I'd like to upgrade our tow vehicle one of these days. My 150 STX is a little underpowered four our TT. I pulled a 21' bass boat with a undersized GMC Jimmy for years, so I'm used to the extra weight back there. I'm looking to bump up to a 3/4 ton, diesel. We can't really afford to buy new, and don't really want to, as the truck is basically just driven when we pull the camper. Sometimes on the weekend just to run it. Just wondering what your opinion is on mileage. I've never owned a diesel vehicle before but I've seen that they will run up very high mileage and keep going. I guess my question is... What is considered "too high mileage" on a diesel truck. I know there's a difference between "highway miles" and "city miles" but I figure a diesel truck is built pretty much for work anyways. Thanks for your opinions :)Sorry, Didn't make myself real clear... "too high mileage" I meant is 100,000, 200,000 upward miles too many miles to be on a used truck? I know I have to do my homework, but on a well maintained truck, is 1 or 2 hundred thousand too many miles for a truck that will be used mainly for towing? Not a daily driver.

That F150 is what a V6?, why not the Ecoboost F150 XLT, of Ecotec V8 Silvarado 1500 LT.My F250 6.7 is getting 19.5 MPG and $20k more than a 1/2 Ton.If you get a used Diesel 3/4 ton stay under 120,000 miles, but still consider the New 1/2 tons.Good Luck!!!

16-18 mpg on the highway in my former 2009 Chevy 2500HD Duramax. 9-11 mpg on the highway pulling the Everest. About the same for my current dually.

azdryheat wrote:16-18 mpg on the highway in my former 2009 Chevy 2500HD Duramax. 9-11 mpg on the highway pulling the Everest. About the same for my current dually.Same on my Duramax in sign.

azdryheat wrote:16-18 mpg on the highway in my former 2009 Chevy 2500HD Duramax. 9-11 mpg on the highway pulling the Everest. About the same for my current dually.Same on my Duramax in sign.Sorry double post....

If you are buying used then the engine in that model will make a big difference. The Ford 7.3L and the Dodge 5.9L are supposedly the mileage kings. 2011 model year and newer probably run around 16-18 non-towing and 10-13 towing. Diesels often last 300,000+ miles if well maintained. 500,000 miles isn't all that unusual. I haven't found maintenance costs to be any more on my diesel than it is on gassers. And when you start up one of those 7 or 8% mountain grades while towing a heavy trailer you'll find out why they are so popular.And if anyone thinks diesels inherently get worse mileage, look at those VW small diesels which -really- get 50-60 mpg on the road. BK

Question about diesel mileage | Good Sam Community

transamz9
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
Engineer9860 wrote:
transamz9 wrote:
Engineer9860 wrote:
I agree with the first reply in this thread. Look at the big engined 1/2tons.

I have just shy of 300,000mi on my Chevy Blazer. My '94 K2500 has 210,000. My mom had a Tahoe, and a Suburban with 350,000mi, and 250,000mi respectively. All of the above on original engines.

Gas engines will go as many miles as a diesel if properly maintained.

If you must have a diesel research them all before buying. There are a couple to be avoided. And don't just focus on the engines either. There are other systems on the diesel pick ups which have been problematic on trucks with an otherwise reliable engine.

Are you sure about that?

Cummins High Miles Club

Yes.

When the 6.4L diesel in my company truck blew up at 120,000 miles I was convinced.

Million mile Chevy 350

I show you 40 trucks on 1 web site with a million miles or more and you show me 1 and you still think gas motors will last as long as a diesel.

There where bad runs of motors in gas and diesel both. You just happen to get one of the diesels that were a bad run.
whsk
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
if we are talking engines?-get a Cummins as it will outlast two trucks and still be running-saw one on the net that 800000+ and was still going!-whsk
Area13
Explorer
Jan 29, 2014
I personally LOVE my 02 7.3. I'm sitting @300/600 with $1000 into intake, exhaust and a MILD tuner. This thing could pull a house or smoke the tires and not to mention is super reliable. A mild tuner on these really wakes them up along with improved shifting. I'm a proud owner of one these last free breathing beasts and it's not gonna be for sale anytime soon. So there!
Airstreamer67
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
Quote: "Your 2001 has more than 200 HP."

Since my engine was being discussed in this thread and was said to have 200hp, I'll note that my 1996 7.3 Ford Diesel has 215hp stipulated on the nameplate.

I believe the last production 7.3 had 275hp in 2003, a result of program tweaking and beefier injectors and such.

It's not hard for the aftermarket guys to get 400 horsepower, and actually a lot more than that, from the big 444-cubic-inch block. I've seen some claiming to be in the 600 to 700 or more stratosphere.

Horsepower wasn't what stopped the 7.3 from continuing on.

It was Global Warming that did her in.

I've got to stop now and go shovel off the snow that's covering my driveway, here in Louisiana, today!

I was shoveling snow a few days ago as well.

