@its me that would be possible with the diesel engine and maybe unloaded and hypermiling with the gas. But loaded 12mpg isn't realistic. Pulling 15k my duramax manages 9-10mpg
Little over 2000 rpms towing 16000# enclosed trailer @70 mph and maintained around 7mpg !! Looks like the 3:73 gears maybe ok . Nobody tows that many miles except for hotshot drivers and for this load with oil changes and def considered it 3.7 cents cheaper a mile with diesel so it would take 270,270 miles to recoup the $10,000 towing this load only . You add in unloaded driving and it’s endless. Diesel makes no sense except averages 15 mph faster up the Ike , so what. Great video, thanks!
@@Soladaddy yep! Never have to replace the injectors, probably never have to replace the fuel pump and definitely never replace definitely pump/ sensors/ injectors.
I’ve owned both gas and diesel. I will never own a diesel again, the difference in cost of the truck, maintenance, repair and additional fuel cost will never pay for the diesel. I’ll settle for 10-15 mph (max) slower on the hills with my load.
@@manuelolvera3189 Ford pretty much solved that issue, the 7.3 Godzilla absolutely destroys the GM 6.6 gasser, and probably isn't far (if it is at all) behind the 6.6 Duramax!
To me gas 2500s make sense if you have a 10k camper you tow a few times per summer, the stability of the HD truck and the closeness in fuel economy to a half ton max tow pkg makes it the perfect choice
I fall into that exact truck use, and I agree with you %100. ..But I have a 18 dmax cuz I can! Lol. Next truck will most likely be 2500 6.6 gas, they've come a long way.
Considering the load and speed I think that is a very respectable mileage. My Tundra was getting less than that pulling 6k. I would seriously consider the new gas engine.
Good comment. I find that as you close in on using an engine's max power, your efficiency plummets severely. Case in point, the 6.2 gas in the GM trucks gets better economy towing than the 5.3 does just because it stays closer to peak torque and doesn't have to spin all the way out all the time.
Great review of the new Chevy/GMC 6.6 gas engine. The towing numbers aren’t real bad as most folks aren’t going to do max towing so, mileage would a little better. Thanks sharing The review Kent and Andre. Enjoyed it.
When you figure the difference in gas/diesel price on the longevity of the truck you can’t forget to take into account 2 things that cost more in the life of a diesel when directly comparing it to gas. Those 2 things are the cost of oil changes and DEF fluid. These seem small but over time they add up to a significant difference in price and make paying a premium for diesel that much harder to swallow.
They did a few years ago, comparing the then New Tacoma and Tundra, both got 8.4 mpg towing around 6500 lb. And then they used that same trailer for almost every towing mpg loop that year.
My 2015 Silverado 5.3 got 9mpg pulling my tractor. Traded for a 2005 duramax and it gets 16mpg pulling the same trailer. Duramax also gets 22-24 highway. My 2015 got 19 on a 800 mile trip.
Sounds about right for a large displacement motor. My 6.8 v10 gets 7-9 mpg towing depending on which way the wind is blowing. 13-14 empty on the highway. These mpgs are not competitive to diesel, but I also dont have to worry about def, expensive injectors, head problems, turbo problems. I like having a simple plug and play motor!
Great video, but I understand that most of the big capability numbers are just part of the bragging wars between the big three manufacturers. Most of the people that would be in the market for an HD gas truck would be people that tow RV on the weekends, not people running a hotshot towing business. I ideally, as I am sure many others would agree, would likely like to see this truck pull a trailer in the 8,000-12,000 lbs range. I tow an 8,500 lbs travel trailer with a gas f250 about a dozen times a year. That’s a major reason I decided to go with the gas rather than the diesel. I run the truck empty most of the time, but I need the safety, stability, and power to tow my specific trailer a fee times a year. Thanks for the video!!!
