Mileage Comparison

Additional information includes:

Locking Differential - Rear Axle - 3.73 ratio 4x4 HD - 4 Speed Automatic Transmission

OK, just returned from a fast run from Reno, NV to Seattle and back.. We have a 2003 Duramax Crewcab 4X4. Left the trailer at home. We averaged

17.8 for the entire round trip. Ran 65 to 80 mph most of the time. Went over the Sierra/Nevada mountains, The Syskius(SE) in Northern California and all the small passes on I-5 between Medford, OR and Seattle.

Dale P.............

For what it's worth, my '04 SS (With the high compression 6.0 LQ9) (1500 series, AWD, 4L65E, 4.10 gears)

I get 16 around town, and 17 on the highway.

-marc

Thanks Dale for responding. I will use your information to calculate if I can make up the added cost for the Duramax engine in the added mileage I could get if I were to trade in for one.

Scoot,

2003 Chevy 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4, Allison, 4.11 stock tirese wheels. Camper shell/roof rack.

14/15 city

18 avg. Hwy (checked on a trip to Dallas from Phoenix. It is a flat drive but we cruised 80 MPH 90% of the trip)

Something else to consider is the price of Gas vs. Diesel. Where I am, Diesel is $.20 - $.30 / gal. cheaper. Of course that can vary.

If you are going to tow much, I think it is an easier decision.

Take care,

Dave

David & Gena Daniels, Independent AMSOIL Dealers AMSOIL - Synthetic Lubricants & Filtration Products - since 1972 Mesa, AZ

Fax (480) 924-0644 Cell (602) 390-2114 Email snipped-for-privacy@azoil.com

I have a 2003 Duramax 4x4 crew cab.

I tow a 13,000lb Weekend Warrior. I get about 10mpgs average. Without a trailer, on the highway, it gets about 18. In the city, it gets about 13. NOT as good as I had hoped. Takes a long time to make up for the difference in cost.

You will do better with a Duramax. I have a 2004 but have not put on enough miles to give a good reading. Looks like about 16 around town.

The Duramax only comes in the 2500HD and 3500HD. I think they have discontinued the 1500HD.

I would not buy a Duramax for economy. Only if you need the extra GVWR/GCWR and compare it to the 8.1L does it become attractive. It will take a long time to pay back the cost of the Duramax and Allison. Flying J shows the price of Diesel is about the same as Regular Gasoline.

The payback time is the BIG factor unless you are also thinking about resale value in the short term. Only putting about 9 - 10K miles per year on the truck and less than 1K of that towing a 32' fifth-wheel is exactly the reason I could not justify the extra cost for the Duramax and focused on the

8.1L. The MPGs on the 8.1 are all over the board ranging from 8 - 12.5 MPG w/ the 4.10 rear, crew cab, long box. I can tell you though that the 8.1L and Allison is much nicer than the 6.0L. I had an '02 2500HD ext. cab w/ the 6.0L.

The Duramax costs about $3000 extra over the 8.1. To get the 6L gas you have to get at least a 2500LD. If you are not pulling a heavy load, the 2500HD is a pretty stiff riding vehicle. I had a '98 1500 with a 5.6L that I always said rode like my '71 Impala. Problem was it could not carry much of anything and was rated to pull only about 7000 pounds. However, it got better mileage than the Duramax.

Another thing about Diesel is that it is not made for short runs. You probably would not want one for a primary vehicle.

Kev> The payback time is the BIG factor unless you are also thinking about resale

I'm looking to buy! how much did they stick ya for the crew cab dually gas engine? Thanks, Bob

You can get a pretty good idea by going to Kelly Blue Book and selecting the options you want.

If you are asking me, I bought another '02, used. I kept watching the '03 models as the year closed out, but only found trucks that were completely loaded with junk I just didn't want: roof marker lights, XM radio, leather, etc. Not to mention the slanted headlight look just doesn't really excite me. I refused to pay thousands of dollars for stuff I just didn't want. Trying to get a dealer to order one in for me to take a look at was like asking for their first born!!! Now two local dealers have a couple '04 crew cabs on the lot, BUT I believe they are all short beds AND I'm willing to bet they only have the 6.0L in them. The 6.0L's were easy to find in a crew cab long box combo, but they can't cut the mustard with the weight. I learned my lesson w/ the one and only short box I owned!!!

I began watching used '02 and '03 models. I found an '02 that only had 15K miles on it and my existing '02 had 17K. It was listed a shade below KBB value and I got it down lower than that. Came out OK and didn't take much of a beating on trading my '02 due to the way I bought that one new! Gott'a like when it works out that way. Mine is not a dually, but is a crew cab, long box w/ 8.1, Allison, and 4.10, 4WD.