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Old 11-03-2011, 04:49 PM   #1
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To Diesel or Not to Diesel?

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!
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Old 11-03-2011, 05:09 PM   #2
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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
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Old 11-03-2011, 05:14 PM   #3
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How much is your "load" going to weigh ?? What can the chevy tow with gas or diesel ??. How FAT is your wallet ???
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Old 11-03-2011, 05:42 PM   #4
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 06:11 PM   #5
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 06:43 PM   #6
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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
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Old 11-03-2011, 07:02 PM   #7
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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.
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Old 11-03-2011, 08:12 PM   #8
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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.

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Old 11-03-2011, 08:42 PM   #9
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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
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Old 11-03-2011, 10:03 PM   #10
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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)
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Old 11-03-2011, 10:59 PM   #11
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[QUOTE= My feelings, is if the trailer is over 8000 lbs. I would go diesel. Wayne[/QUOTE] X's 2. If fact was just looking at a left over 2011 Sierra diesel / allison. Give ya a great deal on a 2010 gasser
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Old 11-04-2011, 06:49 AM   #12
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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.
Wumba... It would seem to be ok to go with a gasser for towing the trailer that you have now. BUT could you ever up grade in the future to something bigger and heavier ?? Or go Blazing over the Rockies !!! I agree on NOT spending 50k +.. for something thats used for a few thousand miles a year.. Good luck in your decesion
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Old 11-04-2011, 07:25 AM   #13
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i would go diesel...If you ever go even bigger on your trailer down the road you will be all set up. That 50k figure is MSRP pricing. There are some great deals on 2011's right now if looking new, which I would recommend. These diesels really hold their value which makes the used ones quite expensive too. I recently went diesel myself, Dodge 2500 Bighorn Long Bed MSRP over 50k, negotiated the price down to a little over 39k. Still a lot of money, but this truck will be around for quite a while.
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Old 11-04-2011, 07:30 AM   #14
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Look at how often and how far you think you will be towing. If less than 10 times a year, a gasser with the right rear end will do fine. If you will be on the road weeks or months on end then stick with a diesel.

It looks like the v-cross max weight is under 8300 lbs. My camper comes in about 9200 lbs.

I have a F250 6.4L. I am looking at downgrading to the F250 6.2 Gasser with a 4:30 rear end. It can tow 11,200 lbs from the tail or 14,000 lbs goose/5th. The cost of diesel and the cost of maintaining it and for using it as a daily driver no longer make sense.

Depending on brand loyalty and your specific cab needs you could pick a brand new 2011 F250 6.2 Super Cab up for mid $30,000...

Also, the new Eco Boost F150 when configured correctly can pull 11,300 lbs. There are several threads reviewing results of towing with it.

To me ,it is no longer a diesel vs gas question. It's a question about your requirements: weight, frequency of use, distance of use, type of use, etc that should be determining factors on what tow vehicle you choose.
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Old 11-04-2011, 11:11 PM   #15
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I bought a diesel this year, did I need it, no, would I do it again, absolutely yes!

My trailer is maybe 7500 loaded, any gas 3/4 ton would not even blink at pulling it, my 1/2 ton that I used to have worked hard but was definately capable, just not to my likings.

I bought diesel because I that's what I wanted, no math involved in MPG versus purchase price or fuel costs.

I have never looked back, I am very pleased with my purchase!
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Old 11-09-2011, 11:21 AM   #16
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I owned a 2010 GMC 2500HD with the 6.0L gasoline V8. I traded it for a 2011 Chevy 2500HD with the 6.6L Duramax diesel and the Allison 6 speed transmission. Obviously the initial investment along with routine maintenance costs for the diesel is higher. However, in my opinion the diesel is a far superior vehicle. Fuel cost is about a wash, my diesel gets better fuel mileage than the gasoline in both towing and non-towing applications (easily enough increase to make up the 8% - 10% difference in fuel cost), my wife believes it is quieter, the ride is better, and in a drag race the diesel will walk away from the gasoline.
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Old 11-09-2011, 11:43 AM   #17
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i bought diesel in 2002. you can't justify it on cost of fuel because fuel filters and more frequent oil changes (at $50 ea at the dealer) will out weigh the fuel savings.
the plus on the diesel, besides the low end torque, is that there isn't that much difference when u get the tow package. believe the only added thing is the wiring and plug. radiator and trans oil cooler are already there.
resale could go either way: the early 90 Fords actually carried a penility for the diesel.
should u buy used, i would make sure the radiator maintenance was done timely and the right additives or antifreeze was used. i personally don't want an engine that has been chipped.
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Old 11-09-2011, 01:19 PM   #18
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If money was no object I'd have a diesel for sure, but I can't justify it for the amount of times I tow and my TT. I will go for the Ecoboost for my next truck though.
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Old 11-09-2011, 04:19 PM   #19
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We had an 08 GMC 2500hd 6.6 Duramax. Great for pulling but had a GVWR (9200lbs) problem. When the truck weighs in at 7524 and the add 1704 pin weigh in the box, thats a problem. We took Herk's idea and bought a Chev 3500 (SW) standard box Duramax. GVWR is 11500 so no problem with that now. But plain and simple, if you tow alot a diesel is the way to go.
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Old 11-09-2011, 04:31 PM   #20
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At my age, the gas engine will last me the rest of my life, and since my last 5th wheel is 3 ft. longer with a slide (and 2000 lbs heavier) won't ever be buying a larger trailer. Wayne
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