Why I have a 3/4 ton Diesel

TheWolfPaq82 · 03-27-2019, 07:23 AM

People I work with always ask why I have such a BIG truck...GMC 2500HD Duramax. Well...yesterday I was able to show them that besides pulling my 10,000lb TT, for the second time...I pulled our 8000lb forklift out of Asphalt that the rear tires broke thru behind our building. I have the only truck here capable of pulling it out.

Ejs4029 · 03-27-2019, 07:28 AM

X2....Right On you get it Wolfpaq82

spock123 · 03-27-2019, 07:37 AM

I have owned two Dmax trucks, a 2500 and a 3500. I haven’t had any problems with the motor on either trucks. Emissions has always been my biggest problem with both trucks.

jimla · 03-27-2019, 07:54 AM

My son and I both have the Duramax chevys. Our friend has a 250. he hates the fact of how his squats in the back and ours don't along with the fact we get honest 10 mpg pulling 9800 pound TT and he doesn't. I know this statement will bring comments out of the wood works stating they have fords that get 20 mpg pulling the same weight. LMAO

acadianbob · 03-27-2019, 07:58 AM

The trouble with a 3/4 ton diesel is that the payload is limited by the weight of the powertrain.

007matman · 03-27-2019, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimla

My son and I both have the Duramax chevys. Our friend has a 250. he hates the fact of how his squats in the back and ours don't along with the fact we get honest 10 mpg pulling 9800 pound TT and he doesn't. I know this statement will bring comments out of the wood works stating they have fords that get 20 mpg pulling the same weight. LMAO

Here you go.. (you asked for it).

I routinely get 12-14 pulling a 7500lb trailer. W/ an F350 6.0 Crew Cab LWB Dually

I'd say your friend should have his truck looked at. Something is up there.

DreiHunde · 03-27-2019, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

People I work with always ask why I have such a BIG truck...GMC 2500HD Duramax. Well...yesterday I was able to show them that besides pulling my 10,000lb TT, for the second time...I pulled our 8000lb forklift out of Asphalt that the rear tires broke thru behind our building. I have the only truck here capable of pulling it out.

Yes sir! Cos when I need it, I need it! Just like 4 wheel drive!

ronheater70 · 03-27-2019, 08:27 AM

Honestly, I just like having a Long Bed Crew Cab Diesel so I can fit in while parking in "Truck Island" at the bottom of the lot of Wal-Mart with all the other big trucks.. The Towing and Hauling is just a Bonus.

jimla · 03-27-2019, 08:34 AM

Ok now that I've started it, let me say something. When someone makes a comment about fuel mileage, lets do this. If you are getting this or that mpg, take a screenshot of your trucks display. Don't know of a way to verify the TT is behind when you do so. I can get 12-13 mpg going 50-55 mph avg. When I step up to 70+, it goes down to 9-10 mpg. I would love to say I get 20+ mpg, but I know that is not going to happen when your 3/4 ton truck has 410 or 373 rear gears. Folks come on these forums looking for answers, the same as my son and our friend do. We talk with each other to try and understand what is going on when we pull our TT's. It helps us understand what is happening and what could be done to resolve the issues. Just saying

TheWolfPaq82 · 03-27-2019, 08:41 AM

My best mpg in my Duramax was 16 mpg...on the flats and a mild tail wind (for about 40-50 miles). I'm pulling around 10,000lb TT and on average with mild hills, normal driving conditions and 65mph I'll get between 12-14. I'll turn off the Tow/Haul mode when running in these conditions.

Anderson15 · 03-27-2019, 08:48 AM

Plenty of 1/2 tons on here could have done that...

Paulie1138 · 03-27-2019, 08:48 AM

On this and other forums, I have always taken the mileage quotes with a huge grain of salt. The data varies all over the place due to so many variables. Was it hot/cold, flat/mountainous, speed, does the driver vary the speed, traffic, drafting trucks, design of the cap, 5r/trailer/airstream.....you get the idea.

upflying · 03-27-2019, 08:59 AM

Back in the day, I owned a '95 Chev C2500 with a TBI 454. 10mpg empty and 8 mpg pulling. It sounds like PCM technology has improved mpg a bit.

Ejs4029 · 03-27-2019, 09:04 AM

Cross Country Trip relocating TT from from Eastvale, CA to OldCoot's house in NC...Towing 8K on Route 40 alot of wind in Texas and Oklahoma...

JohnD10 · 03-27-2019, 09:07 AM

I have a Chevy 2500HD gasser and it tows my 9500-pound 5'ver just fine!

And I am one of the very few that actually bought the trailer to actually fit the truck...

With room to spare instead of riding on the edge...

NMWildcat · 03-27-2019, 09:32 AM

Yep, I do enjoy my old Duramax. It looks good, it's comfortable, it's dependable, and it rides nice. It's been paid off for over a decade. When The vehicle is paid for, mileage isn't much of a concern. The mpg seems about average from what I hear reported from others. Wind direction and intensity makes the biggest difference in my mileage. The Duramax makes towing a pleasant experience, especially when my wife is driving.

The fiver almost squats it level, and that's with the bed filled with wood, water, and fuel for generators. Don't need any air bags. I have never been overly concerned with being slightly over CCC. It's not true that you will blow everything up if a few pounds over that mythical number.

The only emissions it came with was EGR and cat. Both of those are long gone. At 160k, all I've done to it outside of normal maint is to replace the glow plugs and add a FASS lift pump.

It is our daily driver. We have two other older half ton trucks, but the 2500 is more comfortable. We do not like cars, so are considering an SUV for non towing trips, but they seem so small

. If we ever decide to get another diesel for towing, it will probably be a one ton Duramax, as I don't see Liz picking a smaller, or even same size fifth wheel

My brother only buys Fords, one nephew will only buy Dodges. We all only buy diesels as we tow a lot, RVs and farm equipment. Diesels are made for towing. There is a flavor of truck for everybody.

Check out the Chevy Truck Legends website. It's fun and they send you lots of free stuff! http://www.chevytrucklegends.com/us/en/index.html

Anderson15 · 03-27-2019, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnD10

I have a Chevy 2500HD gasser and it tows my 9500-pound 5'ver just fine!

And I am one of the very few that actually bought the trailer to actually fit the truck...

With room to spare instead of riding on the edge...

What MPG do you generally get when towing?

I'm getting 8, mountains or flat, and was curious what others get.

TheWolfPaq82 · 03-27-2019, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anderson15

Plenty of 1/2 tons on here could have done that...

The guy in shipping with 2018 ram 1500, all he did was spin his tires...4x4.

TheWolfPaq82 · 03-27-2019, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulie1138

On this and other forums, I have always taken the mileage quotes with a huge grain of salt. The data varies all over the place due to so many variables. Was it hot/cold, flat/mountainous, speed, does the driver vary the speed, traffic, drafting trucks, design of the cap, 5r/trailer/airstream.....you get the idea.

Oh heck yeah....you're dead on. With Tow/Haul on, a fairly hilly terrain...I'll drop down to 10-11mpg. It's all about the conditions.

JohnD10 · 03-27-2019, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anderson15

What MPG do you generally get when towing?

I'm getting 8, mountains or flat, and was curious what others get.

I get between 7-9 MPG when towing, depending on mountains and wind.

My mileage dropped about 2 MPG when I went to more aggressive tread pattern on the tires for off road traction.

I'm going back to more of a road tire soon, and am thinking about selling the 5'ver and going back to a smaller TT.

My camping and traveling patterns have changed now that I've moved from Colorado down to the southwestern desert.

Last week out in the desert:

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