Who's got GAS?

[padredw]

We spent the month of July, 2013 on a trip of 6157 total miles on the pickup (based on odometer readings). We put in 578.5356 gallons of diesel at a total cost of $2216.55. [making an average price of $3.83 per gallon] The MPG for the entire trip would therefore be 10.6424.

But there is great variety in the MPG for different legs of the trip. The highest MPG for a leg with only towing [no driving without towing] was 12.8 (Cheyenne, WY). The lowest MPG for towing was 8.82--our last fill-up on the entire trip. OK, I will admit that I might have been driving just a bit faster as we neared home. Actually, the one factor that has the most effect is the wind. Most of my driving was in the 60-63 MPH range.

If we left off the last two fill-ups, when I was driving a bit faster against very adverse winds, our MPG was almost exactly 11 MPG.

Just in the interest of total disclosure, my present fifth-wheel is a 34 foot SOB.

[Art-n-Marge]

Need to mention Chasinracing, that I like your sig picture a lot. A Montana in Alaska doesn't look so bad. Your rear picture window must have had one gorgeous view.

I have to agree with padredw that the wind can mess up the mpgs real bad. I can also say that no matter where I'm going and in which direction that I seem to only tow with headwinds! What's up with that!? However, that's not the case when not towing, I seem to get my fair share of tail and side winds.

[Chasnracin]

That was in Portage, AK near the portage glacier. The campground host allowed us to head out back by ourselves and back up to the avalanche chute. The occasional bear would wander across the bottom snow of the chute. Thanks to our 2 Honda generators,we get to head out to some off the grid places.
Funny, we had a 27' TT before the Monty, and I actually get better mileage with one Monty. And the TT was an Outback Sydney with an aerodynamic front weighing in at just over 6k.

[Phil P]

quote:Originally posted by padredw





If we left off the last two fill-ups, when I was driving a bit faster against very adverse winds, our MPG was almost exactly 11 MPG.

Just in the interest of total disclosure, my present fifth-wheel is a 34 foot SOB.

Hi

Thanks I am glad to see some else getting the same mileage I get.

I didn’t start getting good mileage until I had 30,000 miles on the truck.

It now has 100,000 and is real stable at 11.9 to 12 with the trailer as long as I stay out of the mountains.

I also tow at 60 MPH.

Phil P

[Icehouse]

Ken, never thought to take the Monty down to Portage. Thanks for the suggestion. Will have to be next year though as we finally got settled in Palmer.

I am glad you asked about the gas engines. I was wondering how they would do up here towing. After hearing all the great responses, I don't feel so bad about my hungry 350. I'll keep her a while longer.

[dsprik]

I just got a new '13 GMC 3500 SRW 4x4. I just turned over 1,000 miles on it. My computer - which, by the way, can lie to you so be careful... - Says it is currently running 17.0+ mpg. I do have 3.73 gearing - it is now standard in all 3500s and 2500s coming out of the factory - even with the Duramax/Allison for some reason - possibly to keep up GM's Fleet mileage (if 1 tons are used in those federal calculations...). My 2002 LB&7 (3.73) had 200 ft lbs less and 100 hp less than this new 6.6 turbo diesel. I got 10.5 mpg pulling and ~16-17 mpg empty. I have not hooked up to the Montana yet, but with the new exhaust brake and a few more miles, I expect very pleasant results.

I also said I would never own another pickup unless it was a diesel. Now for the bad news: It is a $8,000 option, as mentioned earlier. One more note - it is almost impossible to find a good used diesel. You are almost forced to buy new. Luckily, we had several rebates, including the GM family rebate. I do plan on running this one for up to 15 years. If you can swing it a diesel is definitely the way to go.

Unbelievable feeling of power beneath your foot...

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by dsprik

I just got a new '13 GMC 3500 SRW 4x4. I just turned over 1,000 miles on it. My computer - which, by the way, can lie to you so be careful... - Says it is currently running 17.0+ mpg. I do have 3.73 gearing - it is now standard in all 3500s and 2500s coming out of the factory - even with the Duramax/Allison for some reason - possibly to keep up GM's Fleet mileage (if 1 tons are used in those federal calculations...). My 2002 LB&7 (3.73) had 200 ft lbs less and 100 hp less than this new 6.6 turbo diesel. I got 10.5 mpg pulling and ~16-17 mpg empty. I have not hooked up to the Montana yet, but with the new exhaust brake and a few more miles, I expect very pleasant results.

I also said I would never own another pickup unless it was a diesel. Now for the bad news: It is a $8,000 option, as mentioned earlier. One more note - it is almost impossible to find a good used diesel. You are almost forced to buy new. Luckily, we had several rebates, including the GM family rebate. I do plan on running this one for up to 15 years. If you can swing it a diesel is definitely the way to go.

Unbelievable feeling of power beneath your foot...