I started my career working in a manufacturer's test lab testing diesel engines. I was a self confessed diesel nut. Twenty years later I did the government's "cash for clunkers" deal and traded in my pick up truck for a diesel Volkswagen TDI. I was so excited. The mileage was regularly between 45 and 50 mpg. The performance was more than adequate. The kicker was I often struggled to find diesel fuel at convenient service stations and at that time I was often paying as much as $1 per gallon more than gasoline. And I used to have to carry a fuel tip adapter as the truck stop pumps won't fit into the automotive size fuel tanks. And I lived in a place where there would be subzero temperatures and I had to walk home several times because of solidified fuel clogging the filters. Then at about 30,000 miles the diesel particulate filter clogged and VW were real SOB's on any warranty work so it cost over $2,500 to fix that. Then the news hit about VW cheating on the emission system testing and it depressed the market to resell my car. Ultimately I sold the car back to VW at a loss of about $15,000. I'm still pissed but it cured me from being a diesel fanboy.
Although you can drive 70 mph, it’s much safer (particularly with trailer tires), to be driving 60, 65 tops, when towing. I do. Speed and towing aren’t a good mix. Lots more potential for trouble. And mpg increases at 60.
Agree, I own a 2005 Duramax and it's been a great truck but with all the complex emissions systems on the new diesel will go gas next. Hopefully it gives me another 15 years of trouble free service before I need to replace it.
I have my 15 LML purchased new...has given me no issues, needs a tad more maintenance than a gasser, but will most likely go to Fords 7.3 if that drivetrain is solid.....GMs new 6.6 doesn't interest me, and I was hoping it would have been something impressive. I will hold on to my LML andost likely hop into that 7.3 Ford, and this is from a lifelong GM guy...only time will tell.
I pull ~11k and there's no effing way I'd consider gas even if I only pulled 2-4 times a year because of the power and less stress going up hills and exhaust brake going down. Worth the extra cost up front. Plus I have a 60 gallon aux transfertank in the bed so I don't have to stop, I choose to stop. You can't legally do a transfer tank with gas :(
I wish we had that problem. My company hauls 18-20k with 3/4 diesels with air bags. Not saying they can't handle it, but if anyone could use a dually we sure could.
Awesome video. Would like to see y’all pull an average travel trailer with these gassers vs max performing them. I’m assuming the mpg would be around 10.
It would be great is they towed travel trailers and 5th wheels vs. horse trailers. I see far more people towing campers than horse trailers and I live in the mid west... Max tow videos are fun but they don't help me pick my next family hauler/travel trailer tow vehicle.
Great comparison. I am on the fence and own a small construction company in Minnesota but only tow trailers or haul materials a few times per month, other than that I am empty. I am thinking gas unless I get a great discount on diesel. Keep up the great videos.
Good video. Gas makes a lot of sense for many. I tow a 25 foot mid weight travel trailer for recreation currently with a half ton out west which means a variety of roads including Sierra Mtns. While it does pretty well my biggest complaint it does get pushed around in wind and big rigs. For my needs hard to justify the added expense of diesel. This level of truck would fit my needs.
Gas seems to be the way to go nowadays. They're improving immensely in the reliability department, and I'd reckon over the life of an average truck the cost per mile is probably about even, if not slightly in the gas engine favor. With that being said I'd probably buy another diesel before a gas truck. Those diesels just get up and go a whole lot better than the gas trucks do and at the end of the day I find that to be more important than anything else. Honestly, my Tacoma Off-Road is only getting between 19 and 20mpg on the highway at 70mph. So seeing 15.5-16.5 in a heavy duty truck seems pretty reasonable to me.
My 02 chevy (157K mi) 2500HD 8.1L gets 13mpg empty and 9mpg when I pull my car hauler. all this is an improvement. paying for a diesel makes no sense unless you pull daily. and at the rate folks change their truck they never break even.
