options. If fuel savings is your only metric get the big gas engine and save the money for camping.

I wanted the low end torque and Allison trans for ease of towing. I do not alter my driving in the least when towing since the acceleration from a stop and passing performance are identical whether connected or not.

This engine and transmission are identical to the ones in the 4500 dump truck. The only difference is the suspension and frame.

If I had to do it over again, I would still get the Duramax and Allison, just I would have gotten the 3500HD SW (not dually). That way I could upgrade to a larger 5th wheel without replacing the TV at the same time.

[Hoo Dad]

My 3500 gasser (pulling weight wise) may be overkill for my fifth wheel but the gas engine pulled it through the rockies this summer with no problem. Of course the 410 rear end helped. Unhooked on the highway I get 16 mpg, however, pulling the fifth wheel I averaged around 8.5 mpg. When I was in the florida keys driving 45 mph I was getting 10 mpg. I was looking for a 2500 gasser but this truck was sitting on the lot for awhile and the salesman/owner made me a very good deal. I also wanted a long bed extended cab. The extended cab long beds were also not as plentiful as the short beds.

I too considered the extra cost of the diesel and transmission and felt I would never have recouped the money in fuel savings.

Bottom line....If you can afford it get what you want.

[tentcamper1]

I decided on the gas over the diesel- my v-lite is just under 8000lbs loaded. the 6.0 gas motor and 4:10 rear end does a great job towing. we did the 8% grades in TN and KY this season and it did fine. I average 8.5 to 9.5 MPG towing. the truck is my daily driver and gets around 14 unloaded. I only put about 3-4k miles on it a year towing and 4-5k miles unloaded around town- the pay back on the MPG savings was not there for me. JMHO

[Wumba]

Originally Posted by dretired

How much is your "load" going to weigh ?? What can the chevy tow with gas or diesel ??. How FAT is your wallet ???

Dry weight around 6800 lbs. Gas or diesel is 14k lbs. in a 2500HD. I can afford what I want. I just don't see dropping 50k for a new TV that will be used solely for towing, ergo the 2007 or 2008 diesel model. The model year will be newer should I decide ga.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by Wumba

I have a diesel narrowed down to 2007 or 2008 due to no environtmental stuff on it.

I'm not going to proclaim to be a diesel expert, but I believe that major changes were made on Fords and Dodges in regards to emmissions in 2007/2008. Don't know about Chev/GMC.

Dave

[dilgerc]

I have just purchased a 2012 Vlite 30wfkss and I tow it with a 2011 Chevy 2500hd 6.0 gasser with a 3:73 in the rearend. I get 7 to 7.5 mpg at the most in the flat country, can't imagine in the mountains. If I had it to do over again I think I would do a diesel. Keep us posted and good luck

[Bill_C]

2008 Ram 6.7 liter was the big year for adding all the pollution crap. Go 2007 Ram 5.9 liter(if you are thinking Ram)