You can order a 4:10 (or 4:11 - I forgot which) gear optionally for the gas powered GM vehicles but not for the diesel versions. I'm not sure for the reasoning behind this, but it might have something to do with the torque rating of the diesel.

[kdeiss]

t[quote]Originally posted by 8.1al

As Carl stated we have a 2001 2500HD with the 8.1 liter engine and 4:10 rear. We get on average just shy of 8 mpg towing, 12 city and 13-14 highway. This engine has 340 HP and 455 lb-ft of torque, I have no idea what the power is on the newer models. It has done a respectful job of towing our 14,000 lb. Montana even in mountains and the only time I really wished we had more power was going up a 10% grade. Based on the roads we travel if I had a heavier trailer I would have the Duramax. Hope this helps
Just love our 8.1 with Allison gets the job done!
I have no need for a diesel

[Art]

I agree with 8.1al. As my signature states, my 8.1 with a 4.10 axle has identical results as his. I travel heavy (wife's clothes) and I pull at about 63-64 mph. once engaged in 5th gear, my dually has had no issues in pulling my 3670RL. It DOES like gas though! For me (much like your pulling needs) I travel about 4-6 relatively short trips (300 miles) and usually 1-2 longer trips (2000-3000 miles) per year. I have pulled some nice elevations but have never had an issue. My solo highway mileage is 12-12.4 mpg.
I am sure that a diesel would pull better in the high western mountains, but I can not justify the extra money for the diesel ($7000+) and the maintenance cost with the urea addition and general upkeep.
I would love to know the MPG and power difference between a Duramax and 8.1 TURBOCHARGED ( if they made one stock). Although my fellow diesel owners will probably strongly disagree, I think the overall cost of the 8.1 and Duramax over a 200,000 mile span would probably be darn close.

I would get a gasser (unless you have a lot of money) with your type of pulling habits. You may not be the first person to get to the campground but, for most situations, you will have no issues pulling it there.

[JandC]

I did some MPG calculations prior to purchasing my 6.7. Without considering the benefits of having a diesel to pull the Monte with, I knew I would be going from about 14mpg to around 20mpg. I was putting over 15,000 miles per year on my trucks so I knew the annual fuel savings would be well over $1,000 per year. I will probably keep my F350 for 7 or 8 years so the difference in fuel cost will about pay for the extra $8,000 the diesel engine cost me. Now the huge bonus is of course pulling 16,000 pounds down the road with the 6.7 instead of struggling with a big gasser.

[kdeiss]

When I purchased My 8.1 the towing capacity's were the same as the Duramax The diesel option was $4,000 if I remember correctly.

The break even point was 100,000 miles if both fuels were priced the same now that was in 2002. A truck Trend Article
After 11 years I only have 35,000 miles the gasser was the correct choice for us!

[Tom S.]

quote:Originally posted by Art

I agree with 8.1al. As my signature states, my 8.1 with a 4.10 axle has identical results as his. I travel heavy (wife's clothes) and I pull at about 63-64 mph. once engaged in 5th gear, my dually has had no issues in pulling my 3670RL. It DOES like gas though! For me (much like your pulling needs) I travel about 4-6 relatively short trips (300 miles) and usually 1-2 longer trips (2000-3000 miles) per year. I have pulled some nice elevations but have never had an issue. My solo highway mileage is 12-12.4 mpg.
I am sure that a diesel would pull better in the high western mountains, but I can not justify the extra money for the diesel ($7000+) and the maintenance cost with the urea addition and general upkeep.
I would love to know the MPG and power difference between a Duramax and 8.1 TURBOCHARGED ( if they made one stock). Although my fellow diesel owners will probably strongly disagree, I think the overall cost of the 8.1 and Duramax over a 200,000 mile span would probably be darn close.

I would get a gasser (unless you have a lot of money) with your type of pulling habits. You may not be the first person to get to the campground but, for most situations, you will have no issues pulling it there.

You just destroyed your own argument against owning a diesel. While you may be right about the costs being equal over that period of time, don't forget about the trade in value. The diesel will be higher than the gas. So not only will fuel savings offset the higher initial costs, trade in should put you ahead of the game.

[Rspradling]

JMHO: if you tow anything for any amount of time, and you want it to be dependable: stay with diesel..

[8.1al]

quote:Originally posted by Rspradling

JMHO: if you tow anything for any amount of time, and you want it to be dependable: stay with diesel..

My 8.1 has over 200,000 miles and it's still going strong, I did have to change the spark plugs once.

[richard66]

Once you have had the diesel you will have a hard time going to a gas burner. Someone said the break point would be 200k miles, my bet is the gas burner will be worn out by that time. I love my diesel and would have one even if I didn't tow a fiver and a cargo trailer.
The diesel advantage is also reflected in the price at trade. There is a reason the diesel costs more to buy, almost all components on the diesel are made for heavier service and will last longer.

[richfaa]

had both the diesel pulls better that's it.