New Duramax

RockyB · 09-01-2013, 02:03 PM

I previously owned a Chevy 2500HD with 6.0 liter gas motor and 3.73 rear. We recently purchased a Outback 298 RE which we'll pick up later this month. I was a bit concerned if I "had enough truck"; and many knowledgeable folks here assured me I'd be ok. After much consideration, we decided the extra space of a crew cab would be useful on camping trips and traded yesterday on a 3500HD crew cab with Duramax (SRW). We took the truck out today to break it in a bit and I was pleasantly surprised to get over 18MPG driving about 200 miles.

I've seen some posters mention 15-16 MPG when not towing. The Crew Cab also contributed to a decent ride; despite going to the heavier 3500. The Allison felt very smooth and the truck barely shifted; except on long grades. I think I'll be comfortable towing the 298RE with this set up (planning to use an equalizer hitch).

Dhuhn · 09-01-2013, 03:25 PM

I have a 2500 duromax HD and I think the 15 to 17 is more city driving when not towing as if you are highway without towing you can get 18 to 20. I get about 12 pulling my 5er which I'm very pleased with. Enjoy your new truck.

jramsey · 09-02-2013, 10:10 AM

Congratulations RockyB! I also just purchased a new Duramax last Friday, it is a 2500HD Crew cab 2014. I think I got a good deal on it but what really matters is that I love the truck so far. I traded a 2010 2500HD 6.0 GMC crew cab. We will see how well these new trucks perform when we get past the break in period.

Drew Waller · 09-02-2013, 12:22 PM

You've got the right truck to pull what ever you want now!

Bubba777 · 09-02-2013, 12:48 PM

Post some pictures of that monster

RockyB · 09-06-2013, 05:49 PM

gotta figure out how to post pics from the I phone! Thanks all for the words of encouragement!!!

TandE · 09-06-2013, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyB

gotta figure out how to post pics from the I phone! Thanks all for the words of encouragement!!!

If you download the tapatalk app from the app store and use it to surf this forum it will let you upload pics from the iPhone. Congrats on the new truck!

RockyB · 09-07-2013, 04:30 PM

Thanks, gonna work on that!

Retiredsorta · 09-08-2013, 12:56 PM

I bought my 2500 HD 4x4 Duramax about 6 weeks ago and love it so far. Pull my TT (5800 lbs) 500 miles over Labor Day and got 16-17 mpg in the Texas Hill Country. The big adventure will be in 2 weeks when I leave for a 2 week trip to Durango and Gunnison CO. Enjoy your new truck.

gearhead · 09-08-2013, 06:31 PM

We're using a 2011 CMC 2500HD Extended cab 6.0 gasser 3.73 rear end to pull a Cougar XLite 28SGS. King pin 1450 pounds and shipping weight was 7600. Have only made 1 short trip of 150 miles so far. Calculated 8.5 mpg. We are leaving in a few days for a 2,000 mile trip. I'll post what mileage we get. Then decide about a Duramax.

RockyB · 09-15-2013, 05:09 PM

Well, we're still breaking the Duramax in with just over 500 miles on the odometer. But, thus far, in mostly stop and go driving we've been getting over 17 MPG according to the DIC. Prior to the 2012 2500HD gasser, we drove a 2005 Dodge 2500 with the 5.9 Cummins TD. We averaged about 19 MPG in similar driving. I had heard many reports the newer diesels were significantly more fuel thirsty so, as you can imagine, I'm pretty pleased.

The Duramax is extremely quiet - not necessarily a good thin since I like a bit more "rumble". I don't even have to turn the motor off at the Dunkin Donuts drive through (as I did with the Cummins and 6.0 gasser with Dynomax exhaust).

We are scheduled to pick up the 298 RE next weekend and now the better half is thinking she likes the Sprinter 331RLS a bit more since the extra 700 lbs shouldn't be a problem.

Any thoughts on the 298RE versus 331 RLS?

Thank you all - I'm enjoying the forums and learning much from your posts.

airforceret · 09-16-2013, 05:10 PM

I've got a 2012 extended cab, long bed 2500HD with the duramax and have gotten 22 to 23 mpg on trips running empty, and average about 12 to 14 city (sometimes higher / other times lower). The new 280RLS is pretty heavy and we averaged 12.7 on our recent 600 mile trip (city/hwy) here in Indiana. It does get better mileage when not using the cruise... but is still respectable around 11.5 on average running the cruise at highway speeds in tow/haul mode.

