New diesel shopping
The time has almost come to buy a new truck for the family. I was hoping to hold off until December 2016, but after a recent trip pulling the camper 2000 km I think it needs an upgrade before the nex...
Forum Discussion
Kevinwa wrote:RVcrazy wrote:
We love our 2015 Chevy Duramax. It has not only tow/haul, but also a built in diesel exhaust brake at the push of a button. We have over 30000 miles this past year, including the Tetons & El Cajon pass & the Smokies with NO trouble. From the wife's perspective, I love the grab bar locations for entering & exiting the vehicle and the VERY comfortable seats. We bought the standard bed which some call short box and a Pull-Rite fifth wheel hitch. With the 3500, we have enough capacity for 15000gvwr on the fiver (although we don't use all of it). I forgot to mention how QUIET it is! Can you tell that we are happy with our purchase?
Good to hear about your love on the duramax chevy. How is the fuel economy on it? One thing I like about it is that the cute wife was not afraid at all to drive it. She has driven an 08 F350 and really hated it.
The 2015 is definitely very quiet and very comfortable. the redesign really made some big improvements overall IMHO. Using the cruise control to hold speed downhill is really a nice feature turns exhaust brake on/off, etc.
towing it's about the same mpg as my 2004.5 Duramax, figure 10-12 depending on the trailer and road.
Unloaded on the highway my 2015 is definitely better than the 04.5. On a 1600 mile round trip to montana and back from oregon the 04.5 would average about 17.5 Five trips with the 2015 and it's averaging low 19's. san diego and back 21.5 on I-5.
Best was 24.5 for a trip back from montana, but then DW was driving the denali and following me driving a 24' uhaul at 60-65 mph the whole way.
To me, the biggest downside to the 2015 is that it sits 2" higher off the ground and 2" higher overall than my 04.5. 2" may not sound like much, but on the 04.5 I could easily slide into the drivers seat w/o using the step bar. not so on the 2015.
And I'm going 6K miles or so on a DEF tank, close to when I want oil changed anyway.
Definitely glad we waited for the 2015 new design.
But again, like I said and others have said, IMHO ALL the big 3 make darn fine trucks. Drive them and it's your money, decide which one FITS your needs and wants best.
