2013 Chevy gas comparison

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by mgreene

Hopefully that’s my plan at some point down the road. With my oldest starting college next year the gasser will have to do for a few years. The used diesel trucks are extremely overpriced to find one with less than 100k miles and seems they all start having major maintenance cost between 200-300k,,, which is why I bought the used gas truck in the first place!

Whoa there pardner. A diesel is heavier than a gasser in the front and front ends don't last 200-300K miles; be prepared for front end work prior to that (perhaps 100K miles) especially if you live in an area with rougher roads. A new front end is not cheap.

[Badbart56]

I ran a fleet of Chevy Crewcab 2500's with the 6.0, 4x4, and 3.73 gears and they all got 11 mpg on the interstate with about 1500 lbs. of cargo. That's just the way it is with a truck that heavy.
On the other hand my Cadillac CTS V with a 400+ hp 5.7 with 3.73's and a 6 speed manual gets 24 mpg at 70 mph, but it weighs only 3850 lbs.

[mgreene]

Wiredgeorge, I was mostly referring to the fuel (pumps, injectors,etc)problems that seem to be regular occurrences around this area especially when a diesel 3/4 ton reaches 200-300k miles. I’m sure there are other things, line the front end you mentioned, that drives the maintenance/ upkeep on these monsters higher and higher. I knew my mpg wouldn’t be great with the gasser, but hoped in the long run it would be cheaper to operate than a comparatively priced diesel. My main goal with this post was just to see if mine is in the ballpark of where it should be or not. I figured I couldn’t be the only one on this forum that owned or had owned a similar animal! It’s still a great truck and I’m extremely happy with everything but the mpg!!!

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by mgreene

Wiredgeorge, I was mostly referring to the fuel (pumps, injectors,etc)problems that seem to be regular occurrences around this area especially when a diesel 3/4 ton reaches 200-300k miles. I’m sure there are other things, line the front end you mentioned, that drives the maintenance/ upkeep on these monsters higher and higher. I knew my mpg wouldn’t be great with the gasser, but hoped in the long run it would be cheaper to operate than a comparatively priced diesel. My main goal with this post was just to see if mine is in the ballpark of where it should be or not. I figured I couldn’t be the only one on this forum that owned or had owned a similar animal! It’s still a great truck and I’m extremely happy with everything but the mpg!!!

Irrespective of what some folks on this forum claim, the initial cost of a diesel and subsequent upkeep are very likely higher and wouldn't offset the fuel mileage benefit (if any) compared to a gasser. That is, unless you once owned a 1996 F250 with 7.5L gas engine and it got ME 37 mpg highway and 35 mpg towing. Anyway, I still have that recurring dream. It was cheap to operate and dead solid reliable even with 1/4 million miles on it.

[Eastham]

I have a 2020 Chevrolet 6.0 showing 12.4 mph it only has 2200 miles on it maybe it will get better when it gets broken in more.

[Gegrad]

Originally Posted by Eastham

I have a 2020 Chevrolet 6.0 showing 12.4 mph it only has 2200 miles on it maybe it will get better when it gets broken in more.

Just curious, what do you have the 6.0 in? Starting with the 2020 MY Chevy went to the new 6.6L gasser in their HD trucks.

[Eastham]

2020. Express van 3500

[Gegrad]

Originally Posted by Eastham

2020. Express van 3500

ah, ok. Makes sense.

[owen4it]

I currently run a 2013 3/4 ton extended cab 4x4 w/ 6 Ltr an a 4.10 rear. End I average 12 around town and 14 highway empty. Hauling my truck camper @ 2900# I average 10 mpg and pulling my 10,000# fifth wheel 8.5 mpg so you’re about there. If I can keep it around 65 mph highway that is. I have Michelin stock size tires and no other mods. I had a 2003 crew same motor and rear and same mpg!

[Rwake901]

I have a 2019 Chevrolet 3500 with the 6.0 gas and 410 gears. I get around 12 to 13 not towing and 6.5 towing. First couple times I towed our 5th wheel I got 8.5 mpg then it went down to 6.5 mpg when the knock sensor went bad. I had the knock sensor replaced and I’m still getting 6.5 mpg. Not real happy with 6.5 but it is what it is.

[adeakins]

Originally Posted by mgreene

I have a 13 crew cab, 4x4 short wheel base with the 6.0 and only get around 10mpg empty. I have gotten 11 or so a few times with 93 octane on trips. Drops to maybe 8 with TT in tow. Has anyone got a similar vehicle and what mpg do you get? Any upgrades that would help and actually be worth the cost? Thanks

I have a 2020 F350 7.3 gas w/ 10-speed Transmission, long-bed “dually” configured for towing. I pull a 41’ 5th wheel weighing roughly 15,000lbs. When towing in the mountains (I presently live in Western NC), I get 6~7 mpg. Not towing, I average 12~13mpg. On flat terrain roads towing at 60mph, I get 9~11mpg. Not towing at highway speeds, if 13~15mpg. Hope that helps.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by adeakins

I have a 2020 F350 7.3 gas w/ 10-speed Transmission, long-bed “dually” configured for towing. I pull a 41’ 5th wheel weighing roughly 15,000lbs. When towing in the mountains (I presently live in Western NC), I get 6~7 mpg. Not towing, I average 12~13mpg. On flat terrain roads towing at 60mph, I get 9~11mpg. Not towing at highway speeds, if 13~15mpg. Hope that helps.

You have my dream truck and it would be cruel if you didn't post a picture. I will likely never buy another truck and will make this one last but I really wanted a gasser V10 and then when the 7.3 came out, I was tempted but a new 1 ton costs more than I can afford.