Good thing they killed the 7.3 or no telling how bad it would be.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 28, 2014
Buck50HD wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
Buck50HD wrote:
200HP will only pull a typical RV rig up a 4% grade at 45-55MPH. It's hard to get excited about that. And forget about passing anybody unless you have 1/2 mile clear.

Well no one told my 01 Cummins that, stock pulled an older 5er about the size of yours at 55 up 6% grades with many curves. Now that I am pulling 11,000#, I added a small chip and pull it at 60 up the same grades,and that is with 268,000 miles.
Mileage, daughter used it last week while I was out of town, got 17 mpg mixed city country road driving over 387 miles.

Initially, I was assuming a 10k+ trailer that most people would pull with a 3/4 ton. That would be around 17-18k GCW.

With the 235HP rating in your truck and a little lower GCW, like 15,500, the max speed for a 6% grade would be around 55MPH.

Well even with the old 5er never been south of 16,000# GCVW, now running right at 19,000+, yes I do that with a 5 speed and 3.55 gears, and pull hills, 6% at 55 to 60 curvy two lanes.
Buck50HD
Explorer
Jan 28, 2014
rhagfo wrote:
Buck50HD wrote:
200HP will only pull a typical RV rig up a 4% grade at 45-55MPH. It's hard to get excited about that. And forget about passing anybody unless you have 1/2 mile clear.

Well no one told my 01 Cummins that, stock pulled an older 5er about the size of yours at 55 up 6% grades with many curves. Now that I am pulling 11,000#, I added a small chip and pull it at 60 up the same grades,and that is with 268,000 miles.
Mileage, daughter used it last week while I was out of town, got 17 mpg mixed city country road driving over 387 miles.

Initially, I was assuming a 10k+ trailer that most people would pull with a 3/4 ton. That would be around 17-18k GCW.

With the 235HP rating in your truck and a little lower GCW, like 15,500, the max speed for a 6% grade would be around 55MPH.
wnjj
Explorer II
Jan 27, 2014
rhagfo wrote:
Buck50HD wrote:
200HP will only pull a typical RV rig up a 4% grade at 45-55MPH. It's hard to get excited about that. And forget about passing anybody unless you have 1/2 mile clear.

Well no one told my 01 Cummins that, stock pulled an older 5er about the size of yours at 55 up 6% grades with many curves. Now that I am pulling 11,000#, I added a small chip and pull it at 60 up the same grades,and that is with 268,000 miles.
Mileage, daughter used it last week while I was out of town, got 17 mpg mixed city country road driving over 387 miles.

Your 2001 has more than 200 HP.
tinner12002
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
Engines are only one consideration as there are a lot more moving parts on a truck besides just the motor. You've got the tranny, transfer case if its 4x4, axle bearings, ring gear and pinion bearings, wheel bearings and brakes plus all the electrical items throughout the vehicle that don't have mileage wear but still have been used for the duration of time the truck has been on the road.
Personally I wouldn't purchase a diesel or gas truck with over 200K miles unless it was one I would use around the farm if I had one.
That's just my opinion.
parkersdad
Explorer
Jan 27, 2014
hddecker wrote:
mrkoje wrote:
If it were me ....

I would consider how much I'm willing to spend and then look at what I'm going to be getting for my money.

For example... If I want to spend around $20k then I could go the diesel route but would end up with a 2004 - 2006 with 90k+ miles. Obviously the deals on these trucks will vary and you might get more or less bank for your dollar. The issue here is older high mileage trucks. Older generally being less powerful think 2004 5.9l cummins 300ish HP and 450-600lb-ft torque. Older truck also having less of the "new" technology and creature comforts.

The alternative I would take would be a newer 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton gas truck depending on your payload and towing requirements. You could pick up say a 2009 Ram 1500 with the 5.7l HEMI for the same or less $$ with reasonable miles 50-70k and have a workhorse of an engine that pumps out 390hp and 407lb-ft of torque.

If I had a redo I think I would go the Hemi route.

I have loved that engine going back to the days when I was young and reckless and had a 300 something Hemi in a Desoto.

Neck snapping torque all day long.

Bingo. I love my Hemi 2500. My trailer only weighs between 5,000 and 6000 pounds but when hooked behind Hemi 2500 I can outrun a lot of cars. The new 6.4 Hemi looks good as well.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 27, 2014
Buck50HD wrote:
200HP will only pull a typical RV rig up a 4% grade at 45-55MPH. It's hard to get excited about that. And forget about passing anybody unless you have 1/2 mile clear.

Well no one told my 01 Cummins that, stock pulled an older 5er about the size of yours at 55 up 6% grades with many curves. Now that I am pulling 11,000#, I added a small chip and pull it at 60 up the same grades,and that is with 268,000 miles.
Mileage, daughter used it last week while I was out of town, got 17 mpg mixed city country road driving over 387 miles.