@@danielpyziak6537 What about the extra interest you're gonna pay for the extra 10k on a diesel, extra insurance costs, extra registration costs if applicable? At 10k dollars extra, at 3.5% interest (Which is low these days) over 60 month loan is roughly 1,000 dollars extra. So it's an 11k dollar option now on a financed trucked. www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS695US695&sxsrf=ACYBGNRNvGQsdv4hTdYJeBWRiD8vlx2ZcQ%3A1572105996948&ei=DG-0XeXBOYrV-gTj_JPABw&q=car+loan+interest+calculator&oq=car+loan+interest+calculator&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i71l8.3136.4287..4472...0.3..0.522.2471.2-4j1j1j1......0....1..gws-wiz.Y_8BEJPQgFw&ved=0ahUKEwjl9_ybp7rlAhWKqp4KHWP-BHgQ4dUDCAs&uact=5 If you're talking same thing at 7.5% interest if you had not so great credit, it's another 2k dollars. www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS695US695&sxsrf=ACYBGNRNvGQsdv4hTdYJeBWRiD8vlx2ZcQ%3A1572105996948&ei=DG-0XeXBOYrV-gTj_JPABw&q=car+loan+interest+calculator&oq=car+loan+interest+calculator&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i71l8.3136.4287..4472...0.3..0.522.2471.2-4j1j1j1......0....1..gws-wiz.Y_8BEJPQgFw&ved=0ahUKEwjl9_ybp7rlAhWKqp4KHWP-BHgQ4dUDCAs&uact=5 Sales tax in Colorado is 2.9% state level, with up to 5% county and 8% city tax. www.salestaxhandbook.com/colorado/sales-tax-vehicles So, the 10k dollar option will add another almost 300 dollars at 2.9%, at 8% is $800. So if you had the 7.5% interest rate which will add 2,000 dollars more in interest to your 10k option, plus $800 for extra taxes is $2,800. Then, because your vehicle has a higher replacement cost it's going to cost more to get full coverage on it from your insurance, and I'm not sure what that costs. And I believe typically depending on the state your registration fees are also based on the value of your vehicle. my 2018 GMC with an MSRP of 53.3k was $500 to register. A diesel will be more most likely. There's a lot of costs people don't even think about when considering a vehicle purchase. It'd be interesting if someone actually sat down and got all the real world numbers of what it would cost for someone, but it varies so much from state to state and county to county and everything else.
That diesel up charge depreciates to $6000 almost instantly. If you aren’t driving the diesel good distances your emissions will have premature failure also costing thousands
With regular (87 octane) at $1.76/L & ultra low sulphur at $2.06/L here in Canada I wonder how a Vortec 8100 would have done during this test. Am hoping to find an '07-'09 8.1 for my next truck & would appreciate some more tests of the big block power plants. Keep up the great work have read your book several times
I have the new gas 2500, it is much more efficient around 60 than it is at 70. Towing about half that weight at 60 (with a engine mode modifier installed), I get between 12 and 14 mpg regularly.
What are you pulling? I want to see someone do a review between loaded and unloaded, gas and diesel; pulling a 5 place enclosed aluminum snowmobile trailer.
A few years later here in May 2022, gas in my area is $3.79 g and diesel is $5.39 g. at 6.9mpg for the gas I would be spending 54.9 cents per mile and the diesel version at 9.7mpg would be 55.5 cents per mile, plus a little more for def and fuel filter changes. Love to see the 6.6L gas with a tune on this run to see if that helps MPG a little like it did my Raptor.
I am a huge GM truck guy with zero complains about any of the small block engines I have owned. I will be ordering the 2021 gasser within a couple of months. The only short-fall I see is the six speed transmission. Why GM hasn't offered an eight is beyond me. If they had the eight speed I'd would place my order today but I'm holding out to see what options will be available in the New Year.
I think it definitely needs a 10 speed and need to put the 4.10 gears back in. It would also be great if they made the hood scoop functional on the gas truck also.
I'm convinced more and more that it's less about the engine and more about the transmission and gearing. These engines, both gas and diesel are so much more efficient these days... additionally, even though the six speed may be slightly less fuel efficient, I've heard its quite reliable.
@@brendan747 Yeah the 4L80 is probably the greatest 4 speed automatic transmission ever made (Rolls, Bentley, Jaguar and Aston Martin thought so anyway). The ones from the 2000s are known to hold upwards of 800 rwhp with nothing more than a TransGo HD2 shift kit (often after 200k or more of box truck or van duty). Unbelievable. The 6L90 is a modern clutch to clutch design so it can go into any gear at any time. GM went on record saying that the 6L80/90 series transmissions had the lowest warranty activity of any GM transmission (at least in the modern era). Nothing wrong with reusing it even if it dates back to 2006.