[adeakins]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

You have my dream truck and it would be cruel if you didn't post a picture. I will likely never buy another truck and will make this one last but I really wanted a gasser V10 and then when the 7.3 came out, I was tempted but a new 1 ton costs more than I can afford.

Not sure how to attach photo. The truck is really, really big and very, very white. Also, back in May of this year, extremely difficult to find. Oddly enough, my previous puller was an F250 7.3 diesel. This gas gets about the same mileage but tows up steep inclines better. The V10 has, I’m told, a good bit less torque than this one which has only slightly less torque than is Ford diesel counterpart. Configured the way mine is, it’s rated to pull 22,000 lbs. also, this one came with a 48 gal tank which makes fuel stops less frequent but leaves you looking for “90 days same as cash” options at the pump. Burns regular, though, so that helps. And, yes; this and all other pickup trucks are grossly over priced for what you get … new and used.

[GaryUT]

We have a 2009 2500 crew cab 4x4 with the 6.0 and 377 gears. Get 9mpg empty around town, 13-15 on the highway empty. Towing the fifth wheel we get 7-9 mpg. Not known for being fuel efficient.

The stock exhaust has a nice rumble. On mine the stock system is dual pipes from the manifolds through the cats and muffler, the Y pipe is after the muffler, and into a single exhaust.


I went back to the stock size tires with the last set, not much change of MPG, but seems to pull better.


Gary

[Army Paladin]

Not sure what GM did with the slightly older models before 2014 or so but they seem to get better milage than the 14 or 15s and up. I have a base 15 6.0 and it will get 12 or a touch over if I watch the foot and then I have gotten between 5 and 8ish when pulling. It doesn’t seem to matter much either it it my lawn trailer all summer or the 5er hocked up. The wind will be a factor more than the trailer I have hooked up.
I have been looking at the same thing and have been wondering hat I could do to get better mileage. Running premium is the only thing I have done and it does help. It is not much but when you go from 10.3 mph to 12 running empty and from 7.5 to 8.5 mph, that is a good increase on its own. Not sure about the tuners since most of them are tailored to the diesel runners. I agree with some of those here that the cost difference to me is not that great between the gas and the diesels when they start 10 grand more to start and if you keep it for the repairs they will start to eat at the differences when you have to drop 4 grand to start on fuel system repairs and such. 14 grand is a lot of gas to burn to equal out. But that is just my thoughts or 2 cents.

[Mark T]

I have a 2020 3500 HD with the 6.6 gasser. Around town I'm getting a little over 14 mpg; best highway mileage to date has been 19.6 mpg...towing a 15,000 lb 5er, averaging 8 mpg.

[mgreene]

So from everything I’m seeing I don’t think I’m far off at all with mine. It does get a mpg or so better when running high test gas. Looks like even the newer trucks are real close on towing mpg! Just all seem to get better empty. Going to continue without the tuner for now unless I find one that will help constantly! Thanks for all the replies!

[David49]

I have a 2016 F250 Crew Cab 4X4 with the 6.2 L gas engine. I get 13 mpg in-town or on the road, not much difference. I get 7.5-8.0 mpg pulling my 32' Springdale. Bought it because I didn't like diesels. Personal preference.

[adeakins]

That was my thoughts after doing the research which left towing capability and operating costs as the remaining determining factors. The 7.3 liter gas approximates 6.x liter diesels in towing capabilities but with a 40¢ to 65¢ per gallon fuel cost premium, diesel versus gas - assuming “regular” - greatly reduces operating cost in favor of gas. Add to that the reduced regular maintenance cost of gas versus diesel and the operating costs delta increases. All that said, it has been noted that diesel engines will out last gas and given the newness of the 7.3 gas, that remains to be conclusively determined. But, even if you take it at face value, given my observations of late model build quality across the 3 U.S. “HD” manufacturers suggests most diesel blocks outlive the trucks they are attached to. Gas may or may not do the same, but it’s not relevant.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by adeakins

That was my thoughts after doing the research which left towing capability and operating costs as the remaining determining factors. The 7.3 liter gas approximates 6.x liter diesels in towing capabilities but with a 40¢ to 65¢ per gallon fuel cost premium, diesel versus gas - assuming “regular” - greatly reduces operating cost in favor of gas. Add to that the reduced regular maintenance cost of gas versus diesel and the operating costs delta increases. All that said, it has been noted that diesel engines will out last gas and given the newness of the 7.3 gas, that remains to be conclusively determined. But, even if you take it at face value, given my observations of late model build quality across the 3 U.S. “HD” manufacturers suggests most diesel blocks outlive the trucks they are attached to. Gas may or may not do the same, but it’s not relevant.

Not sure where you're located but here in Arizona, for now, gas & diesel are only a couple cents difference with occasionally the gas being the higher of the 2, with premium gas being 40-60 cents higher than diesel.
Haven't towed heavy with the 7.3 so have no knowledge of its capabilities, but did tow with the V10 Ford, a couple GM V8s & had 2 diesel GMCs & towing with a gasser in no way compares to towing with a diesel, especially the newer ones with the tow/haul & exhaust brake.
Drove those 2 GMC diesels as daily drivers for 15+ years while towing 16.5k 5th wheels across the country fulltiming. The argument that the maintenance is so much more with a diesel can't be verified by my experience. All require periodic maintenance, the diesels just go further between those intervals.
Also I think some still equate a diesel with the rattling, noisy, smelly, black smoke belching things from the past! Not so with the ones of the last 15 years or so. You could stop next to one nowadays & unless you saw the diesel badging on the fender you'd not know it was a diesel.