2500 HD 6.0 Gas vs a Diesel

I have a 2500 with the 6.0 , It pulls 9000 lbs no problem , I have no complaints .

My DW thinks I'm crazy for wanting to give up a brand new truck we bought new on an older used one. We put a lot down so we are not in a losing situation but about even. Still it is hard for her to understand it is a needed move. The longer you wait the more the vehicle will depreciate as both mileage and age build up.

I'm very happy with my '13 2500hd with 6.0, 6 speed. I pull about 9000 pounds and no problems.

It was all it wanted to do last year over the Rockies on I-70 but we made it fine.....

AirForceAngler wrote:
That 6.0 would be fine. Yes, diesels get better fuel economy, but the fuel costs more and so does maintenance on a diesel. An oil change on a diesel can easily run more than $100 plus the fuel and water filters can get pricey, too. Unless you tow a lot all the time, a diesel rarely pays for itself.

I looked at the maintenance costs as well when making my choice. An oil & filter change on my 5.3l ran about $50 (depending on if I had a coupon) every 3,000 miles. I usually put about 10k miles on a vehicle per year, so that's roughly $100 per year.

If I have it done at the dealer, (so I'm told) service on the Duramax will run about $150-$175. Add in the DEF which (so I'm told) runs about $35 twice per year.

So on the high side, oil and filter on the Duramax would run about $350 plus $70 for the DEF for a total of around $420...or $320 more per year than the 5.3l I had. Like I said, right now, my fuel costs are about $60 more per month (or $720 per year).

So all told, I'm looking at about $1,000 more per year to operate the diesel...not considering the power and mileage advantage I'll get towing with the diesel.

That's not chump change, but it's not a bank breaker either.

If you've got a little extra time, you might skim through the "Diesel vs. Gas" thread. Lots of opinions but some real good information in there.

Personally...I went from a truck very similar to the one in your signature (I even had the Tekonsha P3 and still have the Equalixer hitch) to a 2500 HD Duramax. I also had the idea of going to a fifth wheel but in everything we liked the pin weight put us too close to the max payload for my comfort. We've settled on a 35' TT, 8,500 (ish) dry.

I know gas is cheaper than diesel, but over the past 4 months and roughly 3,200 miles, doing the same driving I always did (no towing yet)I'm only seeing about $60 per month additional cost for fuel.

For what it's worth, there's not a thing wrong with the 6.0l motor. I looked real hard at it but my circumstances made diesel a good choice for me. That's pretty much what you'll have to decide...what fits your circumstances?

That 6.0 would be fine. Yes, diesels get better fuel economy, but the fuel costs more and so does maintenance on a diesel. An oil change on a diesel can easily run more than $100 plus the fuel and water filters can get pricey, too. Unless you tow a lot all the time, a diesel rarely pays for itself.

Very capable engine and tranny. Little lite on power, but a proven combo. It would hinge on what you plan on towing.

aarond76 wrote:
What are you planning on pulling with it? I believe I have seen previous posts where you are upgrading campers but I do not remember to what?

2011 will have the 6 spd transmission correct? I believe the 6.0 with 6 spd will be a very capable tow vehicle.

Right now we have the TT in my signature. But we are looking to upgrade in the future to a heavier longer TT or 5th wheel.

It does have the 6 speed transmission and only 17K miles

I tow a 9k lb TT with a '14 and it does just fine. If I was towing over 12k or 20000 miles a year I'd get a diesel. I had a 5.9l ctd. Three of them in fact. We're weekend warriors with 3 or 4 long trips each year. I'm happy with the 6.0.

What are you planning on pulling with it? I believe I have seen previous posts where you are upgrading campers but I do not remember to what?

2011 will have the 6 spd transmission correct? I believe the 6.0 with 6 spd will be a very capable tow vehicle.