People curse the electronics. But that technology and synthetic fluids are giving us amazing torque and horsepower! 1969-70 were considered the heyday of power. And they are so wrong!!! A bolt on Ripp supercharger kit on a Pentastar V6. Will give more power with 4 times the fuel economy than a 383 Chrysler engine. And a 3.5L Ecoboost beats any stock 351 Cleveland or 429 "385" series engine. The 8 & 10 speed transmissions are a big deal. Any of the non-turbo or supercharged V6 engines in pickups today. With 3.73 or 3.92 gears. Can out tow any V8 gas or diesel pickup, from 20 or more ago. And get diesel like fuel economy. Last year my wife and I moved a friend from Greenville, NC to Lancaster, CA. Towing a 12 ft U-haul trailer fully loaded, and 3 adults in the truck. We got 20mpg all the way with 3.21 gear ratio in a 2014 Ram 1500 Crewcab with the 3.6L gas engine. My wife did upgrade to a 2018 Ram Crewcab 2500 6.7L Cummins. So we could pull a bigger trailer than the 27ft Feather Lite my Ram 1500 Ecodiesel can pulls. But she wishes her 2500 had the 8-speed rather than the 6-speed 68RFE. She gets the same fuel economy with the Cummins as she got with the gas V6.
Love how this video is with an enclosed trailer similar to a fifth wheel so we can see it with wind drag instead of an open trailer. Mileage looks great with all things considered. Looks like this truck will be great for most fifth wheels!!
Thanks for this review, probably one of the most helpful videos I have watched on your channel, and I have watched a ton of them. This new Gasser HD seems like a really good option for someone like me that wants a better tow vehicle for my Travel Trailer that probably maxes out around 6k when we load it up for camping 6 times a year and climb some serious grades. My 2012 Suburban with the 5.3L tows the trailer just fine as far as power goes, but on the extended grades I often have to stop when the engine gets hot and the transmission gets hot.
I did a calculation that not only includes fuel prices and this towing efficiency, but also regular oil changes every 5,000 miles, and def fluid cost with 3,000 mi of range for 7 gallons. The result was a basic running cost of ~$0.37 per mile on the gas (at 2.50 per gallon), and ~$0.33 per mile on the diesel( At 3.15 per gallon). Assuming a $10,000 premium for the diesel, it would take 250,000 towing miles to equalize. Assuming the truck spends 20% of it's time not towing, it will have well over 300,000 miles on the clock. There isn't a business around that would want to keep a 3/4 or 1 ton work truck that long. Not to mention the inevitable Def tank heater replacement, particulate filter replacement, EGR and turbo overhaul that will be necessary in that period, and then you add around another $15,000 to that difference. Even little things like fuel filters have a 100% premium. It isn't just fuel. The ONLY logical reason to go with a diesel is capacity. If your needs fall into the Gasser capacity, the diesel isn't a smart choice. Re gear the thing if necessary, you're still saving money.
Nice video with the cost comparison. Liked it. Note the diesel has added costs for def, regen cycles and filters and oil changes cost more and costs you your time.
Right now fuel prices by my house are 2.59 gas and 3.09 diesel... gas truck @ 16 mpg = 0.16187 cpm. Diesel at 20 mpg is 0.1545 cpm which gives a difference in cost of 0.00737 cents per mile $10,000 dollar diesel option = 1,356,852 miles to recover the diesel option in fuel alone.
Another consideration not discussed here is the cost (of electricity) to run the engine block heater in cold climates. My father in law just bought a 2019 1-ton truck with the gas and not the diesel. His biggest reason is that he lives in northern New Hampshire, so engine heating in the winter can be quite costly. Also, not sure if the breakeven calculations consider DEF expenses. One last consideration are maintenance cost differences for the two drive systems. All things to keep in mind when making a truck decision. Your Excel tables just got a few more columns... Happy spreadsheeting.
In buying an hd pickup up north. You also have to take in account. Temperature in the winter.... in a diesel you will have to add additive to the cost. Also. With a diesel you have the ever possible chance of jelling up even with additive in those -30 mornings. Also with a diesel if you are driving around town or short distances and not building heat in the engine when it’s that cold, you have to deal with the cabin not warming up. Or the engine cooling off when idling.
Because of cost I go with the gas engines. Pulling 24ft goosenecks I have two pulling trucks Chevy's a 2500, 6.0, 373 gear ratio, 4x4 ex cab and a 3500, 8.1, 410 gear ratio 4x4 crew cab. I love the pulling ability of the 3500 ,torque of the 8.1 with the Allison 5 speed transmission and 410 gear ratio rear end is a great setup. Now it two years later still got my two gas engine Chevys. Now I bought a very nice 2001 Chevy 2500HD 90,800 miles Excab 4x4 Duramax lb7 very good pulling truck 15 to 16 mpg local city and 23 mpg highway.
