2015 Chevy/GMC 2500 Diesel or Gas?

Grit dog wrote:
Regarding the big 3 HD pickups, none of the new models are turds or time bombs and they all have great power, stock, with the ability to turn up the wick pretty easily to insane power for a stock pickup truck. In that power race, GM is behind by a bunch, but still performs very close to the 8xx and 900ftlb trucks from the other 2.

Stop drunk posting!! :R

GM is second on paper in the power race and first in real life; at least they were a year or so ago in the Ike gauntlet run.

Ford #1 on paper with 440 HP

GM twins #2 on paper with 397 HP

Dodge.......oh sorry, Ram #3 with 350, 370 or 385 HP depending on the tranny you pick.

I drive a GMC 3500HD gasser and it does great with my 4800+ lb. TC but towing a 31', 11,000 lb. TT I would definitely go with a 1 ton GM diesel. Buy once, cry once.
Good luck.

Grit dog wrote:
Ha, you're on the right track smithlaw! Talked yourself up from a Sub to a F150, to a HD pickup, to now a diesel maybe! Stay here much longer and you'll be in a custom tuned deleted dually with a built trans and Twins under the hood! Lol
Here's the short of it. Beings we know your profession, I'll assume you can afford whatever you choose, but like most of us, it's still a big decision.
I'll also assume you've put away your concerns about parking at work, in the city, etc.
Cost wise, the up front cost of the diesel will be mostly or completely recouped when you sell it if you take care of it and we're not talking 250kmi later. But even then the diesel will bring thousands more than a comparable gasser. Just hit craigslist and look at prices for the same trucks has vs diesel. Maint is a bit more for oil changes and filters etc, rest of the truck is the same unless you start throwing darts at what ifs on the big diesel components (injectors, turbo, inj pump).
Overall the cost of ownership through the whole cycle is not a bunch different on average.
Imo, in your case with moderate towing and year round daily driver, it's a want vs need. A HD gasser, any flavor, is built to tow what you are towing. A diesel is built to tow more, in the same size package, so you'll be the guy that can run up a grade with the trailer and never drop 1 mph, with the turbo singing along w the kids in the backseat!
If you're not a gearhead, maybe you don't care about being king dingaling in the towing race, at the gas pump and at stoplight drag races, or maybe you do.
Again, imo if you have the means, a diesel is a very nice luxury that I've learned to not live without now.....
As far as the brand wars go, I'll bow out, but reccomend this.
Going Powerstroke, new, is great. Don't step back below 2015 models or you get a crappy exhaust brake setup. (Another big advantage of newer diesels btw). Also know that the HD Fords are all new for 2017 and worth a look. Same token, if you are going solid axle truck, the Ram is a contender, or the best towing rig out there depending who you talk to.

.

Now you know what they say about assumptions! That is some very good information and thank you for that. I guess it is possible I could buy whichever truck but we are in the middle of doing renovations on our home, on my office, and just made the big purchase of the travel trailer. I am also the guy that can never understand how someone can go spend 60 or $70,000 on a new truck right from the lot. However, at the same time I am the person that if I got the gas there is a good chance I would be mad at myself for not getting the diesel and end up going to buy one later anyway. I do tend to always want the best I just have to feel like I get a good deal on it! And yes, I have put aside the parking issues and all of that but I don't think I will be going to the customized dually just yet...

Like others have mentioned, the gas engine may be better suited for me right now. But I like the fact I can upgrade with the diesel and not have to change trucks. At this point it may come down to what kind of deal I can find on a truck without having to drive across the country to get it.

Look forward to seeing pics of your new Dmax in the driveway soon........

Regarding the big 3 HD pickups, none of the new models are turds or time bombs and they all have great power, stock, with the ability to turn up the wick pretty easily to insane power for a stock pickup truck. In that power race, GM is behind by a bunch, but still performs very close to the 8xx and 900ftlb trucks from the other 2.
Gassers you're "stuck" if you call it that with around 400ftlbs of torque no matter what you do short of serious mods. Even then, you could drop $10k in a blower, cam, porting, fuel control, headers, etc and still not hit stock torque of any new diesel. Would be faster empty though!
Bottom line, if you want to drop $8-10k more on a truck, you will not be back complaining about the performance towing, or fuel mileage....at all, compared to a gasser. If you get the gasser, you still have $10k in the bank and the truck will be just as comfortable inside while pulling your trailer up that hill at 4500rpms in 3rd gear getting 8mog on a good day.

Ha, you're on the right track smithlaw! Talked yourself up from a Sub to a F150, to a HD pickup, to now a diesel maybe! Stay here much longer and you'll be in a custom tuned deleted dually with a built trans and Twins under the hood! Lol
Here's the short of it. Beings we know your profession, I'll assume you can afford whatever you choose, but like most of us, it's still a big decision.
I'll also assume you've put away your concerns about parking at work, in the city, etc.
Cost wise, the up front cost of the diesel will be mostly or completely recouped when you sell it if you take care of it and we're not talking 250kmi later. But even then the diesel will bring thousands more than a comparable gasser. Just hit craigslist and look at prices for the same trucks has vs diesel. Maint is a bit more for oil changes and filters etc, rest of the truck is the same unless you start throwing darts at what ifs on the big diesel components (injectors, turbo, inj pump).
Overall the cost of ownership through the whole cycle is not a bunch different on average.
Imo, in your case with moderate towing and year round daily driver, it's a want vs need. A HD gasser, any flavor, is built to tow what you are towing. A diesel is built to tow more, in the same size package, so you'll be the guy that can run up a grade with the trailer and never drop 1 mph, with the turbo singing along w the kids in the backseat!
If you're not a gearhead, maybe you don't care about being king dingaling in the towing race, at the gas pump and at stoplight drag races, or maybe you do.
Again, imo if you have the means, a diesel is a very nice luxury that I've learned to not live without now.....
As far as the brand wars go, I'll bow out, but reccomend this.
Going Powerstroke, new, is great. Don't step back below 2015 models or you get a crappy exhaust brake setup. (Another big advantage of newer diesels btw). Also know that the HD Fords are all new for 2017 and worth a look. Same token, if you are going solid axle truck, the Ram is a contender, or the best towing rig out there depending who you talk to.

My personal experience with the 6.0L gasser (albeit just a little bit of experience thus far) - the new GMs with the 4.10 rear end, 6-speed tranny, and 6.0L motor is just an all around good combination. I pull my 8,000 33' TT with NO problems.

Last weekend on the interstate coming home, I went to pass a semi and let the cruise control do it's thing and it was a little slow. Went to pass the next semi, took the CC off and put my foot into it and had ZERO issues making a quick clean pass.

I would have considered a diesel but found they don't like short trips and I take a lot of short trips during the week, so the gasser was the choice for me.

If you can afford the extra up front cost, get the diesel. They don't cost materially more in terms of total cost of ownership and they're a lot nicer to drive, towing or not - the effortless torque is just impressive. You get your extra up front expense back over time from a combination of better fuel economy and resale value.

Once you tow with it you'll be hooked. The control you get on descents with the exhaust brake is just as impressive as the power you have climbing passes.

In my opinion it all depends on how you use your truck how much you tow your RV. If you take 5-6 or more lengthy trips then I would say get the diesel, if not, I feel you'd be happier with staying with the gas model.

If you can afford the diesel go for it. The extra cost will come back to you down the road when you trade it in. I just did a KBB value on my 2008 Dodge 2500 with and without the diesel engine. The diesel still adds $5,000 to the resale value.