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.

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.

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 bandAnyway.. Hope this helps some. Thanks!Jeremiah

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.

If you decide to get the diesel, get the 3500 truck. The diesel engine weighs a lot more than the gas engine, thus giving you a lower payload rating. The 6.0 gas engine in the 2500 should be more than adequate for your trailer.

jerem0621 wrote: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 bandAnyway.. Hope this helps some. Thanks!JeremiahWith a larger trailer or pulling some real hills out west the difference in towing experience becomes much more pronounced than what you may have experienced. Its nowhere close to the same pulling power just at different RPMs as you claim. We no longer have new big block gassers to choose from and modern diesels are laying down much bigger numbers than an ol 5.9. The difference is night/day when were talking "new" TV

2015 Chevy/GMC 2500 Diesel or Gas? | Good Sam Community

53 Replies

APT
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
If you can afford the diesel up front costs, you will love it. The better fuel mileage means farther tank range and fewer fillups while towing. You can also use the diesel truck pumps. The $8k extra up front is still worth about $6k for the first 10 years.

But the 6.0L/4.10 will noticeably outperform your current vehicle. It is extremely reliable and low maintenance.
smithlaw
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
Lantley wrote:
This is a towing forum. Comments here are based on using the truck to tow with.
Other uses of the truck are irrelevant as it pertains to its ability to tow.
Towing parameters and dynamics don't change.
I'll reiterate, If you are buying the truck to tow a RV trailer go diesel.
If you are buying the truck to use as a commuter car or grocery getter you have other options.
I have a diesel dually because I tow a 5th wheel. My truck is my DD as well. My truck is capable of other task as well. For optimum TOWING performance I drive a dually everyday

I apologize Lantley, I did not see the "I can only afford one vehicle to use as both my daily driver and my tow vehicle" forum. I would have posted my question there and not misused this forum if I had ;)

I understand what you mean and I am sorry I got off topic. This is a big decision and you guys have given me the best advice I've gotten so I trust your opinions and will be using them when making my purchase.
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 03, 2016
This is a towing forum. Comments here are based on using the truck to tow with.
Other uses of the truck are irrelevant as it pertains to its ability to tow.
Towing parameters and dynamics don't change.
I'll reiterate, If you are buying the truck to tow a RV trailer go diesel.
If you are buying the truck to use as a commuter car or grocery getter you have other options.
I have a diesel dually because I tow a 5th wheel. My truck is my DD as well. My truck is capable of other task as well. For optimum TOWING performance I drive a dually everyday
smithlaw
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
Ok, maybe this will help with the decision. I live 1.2 miles from my office, and 2.5 miles from my local courthouse (I'm an attorney). Most days now I drive about 5 miles or so total. Once every week or two I travel to a different city to go to court, but that is typically only 1/2hour or 1 hour away. I will be getting the 3/4 ton to pull our 3150 travel trailer (35 total feet) at approximately 7500lbs dry. We will probably pull the camper 1-2 times per month at most. We live 1.5hrs from the beach which is where we will normally be taking it in the summer.

Now, knowing my normal driving habits and use for the truck, does that change anything as far as gas vs. diesel? I am also looking at the F250's as well.
bhall
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
Happy with my 2015 Silverado 2500 crew cab 4x4 6.0 gas truck with the 4.10 rear. I traded in a 2011 Sierra 1500 Extended cab 4x4 5.3 with the 3.42 Rear. My gas mileage is the same in town and it's actually better on the highway (18mpg) then the 2011.

It was a night and day difference with my old Dutchmen 30DSL after I got the 2500. It barely even lowered the rear suspension. Now we have a Springdale 253FWRL 5er and have more then enough payload and the truck pulls it with no problems here on the east coast. Flat towing with the the 5er is 12mpg. Our Florida trip from southern PA to Disney World we averaged 11mpg. Just 2 weeks ago I hauled my 47 Ford Street Rod (3,300lb) to Ocean Maryland using a Big Tex Model 12FT Full Bed Tilt Trailer (3,000lb Empty) and averaged 13.5 mpg. That average includes sitting in traffic on Kent Island trying to get to the bay bridge to come home on a Sunday.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2016
I would avoid the 6.0 or the 6.4 Powerstroke Diesels. These were made in model year 03-07 for the 6.0 and 08-10 for the 6.4...

The 2014-2015 Powerstroke is a 6.7L and has a MUCH better reputation than the 6.0 or 6.4 Powerstroke.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
smithlaw
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
Ok, let me throw this into the mix- Any positives or negatives if looking at the 2014-2015 F250 diesel or gas? My dad told me the other day that the 6.0 (I think) in the Ford several years ago was junk and he saw tons of head gasket issues when they had 80-100k miles on them. I like the look of the GM product more but looks aren't everything...
Nate1979
Explorer
Jun 03, 2016
We have a 2015 GMC Sierra 2500 w 6.0 and 4.10 pulling 7500lb travel trailer. Towed for first time 2 weeks ago up thru Mt. Hood. Maintained speed no problem. Towed like a dream with no effort.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Jun 03, 2016
I would go with a diesel for pulling that camper.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jun 03, 2016
Hey N-Trouble...

I never said they pulled the same...matter of fact I recommended the Diesel if money is not an object.

My point was Diesels have to turn RPM's to make power too...they just have tachs with less numbers on them...

As far as experience, yes we are talking new...they are fantastic pieces of technology but it doesn't invalidate my experience...these new trucks still have to turn rpm...they don't just idle around...which was my point...Diesels turn RPM too...there is just less of them.

It doesn't make the 6.0 a bad choice...its personal preference at these weights the OP has.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Forum Discussion

2015 Chevy/GMC 2500 Diesel or Gas?

53 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

2023 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon

Chevy/GMC bed height

New Chevy / GMC 3500HD options

Chevy/GMC 2500 diesel owners

Chevy/GMC 1500 Recall