In NC it’s at least $15k-$20k difference between a gas and diesel 2500. I’m def looking at the 2500 custom gas. I don’t do a lot of towing towing so I’m glad I watched this video to see the differences. Can’t wait to do a test drive to see how it drives!
Great work, as usual! Besides the upfront cost of deisel do you guys have a video where you've broken down the other costs? For example, maintenance, fuel cost difference, or other potential unknown costs. Also, it seems deisels may last longer, but not sure? Anyways, I tell everyone I know about you guys, keep the vids coming!
These are all things I have considered, the Cost of Diesel fuel is still much higher than gasoline here in SoCal, plus the Diesel uses way more oil when you do oil changes, needs DEF, Turbo lifespan... all those things add up to the cost of ownership being higher with the diesel and that means the mileage to re-coup your initial cost to get into one is going to be higher than what TFL presented.
You also should factor in the cost of oil changes, if not brakes, as components that need changing may add up because of increased cost for things that need maintenance on a diesel.
I understand why you use the thirty second rule but I get to replace a lot of charcoal filters that are pumped full of raw gas due to over filling. The tank and fill system is designed to shut off the pump when it’s full. When you continue to pump you can be pumping into the filtration system which is BAD. Better to change your process to pump slower and stop when it cuts off
I don't know about anywhere else, but currently my local GM dealer has several 2020, 2500hd LTZ crew cab, 4x4 with the gas v8 at a final price after rebates is $53,873. Same lot you can get a 2020 3500hd dually with the Duramax, work grade, crew cab for $51,873. I know it's' not apples to apples due to option packages, but it not as big of a gap after the rebates to upgrade to the diesel option if you do much towing at all.
I have 2 Duramax, an 08 and an 11. Both owned since new. The 11 gets 18mpg all around driving, city-highway- warming up in the zero F mornings, yadda yadda. The 11 gets 22+ on a long trip unloaded. It gets 10-11 pulling a 12,000# Ranger Tug (with 11 foot tall wind drag) from Mi to Fl and back every year (and sometimes twice) The 08 gets 1mpg less unloaded, but about the same loaded (with same boat and trailer making same trip) Both dip into the 9mpg when pulling the 18,000# bulldozer. Yes, a gasser costs less to operate, but it cannot haul the loads I pull. Different strokes for different folks. If my Duramax were getting 16mpg unloaded it would go back to the dealer.
in the shopping stages for a new truck, the 6.6 gas obviously new, but I believe it would work for us. We tow about 6 to 8 thousand miles per year out of about 15 thousand miles we drive our tow vehicle. Cross country and in the mountains, have had the 6.0 with 3:73 and 4:10, looks like this will do the job.
I bought a new 2018 GMC 2500HD SLT All Terrain HD Duramax last year for $58k, and didn’t want to wait for the 2020’s or the 6.6/7.3. The new gas options are definitely appealing, but I agree that 4.10’s and/or at least a 10spd would really make this truck. That would have been a hard decision had it been available when I purchased mine.
I’m done with deezels (hey Stephen). In southeast diesel fuel is about $.25-45 more per gallon. Maintenance, etc., done with diesel. GM 6.0/6.2/6.6, or whatever they make now, Ford 6.2/7.3, that’s the ticket for me.
Thank you guys great info! I am on the fence right now if I need a diesel or gas 2500 GM for my personal truck. I own a construction biz and own several GM diesel trucks to pull our 14'ft. dump debris trailers. Usually once a week I have to use my personal truck to move a trailer around onsite or bring it back to the office yard. Daily my truck is loaded with 2# 45lb ladders and a 250lb toolbox. I'm leaning towards gas because $40k sounds much better than $60k lol. Thx again gentlemen for your due diligent efforts.
Excellent test! Very excited to see GM tuning torque back into their engines.... Too bad they went ~15 years or so tuning the torque out of them for whatever reason....
Great video as always, but 85 octane was the wrong gas for this truck and likely reduced your MPG....page 278 of the 2020 owners manual specifies minimum of 87 octane: "Use regular unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM specification D4814 with a posted octane rating of 87 -(R+M)/2 - or higher. Do not use gasoline with a posted octane rating of less than 87, as this may cause engine knock and will lower fuel economy."
