2015 Chevy/GMC 2500 Diesel or Gas?

I tow a 31 foot/about 9,000 lb TT with 2014 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 in the West Virginia mountains and get about 7mpg. Usually have to let off the gas on some of the grades on the turnpike as the speed will creep up unexpectedly.

smithlaw wrote:
2015 Chevy or GMC 2500 Gas vs. Diesel? I know the diesel is going to be the top choice but does anyone have the gas and are they happy with it? I have a 31ft travel trailer and we are upgrading from a 1/2 ton. I was originally looking at the gas models but am worried the gas mileage might be much worse with the gas and didn't know of any problems I may have with it.

The 6.0 Gasser is a fine fine truck... But if you can stomach the upgrade price and the small bump in maintenance cost the Diesel is the way to go. Either will have more than enough payload for your application. 3/4 ton Diesel trucks can get a little light on the payload side since the motors are so heavy but you should still have well over 2,000 lbs...even if you go with the most loaded model.

While I didn't have a 6.0 Gasser I did have a F350 Dually with a V10 gasser. I also had a 31 ft TT and managed a respectable 7.5 mpg towing at 60-65 mph...

I like gas motors and tend to go that route as it makes sense for me and my family budget.... plus I like the hot rod sound while pulling with the Gasser...

In the end.. You don't "need" diesel but many feel its a more relaxing towing experience since the RPM's are much lower. Many get anxious/nervous as the RPM's climb on a gasser but that is a PERSONAL issue.. the truck is performing as expected... The choice is up to you... buy what you want...

Here is the deal with the gas motors... they make their power differently than a diesel. These gas engines are designed to turn higher RPM while operating to make power.

You will hear of folks say the gas motor was "struggling" or "lugging" at 3,000 rpm or something like that while pulling a hill... No the motor wasn't struggling... the owner was struggling to put the gas pedal down or gear down and let those RPM's rip.

My V10 would SING at 4,500-5,000 RPM while pulling a big hill and you know what... I loved it.

My dad has a 5.9l Cummins and he would often have that motor close to redline pulling his 15k fiver over mountains... but redline is around 3,200 RPM... Sooo... what is the difference between a redline at 3,200 RPM and a redline at 6,500 rpm? As far as the design parameters go....nothing.. both motors have to rev to make power... but a diesel does it much lower in the RPM band

Anyway.. Hope this helps some.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

You can expect in the ballpark of 15-20% better fuel economy overall with the diesel but you will never recoop the up front cost in fuel savings. You dont buy a diesel with the expectation of saving money. Aint gunna happen... You buy a diesel because need/want the pulling power.