Cnc_hemi · 09-16-2013, 05:45 PM

I have a 2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT crew duramax. I love it. I had a 2005 Cummings and this truck is by far a beast, very quiet like you said. I know you will enjoy it. I'm getting 18/19 driving to work everyday in Baton Rouge. And while towing my fuzion in getting around 12. Loaded with our golf cart. As far as what camper you want pick the one that fits you. This I my 3rd 5er and all have there issues. Just make you a list as you use it and bring it in and have them fix your list. Check your roof and all water tight seams after a couple times out. And every couple months after that to make sure you have no leaks. Campers are like homes and everyone has things they like. Just do a good walk through and ask every ? You can think of from slide out over rides, jack over rides, tires, and any moving parts on your delivery. And enjoy camping.

concours · 09-19-2013, 05:55 AM

We tow a 2013 331MKS with a 2007 3500HD Duramax with absolutely no problem at all, the 12.7 US MPG is about what we see

RockyB · 09-21-2013, 05:09 PM

Towed the 331 home today - about 100 miles. The truck wasn't yet broken in with about 600 miles on the odometer but we averaged about 12-13 MPG towing. The 331 weighs about 8,200 and towing was fairly effortless. Got her home and the driveway where we planned to park it proved to be a problem - a little too tight. In backing the unit in, a slight "hump" at the end of the driveway caused us to bend the rear stabilizer jacks (surprised they are really cheap sheet metal). Ended up parking her in the grass where it's a bit uneven - will spend some time tomorrow parking it properly. But, pleased with the Duramax on the test flight!

gearhead · 10-15-2013, 05:49 PM

Report on mileage: 2011 GMC extended cab, 6.0 gasser, 3.73 axle. Pulling Cougar XLite 28SGS. Heavily loaded. From Houston thru LA, MS, TN, KY to western OH. Mileage was 8.1 to 9.1 with the calculus teacher/navigator doing the ciphering. Seriously considering a Chev 3500 SRW Duramax next spring; mostly for the power.

airforceret · 10-16-2013, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearhead

Report on mileage: 2011 GMC extended cab, 6.0 gasser, 3.73 axle. Pulling Cougar XLite 28SGS. Heavily loaded. From Houston thru LA, MS, TN, KY to western OH. Mileage was 8.1 to 9.1 with the calculus teacher/navigator doing the ciphering. Seriously considering a Chev 3500 SRW Duramax next spring; mostly for the power.

I made the switch from big gas to diesel in 2012. Would have switched sooner but didn't like the noise or the smell. Both have been minimized on the new diesels running DEF. Sure it adds cost... but the benefits in my mind far outweigh the added costs!

**JRTJH** · 10-16-2013, 08:37 AM

I just bought a gas F250 to tow our new Cougar fifth wheel. I definitely contemplated returning to diesel (I've had two in the past) and weighed the options, I think carefully. Some of the considerations for not going with diesel were the lighter weight of our Cougar (7200 lbs empty), increased cost of the diesel ($8500) and the increased cost of maintenance over a gas engine F250.

We recently returned from a 4800 mile trip and we were on the road for almost a month. The "hand calculated" mileage average for the trip was 8.9 MPG. I was thinking to myself, "DAMN, I should have bought the diesel" and for some reasons, maybe I should have. But, in doing the "break even math" with no consideration to maintenance requirements, smell, availability of fuel, needing to wear gloves to refuel vs smelling like diesel, tracking diesel into the truck at every fuel stop, etc.... Those who have diesels know what I mean.....

Anyway, back on topic: I did the math on both vehicles assuming niether would have any mechanical issues, no maintenance costs involved, strictly a fuel cost consideration for miles driven. Assuming gas averages $3.50 a gallon and diesel averages $4.00 a gallon (about what we saw through the mid states) and mileage is 8.5/gal towing with gas and 11/gal towing with diesel, it would take about 175,000 miles to "break even" or to recoup the extra initial purchase price of the diesel truck.

If I were towing a larger fifth wheel, or on the road enough to tow that many miles in a reasonable number of years, it might be worth the consideration. However, our F150 had 26K miles on it when traded, in the 3.5 years we owned it, that's 7500 miles a year (total miles) and about 8,000 miles towing the Springdale.

So, even if all our miles were used towing, at 7500 miles a year, it would take about 25+ years for me to "break even" with the diesel. (fuel costs in MPG towing).

For me (not for everyone) that's a lot longer than I plan on having any tow vehicle LOL Sure, it would be "nice" to have a diesel when towing (even with the disadvantages of being dirtier) but for the way we use our truck, I'm not certain it would be cost effective or reasonable to buy diesel. Certainly it would be a "neat" truck to have, but I'm not sure that the cost vs the payback is there, at least in my situation.

audio1der · 10-16-2013, 12:54 PM

Great, even-minded post, John. and that was purely a fuel comparison without the upfront cost of the diesel, and additional maintenance/DEF costs added in, correct? That would just add to the number of years before breaking even.
Diesel is great for some, but not for everyone, in every case.

**JRTJH** · 10-16-2013, 03:01 PM

Yes Kevin,

The math I did was for the price of fuel only given an average of 8.5 MPG for gas and 11MPG for diesel. I did not include any depreciation, no maintenance costs, no increased price of oil changes or filters, no possible increased resale value, nothing but the price of gas vs diesel. I'd think that in 25 years (the break even point) the resale value of either truck would be pretty much a wash anyway.

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