First, I think all the BIG 3 make a good truck from different perspectives. My 6 week old Chevy 2500 6.6L Gas LT Double Cab 4x4 has ~1600 miles on odometer, up here in central Alberta (Edmonton). Recent 460 mile trip with only 400 lbs. load in box and rear seat and driving under 68 mph, driving civil, turned out a 14 L/100 km or 16.8 mpg (US). Very happy with it thus far. Even had A/C on during the journey. Could be the stock 17” tires that contributed (lighter sprung weight and thus less torque required). I’ve swapped factory supplies 17” Firestone AT with Michelin Defenders (I ride on gravel roads to Nat. Gas plants but no real need for aggressive AT tire as Defenders are now even more robust and quieter and less road friction = better fuel mileage). PS, a very quiet running truck and I like the buttons (the layout reminds me of 2013-2018 Ram 1500) which is just how I like it; not too much screen and still knobs/switches to touch.
@@keithchikowski5583 Hi Keith. The answer is 3.73. I’ve owned this truck since June 2020 and can provide more updates and research I found as well since then and even point you toward other RU-vid blogs. Why might you be asking? Are you comparing it with ... a Ford or Ram and a particular engine or model? How are you intending to use your truck? I presume you’re aware of this newly designed 6.6L gas engine and somewhat revised 6 spd. transmission and that the entire chassis is all new and upgraded.
I’m looking to get another truck and am doing some research. I’m a ford guy but like the ram because of the transmission. The chev/ gm is a close second but I have some concern with a 6 speed. I like the ford also but the fuel economy isn’t as good. A few extra $$$ spent on fuel would add up over 10 years. I pull a fifth wheel with a boat behind, approx 9500 #’s. Funny thing is I live 25 mins from down town Edmonton
@@keithchikowski5583 Hi Keith. Funny, it’s a small world indeed. Your communicating with a fellow Albertan; Edmonton. Regarding brand loyalty, I somewhat get that, yet realistically, because CEO’s+Engineers+Designers, etc. and company business models change, it’s no longer about loyalty so much so for me. It’s about known quality with particular components, what people are experiencing and features that are dear to you. Mine is a Double Cab, like my former Ram Quad Cab (short door) which we love for many reasons that includes shorter overall length yet still a longer box (too bad Ford is still holding out as the last one with reverse Club Cab door). From the “many” reviews I’ve watched and read, the 7.3L Ford is certainly the beast and nice overall for sure. Yet it apparently burns more fuel than 6.6L that has industry 1st direct injection and a few other very modern features. My hp is very sufficient amd for pulling our 8300 lbs. Toy Hauler trailer (not 5th wheel). I like their cameras (can view inside the box and through the trailer, etc.). I’ve had good fortune with Chevy trucks and more recently with two Ram 1/2 tons but for 3/4, they’re too long and cab is bigger than we need. The Chevy interior is very much modern yet with enough buttons and not too much “only screen” access. Also for industry 1st is I have AWD transfer case (AutoTrac) and for winter driving, it’s near perfect (engages only when needed). I also like the side steps at 4 important / handy locations. Good luck with your search.
Recently, I towed our 12000# fifth wheel about 150 miles with 2012 gmc 2500hd diesel. My son was towing our boat maybe 7000# with his new Ford F-150. While I do not remember mpg, he used twice the amount of fuel as I did. I generally roll at 75 mph. But as you state, if not hauling, the gas is the way to go. With all the electronics on either engine, you should not buy a diesel, thinking longevity.
That was a great mpg test!! Glad you had the diesel numbers too. Did you guys test the 66 mile loop vs the 100ish loop to see if that was enough distance for the truck to get an accurate mpg?
IMO the real question is do you do enough miles in a year to justify the cost and maintenance of a Diesel? Diesel is great but it's meant for hard driving and high miles. If it's just a toy hauler or your ocasional vehicle you use for camping and towing a couple of months out of the year save you money and headache and get a gaser.
You need to do the same test loop with the new diesel GM. You got 19.9 mpg gaining elevation from Oregon to Colorado more than your 66 mile test loop. I bet the diesel unloaded gets >21mpg
I have both a 2020 diesel denali and a 2021 gas coming. What they aren’t factoring in is the resale value Leasing this doesn’t apply. You will get $8000 more back on a diesel resale so really you only have to save a few thousand but oil changes are more money. Def fluid is extra, extra labour to repair and fuel filters. If you add this up it really shakes things up. But the roar of the 10 spd diesel is worth it. That thing has so much power for a big truck.
