Diesel Gas Mileage and Reliability???
I am researching a new truck and am considering a diesel (not sure which one yet) or a Toyota Tundra with the 5.7 liter engine. Whatever I get, it will be a used one. I have read about all of the ma...
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Matt, here's my $.02. I've towed the same TT (avg loaded weight of probably 6000#) w/ 3 different vehicles now (soon to be a 4th): an '05 1500 Suburban 4 spd (4.10 gears), a 2500HD turbodiesel, and a 2010 1500 Suburban 6 spd.
Towing mileage @ 65: '05 Suburban -- 8-10 mpg.; '06 diesel -- 10-12.5 mpg. '10 Suburban -- still around 9-10 mpg, but performance is much better due to the 6 spd.
Non-towing mileage: '05 Suburban 12-17 mpg; '06 diesel -- 13-20 mpg.; '10 Suburban -- 14-21.5 mpg
Never had a single substantial problem with any of them. I don't know you could say that diesels are more 'reliable.' The engine might go for more miles, but there are still lots of things that could need to be fixed.
Cost to buy is going to put the diesel behind the others in a pure economic analysis, I'm afraid. Like others have said, it is going to take a lot of towing miles to make up the cost of the diesel, especially since (here, at least), diesel fuel costs at least $.50 more than regular. But the towing performance was remarkably effortless. Literally put it in cruise at 68 mph and it went down the road in 6th gear. Through the mountains, into a head wind, wherever. I actually looked forward to towing w/ my diesel. Keep in mind that I'm in Utah, so we have mountains pretty much any direction we go.
I'd think a more 'modern' 1/2 ton w/ 6 spd transmission will be a good upgrade for you. I was surprised how much of a difference the 6 spd in my '10 Suburban makes compared to my '05. Where the large gaps between gears in my '05 sent the engine screaming to the redline all the time, the 6 spd seems to always have a gear right where I need it. No, it isn't pulling down the road in 6th hardly ever, but having the range of 3rd-5th to work with is much nicer than bouncing between 2nd and 3rd (no, my '05 never was able to tow in 4th gear, either, despite having 4.10 gears). Much nicer towing experience, even if it isn't any more fuel efficient.
I'd also put a plug in for the Ford Ecoboost, although I haven't towed with it yet. I don't think it will break 10 mpg towing, but from what I can tell driving it unloaded, it is going to tow very easy due to the low torque curve.
Good luck!
Towing mileage @ 65: '05 Suburban -- 8-10 mpg.; '06 diesel -- 10-12.5 mpg. '10 Suburban -- still around 9-10 mpg, but performance is much better due to the 6 spd.
Non-towing mileage: '05 Suburban 12-17 mpg; '06 diesel -- 13-20 mpg.; '10 Suburban -- 14-21.5 mpg
Never had a single substantial problem with any of them. I don't know you could say that diesels are more 'reliable.' The engine might go for more miles, but there are still lots of things that could need to be fixed.
Cost to buy is going to put the diesel behind the others in a pure economic analysis, I'm afraid. Like others have said, it is going to take a lot of towing miles to make up the cost of the diesel, especially since (here, at least), diesel fuel costs at least $.50 more than regular. But the towing performance was remarkably effortless. Literally put it in cruise at 68 mph and it went down the road in 6th gear. Through the mountains, into a head wind, wherever. I actually looked forward to towing w/ my diesel. Keep in mind that I'm in Utah, so we have mountains pretty much any direction we go.
I'd think a more 'modern' 1/2 ton w/ 6 spd transmission will be a good upgrade for you. I was surprised how much of a difference the 6 spd in my '10 Suburban makes compared to my '05. Where the large gaps between gears in my '05 sent the engine screaming to the redline all the time, the 6 spd seems to always have a gear right where I need it. No, it isn't pulling down the road in 6th hardly ever, but having the range of 3rd-5th to work with is much nicer than bouncing between 2nd and 3rd (no, my '05 never was able to tow in 4th gear, either, despite having 4.10 gears). Much nicer towing experience, even if it isn't any more fuel efficient.
I'd also put a plug in for the Ford Ecoboost, although I haven't towed with it yet. I don't think it will break 10 mpg towing, but from what I can tell driving it unloaded, it is going to tow very easy due to the low torque curve.
Good luck!