Do you (as in anyone) have to pay to weigh your truck and trailer at a weigh station? And 16" trailer tires (which I'm sure are not on this trailer) are rated for a max of 65 mph. Loaded.
You also need to factor in time on the road. What is the max distance per tank of gas vs diesel? For many companies the time you pay someone to fill up may help to offset the cost of diesel.
Years ago I computed the cost between my then gas engine and a coworkers then diesel engine(MPG vs miles vs initial price). We agreed to a determined towing vs driving vs miles driven per year vs then fuel price. At that time (2008) it would take 10 years to even break even buying a diesel engine over a gas engine. Now a days it would be far closer but still, $10k ish for the diesel option is hard to swallow.
18 mpg is indeed impressive for that truck. Considering that the 2024 models will get the Allison 10 speed, you should easily start seeing 20 mpg for gas mileage. Hopefully they still won’t have DFM.
I just test drove the 6.6 gas yesterday on an LTZ trimmed 2500. I own a 2018 ltz crew cab duramax fully loaded currently. I wanted to see what the hype was all about, and if I was impressed I'd switch from dura to gas. I bought my truck for hauling a 5th wheel camper, better to have enough muscle them not enough is my thought process. 11,500 to 12,500 is going to be the est weight. I drove the new 2020 hd and the ride was smoother, exactly same seat feel, steering feel, and trim minus ventilated seats at 59k. I was very unimpressed while taking off from a start, or even going up a decent hill, felt very avg, nothing to say I have to get rid of my beast for this. I was thinking the whole time, why would they even offer gas at this point other then cost savings. I could only imagine how nutered this thing is with a significant weight behind it. Just my opinion as someone who actually owns an hd and tested the gas. And no, I kept mine only has 16k on it they lowballed me as well, so 2018 duramax is for keeps.
Great review guys... I wanted to point out that after 116,000 miles a diesel will have a higher resale sky that lump of thousands needs to be included somewhere
A few things: Would 87 octane make a difference? Diesel fuel cost more than gasoline so cost per mile might be the same...or closer. Trailer tire speed rating is now 75mph and no longer 65mph.
@@philllsxga.7737 where do you get double the maintenance cost? Maybe if you are an idiot and have the dealership do maintenance but honestly gassers take almost as much oil as a diesel does now a days. You can literally buy most of the items online for a fraction of the cost.
@@MattSmith-vl8zp coolant capacity is more, fuel filters, oil filters, wait till you have to replace the injectors for 3 to 4 thousand dollars!!! Def fluid, turbo's.. everything for a diesel is more expensive!! You don't know this?!?!?? Hummmm And wait till the Def regenerate system fails!! And look at these current light duty Diesel's , timing belts , belt driven fuel pumps and belt driven oil pumps?!?!?? Buy a Chevy gas...
@@czwarlord9243 unless you are towing 10 k lbs or more EVERYDAY buy a gas Truck. The 6.6 d Max is badass!! But most people driving them are not using them as intended..
Quote from Below GT >>"page 278 of the 2020 owners manual specifies minimum of 87 octane: "Use regular unleaded gasoline meeting ASTM specification D4814 with a posted octane rating of 87 -(R+M)/2 - or higher. Do not use gasoline with a posted octane rating of less than 87, as this may cause engine knock and will lower fuel economy."
The worst part isn’t 30% less mpg or finding a gas pump you can fit into. It’s the lack of exhaust brake AND the lower resale and the weaker tranny. And the lack of reserve power. And this is only 16,000 lbs.
Neo Craft gas vehicles naturally have an engine brake due to the throttle body. An exhaust brake is just on the exhaust instead of the intake. Jake brakes work better than either, but almost never come on consumer vehicles.
Think about the long term comfort of pulling with the Duramax over the gas screaming at high rpm when it needs to start pulling hard and longevity of the motor.
Nice to know the mpg in ideal flat conditions. However I upgraded to the 2020 diesel from the gasser due to mountains and driving roads that are not flat at all. Pulling the weight I pull, you don’t even feel the trailer behind you.
I just purchased the new 2020 GMC AT4 2500 HD diesel. I went 85 miles HWY going between 65 and 75 MPH and averaged 24 MPG empty. The other thing not mentioned here is the better resale value of diesel over gas. Diesels just hold their value better period.
What u think about Diesel fuel cost now? Gas is a no brainier unless u tow max load weekly my gas pulling 9k camper once a month has more power than my 2012 Duramax did.
The added expense of the D.E.F needs to be added in to the overall cost of running a diesel vs a gasser IMO. I drive trucks over the road and I average 1 gallon of yuppie juice for every 18 gallon's of diesel at 7mpg. It would be a significant difference in a pickup truck with the D.E.F used considering the mpg difference.
I just ordered a 2022 2500HD gas. The base price is 44500. I'm into a work truck trim with options for 50400 today price. 16mpg is about 4 mpg better than my 2005 tundra. This chevy better last as long if not longer than my Yota did.
I’m curious to see if filling the truck up with fuel AFTER removing the trailer makes a difference or caused room for a mathematical error. I’m thinking maybe the truck wasn’t completely “full” when filling up after the first loop having the trailer at the pump due to squat. I have no idea what the gas tank looks like, but in my head, it seems the gas tank was not fully leveled, causing the truck to “fill quicker”. Let me know what your thoughts are.
the mileage to makeup the initial price difference becomes exponential when you consider the price difference on fuels. Diesel prices cancel out any mileage savings anyway.
I just recently, during October, priced a new truck. Coincidentally, I also compared a gas and a diesel. Don't know where you came up with about $10k difference in price. At Chevy and also GMC dealers, the closest price difference was over $20k. That means a diesel would require double the miles you are stating to recoup the price difference. By the time you add in higher sales tax, more expensive oil changes, DEF, fuel additive in cold weather, and, where I live in the midwest, the price difference in fuel is .45 to .60 per gal. Also, remember, when using winter formulated fuel, your mpg will be less on the diesel, which again affects the time required to reqgain the price difference. If someone routinely tows, say more than 50% of their miles, then a diesel is probably better. Occasional towing, then the gas is the better choice, at least as far as $$$$$$$ is concerned. Currently, I tow with a Silverado HD 3/4 ton with the 6.o, and my trailer is for recreational use (24 footer) so I'm much lighter, and i get around 10.5-11 mpgxhasut, with 4.10 gears, 4wd, completely stock, even exhaust. Bobtailing, I get about 18-19, depending on conditions.
Diesel is 28% higher than gasoline around here. So diesel will NEVER pay off. Then there is the ticking emissions-system time bomb of todays diesels - it will cost you five figures to fix someday.
BlackBuzzzard not to mention how negatively the emissions systems affect the trucks fuel mileage. My 07 duramax consistently got 25 mpg unloaded on the highway.
16 on the highway is very good for a gas truck that size. 30% gas - diesel MPG difference is to be expected considering diesel fuel in general produces 30% more energy. Problem is diesel costs anywhere between 15%-50% more than gas, at least in my area. The recent average difference is 25%-30% so diesel will get you more power, not more money.
Yes, the diesel option costs $10k at time of purchase, but you recoup a good portion of that when you sell it as the diesel trucks do much better at maintaining their value... sometimes they resell for more than $10k than a gas equivalent. So the payback is actually much shorter than you think.
One thing the commenters have not mentioned is the huge difference in trade in value of the diesel vs the gasser. It looks to me like a very large portion of the price difference is recaptured when it is trade time.
Very nice indo think the Gas 6.6L could do better at elevation with higher octane than 85. The turbo is not affected as much. But i agree with most 10-speed if it has a 3.73 rear. Or go back to the 4.10. A 8-Speed HD maybe
When I did my calculations in 2010, the results were astonishing, because you aren't adding in the increased maintenance costs of a diesel. Add in DEF, Oil changes, etc. and the diesel makes no sense unless you tow 90-100% of the time. It was much easier to justify a diesel before DEF killed fuel mileage and increased costs. Once again the EPA killed a good thing, they succeeded in creating a "cleaner" diesel fuel in hydrocarbons per gallon admitted, but it is dirtier because it takes more gallons per mile to travel the same distance. Long story short, I bought a gasser and am still money ahead at 110k miles (and will be for at least another 200k).
